Finding Your Summit

Latest Episodes:

025: Dr. Neeta Bhushan Author of Emotional Grit, on Going on a Journey to Find Yourself and Stepping into Greatness. Nov 24, 2017

Show notes

Seeing her parents suffer from cancer, Dr. Neeta Bhushan stopped being a kid when she was 10. Learn how she was able to let go of her knapsack of hope and start a journey of freedom, courage and compassion. Stepping in to greatness amidst adversity is a feat anyone can master and Dr. Neeta will give you the key elements to climb your mountains and find your summit.
We've got a remarkable spirit and her name is Dr. Neeta Bhushan. She is an emotional health educator and performance coach. She is a person that grew up in Chicago in a family, and she had her mother, her father and her younger brother all die within about three years and a half. All the expectations upon her to become a dentist, all the expectations for her to be the main caretaker once her mom died, she was the first person to die in that chain of awful events. Then she got into a very unhealthy abusive marriage which she had to get out of. This girl has been through everything and she is just a bright light that comes through. What she does now is help people in terms of their businesses, trying to find their way, their happiness. She's been in over 45 different countries and mentors people all over. Just a great back and forth dialogue with Neeta and what she went through and how she dealt with that. It's a happy story at the very end and she's in a great spot. She has a saying called "Step into your greatness." That's what we did. We talked about her greatness, about the things that she's doing for other people around the world.
Resources Mentioned in This Episode:
Dr. Neeta Bhushan
Emotional Grit
The Book of Coaching

024: Tom Flick on his Enter and Exit to the NFL, Overcoming the Hardships in Between, and on to Becoming a Change Leadership Speaker Nov 17, 2017

Show notes

Former NFL Quarterback Tom Flick, has garnered a reputation around the world as an authority on leadership by helping organizations like Google, Starbucks, Boeing and the Pentagon develop leaders, lead change effectively, recognize opportunities for growth, and increase teamwork and organizational performance in a faster moving world.
Resources Mentioned in This Episode:
Tom Flick
Tom Flick LinkedIn
Tom Flick Twitter

023: Alison Levine: Seven Summiteer, Featured on 60 Minutes, #1 Public Speaker and Producer of the film “The Glass Ceiling” Nov 10, 2017

Show notes

Alison Levine is a high altitude mountain climber, sportswoman, explorer and a successful leadership consultant. She is the author of the New York Times Bestselling On the Edge and the executive producer of a documentary, The Glass Ceiling. She has ascended the highest peaks on every continent and also skied to both the North and South Poles.
In 2010, she completed the Adventure Grand Slam by reaching the summit of Mt. Everest, after missing the peak by 200 feet eight years earlier. Today, she serves as an adjunct instructor at the U.S. Military Academy at West Point and is currently one of the most in-demand speakers on the planet.
In this episode, we will be discussing:
Stories from childhood and how Alison developed love for climbing
Being diagnosed at 17 with congenital heart defect
Lessons on leading through uncertainty
How she was able to travel for free during graduate school
What is it really like to climb mountains
Understanding that asking simple questions can lead to great opportunities
What to do if our peers are holding us back
Getting caught in a vicious midnight snowstorm in the region just below the summit, known as the Death Zone
Finding the courage to follow our biggest dreams
Resources Mentioned in This Episode:
On the Edge by Alison Levine
Alison's Twitter
Alison on 60 Minutes
Support her documentary on Indiegogo

022: Justin Osmond, son of one of the famous Osmond brothers talks about overcoming his hearing loss and helping others. Super Inspirational Nov 03, 2017

