What happens when you leave behind the only life you've known to rediscover yourself? Moana's journey from Los Angeles to the shores of Santa Cruz reveals how changing your environment can transform your understanding of who you are.

Growing up across various Los Angeles neighborhoods, Moana developed a chameleon-like ability to adapt while secretly yearning for genuine connection. Despite her natural empathy and talent for drawing people out, something was missing. After ending a long-term relationship, she made the bold decision to move to Santa Cruz where her father had lived for over twenty years.

The conversation takes a fascinating turn as Moana explores her Polynesian heritage and the surprising personality traits she inherited from a father she barely knew growing up. Through reading the writings of her ancestor—the first Tongan missionary—she discovered emotional patterns that resonated deeply across generations, challenging our understanding of how identity forms beyond immediate environment.

Her candid reflections on pursuing acting in Los Angeles expose the disconnection prevalent in an industry supposedly built on human storytelling. The contrast with Santa Cruz's natural rhythms—where stepping outside means immediate access to beaches, mountains, and forests—illustrates how our surroundings shape our mental health and ability to hear our authentic voice.

Now studying to become a nurse at 33, Moana embodies the courage it takes to redefine success on your own terms. Her story reminds us that sometimes the path to self-discovery requires leaving behind the familiar to find spaces where your true self can emerge—whether that's in a small coastal town, a local coffee shop community, or simply in moments of connection with the natural world around us.