Storytelling School

I’m working with my client on a TEDx Talk. In her opening story, she shares a vivid moment from her childhood: She is standing on a stranger's doorstep, completely nervous and uncertain if anyone is going to answer at all. It's a small detail yet it’s emotionally powerful and completely gripping.  After the story, we go ahead and develop the rest of the Talk. And as a whole, her Talk is strong. It's structured and meaningful… except when we get to the end. Something is missing. Her idea and her content are clear, but there isn't really an emotional lift at the end. I suggest going back to that moment at the doorstep and bringing the story full circle, reconnecting the audience with that feeling of standing on that doorstep. So she tries it, and guess what? It changed everything. At the end of her Talk, the emotion rushes in, and suddenly, we, the audience, go from being in listener mode to actually feeling the story and reconnecting to that feeling that we felt in her opening story. We can actually see the story in our mind's eye. That one callback ends up transforming her Talk, which has now been viewed over a million times. In this episode of Storytelling School, I explain how a well-placed callback can truly transform your Talk by creating satisfying closure and leaving a lasting impression on the audience. You’ll get answers to questions like: What is a callback, and why is it important? How does using a well-placed callback in your Talk strengthen its impact? How can even just one powerful detail from your story be the key to making your ending unforgettable?  What you will learn in this episode: Why repeated emotional cues create deeper audience engagement How to find and evolve a meaningful moment in your story Why one callback is more powerful than many A little about me: Hi there. I’m Kymberlee. As a Speaking Strategist and founder of Storytelling School, I’ve had the pleasure of working with over 500 speakers, business leaders, and entrepreneurs worldwide for over a decade. No matter if those folks were getting ready to take the TED or TEDx stage or preparing for a high-stakes presentation with everything on the line, my specialty is High Stakes Short Form Communication. I’ve seen what works when influencing change and what doesn’t. It turns out storytelling is one of the most powerful tools you can have in your arsenal. That’s why I’m building a movement of master storytellers to affect change in the world on a global scale to help people tell real stories that have influence and impact. With effective storytelling, you change people’s lives. Since competition for potential client attention is fierce, a story can make the difference between being memorable or irrelevant. You’ll find me sharing my matcha tea mishap to discuss perfectionism, my quest for Bruce Lee and Hello Kitty art to explore kindness, or, as I discuss in this episode, the six months of live blade training I underwent to illustrate presence. I spend my days showing the power of using stories to help cement ideas and bring lessons to life and teach my clients to do the same. If you think business owners can’t tell stories or don’t have stories to share with their clients, staff, donors, followers, or investors, I invite you to reconsider your perspective. There’s no better place than in business to tell your stories so audiences, no matter how big or small, can understand how you think and what you value. Now it’s your turn... If you’re ready to become a master storyteller and effect change in our world, you’ve come to the right place.   Links and Resources Storytelling School Website @storytellingschool on Instagram @storytellingschool on Facebook  

I am standing in the dojo, drenched in sweat. We’re in the middle of a dynamic circle knife drill, and I’m surrounded by fellow black belts, each armed with metal training knives and ready to attack in a simulation of real-life danger - fast, chaotic, and unrelenting.  At first, I hold my own, fueled by adrenaline and a strong desire to prove that I can hang with the best. I move quickly, using flashy moves and relying on sheer speed, but as the drill speeds up, my technique falls apart. I'm rushing transitions, missing critical details, and losing confidence. My partners sense the chaos, pressing harder, and I fall further out of my flow.  Out of nowhere, my Grandmaster claps his hands and yells, “Stop!” Everyone and everything freezes. He walks over to me and simply says, “Master Kymberlee, go slow to go fast.” Those five words hit me like a punch to the chest. When it’s my turn again. I take my place back in the middle of the circle and take a deep breath. The attacks begin and I do the opposite of what I was doing before. I slow down. I breathe. Suddenly, something shifts. My awareness expands. My movements become sharper, more intentional, and ironically, even faster. The disarms land. The flow returns. This specific drill changes everything, and not only how I train; it ultimately changes how I teach, how I move, even how I tell stories!  