Meet Sterling West

We were lucky to catch up with Sterling West recently and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Sterling, really appreciate you opening up about a very personal topic with the hopes that it can help someone out there who might be going through it. What can you share with us about your journey with postpartum depression and how you overcame PPD? For readers, please note this is not medical advice, we are not doctors, you should always consult professionals for advice and that this is merely one person sharing their story and experience.

It was the moment I stopped seeing depression as a permanent, suffocating weight and recognized it as a challenge to be worked through, that everything changed. I turned to the internet, and two simple yet powerful solutions stood out: Exercise Daily and Serve Others.

Without hesitation, I dove in. I signed up for a gym membership, joined a hot yoga studio, and hit the hiking trails. The shift was almost immediate. After just one day, it all clicked—how did I forget that movement is the key to unlocking all that stagnant energy? It was like muscle memory waking up, and now, missing a day without exercise feels unthinkable.

But the second part of the equation—service—brought even deeper fulfillment. Service wears many faces, from lending time to your community to small, thoughtful gestures for those you love. Twice a month, I lead an art class for the Yavapai-Apache tribe, and I make it a point to pick up trash along the roads in Sedona. Yet the most meaningful acts of service are often the quiet, personal ones. Sending my partner, parents, and siblings handwritten postcards, texts, or simple emails to remind them they matter.

These two shifts—exercise and service—reminded me that, while depression may linger, it’s not a bottomless pit. There are ways out, and often, it starts with the decision to move and the choice to give.

Thanks for sharing that. So, before we get any further into our conversation, can you tell our readers a bit about yourself and what you’re working on?

Helping businesses and individuals bridge the gap between what they offer and how they connect with their audience is my passion. In today’s competitive marketplace, it’s not enough to have a great product—you need to inspire action. That’s where the power of art comes in. Think of the millions spent on Super Bowl ads—those aren’t just commercials, they’re creative masterpieces designed to move people.

Many businesses struggle to express their value in ways that resonate with their target market. I help them find innovative, creative solutions to reconnect with their audience, whether through a rebranding effort or a targeted marketing campaign. Staying relevant is a daily challenge, and the brands that succeed are the ones that tell a compelling story and build emotional connections.

Ultimately, it’s about creating experiences that inspire customers to act, fostering trust and loyalty along the way. Art and creativity are at the heart of that process, and that’s why I do what I do.

“Art is not what you see, but what you make others see.” —Edgar Degas

If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?

One of the most freeing realizations I’ve had is this: worrying about what others think only distracts me from my own goals. At the end of the day, I’m the one who has to face the person in the mirror. Learning to tune out external noise and focus on my path has been key to moving forward.

But there’s more to it than just determination—it’s about balance. Life has been a yin-yang journey of navigating between structure and flow, the logical and the creative, math class and dance class. I’ve learned that true success comes from balancing both sides: being highly organized while allowing space for the messy, carefree energy of creativity. It’s not always neat, but it’s where growth happens.

And to stay grounded in this constant flux, I return to two simple pillars: exercise and service. These practices keep me anchored, clearing my mind of doubt and fear. They’ve become non-negotiable parts of my daily routine, ensuring that I stay focused, energized, and aligned with my goals, no matter what life throws my way.

Alright so to wrap up, who deserves credit for helping you overcome challenges or build some of the essential skills you’ve needed?

The people I’ve let down over the years—old bosses, ex-girlfriends, my ex-wife, and former friends—have unintentionally become some of my greatest teachers. Each failure to show up as my best self, each moment where I lacked commitment or integrity, has motivated me to become the person I wish I had been for them. It’s not easy to face these shortcomings, but it’s been a crucial part of my personal growth.

Part of that process has been about taking real accountability. I’ve made it a point to reach out, to apologize, and, most importantly, to listen. I want to understand their experiences, acknowledge the ways I fell short, and take ownership of the pain I may have caused. Making amends and repairing relationships, even when it’s painful or uncomfortable, has been some of the hardest work I’ve ever done. But it’s also been the most rewarding.

In facing those difficult conversations, I’ve learned that true growth doesn’t come from avoiding past mistakes—it comes from owning them fully. The relationships that didn’t end on the highest note have pushed me to evolve into a better, more self-aware person. Each step toward resolving those unfinished chapters has brought me closer to becoming the man I know I can be.

Taking full responsibility for who I was, who I am now, and who I am becoming is my ongoing commitment. It’s about embracing full transparency, being accountable not just to others but to myself. I want to shine true—through and through—with no shadows of denial or regret holding me back.

This journey of healing and growth has given me the strength to stand in my truth, to accept where I went wrong, and to forge a future that’s built on authenticity, responsibility, and integrity. Ultimately, it’s about being at peace with myself, knowing I’ve done the work to not only make things right but to become someone I can genuinely be proud of.

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