Show notes

Justin Osmond was born with profound hearing loss into a musical family. After 12 years of intense speech and listening therapy, he can now speak with passion and through modern-day technology, hear with conviction. Justin never allowed his hearing loss to stop him; even as a child, Justin found himself intrigued by sports, part of the Eagle Scouts, and loving and learning music. Today, Justin is the speaker for his organization, the Olive Osmond Hearing Fund, raising awareness for the deaf and hard of hearing.
In this episode, we will be discussing:
The struggles Justin faced during his childhood
The diagnostics that revealed Justin’s deafness was hereditary
How Justin’s father, Merrill Osmond, introduced his son to music
The importance of not allowing others to define our limits
How Justin accepts himself for who he is
The unique way Justin learned to play instruments
Justin’s acts of service from childhood to now
How Justin’s grandmother inspired his helpful nature
Justin’s relationship with sports
How Justin made a change for local children
Resources Mentioned in This Episode:
Olive Osmond Hearing Fund
Children's Miracle Network
Hearing with My Heart by Justin Osmond

021: The Amazing Emily Farkas: Leading a purposeful life: Cardiothoracic Surgeon, Humanitarian, Mountaineer. Wow! Oct 27, 2017

Show notes

Dr. Emily Farkas is a Yale-trained Cardiothoracic surgeon and the first female accepted to the program at Yale University School of Medicine. Dr. Farkas is board certified by the ABTS and regularly participates in humanitarian missions performing the most basic medical care to complex heart surgeries in Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, Sri Lanka, Peru, and Mongolia.
In this episode, we will be discussing:
How Emily’s creative childhood endeavors lead her to medicine
The intense life Emily lived while studying to be a surgeon
What it’s like for Emily on a day-to-day basis in the US
The moment in Kenya that made Emily realize her knowledge of medicine was a skill set she could take anywhere
The high honor Emily received from a tribe in Nigeria
The level of adaptability Emily had to possess to work in difficult conditions
How Emily inspires women and young adults to see every possibility
Emily’s experience working in a male-dominated field
The fascination Emily has with mountain climbing
How Emily combines adventure with her professional life
Resources Mentioned in This Episode:
Operation Crossroads Africa

020: Colin O’Brady, from being burned over 25% of his body to setting the world record of climbing the GRAND SLAM in 139 days.. Oct 20, 2017

Show notes

Colin O’Brady was born in the Northwest and attended Yale University. After graduating from Yale, Colin made the decision to travel around the world; however, while in Thailand, Colin endured a serious accident with a kerosene jump rope, burning 25 percent of his body. Though doctors predicted he would never walk again, today, Colin has completed multiple triathlons, gained sponsorships, and become the speed record holder for climbing the seven summits in addition to the North and South Pole.
In this episode, we will be discussing:
How Colin’s roots in the Northwest fueled his need for adventure
Colin’s decision to stray from the paved path and travel the world
The tragedy that struck Colin in rural Thailand
How Colin’s mother inspired him to look toward the future during recovery
How Colin became a triathlete only 18 months after his injury
Channeling positivity and making a plan to accomplish any goal
How Colin’s first athletic sponsor found and invested in him
Colin’s mission to spread a message by beating multiple world records
The subtle things Colin had to do to keep himself healthy while climbing
Colin’s big plans for the future
Resources Mentioned in This Episode:
Change Your Mindset and Achieve Anything | Colin O'Brady | TEDxPortland
Beyond 7/2
Colin in Outside Magazine
Colin's Instagram
Colin's Twitter
Colin's Facebook
29Zero29

019: Cory Procter on Developing Grit, Dealing with Hardships and Stories From NFL Oct 13, 2017

Show notes

Cory Porcter is a former American football guard in the National Football League, who played mostly for the Dallas Cowboys. I met him in Tanzania through the Waterboy foundation.
In this episode, we will be discussing:
How shifting your perspective can shape your life
The grind that went into the dream
Importance of hoping for the best, but expecting the worst
Understanding that your life can be turned upside down instantly
Experience with the Dallas Cowboys
Why we should surround ourselves with successful people
Understanding that it's OK to ask for help
Taking daily actions to achieve your goals
Waterboys Initiative
Developing grit
Overcoming major hardships and challenges
Resources Mentioned in This Episode:
Cory's Twitter
Cory's Instagram
Cory's Facebook page
Cory's Website
Waterboys

