INSPIRATION • CREATOR JOURNEY • VR 360

A Pioneer's Journey

Finding My Passion and Purpose in a 360° World

⚡ The Quick Scoop

The Vibe: Emerging from a dark, frustrating technological storm into the bright, beautiful light of finding your true calling.

The Struggle: The untold reality of being a VR Pioneer—battling corporate giants, soul-crushing programming nightmares in Unreal Engine, and paralyzing self-doubt.

The Inspiration: "Build it, they will come." Learning to trust the Light, ignore the haters, and focus on internal joy over external algorithms.

Shauna's Rating: 💎💎💎💎💎 (5 out of 5 Diamonds - A truly authentic journey!)

Have you ever wondered what your passion and purpose is? Or felt a pull toward a dream that felt both incredibly exciting and completely impossible?

This video, and the story behind it, was born as I was finally emerging out of a long, dark tunnel of technological torture. I had been asked to submit a video for a 360° film competition, and I decided it was time to share my real, unglamorous journey in the VR world. Most people see the beautiful, finished 360° videos of red rock canyons and glassy lakes, and they think creating VR content is easy. They don't see the behind-the-scenes reality.

It is a story of being a pioneer in a brand new medium, hitting massive corporate and technological walls, but ultimately finding that the Light is always there to help you fly.

Chapter I

The Crack Canyon Spark

I distinctly remember the exact moment the "spark" hit me. I had just bought my very first Google Pixel 1 phone. Todd and I were out exploring the majestic, winding walls of Crack Canyon here in Utah. I was trying so hard to capture the massive overhangs and towering cliffs, but standard photos just couldn't capture the magic.

That's when I noticed the "panos and sphere" sections on my new phone. It was a revelation! That discovery took me down a wild rabbit hole of making 360° spheres for Google Earth. Soon after, I bought my very first 360° camera. Ironically, they were actually pretty cheap back then because people would buy them, get incredibly frustrated trying to figure the technology out, and just sell them.

But I was hooked. I pushed through as a pioneer, climbed over those initial obstacle walls, and figured the darn thing out!

Chapter II

The Storm and The Serpent

But finding your passion doesn't mean the road gets easy. In fact, being on the bleeding edge of this technology felt like a serpent was constantly trying to thwart my efforts with excessive walls and barriers. The discouragement brought a deep darkness, like I was caught in a terrible storm.

🌩️ The Google Heartbreak

My first massive wall was with Google Earth. I had gotten mapping down to an absolute science with my connected GPS. It was grueling work—they required shots every 10 feet to make the trails cohesive. My early 360 camera would automatically take a picture every 10 seconds as I hiked, and then I would spend hours squinting at my phone, trying to manually connect those tiny images correctly.

I was so successful I was actually invited to Google Connect Live at their headquarters! I had a marvelous time and met amazing people. But shortly after, my account was heavily scrutinized and flagged—partly because I had hit Level 10 "too fast," and partly because they deemed some of my trail images "not exciting enough." I was just trying to document the trails exactly as I saw the professionals doing it! I eventually fixed the account and resolved everything, but the experience broke my spirit. I stopped writing reviews, stopped creating Google Earth trails entirely, and pivoted to creating my own videos.

🌩️ The Unreal Engine Nightmare

The next wall was the Oculus Launch Program. This pushed me to build an interactive app in Unreal Engine with 360° video. It was a literal programming nightmare every single day. I spent months watching YouTube tutorials that never worked. I am pretty sure I broke my computer with a bad hard installation of Unreal, and it stubbornly refused to do what I was working so hard to create.

I was completely alone in the programming trenches. Todd, who is normally my grounding force, was way underwater himself, creating a massive 3D motion-seat ride for a resort in Hainan, China! Anxiety crept into my dreams, and self-doubt would howl out at me: "You're not good enough. Just give up already."

Chapter III

The Window of Heaven

But just when the storm felt like it would break me, the light and joy would envelop me.

During those dark Unreal Engine days, I would go to bed so incredibly frustrated that I couldn't figure a step out. I would cry a prayer and say, "Help me out, I don't get it. I am so confused." And then, the most amazing thing would happen. I would wake up the next morning with an idea. I would try it, and it would work, pushing me one step in a good direction!

Some people might say that is just the subconscious mind working at night to resolve problems, but I firmly believe the Universe wants to help us as we try to push ourselves forward, pursue our passion, and be creative. My heart would fill with words I knew weren't my own:

"I am here to help, just ask... Just listen, and I will help you with the next step, and the next step, as you continue to trust me. There is a window of Heaven open to you. Just be still and breathe. I know the bigger picture. I can see what's coming. We can tackle whatever is thrown your way."

It might feel like you are having a hard time seeing the big picture, but be patient! All my inspiration for that Oculus Launch program didn't bring immediate results that I could see—the app never launched the way I wanted—but it taught me incredible skills that have helped me get exactly to where I am today.

The message became clear: "Build it, and they will come. It is your time to fly, so soar!"

Chapter IV

4 Steps to a Fearless Creator

Finding a passion and purpose has so many benefits—it pushes away depression and gives you a drive that makes life exciting. Inspired by Craig Manning's incredible book The Fearless Mind, here are the four steps I try to follow on my creator journey:

1. Listen for the Spark ✨

If you don’t have a passion yet, don't panic. Just keep learning and listening for that thing that sparks your interest. Be open, be curious, and get outside.

2. Put in the Work 🛠️

Once you find that spark, put the hard work into learning all you can. Pay attention to the details, face the programming nightmares, and commit to mastering your craft.

3. Make SMART Goals 🎯

Make small goals that are only about one to four weeks out. Make sure they push you to improve your own skills, but ensure they are NOT tied to social media algorithms, views, or other people's approval.

4. Have a Power Statement 💪

The doubts will absolutely come. Be ready with a short power statement to deflect them immediately. Mine is simple: "You Got This. You Can Do This." Record your successes mentally and use them to build your confidence.

The Portal is Open

Step Into My Journey (360° VR)

This video is packed with some of my absolute favorite shots and moments from nature, and it tells the true story of my journey in this 360° world. Grab your VR headset and let it give your day a positive boost!

🔎 The VR Scavenger Hunt 🌟

While you're watching, see if you can feel the story unfold:

The Storm: Notice how the video uses dark clouds, intense storms, and tight, enclosed caves to visually represent the anxiety and self-doubt I was feeling.
The Relief: Watch for the shift—the exact moment the sun breaks through and the landscapes open up into vast, beautiful vistas of hope!
The Rainbows: Keep an eye out for the gorgeous rainbows—my personal signs that the Light is always there to help us through the trials.

Interactive Magic

✨ Ask the Creative Muse

Feeling stuck in a creative rut? Need advice on setting SMART goals or overcoming tech nightmares? Ask our AI Creative Muse!

You Got This.

Who knows all the deep secrets of the internet, and trying to make sure certain things stay hidden in the depths of the algorithm? I have no idea how to navigate it, but I am not trying to convince people to be a part of a certain religion. I just want them to have Hope, Joy, and Love, and to realize there is access to help from Above if you want it. Is that so bad?

My goals are now entirely about growing my skills and transporting people to beautiful places, not about chasing views or algorithms. Chasing a dream is a rollercoaster, but by having faith in your journey, you can find incredible joy. I believe in you!

Sending Love, Light, and Positive Vibes,
Shauna @ VRGetaway