In A Turn Of Events

Darin Olien is an American superfoods and sustainable living expert with a mission of sharing healthy living habits with people all over the world, and impacting the planet for the better through his work. He is the author of the best selling book "Superlife: The 5 Forces That Will Make You Healthy, Fit, and Eternally Awesome", and the host of the #1 Health and Wellness podcast, The Darin Olien Show. Darin was the co-host of the Netflix educational documentary series "Down To Earth" in which he and Zac Efron travel the globe in search of more sustainable food, energy, and living practices. I was moved when I saw the final episode in which Darin's Malibu home burned to the ground, sparing nothing. Our conversation weaves through some of life's most profound lessons and how we can continue to focus on self-awareness to awaken the best version of ourselves, and ultimately, how Darin learned to harness grief as a mechanism for healthy change in his life. www.darinolien.com

Jeff Weirdo Jacobson is a Seattle-based artist and muralist who has become one of the most recognized urban visionaries of our time. His work is known for being hyper-realistic. Jeff has focused on a wide range of work, including a once-in-a-lifetime project collaboration with Russell Wilson that caught my attention in an ESPN article back in January. Jeff created a pair of custom graffiti-style cleats for Russ to represent his Why Not You Foundation, urging kids to chase their biggest goals and dreams. (Link to article below)Jeff has developed a keen and intense focus on leaving behind a story of what life on Earth was like for future generations to ponder. We got into a great discussion about how we as individuals, and humanity as a whole, have been effected by social media, and how he foresees, and attempts to capture in his work, a world in Post-Internet Dystopia.https://www.weirdocultmurals.com/https://whynotyoufdn.org/latest/2019/12/6/my-cause-my-cleats

Chef Joseph "JJ" Johnson is an American Chef, Author, and Cooking Show Host who has been recognized as a trailblazer amongst the culinary elite over a very decorated career. His cookbook collaboration with Alexander Smalls, "Between Harlem and Heaven: Afro-Asian-American Cooking for Big Nights, Weeknights, and Every Day" took home the coveted James Beard Foundation Award in the American Cookbook category in 2019. He has spent his entire culinary career bringing culture to the center of the table, and his new venture in Harlem, FIELDTRIP, a global dining experience with community and comfort at the core of it's mission, is no different. Throughout the pandemic, FIELDTRIP has become a staple in the community and served over 50,000 meals to front-line medical workers and others in need. Check out Chef JJ's story, achievements, and accolades here:https://www.chefjj.co

Jordan Paris is an American Podcaster, Author, and Marketing guru who at the young age of 22 years old, has focused on Designing A Life rather than making a living. He has been featured in Forbes, Entrepreneur, Yahoo Finance, Men's Health, and Market Watch.His podcast, Growth Mindset University, is one of Apple's top podcasts in the world in multiple categories. Collaborating with some of the brightest minds on the planet, (Grant Cardone, Robert Greene, Mark Manson, James Altucher, Seth Godin), Jordan is recognized as a top notch interviewer by world-renowned guests from all walks of life. We get into why it's never to late to pursue the life you truly desire, how to take full control of your own education, and the core of high level communication, even if your audience is a global influencer. This conversation for me is a clear reminder that the world is your oyster if you are willing to recognize it as such. It is all about perspective, and Jordan Paris is a living example of that.

When was the last time you let random reviews on the internet influence a decision you had to make for YOUR life. A purchase, where to stay at a hotel, where to eat your next meal and what to order. We have built a foundation in our society where we truly rely on the opinions and judgements of everyone else to determine what WE do next. For me, the toughest part about this cycle is recognizing it. It starts out as an opinion on a simple meal, and morphs into counting on others (that we don't really know) to help make major life decisions. We don't take time to think about the logic behind relying on someone we have never met to tell us what a good place to eat would be, where we should work next, if a contractor is the best fit for the job, etc. The list goes on and on. Think about it this way....what if you had a big job interview tomorrow, and you picked a pin drop on your map, drove to that area of town, and then knocked on a random door, and asked whoever answered the door "how should I best prepare for my interview tomorrow"And then...take whatever advice they give you. Sound like a winning plan? We can't forget who we are and what we like, desire, and want to accomplish.

Ponds can be a really beautiful addition to a neighborhood, back yard, or even in a shopping mall. But would that be the case if the body of water didn't have a fountain or aerator of some kind? The Fountain helps the water remain clear and full of oxygen as to avoid the build up of harmful algae. Without proper aeration, not only will the pond look less aesthetically pleasing, but will also become an unhealthy habitat for the wildlife that call the pond home. Just like a still body of water, WE need oxygen, fresh life, fresh perspective..... to keep our minds and bodies from being tainted by negativity and adversity. We absorb a lot of different experiences, many positive, and many negative, on any given day. The tough thing seems to be, we choose to focus more on the negative than we do the positive, which can perpetuate if we don't identify an effective way to cleanse. Find something you can use daily to pump fresh oxygen into your life. It will help you flush out the bad and not only look, but feel much better to start the day. It doesn't have to be an hour, or even 30 minutes. Even a 1-minute quote or daily devotion will provide oxygen for your body of water!