In this episode of the Storytelling School Podcast, you’ll learn what knife fighting taught me about storytelling and why it’s important to practice slowing down so that you’re having a bigger, more lasting impact on your audience. You’ll get answers to questions like: How can slowing down your storytelling method make you a more impactful and memorable storyteller? What are the "slow power" techniques that you can apply to your own storytelling and speaking methods? In what ways can pacing and pauses help build suspense to captivate your audience?  What you will learn in this episode: How going slow in storytelling allows the audience to connect on a deeper level Why slowing down signals strength and confidence and commands the audience's attention How practicing storytelling slowly helps build muscle memory so that you can deliver with precision when it matters most A little about me: Hi there. I’m Kymberlee. As a Speaking Strategist and founder of Storytelling School, I’ve had the pleasure of working with over 500 speakers, business leaders, and entrepreneurs worldwide for over a decade. No matter if those folks were getting ready to take the TED or TEDx stage or preparing for a high-stakes presentation with everything on the line, my specialty is High Stakes Short Form Communication. I’ve seen what works when influencing change and what doesn’t. It turns out storytelling is one of the most powerful tools you can have in your arsenal. That’s why I’m building a movement of master storytellers to affect change in the world on a global scale to help people tell real stories that have influence and impact. With effective storytelling, you change people’s lives. Since competition for potential client attention is fierce, a story can make the difference between being memorable or irrelevant. You’ll find me sharing my matcha tea mishap to discuss perfectionism, my quest for Bruce Lee and Hello Kitty art to explore kindness, or, as I discuss in this episode, the six months of live blade training I underwent to illustrate presence. I spend my days showing the power of using stories to help cement ideas and bring lessons to life and teach my clients to do the same. If you think business owners can’t tell stories or don’t have stories to share with their clients, staff, donors, followers, or investors, I invite you to reconsider your perspective. There’s no better place than in business to tell your stories so audiences, no matter how big or small, can understand how you think and what you value. Now it’s your turn... If you’re ready to become a master storyteller and effect change in our world, you’ve come to the right place. Links and Resources Storytelling School Website @storytellingschool on Instagram @storytellingSchool on Facebook

I'm a freshman at the University of Hawaii, living the dream on a full-ride softball scholarship. One night during finals week, my roommate and I decide to take a break from studying and grab a bite to eat. On our way back to the dorms, riding our mopeds, the unthinkable happens and I get hit… by a cement truck.  I wake up five days later in the hospital with massive head injuries and indescribable pain. The doctor tells me that my sense of taste and smell is gone, permanently. For years, I don’t talk about the accident. I think, who wants to hear a story like that? It feels too random, too graphic, and definitely too personal. Until one day I work up the courage to share it on stage. And something unexpected happens:  People respond.  They come up to me, asking questions, and wanting to hear more - not about the accident itself but about the comeback. They’re curious about how I found my way from a hospital bed back to the softball field and how that journey changed who I was. That experience taught me something powerful. So often we judge our own stories too harshly. We convince ourselves that no one will care, that our experiences are too strange, too painful, or too irrelevant to share, but sometimes, the story we most want to hide is exactly the story someone else needs to hear, and joining me in this episode of Storytelling School is someone who can really help attest to that, my special guest today, Cameron Stout. Cam is a respected CLE speaker, financial services defense litigator, mental wellness advocate and founder of Stout Heart, Inc. - and someone who truly knows exactly what it means to speak your truth inside of a story, especially when that truth is raw, personal, and might feel like too much. In this episode of the Storytelling School Podcast, we talk about how sharing personal stories, even those that feel too raw or heavy, can be incredibly powerful and impactful. We’ll also answer questions such as: How can you find the courage to share your personal stories? How can cultivating humility and self-awareness enhance one's ability to inspire and lead others? What fears or hesitations might be holding you back from sharing your authentic story, and how can you overcome them? In what ways can focusing on the process rather than the outcome lead to more fulfillment