In this episode of The Art of Imperfect Adulting, Amy Stone speaks with Victoria Carrington Chavez—digital nomad, storyteller, and founder of The Story Saloon—about her journey from “main character” to “author” of her own life. Victoria shares her transformative experience navigating a major breakup, detaching from societal checklists, and embracing her childhood dreams through intentional storytelling, entrepreneurship, and travel.

About the Guest:

Victoria Carrington Chávez is a storytelling powerhouse, award-winning entrepreneur, and TEDx speaker. Her talk has been praised as "a masterclass in storytelling." Featured on Telemundo, FIERCE by mitú, and over a dozen podcasts, she brings bold, honest energy to every stage she steps on, from college campuses to global conferences. Victoria doesn’t just speak. She sparks transformation.

Through her platform, The Story Saloon™, she helps creative entrepreneurs and thought leaders distill and share their stories authentically and unapologetically, so they can build the community they crave and become unforgettable.

Her message is simple. It’s not too late to live the life you want. The best chapters are still being written, so make them legendary. Your story is too important to go untold.

Main Topics Covered:

• The difference between being the “main character” and the “author” of your story
• Navigating a late-30s/early-40s life shift and healing from heartbreak
• Learning to recognize societal pressures and rewrite your own personal “checklist”
• The role of storytelling and content creation in healing and belonging
• Building intentional community and support systems online
• Taking bold steps: from post-breakup blues to solo cross-country road trips and TEDx talks
• The process of distilling your story and using it to fuel your personal or business brand

“It’s not like, let me come and take center stage. It’s about taking my story, my values, and putting those things center stage in my life.” – Victoria Carrington Chavez

Timestamps: [00:00:05] Victoria’s digital nomad lifestyle & Carmen San Diego reference

[00:01:46] Giving kindness and compliments on LinkedIn

[00:03:23] Main character vs. author of your story—what it means

[00:05:51] Victoria at 35: teaching, engagement, outward perfection vs. inward emptiness

[00:08:50] Recognizing discontent, ignoring hobbies, and doubting self

[00:13:14] A telenovela-worthy breakup as plot twist and catalyst

[00:15:52] Choosing authorship at 40: launching a business, traveling solo

[00:19:47] Finding support and connection via TikTok, content creation

[00:22:25] Mentorship, entrepreneurship, and joining the HEFA in Training community

[00:24:07] Doing bold things—getting a passport, booking retreats

[00:27:50] Seven-month solo road trip & embracing other people’s opinions

[00:31:03] Claiming “storyteller” as a profession

[00:34:13] About The Story Saloon and Victoria’s current work

[00:36:54] Favorite activities, book recommendations, daily gadgets

Special Offer from the Guest:

The Story Spark: A 60-minute 1:1 deep dive to help you uncover your signature story and shape it into content that connects. Perfect for: creatives, coaches, speakers, and founders who are sitting on a powerful story but don’t know where to start in sharing it with clarity and authenticity.

Value:$297 Special offer for the show: As a thank you for tuning in, I’m offering your first Story Spark Session for FREE!

How to collect: https://tidycal.com/victoriacchavez/the-story-spark

Note from the host: All the offers from guests should be considered limited-time and limited quantity. If you have any trouble redeeming the offer please reach out directly to the guest.

If you love the show and you'd like to support it directly you can tip the host here https://imperfect-adulting.captivate.fm/support

Never Miss a Moment of Imperfect Adulting

We invite you to join our email community and let us bring the podcast directly to you! As a subscriber, you'll receive notifications about new episodes, exclusive offers from our amazing guests, and easier access to any of the important links mentioned on the show—no more scrambling to write down websites or remember special codes.

Why subscribe?

• Stay up-to-date without checking your podcast app
• Get guest offers delivered straight to your inbox
• Access all important links in one convenient place
• Catch the highlights even when you don't have time to listen

If you have a story to share and you'd like to be a guest on The Art of Imperfect Adulting, here are the steps for how you can make that happen. Click here and pitch yourself.

Here are a few resources that Amy uses to make all this great content. These are affiliate links :-)

Podcast hosting and distribution: Captivate FM

Website hosting with Siteground

How to create/launch your own podcast.

Ai Transcription Tool: Castmagic

For Email I use Kit f/k/a Convertkit

Online Shopping Cart: ThriveCart

Networking and support with Entreprenista League

Connection with Polka Dot Powerhouse

Books I like and books written by show guests on Bookshop.org