TOUGH TALKS: Conversations on Mental Toughness

Who gathers a group of six NON-mountaineers, trains them mentally and physically for a year and then climbs the tallest mountain in the Western Hemisphere with them? For personal and professional growth reasons. Who DOES that?! Leadership Guide, Speaker and Author Stephen McGhee does. --- And he’s my guest in this episode of Tough Talks. And what a treat he is! Stephen and I have spent exactly zero hours of time together in the same physical space but I have studied him and followed his work for years in such a way that I feel like he’s a brother. We have also shared the same amazing coaches so we really are kindred spirits. And that made for a really “spirited” dialog on purpose, passion, commitment, mental toughness, success, meditation and jumping into freezing cold water. --- Here are some of the highlights: - Mastery doesn’t mean perfection, it means progression. - Urgency doesn’t mean being in a hurry, it means that since life is so precious, let’s create NOW with what we have. - Getting “soft” as a Man. - The WHY of the Aconcagua Men’s Project. - Climbing as the metaphor for intrinsic freedom. - The necessity of doing something completely “unreasonable.” - “Suffering is underrated!” - Who soaks in a goddamn ice bath for 4 minutes every morning?! - His approach to integrating “bad news” - The discipline of doing the thing you just don’t feel like doing. - The Sanskrit origin of the word, “hu-man.” - His gift to you for listening. --- Links: www.mcgheeleadership.com http://www.vimeo.com/ondemand/14289 (this is to get a free copy of the documentary of the Aconcagua climb!) Click BUY and enter promo code: LEADERVIP https://www.wimhofmethod.com/ --- https://christopherdorris.com/tough-talks-stephen-mcghee-leadership-guide-speaker-and-author/ --- If you enjoyed this content and you are not getting notifications of new posts, then I invite you to signup to my list. Please also share this with the people in your world that would also dig this post and benefit from it. --- https://christopherdorris.com/lists

One of the most important reasons to strengthen the mind is because of its instantaneous, inextricable, and profound relationship with the body. In fact, with the quantity and quality of emerging scientific research these days on the mind-body relationship, I predict there’ll be a new, condensed word soon for “mind-body relationship” and it’ll simply be mind-body. --- Last year a documentary came out on the subject entitled, HEAL. I went to see it in the theaters and was blown away at how many brilliant experts were included and how densely packed the film is with hugely important information and practices for us to understand and integrate so that we can enjoy life with optimal health. --- I am over the moon pumped about the fact that our guest today is the Writer, Director, Producer of the fabulous and fabulously important documentary, Heal, Kelly Noonan Gores. --- There a million highlights from this conversation. In fact, the conversation ITSELF is one big highlight. But here are a few of the moments that moved me to make a note: -5:38 - When asked WHY she created this film, Kelly references the impact that Epigeneticist and Stem Cell Researcher, Dr. Bruce Lipton had upon her. -10:22 - The Universe is a Conspiracist! - 11:55 - I put her on the spot to summarize the main message of the movie into ONE sentence, and she hit it out of the park! -18:14 - Yep. We’re still a little “Cavemanny.” How our brains are still hardwired for surviving versus thriving. -19:04 - The old school Newtonian Physics vs. modern day Quantum Physics and how we Cause Effects with our minds and our hearts. -26:40 - Why mediation is so practical and important for us right now. “Decluttering.” -29:56 - The amazing near death experience and spontaneous (or not so spontaneous but certainly radical) remission of best selling author of the book, Dying To Be Me, Anita Moorjani’s stage 4 lymphoma. Her transition from fear to love and how that cured her. In 5 weeks! -37:08 - Channeling Pure Divine Love. -40:30 - Gregg Barden and the mechanics of Heart Math - how the heart and brain collaborate. -45:25 - Darren Weissman and his very unusual Lifeline Technique of healing, even severe diagnoses. -58:19 - The power of gratitude and not only giving thanks for what you have but also giving thanks for the future that you’re creating! --- How to follow/connect with Kelly: Facebook: Heal Documentary Instagram: @healdocumentary and @kellygores --- https://christopherdorris.com/tough-talks-kelly-noonan-goreswriter-director-producer/ --- If you enjoyed this content and you are not getting notifications of new posts, then I invite you to signup to my list. Please also share this with the people in your world that would also dig this post and benefit from it. --- https://christopherdorris.com/lists

WOW! What an impressive guy, this Mike Haynes. And that he’s an NFL Hall of Famer is NOT the top reason why. In fact, not even close. Rather, it’s his perpetual commitment to serve that makes him so powerful. You’ll notice him use the words “serve” and “service” throughout the entire discourse. --- This dialog rocked me a few times, and those times will be obvious to you. --- Here are a few of the highlights: 8:25: Mike’s experience defeating prostate cancer and how it led to him becoming a national spokesperson for it. 10:15: The importance of being proactive (at this point with respect to getting checked for prostate cancer or breast cancer, but more on being proactive later…) 13:10: What Mental Toughness means to Mike Haynes and why it must fundamentally involve service. 17:25: The difference between talking Mental Toughness and WALKING it. 19:30: You’ll be surprised by his response to the question, “When did you first think about playing professional football?” 22:25: The BIG ASK that opened up his career (THIS is where this interview starts getting real deep!) 27:55: The imperative nature of the courage to ask and the courage to move in the direction of your dreams. 29:25: Or maybe it isn’t even courage - maybe it’s DESIRE. 31:40: What this NFL Hall of Famer is most proud of. Which is why I love this guy so much! --- https://christopherdorris.com/tough-talks-mike-haynesnfl-hall-of-fame/ --- If you enjoyed this content and you are not getting notifications of new posts, then I invite you to signup to my list. Please also share this with the people in your world that would also dig this post and benefit from it. --- https://christopherdorris.com/lists