and growth? How can building on humility and self-awareness enhance one's ability to inspire and lead others? What you will learn in this episode: How connecting with the audience and finding "allies" in the room can help you build confidence when speaking Why authenticity and honesty are so important when telling stories, even if they are difficult to share How focusing on the process and being of service to others can be more rewarding than just focusing on the end goal How developing bravery and allowing it to come through can enhance one's storytelling abilities over time Who is Cam? Cameron “Cam” Stout is a respected CLE speaker, financial services defense litigator, and mental wellness advocate who founded Stout Heart, Inc. After experiencing a major depressive episode in 2013 that led to hospitalization, Cam began a journey of recovery through therapy, support, and self-care, which he now shares in talks across the country. A Princeton graduate and father of two, he lives in Marin County, CA, where he remains active in sports and serves as an elder at Witherspoon Street Presbyterian Church. Links and Resources Cam’s LinkedIn Page Cam on Facebook Stout Heart, Inc. Website Stout Heart, Inc. Blog Stout Heart, Inc. on YouTube Storytelling School Website @storytellingschool on Instagram @storytellingSchool on Facebook

It's the early 2000s, and I get invited to speak in New York to a room full of tech heavyweights - people and thought leaders I dreamed of being in front of. I am determined to crush it, so I do what any overachiever would: I obsess.  I write, rewrite, and practice endlessly. No improvising. No mistakes. I even buy a stiff, serious outfit that doesn’t feel like me but seems like something a “real” speaker would wear. On the day of the event I deliver my Talk flawlessly, every word in place. The audience claps, though I leave feeling like something is off. It was perfect, yes, but ultimately flat. I felt like I had given a transcript instead of a speech. Fast-forward three years later, and I’m at TED for the first time. 5 days filled with 80 speakers. It hits me that the Talks that tend to stay with me aren’t the perfectly polished ones. They’re the raw, real, unfiltered ones. No armor, no script… just humans being human. And that’s when I decide I am done choosing robotic over real. The Talks that move us, that shift our hearts and minds, are the ones that breathe. They make us feel like we’ve experienced something rare. And speaking of showing up with unfiltered and raw authenticity, my special guest today, Michelle Claffey, embraces that wholeheartedly. Michelle is a leadership and team coach, with a background in organic chemistry, who specializes in helping leaders and organizations embrace authenticity, courage, and confidence. In this episode of the Storytelling School Podcast, you’ll learn how effective leadership and communication benefits from being authentic and vulnerable. We’ll also answer questions such as: How can you move from simply delivering information to creating an authentic, immersive experience for your audience? How can you use the power of storytelling to connect and motivate? How can you reframe your perspective and shift the narrative to empower yourself and inspire others?  What you will learn in this episode: The powerful tool you can use to connect with your audience Why you don’t need to deliver a "perfect" performance How reframing limiting beliefs and self-doubt can empower you What leveraging stories as analogies or metaphors can do for you Who is Michelle? Michelle Claffey is a leadership and team coach who specializes in helping leaders and organizations embrace authenticity, courage, and confidence. With a background in organic chemistry and a career shift into coaching, she truly brings a unique perspective to her work and is passionate about empowering others to find their authentic voice and lead with impact. She often incorporates storytelling and interactive experiences into her workshops and facilitation. Links and Resources Claffey Leadership Website Storytelling School Website @storytellingschool on Instagram @storytellingSchool on Facebook

It’s 2006. I am sitting in the audience at TED surrounded by visionaries, innovators, and thought leaders. The energy in the room is electric and everyone is buzzing with anticipation about who’s going to take the stage next and what new insight we’ll walk away with. When the next speaker, a Swedish professor specializing in global health and data, is introduced, I brace myself for a dry, academic talk full of statistics and charts. Instead, the speaker starts moving across the stage with visible, infectious enthusiasm, pointing at animated visuals and telling a story through data. Slowly, the entire audience becomes captivated. He isn’t just presenting facts; he is truly humanizing them. Each statistic becomes a character, each data point a moment in a story, and by the end, what started as numbers on a screen has been transformed into something deeply human and emotionally resonant. I remember thinking: this is what it looks like when data and storytelling meet. The numbers didn’t fade away; they stayed with me… and still do to this day. In this episode of the Storytelling School Podcast, you will learn how data can be brought to life with storytelling. In the process, you’ll discover why providing context, characters, and consequences makes things more memorable and impactful for the audience, and you’ll get answers to questions like: What are some key elements to focus on when using storytelling to make data more impactful? Why is it important to earn the right to share data by first setting the stage with a story? What are some common pitfalls to avoid when trying to combine data and storytelling?  