We have all had to manage the battery life on our cell phone. The first step is usually to review all of the apps/browsers we have working in the background and close out the ones we are no longer using, as to not waste the battery life on something worthless. When it comes down to that last bar, we save it for the most critical usage....that one emergency phone call, or the text to let our family know we landed on our plane, or even to make sure we can use the Uber App to get a ride to the hotel. Either way, we know how our energy will need to be spent when crunch time arrives. The energy we carry into each day is no different than a battery. There will be countless interactions, decisions, and experiences daily that pop up just like apps on our phone. Some we will close out after using,. some we will forget about and let run in the background, using up our limited energy. Some bringing us positive energy in return, some draining our battery as if we are roaming looking for a signal. It's a good practice to identify where your battery power is being allocated, and if it isn't delivering the longevity you hoped for, there may be some apps running that you can make the choice to close out and preserve your battery life for those vital moments, and necessary actions.

The first day of school can be really hard. There are alot of new emotions, fears, expectations, and standards that can make the experience a stressful one. That's from a Dad's perspective! Think of the whirlwind of emotions kids go through when navigating their first day of school. New faces, new teacher, new situations where they will be forced out of their comfort zone. However, regardless of how many fears and uncertainties both parents and kids may have, when the time comes there is only one choice...to go to school and face the fears head on. The amazing thing for me to witness about my daughter's first day of school was the spectrum of emotions she and I both lived through. Upon drop off it was fear and stress...upon pick up it was pride and joy, and what I hope will be a lesson in what it's like to take on your fears and win for my daughter.Whatever it is you're not sure how to take the first step at accomplishing, remember how our kids are forced to handle the First Day Of School, and all the memories and fun they will have from that point on.

Have you ever gotten halfway (or all the way) done putting something together only to realize one piece is on backwards, or incorrectly, and the only way to fix it is to take it apart and start over? I'm humble enough to admit that it's happened to me more than once. The reason for my failure was/is simple.....I didn't take time to read through the Instruction Manual. The big booklet that gets tossed aside when we anxiously rip into our new furniture, kitchen gadgets, lawn equipment, or iPhone. Reading an instruction manual and truly understanding the capabilities and limitations your product has only sets you up for an easier assembly, or ongoing use of that product. We can look at our goals the same way. I am yet to meet a person who doesn't have something in their mind and at their core that they want to accomplish. Whether a certain income, a lower golf score, losing a few pounds, or learning a new hobby...it all requires thoughtful planning, and an outline for the action needed.....an instruction manual. As a matter of fact, if there is something that comes to mind that you've always wanted to do, but you haven't yet....try designing your own Instruction Manual for what steps you will need to take and the features/benefits you will enjoy (and even how you will feel) once you assemble this goal!

There are some people who just find a way to get things done. Not because they have unlimited resources, but because of their unlimited resourcefulness. They can take items they have access to (ideas, people, objects) and build upon that starting point to achieve a desired solution. They can make it happen with whatever is available. It's only fair to stop for a moment and admire the resourcefulness of a Barn Swallow. One of the most resilient species of bird I've come across. The story of their fortitude goes far beyond just the materials used to build their Bird's Nest. Look at the material they use to build their home....sticks, leaves, old feathers from other birds, mud. A bunch of stuff we see as useless and disgusting. I watched them build a house, have 5 babies, raise their young, and take off as a new family all within a one month span. It made me feel ashamed of the extra items I sometimes think I need to have in order to find fulfillment or success with a particular task. I learned from the Barn Swallows, that it's important to remember that we have everything we need. It's in our habitat, all around us. We just have to be willing to simplify, be resourceful. The lesson learned is one we have all heard before. Home isn't made by what type of material you use, or how fancy it looks. Home is where the heart is. Look around at the things you have, and you will realize that it's more than enough.

If you've seen any superhero movie, you've wondered what it would be like to be able to fly. Sean "Air Ninja" Ray can tell you first hand. Since being introduced to the new-age sport, HydroFlight back in 2015, Sean has made a name for himself as one of the top FlyBoarders in the world. He has turned a curious side hustle into an international corporation, and been introduced to some of his childhood heroes along the way. We get into why it's important to learn to take risk in life, how he willed his way to working with Travis Pastrana, and why a private show for Bill Gates will be the gift that continues to give for an entire career. The most memorable thing for me about this conversation was how much hustle and grit this guy has. He is willing to do whatever it takes to achieve his goals. Hope you enjoy his story as much as I did!Check out what The Air Ninja is all about below:https://www.instagram.com/tv/CCnFbgEHKGy/?igshid=1k0l7wqi77jkn

Nothing worse than coming around the corner on a two lane highway and seeing a long row of brake lights. Traffic Jam!Sometimes there is no way around it. There are cars coming from both directions but only one lane to work with. Isn't a Traffic Jam a lot like two differing opinions on any topic? Religion, Politics, Education, Social Injustice? The list goes on on and on. It seems like strong differing opinions are an everyday part of our lives right now. How can we continue to move forward if everyone has a different perspective?It's quite simple...we just need a little traffic control. Give and Take. Let a few cars go through while one side waits, and then vice versa. Give....and Take. What would happen if you sat at a traffic jam and wouldn't let oncoming cars approach or pass? The gridlock would literally never end.