018: Dianette Wells on Conquering the Seven Summits to Overcoming the Tragic Loss of Her Amazing Son Oct 06, 2017

Show notes

Dianette Wells is a mountain climber and adventure racer who immerses herself in new experiences as a form of therapy. She has currently climbed seven summits, including Everest and Denali. After the passing of her son, Dianette found that she had been doing the right thing all along by influencing her children to live without rules and without fear. Today, Dianette addresses her goals allowing her to conquer more summits.
In this episode, we will be discussing:
The solace Dianette finds in living in the mountains
What sparked Dianette’s love for mountain climbing
Therapeutic qualities of adventure and experience
The adventurous life and accomplishments of Dianette’s son
How Dianette influenced her children to approach life with no fear
Dianette’s peculiar journey getting to Mt. Carstensz
The multiple attempts Dianette made to summit Mt. Everest
The acceptance Dianette found at Everest after her son’s passing
The importance of proficiency and efficiency in climbing mountains
Dianette’s future goals encompassing adventure
Resources Mentioned in This Episode:
Dianette's Instagram
Dianette's Twitter

017: Erik Weihenmayer on The Catalyst for Confidence Sep 29, 2017

Show notes

Erik Weihenmayer lives a “no barriers” lifestyle even after becoming blind during his childhood. He is an adventurer who has climbed the seven summits, biked the Leadville 100, kayaked 277 miles down the Colorado river, and was even the first blind person to ever reach the summit of Mt. Everest. Erik is very honest about his life, writing multiple books and sharing his story while helping disadvantaged people conquer their own goals in life.
In this episode, we will be discussing:
How the progression of Erik’s blindness affected his childhood
When being stubborn helps and when it hinders
How Erik had to reintroduce himself to the world
Things that sparked Erik’s sense of adventure
The people Erik’s organization, No Barriers, is helping
Tapping into resilience to be better a better person
Erik’s journey to the top of Mt. Everest
Seeing through the journey to envision the summit
Adapting your mental outlook to flourish
Erik’s definition of vision
The growth and evolution in Erik’s future
Resources Mentioned in This Episode:
Erik's Website
No Barriers: A Blind Man's Journey to Kayak the Grand Canyon
No Barriers Organization

016: The Modern Day Renaissance Man, Steve Azar Sep 22, 2017

Show notes

Steve Azar is a singer and songwriter that marries country, rock, and blues influences to create “Delta-Soul.” Inspired by the state of Mississippi, Steve wrote many successful tracks that topped the country charts including “Waitin’ On Joe,” “I Don’t Have to Be Me,” and “Sunshine.” After many ups and downs in the beginning of his career, Steve found his musical purpose in his roots. Steve has been recognized by many notable figures including Reba McEntire, Taylor Swift, and Oprah. He is currently working on multiple projects, including the Mighty Mississippi Music Festival, The Steve Azar St. Cecilia Foundation, producing, and continuously playing music.
In this episode, we will be discussing:
Influence of the Mississippi Delta on Steve
Steve’s journey to finding his musical purpose
The inspiration behind “Waitin on Joe”
Steve’s first album and the essence it captured
Troubles Steve faced with his first popular track
The link between music and people
How “Sunshine” ignited a change in Steve’s life
Steve’s interactions with other famous individuals
Steve’s mission to help and where it stemmed from
Mississippi festivals opened to Steve
Legendary music acts influencing Steve
The soon-to-be-released documentary by Steve’s son
Resources Mentioned in This Episode:
Steve's Music Website
Steve's Website
Info on Something in the Water
Something in the Water Trailer 1
Something in the Water Trailer 2
Upcoming Mighty Mississippi Music Festival
Steve Playing "Fly" at 2015 FIS World Alpine Ski Championships

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