What you will learn in this episode: What methods to use to bring your data to life with storytelling Why you should avoid simply presenting raw statistics or data  How specific details and micro-stories can help the audience visualize and empathize with data Why it’s important to set the scene and highlight what exactly is at stake How to contrast the expected with the reality to capture attention A little about me: Hi there. I’m Kymberlee. As a Speaking Strategist and founder of Storytelling School, I’ve had the pleasure of working with over 500 speakers, business leaders, and entrepreneurs worldwide for over a decade. No matter if those folks were getting ready to take the TED or TEDx stage or preparing for a high-stakes presentation with everything on the line, my specialty is High Stakes Short Form Communication. I’ve seen what works when influencing change and what doesn’t. It turns out storytelling is one of the most powerful tools you can have in your arsenal. That’s why I’m building a movement of master storytellers to affect change in the world on a global scale to help people tell real stories that have influence and impact. With effective storytelling, you change people’s lives. Since competition for potential client attention is fierce, a story can make the difference between being memorable or irrelevant. You’ll find me sharing my matcha tea mishap to discuss perfectionism, my quest for Bruce Lee and Hello Kitty art to explore kindness, or the six months of live blade training I underwent to illustrate presence. I spend my days showing the power of using stories to help cement ideas and bring lessons to life and teach my clients to do the same. If you think business owners can’t tell stories or don’t have stories to share with their clients, staff, donors, followers, or investors, I invite you to reconsider your perspective. There’s no better place than in business to tell your stories so audiences, no matter how big or small, can understand how you think and what you value. Now it’s your turn... If you’re ready to become a master storyteller and effect change in our world, you’ve come to the right place. Links and Resources Storytelling School Website @storytellingschool on Instagram @storytellingSchool on Facebook

I am coaching a speaker as she prepares for one of the biggest keynotes of her career. Her story is powerful, full of resilience and triumph. As she runs through her story, I am captivated... until it just... stops. She smiles, says thank you, and that’s it. There is no call to action and no invitation. I deliver the news, gently: her ending isn’t serving her or the audience. She pushes back because she doesn’t want to  sound salesy. And while I do definitely understand her concerns, I explain that, while her story hits hard, her ending needs to hit home. So we roll up the sleeves and get back to work, keeping the emotional core intact and reshaping her closing into a call to action that mirrors the emotional arc of her story. And guess what? It doesn’t feel forced; her final line ties back to her opening message and invites the audience to step into their own transformation. When she takes the stage, the response is absolutely incredible. After delivering her Talk, a flurry of people approach her. One of them ends up booking her. Another one wants to feature her in an article. One person even tells her that the challenge she issued changed something significant for them.  In this episode of the Storytelling School Podcast, you’ll learn why having a CTA (Call To Action) at the conclusion of your story is so important. In the process, you’ll discover why your CTA needs to be consistent with the emotional tone of your story, and get answers to questions like: How can you get your message to ripple out further than the audience in front of you? What kind of change could you inspire if your story didn’t simply end with “The End”? How do you turn an emotional story into impactful action?  