The Carey Nieuwhof Leadership Podcast CNLP 364 | Nik Wallenda on What World Record Tightrope Walking Taught Him About How to Train in Adverse Conditions, Preparing for the Unexpected in Leadership, Overcoming Fear, and How to Revive a Dying Industry
Sep 1, 2020
Nik Wallenda, a seventh-generation high-wire artist and daredevil known for his record-breaking walks, shares insights into his thrilling world. He discusses how childhood training shaped his career and the rigorous preparation for challenges like the Niagara Falls walk. Wallenda emphasizes the crucial balance of mental strength and physical readiness, revealing strategies for handling unexpected problems during live performances. He also explores reinventing the circus for modern audiences and the role of faith in overcoming fear.
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Preparing For Niagara Falls
- Nik Wallenda trained for Niagara Falls with 90 mph wind machines and firefighters hosing him down to simulate worst-case conditions.
- He prepared physically and mentally before risking his life on the unstabilized cable over the falls.
Eerie Conditions Over The Horseshoe
- Nik described the eerie unpredictable wind and mist at the Horseshoe Falls that made visibility and wind behavior unique.
- He used observations like a seagull flying through an updraft to calm his nerves before the walk.
Prepare For The Worst Case
- Train both physically and mentally, and simulate worst-case scenarios until you can perform reliably multiple times.
- Counter every negative thought with proven preparation and prior successes to maintain focus under stress.