It's Labor Day weekend and if nothing else, you can expect to see a lot of Garage Sales and Yard Sales popping up in suburban neighborhoods across America. When I drove by a few of them this morning, I wanted to identify the reason why I felt "good' when I saw that sign. So I took a minute to dissect why there is a positive nostalgia connected to this American tradition. I realized that aside from being a friendly gathering point, a Garage Sale represents the universal struggles, challenges, joys , and successes we ALL go through. It's a warm sense of belonging when you identify commonalities with other people. Think about it, if we didn't all go through the same experiences at different points in our lives, there would be no popularity in Garage Sales. Everyone would have different "stuff" and passing things down, or along wouldn't be prudent. Today, when you see a Garage Sale sign, take the time to stop and share a human connection with someone. Look at the items they are opening up to others with a different perspective, and understand that whether its yesterday, today, or tomorrow, we are all connected and need each other's help to get by. It's a huge bonus when you get help for such a low sticker price :)

I know fisherman of all ages who have committed an entire day to throwing casts, and come home without anything in hand to show for their time and effort...including me. That is considered a failure if you're fishing, right? To not catch anything is the worst case scenario. Yet the fisherman always looks forward to the next time out on the water. Why is that?It's because the fisherman has fallen in love with the process of going fishing. The early morning coffee, and stopping at the gas station while it's still dark to fill up the boat, or the intense preparation of tying all the lines the night before and organizing the tacklebox, or studying the lake map to find the best potential spots. There is much more to fishing than meets the eye, and its hardly ever about the catch of the day. Every hobby that brings us joy is worth so much more than any payment we could receive for doing it. Do you have a hobby that you haven't focused on much because you don't think it's worth your time if you can't make money, etc....Like fishing, there are other things that will bring you just as much joy as money will. Sometimes it may even require an investment on your end (kayak, camera, hiking boots, journal) but you'll find the process as a whole is much more than you bargained for.

For me, there is nothing like the first perfect cup of coffee early in the morning to start the day. One of my most enjoyable routines. On the flip side, nothing quite like a mouthful of coffee grounds that made it through into your cup. A FILTER is quite literally the difference between a highly enjoyable experience and a terrible one.What if you could put a filter on your day...and it would catch all of the negativity, doubt, and bad decision-making that leads to life's least-favorite moments. The great thing about our daily mindset...we are the ones who filter what we let in and what we keep out. Think of your day/week like a cup of joe, and put a filter above your head to keep all the grounds out....Negative people, dead end job, news that highlights only the bad stuff. Only let the good stuff get through.

Going to the movie theater to see a great flick is one of my favorite hobbies. I prefer to be there early as part of the entire experience is seeing the 4-5 trailers for all the new movies that are soon to come out. It gives you an idea of what you want to see next. Some trailers are riveting, and leave you on the edge of your seat, anxious to see the movie in its entirety. Others, not so much. Some trailers have passion and vision, and give you goosebumps. Others leave you with the feeling the project was given half an effort. If you could direct only one movie about your life, just one script...What would YOUR Movie Trailer be like? Would it leave your friends and family with goosebumps because of how big your dreams are and how much zeal you have to accomplish them? Or will it be like watching a sequel of something they've already seen several times? You can decide. Your trailer represents all of the best parts of you and the things you love to do at your core. Make sure your trailer captures the vision that matters...for YOUR life, no one else.

I think everyone has gotten excited and taken a little too big of a bite of their favorite food at times. I sure have. Much more prone to take massive bites when I was younger. As I wise up, I enjoy the flavor and ingredients of each bite, so much so that I coined a term for it...the "Perfect Bite" Its a good way to really enjoy and get the most out of the wonderful meal we have been blessed with. You can actually utilize a Perfect Bite mentality to accomplish any task or goal you want to. The achievements that will bring us the most joy are certainly the hardest to accomplish. Many times for me, without a perfect bite mentality, goals worthy of daydreaming about can seem insurmountable when staring them face to face, as a whole. Whatever your goal may be...Lose 30 pounds. Complete a 30 page presentation. Write a book. Be a better husband or father. Start a new job. Looking at a list like this can be tough to swallow, and even harder to digest. But ironically, after a week, a month, a year or two of postponing our goals, we are malnourished from not taking action. There is a way to accomplish your goals, and it is one bite at a time. Lose 30 pounds------> just start walking every morning for 10 minutes. Complete a 30 page presentation---> focus on 2 pages per day, and outline your next two so the following day is easier. Write a book----> Write 30 minutes every day. Be a better husband or father----> start with quality time, pick one activity per day to do with the family. Start a new job----> Focus on updating your resume over the weekend.

Anyone who has ever watched the Super Bowl, or any sporting event, has the image burned into their mind of the star player sitting quietly alone with headphones on and eyes closed. Getting ready for the battle that's going to take place on the playing field. Everyone has their own Pregame Ritual, and they are all a little different. What matters most, is having one in the first place. For so many years, I would set my alarm to wake up and get ready for the day, giving myself maybe 5 minutes of cushion. I would rush through the morning check list and by the time I was in the car on the way to the office, I would start speed-sorting through all of the things I needed to do that day.I started to identify how that pregame ritual, or lack thereof, was effecting my attitude, organization, productivity, and ultimately results. I wasn't winning the game. Then I made a change, to "own my mornings" I started to get up an hour early and really enjoy my cup of coffee instead of pouring it in a to-go mug on the way out the door and burning my lips on the first sip. The purpose of any pregame ritual is to prepare from the Inside-Out. To make sure we are mentally prepared for the curveballs that will be thrown our way, or the trick play the other team may try.If you want to give yourself a shot at winning every day, you have to prepare as if it means something to you.