What you will learn in this episode: Why your Talk needs a clear CTA (Call To Action)  What are the different CTA types and when to use them How to make sure that the CTA fits your story’s emotional tone Why keeping things simple is crucial A little about me: Hi there. I’m Kymberlee. As a Speaking Strategist and founder of Storytelling School, I’ve had the pleasure of working with over 500 speakers, business leaders, and entrepreneurs worldwide for over a decade. No matter if those folks were getting ready to take the TED or TEDx stage or preparing for a high-stakes presentation with everything on the line, my specialty is High Stakes Short Form Communication. I’ve seen what works when influencing change and what doesn’t. It turns out storytelling is one of the most powerful tools you can have in your arsenal. That’s why I’m building a movement of master storytellers to affect change in the world on a global scale to help people tell real stories that have influence and impact. With effective storytelling, you change people’s lives. Since competition for potential client attention is fierce, a story can make the difference between being memorable or irrelevant. You’ll find me sharing my matcha tea mishap to discuss perfectionism, my quest for Bruce Lee and Hello Kitty art to explore kindness, or the six months of live blade training I underwent to illustrate presence. I spend my days showing the power of using stories to help cement ideas and bring lessons to life and teach my clients to do the same. If you think business owners can’t tell stories or don’t have stories to share with their clients, staff, donors, followers, or investors, I invite you to reconsider your perspective. There’s no better place than in business to tell your stories so audiences, no matter how big or small, can understand how you think and what you value. Now it’s your turn... If you’re ready to become a master storyteller and effect change in our world, you’ve come to the right place. Links and Resources Storytelling School Website @storytellingschool on Instagram @storytellingSchool on Facebook

I’m running a high-stakes speaking event and, as I always do, I have everyone share their name and something interesting that may not be on their bio. We go around, one by one, with people sharing surprising facts and fun stories. The energy is light and full of laughter. Until we get to the last person who says, “Hi. I'm Sandy Zabarsky, and I just got out of prison.” The whole room goes silent, and you can hear a pin drop. All eyes are on her, and for a split second, you can almost see the assumptions kicking in.  Is she really just out of prison?  Did I even hear that right? She continues and says, “I've been an educator for most of my career. I’ve worked in the juvenile justice system, and I recently retired. So yes, I’ve been in prison, so to speak, for almost my entire career.” In an instant, the meaning of her words changes completely. The tension in the room releases and transforms. Sandy Zabarsky, also known as my mom, knew that education could change the trajectory of a life by rewriting their story. She helped these kids earn their GEDs because that piece of paper could mean the difference between repeating the cycle or stepping into something new, giving them options and opportunities they might not have had otherwise. When we look at storytelling it isn’t just about entertainment or children’s books; it’s how we shape reality, and no one knows that better than my special guest today. Professor Dr Ger Graus OBE is a globally recognized education leader, known for his innovative approach to children's learning. Having held key roles at KidZania and the Children’s University, he also serves as a professor and advisor to various global education organizations. In this episode of the Storytelling School Podcast, you’ll learn about why storytelling is so important in education, what common misconceptions exist about new technology, and so much more. We’ll also answer questions such as: How does storytelling impact learning? What are some hidden narratives in education that actually shape decisions and opportunities? How could storytelling be integrated into school curriculums? How can we change our mindset to embrace change instead of resisting it? What you will learn in this episode: The power of perspective and how a dramatic introduction can immediately shift perceptions How stories make learning more meaningful than rote memorization The value of personal narratives and how everyone, younger and older, has valuable stories to share How storytelling helps us process emotions and connect with others Who is Dr. Graus? Professor Dr Ger Graus OBE is a globally recognized leader in education, known for his unique and innovative approach to children's learning. He was the first Global Director of Education at KidZania and the founding C.E.O. of the Children’s University, advocating for equity, creativity, and progress in education. He currently serves as a Visiting Professor at the National Research University in Moscow, a Professor of Practice at the University of Cumbria, and a PhD Advisory Council member at the University of Modena and Reggio Emilia. He holds advisory roles with various global education organizations, including Bett’s Global Education Council and Dubai Future Councils, and he has received multiple accolades, including an OBE in 2014 and the Global Education Leadership Award in 2018. His professional autobiography, Through a Different Lens: Lessons from a Life in Education, is set for publication in 2025 via Routledge. Links and Resources Dr. Ger Graus’ Website Dr. Ger Graus on LinkedIn Pre-Order Through a Different Lens Storytelling School Website @storytellingschool on Instagram @storytellingSchool on Facebook

