ChessMood Podcast The Price I Paid for Ignoring the Truth | GM Levon Aronian on ChessMood Podcast
Apr 30, 2025
Grandmaster Levon Aronian, a former world number 2 and three-time Olympic champion from Armenia, shares his candid journey of self-discovery and growth. He discusses the heavy cost of ignoring personal truths that impeded his path to the World Championship. Levon delves into the significance of resilience, discipline, and self-awareness, highlighting how embracing both light and dark aspects of life fosters true growth. With humor and vulnerability, he reflects on the challenges faced on and off the chessboard, offering profound insights on authenticity and leadership.
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Joy from Gratitude and Curiosity
- Levon Aronian finds joy through gratitude and love for the world and people.
- He protects joy by maintaining childlike curiosity and avoiding temptations against his principles.
Fear as Motivation and Joy
- Levon describes overcoming fear by channeling it into motivation, using Mike Tyson as inspiration.
- He embraces curiosity and inner childlike innocence to protect joy and stay motivated.
Hermann Hesse's Priest Story
- Levon shared Hermann Hesse's story of two priests: one angry telling harsh truths, one loving but silent.
- The loving priest later asks to serve the angry one, symbolizing truth must precede love.