Every person that walks planet Earth has goals, dreams, and ambitions they have yet to take action towards. As one of those people, I’m on a mission to put myself to the test against some of my lingering dreams that seem to only bounce around in my head and never really come to fruition. In most cases, the reasons I haven’t taken action can be whittled down to one of the following:Fear of failure, fear of criticism, fear of not being as good at something as we think we are, waiting for the perfect time to start, waiting on someone else to tell us it’s a good idea and we should pursue it. All of these things have stopped me from taking on the challenges I KNOW will deliver the most gratitude and joy. Speculating how it will feel or what it will be like to relish in your accomplished goals is a phenomenal mental exercise...but disastrous if you never take action. You’ll morph into a day-dreamer and not a dream-catcher. Today, regardless of what you have on your list of life goals....write a book, start a new job, get out of a relationship that’s draining you, start a podcast, start a new hobby....Challenge your goals/dreams to a Cage Fight, where there is no longer ways to sneak around, away, over, or under your fears. The only way is to go right through them. You’ll find it’s never as scary as the picture you painted in your mind. Even with the bumps and bruises, you’ll have a much better gague on what your capabilities are.

I have done too many things over the years...small projects to big life moments, without focusing on the details. Sometimes we focus so much on being "done" that we overlook all the small things that truly make a COMPLETE. There is a huge difference between the two. The difference for me between putting time and effort into the smaller details, is the way I feel when reflecting on a project. Looking at my lawn after I've taken the extra 30 minutes to trim and edge around the sidewalk, pull weeds, etc. It delivers an entirely different feeling/level of pride. Sure it feels good to cross something off the list and get it done, but I promise it isn't the same as when you focus on the details as well. Wash your car, or detail the inside as well? One result will make you feel different than the other. Cook a quick dinner with one of your favorite foods, and then just throw the sides together because your out of time? Make the meal extraordinary with the PERFECT sides. It even reminds of the times I would finish a large painting on a canvas...and then I wouldn't take my time on signing a consistent and creative signature. Sometimes I didn't even sign it at al! I was too happy I was "done"I just now realized how often I look at the bottom right corner of a painting in a gallery to see how unique an artist's signature is when I am moved by their artwork. Next job, task, project you do....imagine putting your signature in the corner. Is it just done, or COMPLETE?The devil, and victory over him, are in the details!

When my son was born a few months ago, the nurse came in to review his blood type with us, and I had a moment of realization, and/or thankfulness that such a trivial difference isn't a reason to treat him differently than myself, or my wife, or my daughter. It made me think with a different perspective. I imagined what it would be like if they came in the room and said my son would have a different level of opportunity, or would be treated differently than his sister because they were different blood types. Or that he would be treated differently in school because he acquired a certain type. Skin color is just as trivial. The divide and friction caused by something that shouldn't even be a topic of discussion is astonishing. It is not someone's choice how they are born. What color skin, what blood type. It is, however, a choice how they will treat others.

If you have a honey-do list like I do, than you too have probably been overwhelmed at times and made the decision to "outsource." But it feels like we used to just outsource things that were extremely hard, and that we didn't have access to the resources necessary....building a house, restoring electricity, delivering a fridge. But now its started to leak into mowing the lawn, having our groceries and meals delivered, no longer going to a physical store but rather buying everything from our phones. As outsourcing begins to take over smaller and smaller tasks, its getting closer and closer to taking on its next challenge, our thoughts. Now we have lost the ability to think critically in the times we need to most. It feels good to work through a problem, find a solution, complete a project. And you are guaranteed to learn something new. Let's keep a few jobs in house!

Have you ever wondered why most people have a built-in love for the outdoors. To go camping...to sleep under the stars, to get some peace and quiet?We aren't meant to live amongst clutter. To have too many gadgets, bells, and whistles to distract us from our human senses. That's why a campfire is so relaxing. It invigorates smell, sound, sight, touch, and even taste with a perfectly roasted marshmallow. What senses does your phone invigorate?It feels good to get away from the rigors of the daily grind and really stop for a moment and appreciate who, what, and where we are in this amazing life. Maybe it isn't fair to coin this process of finding our base as "roughin' it". Maybe we should refer to it as something super positive, life changing, clarifying...I know my family can't wait until it cools down a little bit so we can get outdoors and "Smooth It Over"

Staying hydrated is the most important thing we, and Mother Earth can do. We are both made up of mostly water!When we lived in Northern California, something that we didn't even know existed became a normal part of our lives.There were massive smoke clouds that looks like bombs went off. The living room even smelled like a campfire for weeks at a time. We lived over 40 miles away. Wildfires start because of lack of hydration. Simply not enough water. If you are looking for ways to avoid the smallest spark setting you ablaze throughout the day, its so simple. Stay hydrated. Drinking water, believe it or not, is the best thing you can do for your body as soon as you wake up. Even if you don't feel "thirsty", just know that your body is an engine that runs not on oil, but on water. Feed it. -Want to lose weight, drink only water for a few weeks. -Feel tired in the afternoon or early evening....get hydrated. -Cramping up when you try to exercise, not enough H20!-Want your brain to work for you and be more creative...Gulp!One of the smallest, simplest, yet impactful pieces of advice I have ever received in my life. DRINK UP!!