It’s the end of 2002 and I am fully immersed in the world of technology, running a bicoastal tech event. Over lunch with a new connection, we start unraveling a really wild idea - what if we were to build a software application using technology that has never been combined before? Just for fun, we scribble our ideas onto a napkin.  A few days later, something truly incredible happens. We get invited to build this software for the TED Conference. I think to myself, This is way out of my league. We have no team. No roadmap. Just a napkin. And only eight weeks to somehow make this happen.  However, the chance to create something that the world has never seen before is way too thrilling to ignore, so within a weekend, we pull together a team from all over the U.S. and Canada. Eight weeks go by, and we barely sleep. There are moments where I wonder, Is this a huge mistake? Day after day, though, fueled by adrenaline and sheer audacity, we keep pushing forward. When TED arrives, we hold our breath as we unveil our creation. Guess what? Not only does it work, but people engage with the software in ways we never even imagined. In that moment – watching as people interact and seeing our vision come to life – it truly hits me that we did it. And that moment changes everything. As it turns out, a little innovation and audacity can rewrite the rules in a life-altering way. Someone who knows all about that is today's guest, Gina Osborn. After nearly three decades in law enforcement chasing Cold War spies, foiling terrorist plots, and tracking down cybercriminals, this is just another day on the job for her. In this episode of the Storytelling School Podcast, you’ll learn about the best way to build rapport, whether the glass ceiling is just a state of mind, and the consequences of choosing a hill to die on. You’ll also get answers to questions like:  How do real-life experiences shape the way we tell and also interpret stories? How can unexpected challenges or turning points redefine the course of a story - or of a life? And how do you get wary people to trust you? What you will learn in this episode: How being innovative and audacious can lead to unexpected success How role models can help shape our beliefs about what’s possible How careers can be redefined by both adversity and opportunities The importance of collaboration and persistence when taking on a challenge Why preparation and resilience are important in any career - especially a dangerous one Who is Gina? Gina Osborn spent 28 years in law enforcement where she took on espionage, terrorism, and cybercrime. Initially beginning her career in 1986 as a Counterintelligence Special Agent in the U.S. Army handling high-profile Cold War espionage cases in Europe, she transitioned in 1996 by joining the FBI, where she investigated Asian Organized Crime, supervised counterterrorism operations in Southeast Asia, and led major cybercrime cases. After her retirement in 2018, Gina became a sought-after keynote speaker, using her real-life experiences to educate and inspire audiences. She is also the host of the upcoming podcast Making Maverick Moves which will feature trailblazers who challenge norms and redefine success! Links and Resources Gina Osborn on LinkedIn Gina Osborn on Facebook Gina Osborn on Instagram Gina Osborn on YouTube Storytelling School Website @storytellingschool on Instagram @storytellingSchool on Facebook

It's 2014. As the year draws to a close, all of my friends come up with their New Year’s resolutions, ranging from dropping bad habits to losing weight. But while I create my list of resolutions on the eve of the new year, I realize it isn’t going to work. Sure, I write them out every year with the best intentions in mind, but I forget some of them by February and even blow by others in January. At the end of the year, when reflecting back, it’s the goals I haven’t reached that make me feel like I’m failing. Walking on the beach that morning with my matcha latte, I wonder, “What if there were a new way to set intentions for the year ahead? What if those intentions actually made a significant difference in our lives?”  Then it hits me. Instead of doing the usual thing, I’m going to give the upcoming year a short, memorable, spicy name. I’m going to name my year based on who I want to become, not who I am today.  