Meet Cameron Macdougall

We recently connected with Cameron Macdougall and have shared our conversation below.

Cameron , so good to have you with us today. We’ve always been impressed with folks who have a very clear sense of purpose and so maybe we can jump right in and talk about how you found your purpose?

My Purpose (a continual work in progress): I free people from the chains of their circumstances, empowering them to live lives that are truly fulfilling and awe-inspiring.

I discovered this purpose by first recognizing that I was living on repeat. From high school dropout to criminal, chef, and financial executive, I cycled through the same patterns again and again. No matter how much I changed my surroundings, I recreated the same circumstances, locked in a relentless loop of triggers, actions, and results—a loop that always led me right back to square one.

It wasn’t until I hit rock bottom, after achieving what society views as “success,” that I finally saw the truth I’d been blind to all along: I was trapped by my own trauma, beliefs, and habits. My inner and outer worlds held me captive. So, I turned inward. I examined my needs, redefined my values, and set targets that aligned with my passion for helping others and contributing to the world.

Step by step, I connected more deeply to who I truly am. The more I aligned my actions with my core, the clearer my purpose became. Now, the purpose-driven life I live is simply the result of consistently honouring my needs, values, and value based targets.

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?

I’m on a mission to help people break free from limiting patterns and realize their full potential in unconventional, rule bending ways. I run a performance coaching business called Inbodied, where I work with executives, leaders, and entrepreneurs to find true balance and fulfillment—not just professionally, but in every area of life. I’m driven by a passion to connect leaders to their deeper purpose, guiding them to build a strong body, focus the mind, master their emotions, and expand their connection with both the inner and outer world. This isn’t your typical coaching; it’s about pushing past surface-level goals and addressing the real roots holding you back so that you can rewire and reprogram your entire way of being.

Our approach starts with understanding each person’s fundamental needs. Once those needs are met, we move toward defining and aligning with their core values. This clarity creates a clear vision of the life they truly want. From there, we work to create the freedom to live out those values (This is where the Inbodied Magic happens). With that freedom, fulfillment naturally follows, giving them a new perspective on life and impact.

What makes Inbodied unique is that it’s rooted in my own journey. I’ve reinvented myself many times—from high school dropout and criminal to chef, financial executive, and now performance coach. Through each phase, I learned that changing your environment alone doesn’t change your life; real transformation comes from deep inner work, rewiring, and building a life that reflects who you truly are. And once you discover who you are, being unapologetic in its unbridled expression. I’ve walked that path, continue to do so, and now I help other leaders do the same.

Right now, I’m focused on expanding Inbodied in several big ways. I’m hosting more workshops for companies, connecting with leaders who want to foster cultures of resilience and purpose. I’m also launching live events that bring a new energy to personal growth. And I’m expanding my social media reach, particularly on Instagram and YouTube, where I share insights and strategies to help people connect with their purpose and break past their limits. I’m also beginning to work with at-risk youth and men in correctional facilities—more on that soon.

In short, Inbodied as a company is looking to create new experiences that challenge a conventional approach to personal growth and performance. It’s our mission to make growth fun as f*ck and we won’t stop until we find the perfect experience to do that!

Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?

The three most important qualities, skills, and areas of knowledge for me have been:

The CURIOSITY to remain a student. One of my favorite quotes is, “Have a black-belt skillset with a white-belt mentality.” If we stay curious, there’s nothing we can’t figure out.

The COURAGE to be myself. Living life for others may feel safe, but it prevents us from discovering who we are at our core. It takes courage to break free from the herd, to do things differently, but in a world where most people aim to blend in, it’s the one thing that truly sets you apart. The courage to be who you are is the foundation for unleashing your unique strengths—and it’s those superpowers that lead to a life of fulfillment and impact.

The ability to COMMUNICATE effectively is something I’m still working on, and in my opinion, it’s the most essential skill to hone if you want to make an impact. Without effective communication, even the best idea dies on the vine. Being able to articulate myself concisely so that my message resonates not only with people’s minds but also their hearts is the most important skill I’m still learning to master.

These 3 C’s guide most of my being. They are the most critical components of me bringing my purpose to life.

Before we go, maybe you can tell us a bit about your parents and what you feel was the most impactful thing they did for you?

As a kid and teenager, I struggled a lot with learning. I rejected the traditional school system and could never understand why I needed to memorize what felt like “useless” stats, dates, and historical moments. It was frustrating to see other kids in my class getting good grades, seeming to have this whole “textbook” thing figured out. In one of my many outbursts, my dad looked at me and said, “Cam, just because those kids are learning those things faster than you doesn’t mean they’re smarter than you. The fact is, knowledge is learned; wisdom is practiced. Always remember that!” From that moment, I started learning by doing. I began taking small pieces of what I was taught and turning them into actions in my life.

We now live in a time when information is everywhere; there’s nothing special about just having it. What makes the difference today is action. It’s not about reciting what you learned in a book—it’s about showing what you’ve learned through how you live. For me, my coaching, my business, the sports I play, and the experiences I create are all about transformation through action. It’s about taking knowledge and turning it into lived wisdom. That advice from my dad has been, hands down, the most important I’ve ever received. It’s changed the way I learn, live, and lead, completely redefining how I approach life.

Contact Info:

Suggest a Story: BoldJourney is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems,
so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
Resilience
Betting on the Brightside: Developing and Fostering Optimism

Optimism is like magic – it has the power to make the impossible a reality

Highlighter Series
What’s more important to you—intelligence, energy, or integrity?

There is no one path – to success or even to New York (or Kansas).

Leadership Development
Finding & Living with Purpose

Over the years we’ve had the good fortunate of speaking with thousands of successful entrepreneurs,