We can all remember the tension in the air when we had to pass our driver's education exam in order to obtain the next stage of freedom via driver's license. We also all remember the most repeated term in Driver's Ed history..."Practice Defensive Driving". or "BE a Defensive Driver". If you try to capture the essence of defensive driving in its most simplified sense, one might label it as "having total awareness of self and surroundings". When we are behind the wheel, we are expected to be fully aware of a lot of things: The weather conditions, how much gas is left in the tank, if there is a map in the glove box for emergencies, if there are any sporadic drivers around....its on us to be fully engaged. In life, defensive driving can be swapped out for "Self Awareness". It is one of the greatest skills I have learned from one of the most impactful books I have ever read, Emotional Intelligence 2.0 Examples of being more self aware are: -Knowing how your poor attitude or language may effect your child's mood/behavior..-Troubleshooting the REAL reason why your back hurts in the morning, instead of chalking it up to a long week.-Recognizing when your body feels dehydrated -Knowing how your mood is impacted when you get less than X hours of sleep. And to think all of this awareness started with a quick diagnostic check.

Golf....A "gentlemen's game" indeed. But for a much different reason that you'd think. When golfing, it is expected that those partaking follow an unspoken set of rules referred to as Golf Etiquette. It includes everything from proper attire, to what order players should be expected to hit their ball based on current score, etc. But the most compelling rule that falls under the "Etiquette" umbrella?"Fore"The universal term to be yelled as a warning by the player who just failed...big time. It lets the other players know that you're coming in hot, and that it may be best to duck down, or cover up your head as to avoid injury. It made me really respect the game a little more using this angle to reflect.Show me a culture/society where someone can not only fail, miss, struggle....and continue forward, but they can go as far as to YELL it out so others are aware of their missteps. To advertise their shortcomings. Then, something magical happens. Nothing. No belittling, no name calling, no cancel culture. No finger pointing, or spinning the blame on something else. Just gentlemen being gentlemen. If failure was recognized as the every day part of life it actually is, rather than being viewed as a detriment to our character or an opportunity to get ahead of that person....No one would be so afraid to yell "Fore"#worldetiquette

I can still remember vividly the time in the Detroit International Airport, my connection was late and I literally had to run the entire stretch (if you've been to that airport, you are aware its the opposite of ideal for running between terminals). I missed my flight. I was out of breath, sweaty, and pitiful. With no flights left that night to get me home. Lesson learned....right? Well, sometimes. Maybe it's that phrase that allows our lessons to get off the hook so easily. You know when you're running late and with every minute you get angrier, and start telling yourself why this happened and why you're "never" going to do this again?I have had that very conversation with myself before, and then had it again down the road. Why don't we learn our lessons after going through something the "hard" way when the "easy" way was one of our options all along? Taking the stairs is allowing your previous failures to reoccur over, and over, and over. Using your own energy and resources to overcome literally the same step, 100 times. Taking the escalator is allowing your previous failures to LIFT you, to carry you quicker and further, with less exertion on your behalf. An escalator is life in motion...a conveyor belt life's highlight (and lowlight) reels that comes back around to remind us of what we have learned, and offers to give us a lift. Take the easy way.

Life can throw a lot of different perspectives at us. So many people have advice and guidance on what WE should try or focus on next. It can be extremely difficult at times to determine what we should truly be focusing our sights on. It reminds me of a true explorer, someone like Ash Dykes. Someone who spends a year at a time lost in the wilderness finding their way along a specific path with only one end goal in mind. There are times he will need his binoculars to look into the distance for that landmark to confirm he is moving in the right direction, and how far he still has to go. There will be times his trail presents an impasse. Something he must look closely at his map to determine the best possible detour. Now, he reaches into his bag for the magnifying glass. To see the details of the journey and make sure he takes the right STEPS in the moment. After making it around the blockage, it's back to the binoculars to asses where the detour has positioned him in relation to the end goal. For many years, I have only left home with one or the other. Not understanding that both are necessary.Binoculars give us vision and understanding of where we are in relation to the BIG goal. The Magnifying Glass helps us to avoid missteps, and catch the details that can make a difference in the efficiency of our journey.

I think it's safe to say we have all felt that pit in our stomach when its game time, presentation time, interview time, speech time...you name it, and we know deep down we aren't prepared. We have all been in that place where we desired a specific result so badly, but we didn't invest an amount worthy of obtaining that result. It's the same concept as an ATM machine. We can't put 50 bucks in on Monday, and on Tuesday withdrawal 100 bucks. The times in my life I haven't achieved the result I dreamed of were the times I didn't put enough funds in the ATM machine. When I really needed that knowledge, or that final project for school, or that extra 20 pounds before the beach trip, I couldn't withdrawal the result I wanted.Flip the coin, and the most jubilant times in my life were forged by diligent and unwavering commitment day by day over long periods of time. Where I put a little money in the ATM each day.It doesn't have to be for hours, but it has to be consistent. Reading, writing, learning, exercising, communicating, thinking. Anything you pursue can be achieved, or at the very least improved greatly by being consistent about it every day.

I woke up the other day to heavy fog outside. Really poor visibility. I have also woken up recently FEELING foggy. Unmotivated, uninspired, not on fire like usual for achieving my goals. Days like this are inevitable...for everyone. Understanding that up front will allow us to handle them more effectively. When I sit on my porch with coffee on a foggy morning (one of the best moments life can offer), its amazing how quickly the fog dissipates when the sun rises. In a matter of minutes what was a dark and dreary landscape, is now bright and vivid. There has never been an easier analogy to reflect on. When we wake up feeling our own fog, we need to immediately make a conscious decision to inject sunlight into our day. A daily devotion to fill us with gratitude, a quick chat with a positive-minded buddy, your favorite podcast...whatever you need to snap out of the trance. There will be plenty more days you wake up and just don't have your typical mojo. Maybe it's more days than not, and that's ok. You can create your own sunny weather with positive habits and lifelines.