No more lists, no more forgetting, no more failing. I will live into what I’ve named my year with every decision I make and every action I take. What happens as a result? Everything. Outcomes change based on what I name my year, and it has such a profound effect on me that I start teaching others to do it and have incredible transformations of their own. Now it’s your turn! In this short but very special episode, I talk about changing your year (and your life) with one, simple word or phrase and demonstrate why it works better than your typical New Year’s resolution. What you will learn in this episode: How to create a new story of yourself and your life by naming your year Why you shouldn’t keep this new story of yours a secret from others How to check in daily to ensure your story stays on track throughout the year A little about me: Hi there. I’m Kymberlee. As a Speaking Strategist and founder of Storytelling School, I’ve had the pleasure of working with over 500 speakers, business leaders, and entrepreneurs worldwide for over a decade. No matter if those folks were getting ready to take the TED or TEDx stage or preparing for a high-stakes presentation with everything on the line, my specialty is High Stakes Short Form Communication. I’ve seen what works when influencing change and what doesn’t. It turns out storytelling is one of the most powerful tools you can have in your arsenal. That’s why I’m building a movement of master storytellers to affect change in the world on a global scale to help people tell real stories that have influence and impact. With effective storytelling, you change people’s lives. Since competition for potential client attention is fierce, a story can make the difference between being memorable or irrelevant. You’ll find me sharing my matcha tea mishap to discuss perfectionism, my quest for Bruce Lee and Hello Kitty art to explore kindness, or the six months of live blade training I underwent to illustrate presence. I spend my days showing the power of using stories to help cement ideas and bring lessons to life and teaching my clients to do the same. If you think business owners can’t tell stories or don’t have stories to share with their clients, staff, donors, followers, or investors, I invite you to reconsider your perspective. There’s no better place than in business to tell your stories so audiences, no matter how big or small, can understand how you think and what you value. Now it’s your turn... If you’re ready to become a master storyteller and effect change in our world, you’ve come to the right place. Links and Resources: Storytelling School Website @storytellingschool on Instagram @storytellingSchool on Facebook

I’m in a high-stakes game throwing pitch after pitch after pitch for the University of Hawaii. I feel the ball roll off of my fingers in a perfect spin towards the catcher’s mitt. Then, I notice a sharp, burning pain in my finger, glance down, and see that I’ve worn a hole all the way down to the bone! The coaches grab me and take me over to the athletic trainer. Wasting no time, they inject my finger with shots of corticosteroid. It numbs everything to the point where I can’t even feel my fingers. So I go back on the field and keep pitching like nothing’s wrong. At the time, I’m thinking that this is just what it takes to be tough. Yet, looking back on it years later, was that really the best solution: to mask the pain and toss me back out there? There was probably a better way to do things, which is not just true in sports but in business as well. How often do entrepreneurs and CEOs mask burnout, overwhelm, and inefficiency instead of getting to the root of what’s really going on? My special guest Dr. Jeremy Bettle has seen this phenomenon in sports and spent years developing systems to help high-performance athletes achieve world-class results and experience true vitality. Now, he's expanding these principles to everyone! In this episode of the Storytelling School Podcast, you’ll discover the link between an optimal health story full of vitality and lifestyle choices. Dr. Bettle will challenge the narrative of what we think health is and answer questions like: How can you use your imagination to help you obtain a more optimal health story? What are the real health factors that indicate a long life story? And what’s an example of a success story that illustrates the transformative power of targeted training and mindset shifts? What you will learn in this episode: How the story of athletic training parallels the non-athletic world Why the biohacking trend is a distraction from the real health story  How sleep impacts your brain (and, by extension, your entire body’s narrative) Who is Jeremy? Dr. Jeremy Bettle holds a PhD in Human Performance and is an internationally recognized expert in the field with nearly 20 years at the forefront of high-performance sports. Renowned as an innovator and disruptor, Jeremy developed world-class systems for athlete care and optimization that set new industry standards. Jeremy and his wife Michelle founded Vitality Collective in January 2024, where he now brings these cutting-edge principles to the broader field of longevity, helping individuals leave no stone unturned in their pursuit of optimal health and vitality.   Links and Resources Vitality Collective @vitalitycollectivemontecito on Instagram Vitality Collective on LinkedIn Storytelling School Website @storytellingschool on Instagram @storytellingSchool on Facebook