I don’t know if I’ve ever met someone who lives more in the moment than Brian Dickinson, and he shares his incredible story in today’s interview. He is an ex-Navy rescue swimmer, a world-class mountain climber and the author of Blind Descent, the inspiring story about how he summited Mount Everest – alone – and overcame descending the mountain blind.

Brian is still learning the ability to slow down and live in the moment, gathering the courage to be content. Brian’s climbs help him gain perspective on the world off of the mountain, because he experiences how slowly time can feel.

It can be dangerous to start climbing alone. “Not even climbing, but everything. If you can latch onto somebody who has a clue, has made the mistakes, you’re going to learn a ton.” There’s so much in your control, if you know how to control it.

Control, on the mountain and in your business, comes down to preparation. “The success is creating a lifestyle of change,” and then you will always be prepared for that next climb or business endeavor.

I’ve described preparation as the bridge between expectation and reality. Sometimes, that bridge can collapse, and things will go south in spite of your preparation – like when you start to develop snow blindness at the highest point on Earth. In these situations, success can come down to willpower. Sometimes willpower means moving forward, using your training, without overthinking the situation.

Motivation can pull us through the impossible, in our lives and in our businesses. Brian used his family to help him descend Mount Everest and overcome his instinct to panic. Use your motivation to focus on breaking a bad experience down to small successes, keeping a map in your mind of where you are going.

For now, Brian is taking what he learned and focusing on having the courage to be content. There’s no shortage of adventures in this world, and he’s going to go on the next few with his family.

We are put in situations for a reason. Usually it’s not at the top of Mount Everest, but it’s always so that we can share something of value with other people, and maybe save someone’s life, career or marriage through our stories.

SOME QUESTIONS I ASK:

• How did Brian learn the ability to slow down and live in the moment?
• How did Brian’s military training aid him in transitioning towards entrepreneurship and the tech industry?
• How important has mentorship been to Brian in his climbing endeavors?
• What are Brian’s thoughts on preparation and willpower?
• When Brian was descending Mount Everest and started going blind, how did he not give in to the harsh conditions?
• How did Brian overcome panic in an unpredictable situation?

IN THIS EPISODE, YOU WILL LEARN:

• An incredible story about human strength and willpower
• How preparation is a lifestyle as much as an activity
• Why it is courageous to be content
• How to use motivation to overcome the worst situations
• Plus much more…

DON’T STOP HERE…

• Learn more about Brian: Website | Twitter | YouTube | Facebook | Instagram

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES:

• Blind Descent: Surviving Alone and Blind on Mount Everest by Brian Dickinson