I walked out on the porch with my first cup of coffee this morning to find a perfectly symmetrical spider's web where there hadn't been one the previous day. The spider pulled an all-nighter, and had quite the result to show for it. Made me think of how much preparation goes into life's biggest victories....BEHIND THE SCENES. I have had so many ideas and inspirations over the years that fizzled out not because I didn't believe in it, but because someone else didn't. I got so excited I ran and told them about all the cool stuff I was going to do, and how excited I was to get started. And then they replied with a fraction of the enthusiasm I had. Dream canceled. Since THEY don't think its a great idea. Since THEY don't seem to be as excited as I am. It doesn't matter how creative, how resilient, how independent, or how smart you think you are. Sharing ideas before taking action towards executing them is how your dreams will die...But putting our head down and and spinning a web in the quiet of night like a spider is a sure-fire way to realize them.

Have you ever taken a light bulb out of the socket, given it the death shake to make sure its toast, and then tried to put it back in the socket and hope it will light up the room? Of course not!So why do we continue to do the same things over and over in our lives that haven't yielded the results we desire?A relationship that has been unhealthy for far too long, we get away from it, and several months later, we try to screw the burnt out light bulb back in...yet STILL no light. Our team isn't performing at work, but we continue to use the same daily routines, expectations, and activity and hope that the results will change improve....yet darkness. We want to shed that 20 pounds, so we go back to the diet that helped us lose 5 last time....we don't reach our ultimate goal and give up. There are two things true about lightbulbs: they are a universal symbol for a bright idea, and they aren't reusable once burnt out. If you need to be sold on the importance of generating new ideas, think back to anything you do regularly, and try to find just one that you still do the same exact way you did the very first try: make a cup of coffee, shave, get through an airport, mow your yard, change a diaper. Literally everything you do has seen continual improvements. Can you imagine how silly our lives would be if we only had one shot at figuring something out? This week, pick one routine that you know could be better, and screw in a new light bulb... and let's go LED!!

When we need to wake up from a deep sleep, we always set our alarm. If you are like me, the more important the meeting or event, the more safety alarms I have set. When traveling, I even throw in a wake-up call for good measure 5 minutes after my initial alarm. Seems like quite a circus just to get out of bed, especially for someone who is a light sleeper and early riser. The thing that haunts me is the one time I had an alarm mishap and missed a flight from Ohio to Florida. That's all it took for me to lock in these extreme wake-up routines for the rest of my life. As I reflected, I couldn't help but notice how few times I have set a "Life Alarm"...Something to wake me up at the time I fall asleep or get into a rut and can't self-diagnose as quickly as an accountability partner may be able to. Life isn't predictable the way sleep is. We don't know when we might wake up with a bad attitude. Or when we are overworked, or eating unhealthy and its been 2 days since we exercised, when our patience is wavering with our kids. You name it. We need an alarm for when we are sleep-walking. Not being the person conducive to the goals we have in place. An accountability partner. Find someone in your life that not only knows what your goals and dreams are, but also discuss your triggers, weaknesses, and pitfalls you need help avoiding, and make that person(s) your Life Alarm.

Chantel Soumis is an American personal/professional branding expert who has used her diagnosis with multiple sclerosis as her framework for a complete rewiring of her brain and brand. With an unmatched energy, she has worked with Fortune 500 clients, generating over 1 million in revenue opportunity in her company's first three months, and inspires over 75,000 LinkedIn followers with her ridiculously creative and bubbly perspectives on life, business, and building unbreakable personal brands. She has become a powerful advocate in raising awareness and opportunity for the differently-abled community, and has been recognized globally for her contributions. We talked about the life lessons she learned rolling with a motorcycle club, how she helps clients visualize the core of their personal brand, and how she found out her brain was magic on the road to recovery from MS. "Powered by Positivity, Chocolate, and Pixie Dust"http://www.chantelsoumis.com/

Since my recent interview with the leader of a multi-million dollar pizza chain, I have had the pie on my mind. I was thinking about the team I work with and how we have really come to appreciate our culture and chemistry since the pandemic hit because we had our normal routine of meeting in cool destinations once a quarter. We had to pivot and do things that we don't necessarily enjoy to make sure we held the line. It brought us closer together even though we have remained many miles apart. It was being thrown into the oven that helped us appreciate each others' strengths even more. To have each others' backs even more than we did before. A cohesive unit, melted together like cheese on the top of your favorite pizza!Your team, any team (sports, business, church, family, little league) is actually very much like a PIZZA...Teams must be put through the oven if they expect to have what it takes to be the best. Without that high temperature, discomfort, adversity, you are left with only "ingredients" that stand alone, bound by limitations and unable to achieve the end objective of feeding a family, or a client, or a consumer, or a company. Don't protect your teams from the hard times. Help them through it, make yourself one of the ingredients willing to go through the fire for greatness.

