Ep. 100 - Awakened by the Forest: Cristiano Colla on Healing, Presence, and Wholeness

From professional football in Italy to the depths of the Amazon rainforest, Cristiano Colla’s extraordinary journey reveals what it means to heal, awaken, and live as a whole human being. In this moving Hearts Rise Up conversation, Cristiano shares his evolution from an externally driven life to one guided by presence, compassion, and authenticity. Through Ayahuasca ceremonies, inner-child work, and the union of masculine and feminine energies, he discovered that true transformation begins when we embrace our paradoxes and meet every part of ourselves with love. His story is an invitation to turn inward, reclaim our power, and remember the freedom of being fully alive.

________

Chapters/Key Topics:

00:00 – Introduction

00:54 – Meet Cristiano Colla

01:37 – “How Is Your Heart?” - — The Power of Presence

02:33 – Leaving Football: Breaking Free from Identity

05:34 – The Call to the Forest: Meeting Ayahuasca

08:44 – The Somatic Surgery Experience

12:34 – Dreams as Divine Guidance

14:07 – How to Work With Dreams

16:47 – Ceremonies Five & Six: Union of Masculine and Feminine Energies

20:16 – Healing the Inner Child: Return to Authenticity

23:22 – The Greatest Lesson: Embracing Human Paradox

25:31 – The Message of the Book: Awakened by the Forest

27:53 – Integrating Shadow and Emotion: The Process of Reclamation

32:51 – Beyond Awakening: The Path Continues

35:49 – What’s Next: Tantra & Energy Healing

37:56 – Guidance for Those at a Crossroads

39:31 – Gratitude, Family, and Forgiveness

40:45 – One Truth About Life and Death

41:42 – Closing and Where to Connect with Cristiano

________

Episode Resources:

Connect with Cristiano:

https://substack.com/@thehybridsoul

https://www.instagram.com/cristiano.colla/

Cristiano's Book:

Awakened by the Forest – A Memoir of Ayahuasca and Inner Evolution (estimated launch date – early 2026)

________

Connect With Hearts Rise Up and LifeQuest Horizons

https://heartsriseup.com/

Sign up for our popular, weekly “Notes From Your Higher Self”

The Art of Inner Mastery

https://www.lifequesthorizons.com/

________

Subscribe to the podcast

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/hearts-rise-up-podcast/id1454410735

https://open.spotify.com/show/7ebcnnbCjRIeUmJWUC2hYy

________

Hearts Rise Up Production Team

Hearts Rise Up is a "Best Wisdom Podcast"

Audio editing by: Ann Serrie

Technical Director: Christopher Drummond

Music by: Jonn Serrie