If there is one thing that is certain, it is the fact we will face adveristy, challenges, and obstacles until we are no longer. Why is it then, that we let small adversities turn our day, week, month, and even or lives upside down?I went to the grocery store last week early in the morning to beat the crowds, and when I got there, they were in the midst of reorganizing the isles, shelves, placement, etc. Full remix on the rhythm I have already gotten into. I knew where everything was. Now my organized roadmap that was designed for the the flow of the "old" store, became a scrambled checklist. After a few minutes of making my own experience worse with a negative attitude, I slowed my pace and accepted the fact that I was early enough to still get done in plenty of time. I also had an opportunity to learn where everything WILL be (not WAS), since I will have to face the store again soon. When I managed over 200 employees, our entire operation ran on three words.There was even a logo floor mat I created to make it a message we couldn't escape. BE A DUCK. In essence: churn as much as you want under the surface, but don't let doubt, negativity, and panic to be worn on your sleeve and spread to your peers. Next time adversity hits out of nowhere... flat tire, canceled meeting, customer in jeopardy, lost sale, remember you have a choice how you can respond.

The power went out at the homestead yesterday. Leaves me genuinely frustrated and helpless each time it happens. I was thinking of all the times I have only been able to rely on a flashlight to get by in a pitch black house. Nonsense. There is no sound that hits you in the gut like the sound of your neighbor's generator firing up. But, good for them. They put the time in to plan ahead and invest in something that can't be guaranteed to get a TON of use, but man when you need it, it comes up BIG. Our personal development is no different. We have to invest in things we can't yet see or use quite yet...until the time is right. When adversity or challenge hits in our career or personal life. When we are in a rut and feel like we can't get out of it, and the only resources we have just don't have the horsepower to get us out. Only spin our wheels. I want to be a generator....and be ready for whatever storm hits the doorstep, simply because I invested in myself ahead of time. Long way to go but no better time than now to start.

GPS is a life saver. It gets us from A to B quicker, safer, and more effectively. It makes us better navigators....right?I went all-in on GPS back in 2008 and never looked back. 12 years later, I see too many similarities between my reliance on GPS and many other examples of unhealthy, dependent relationships (drugs, alcohol, abusive spouse, gambling, eating habits, etc). I wonder how relying on a GPS is any different that depending on someone(thing) else for a capability that we already posses? In the long term I have no clue how to get where I need to go because I have relied on a device to tell me where to turn for over a decade. We start to BELIEVE we can't find our way around without it. Sadly, the parallel is so very clear between a GPS navigation device, and the way we turn to the approval, standards, goals, and expectations of others instead of asking ourselves. Be mindful of solutions that show up claiming to make us smarter, quicker, and more connected. All of that starts with you, not technology. Calculate your own route :)

One thing that is evident in the world right now is that everyone sees the world a little differently. Different opinions, different needs, different perspectives. And that's ok, it's expected. would the world be different if there was more acknowledgement of the fact that one thing in life is absolutely certain, CHANGE. Today we can reflect on who/how we are right now, and how we would describe our growth and development style....how we choose to move forward every single day. Are you more like an Ocean, or a River? Do you slowly and methodically inch toward your goals, and then retreat, and reflect on your accomplishments? Or do you barrel through narrow valleys never stopping to think too much about your failures or successes?Regardless, both find a way to move forward every day. I think it is possible to be both, just not at the same time. If one style isn't working for you, get focused on becoming the other. You aren't bound by your waters, but rather your vessel :)

Life By Analogy is a daily, top-of-the-morning perspective designed for clarity and awareness as we move through the day. Each analogy will help us better understand and apply the habits that lead to a healthier all-around version of ourselves. A fresh, daily shot of awareness to get your day of on a thoughtful foot. Today's Analogy: What's Your Diet?We focus so much on what we eat, what we weigh, how many calories something is. But would your diet be considered "healthy" if it was based on the content you consume daily???? (reading, people you converse with, news, social media, quotes, devotions, podcasts, etc) Food for thought? Literally.

Jane Abell is an American entrepreneur, author, and philanthropist. In her role as Chairwoman of one of the largest pizza chains in the US, she has learned to lead with CONSISTENCY and LOVE to deliver a unique experience for customers and employees alike. We get into how the pandemic has and will continue to change the food industry, what we can expect to see going forward from our local restaurants, how she and Donato's made the tough decision to forego their $8.2 million PPP loan, and how she has found her true self-balance by focusing whole-heartedly on giving back to her community. Check out the passionate work she spearheaded at the Reeb Ave. Center in South Columbus, Ohio. http://www.reebavenuecenter.org/

Prasenjeet Yadav is a molecular biologist/ecologist by degree who turned his passion for storytelling into a new and exciting career as a National Geographic photographer and explorer. His most recent project focused on studying the "Ghost Cats", Snow Leopards in the Indian Himalayas for nearly 3 years. Since turning to Photography only a decade ago, he has become one of the most decorated wildlife and landscape photographers on the rise today. We talk about how American culture influenced his childhood (notably the Tom Hanks hit Cast Away), what he learned about himself while studying the Snow Leopard's behavior, and the toll working in secluded wilderness for extended periods of time can have on mental health. Special thanks to National Geographic, and the Snow Leopard Trust for their research and awareness collaboration on this amazing species. Follow Prasenjeet @prasen.yadav on Instagram, and check out some of his work here:https://www.nationalgeographic.com/search?q=prasenjeet+Yadav

Jason Klein is an American entrepreneur, former umpire and baseball instructor, and President of Force3 Pro Gear, a revolutionary sports equipment company with a core focus on safety and protection. Designed with a mission of extending playing careers and protecting from long term brain injury, Force3's "Defender" mask uses a patented shock-absorbing technology to considerably decrease residual impact. It has been taking Major League Baseball by storm over the last several years, with no signs of slowing down. We discuss the invention and distribution process for The Defender mask, where the company has expanded beyond the sports world, how likely Force3 is to make the jump to protecting NFL players, and how he has found inspiration from a traumatic plane crash to focus on continuing to pursue the best version of himself one day at a time.

Ryan Hawk is an American author, keynote speaker, podcast host and business advisor who has reached millions of people in over 150 countries with his business and leadership insights. His new book "Welcome To Management: How to Grow From Top Performer To Excellent Leader" is a true playbook for anyone on the leadership spectrum...whether striving to be in a leadership role to a tenured leader looking to sharpen the skill sets. All of his work and tools for self development can be found in one place at LearningLeader.comWe talk about why podcasts and long form interviews are such a strong skill builder for anyone in sales and beyond, how to detach monetary expectation from your hobbies, and why its so important to go all-in on the front end if you truly want to accomplish your goals.

Otis Winston is a former two-sport Captain at The Ohio State University. He earned All-American honors his final two Track and Field seasons, and still holds the record for outdoor high jump.He has since become a stuntman, SAG actor, writer, and director. He has worked on several major projects including but not limited to, Empire, Chicago Fire, Venom, and made his directing debut in 2017 with "Split Decision". He recently wrapped up filming the sequel to the smash hit Venom, starring Tom Hardy. (Venom: Let There Be Carnage- set to release in 2021)We discuss his journey from athlete to actor, how he has learned to "be his own generator", and why providing guidance and being a positive role model for black youth is the mission he hopes to accomplish through his work in Hollywood.

Martin Edström is an award-winning Swedish photographer, journalist, and explorer. He is well-known for his trailblazing work with immersive virtual reality, including 360-degree photography, which allows him to share important global narratives in moving and inspiring ways. Much of his focus has evolved into revealing and solving some of the worldly challenges of our times and bringing his audience an intimate understanding of the forgotten corners of the planet. We get into how the pandemic has impacted life in Sweden, a major problem we have mounting in the Himalayas, how he has learned to detach from the stress and anxiety that comes with a high-profile expedition, and how one risk he took with fellow explorers ended with a life long memory (and photograph).

Jesse Cole is an American author, keynote speaker, and entrepreneur. He and his wife Emily own and operate the summer semi-pro baseball team, the Savannah Bananas. Their off-the-wall circus-style baseball "shows" have proven something the people of Savannah can't get enough of, and have drawn attention from MSNBC and ESPN. Jesse is the author of Find Your Yellow Tux: How to Be Successful by Standing Out, a treasure chest of energy and insight that can be applied to business and life, as well as the host of his "Business Done Differently" podcast. We talk about why fans REALLY come to the Bananas circus (it isn't for baseball), some of the antics they have used to continue their purist of a Fan First mentality en route to sold out season tickets with a waiting list, and of course why trying to be normal can be so detrimental to your growth as a person and a professional.

Ash Dykes is a Welsh extreme athlete and adventurer. He has completed several world record treks across some of the most extreme terrain on the planet. Most recently, he completed a 352-day expedition from the source of the Yangtze River in China, all the way to where it meets the sea 4000 miles later. He has been featured in GQ magazine, and was recently a guest on the coveted Joe Rogan Experience podcast. We talk about how he mentally prepares for expeditions, some of the life and death situations he has been in, and how to go all in on yourself to achieve your biggest goals.

George Thorogood and the Destroyers are a legendary Rock and Roll band with smash hits like "Bad To The Bone, "I Drink Alone", "Who Do You Love", and "One Bourbon, One Scotch, One Beer". He and his camp were kind enough to send me some cool gear, including a signed vinyl Dirty Dozen record signed by George and the all the Destroyers! https://youtu.be/PjZW76xZ5vkSend me an email to inaturnofeventspodcast@gmail.com and tell me how this podcast has helped inspire you to chase your dreams, and I will mail you the goods if you have the best story!Lots of other memorabilia to give away too, so keep the emails coming!

Mark Metry is an American best-selling author and social anxiety/mental health expert who has used his own traumatic youth as fuel to become one of the most influential figures in the world for leading the charge against society's growing problem with social anxiety and misrepresentation of mental health. His podcast, Humans 2.0, has reached over 12 million people and is recognized on the Global Top 100 Podcast list. His life story has been featured in Forbes, he has become a keynote speaker for thousands of people and organizations all over the world, he was invited to be part of an Amazon Prime documentary about social anxiety, and was a speaker on mental health and social anxiety at TEDx.

George Steinmetz is an American photographer with work featured in National Geographic, Time Magazine, The Smithsonian, and The New York Times Magazine. Also a 4-time author, he is well-known for his aerial work including global projects featuring image and journalism collections over decade long spans. (African Air, New York Air, Empty Quarter: A Photographic Journey to the Heart of the Arabian Desert) After graduating from Stanford, he left a career in Geophysics to hitchhike the African continent for 18 months, where he fell in love with photography. We discuss some of the sticky situations he has gotten into along the way, how seeing the world from an aerial perspective has changed how he thinks and lives today, what it's like to prepare and navigate mutli-year assignments for National Geographic. His new book, just released on Earth Day, The Human Planet: Earth at The Dawn of the Anthropocene is a stunning photographic novel of how the hand of humanity has impacted our climate, ecosystem, and environment.