Our guest today is a man who definitely walks his talk when it comes to fortifying his mind and living powerfully. You hear it clearly in his language. His name is John Toomey and he is an enormously successful sales leader (SVP North America Sales at NICE Systems), an Ironman and a dedicated husband and father. And he has some true golden nuggets - practical insights and advice - for us in each of those categories that will help us be far more powerful in each of those specific areas of life. --- In our conversation today we touch upon: · The mega-importance of always having a clear “WHY?!” · How “no” in sales doesn’t actually mean no, but rather it’s simply an indicator of a lack of information. · Why Green Eggs and Ham by Dr. Seuss is the best sales book EVER! · 2 ways for athletes (and anyone) to tap into extra reservoirs of strength and stamina. · The 3 F’s that are his 3 pillars of life: Faith, Family and Fundamentals. --- This talk is choc-full of laughs and valuable takeaways. You’re gonna love John! --- https://christopherdorris.com/tough-talks-john-toomeysvp-north-america-sales-nice-systems/ --- If you enjoyed this content and you are not getting notifications of new posts, then I invite you to signup to my list. Please also share this with the people in your world that would also dig this post and benefit from it. --- https://christopherdorris.com/lists

Holistic Nutritionist, Life Coach and former NFL Cheerleader, Taylor Stone is our guest for today’s episode of Tough Talks. --- Taylor’s work far transcends (but most definitely includes) nutritional coaching in her work with women. She refers to herself as a healer (rightfully so) and integrates emotional detoxing and instilling massive self-love and confidence and exercise coaching in her efforts to help women get out of the victim mindset so they can own and create a life they love. --- Taylor is a true student of longevity and health and she walks her talk. She can be unapologetically polarizing when it comes to subjects like the overmedication of the populous and the ignorance we have as a society to our bodies desire to heal itself. Here are some of the highlights from our conversation: 4:15: Taylor’s own history with health challenges 11:30: What if most people on antidepressants don’t need them?! 18:25: and….what if depression in general is “not necessary”? 22:05: “Unconscious Absorption” and “Bi-Neural Beats” (NOT by Dre) 26:42: The importance of taking a “Life Audit” -28:25: Eliminating the negative peeps from your tribe 34:25: Liver Detox! 38:10: Jim Carrey’s bold take on depression --- https://christopherdorris.com/taylor-stone-holistic-nutritionistlife-coach-and-former-nfl-cheerleader/ --- If you enjoyed this content and you are not getting notifications of new posts, then I invite you to signup to my list. Please also share this with the people in your world that would also dig this post and benefit from it. --- https://christopherdorris.com/lists

It isn’t every day that I get to interview a famous Hollywood Stuntwoman! But I did today. Angela Meryl is our badass guest for this episode and we discuss the unlikely journey she’s had as a model/actress/stuntwoman. --- Angela had a very modest upbringing in Philadelphia and Southern New Jersey and decided at an early age that she wanted to go to Hollywood and crush it there (“Decided” is the operative word in that sentence). She has won numerous awards for her work and has appeared in a LONG list of TV shows and blockbuster movies including Kill Bill, Skysong, The Obsessed, Westworld, Pirates of the Caribbean, and has been a guest on shows such as Queen Latifah and this other small one called Oprah! --- A few hit points from our dialog: -9:25 - Getting “Paid to Play” - following your bliss -12:45 - The Psychology of jumping out of a 33rd story window - backwards. -20:45 - Angela’s ONE golden nugget of advice to an 11 year old (she has an 11-year-old daughter) -29:00 - “Watch me!” - The Determination Decision -31:25 - Oprah want you to jump off her building! --- Angela is such a unique guest and such a powerful and surprisingly gentle (for a Super Badass Stunt Woman) presence, and I’m certain you’ll enjoy her stories and insights. --- https://christopherdorris.com/tough-talks-angela-merylmodel-actress-stuntwoman/ --- If you enjoyed this content and you are not getting notifications of new posts, then I invite you to signup to my list. Please also share this with the people in your world that would also dig this post and benefit from it. --- https://christopherdorris.com/lists

Wow! THAT didn’t go the way I thought it would. It went way better. Today’s episode of Tough Talks turned into an impromptu coaching session on making, keeping (or not) and learning from your (sometimes broken) commitments. And that wasn’t even our planned topic du jour. --- The intended topic was the discipline it takes to commit to wholistic wellness. And our guest is an expert practitioner in just that – the study and application of MNB – Mind, Nutrition and Body wellness. Mike Garrick has been a student of health and wellness for the last decade, and his #1 addiction is perpetual growth. Mike is inspiration personified. But beware, he has filthy mouth. He makes ME sound like Mother Teresa (which is not actually possible, but this is definitely PG -14)! --- Here are a few of the hot spots: 5:00: The Information vs. Transformation distinction 9:00: “Sautéing in your shit” (emotionally every bit as gross as it sounds) 10:45: “Crazy 8” The Depression/Anger endless loop 25:20: Pain vs. Suffering and how pain IS imperative to growth 27:00: Cold Showers as a morning WIN 28:20: Are you a Pain or Pleasure responder? 30:00: THE BURPEES!!! (He drops and gives us 10!) 39:00: The value of Metrics in getting started and staying started 45:00: His incredible morning routine --- Mike is not typical. His lifestyle is not normal. And that’s precisely why we have so much to learn from him. He’s such a fun, brilliant, love filled, passionate guy who just can’t stop feeding his soul. And that’s precisely why you’re gonna enjoy him so much. --- https://christopherdorris.com/tough-talks-mike-garrickwholistic-wellness-expert/ --- If you enjoyed this content and you are not getting notifications of new posts, then I invite you to signup to my list. Please also share this with the people in your world that would also dig this post and benefit from it. --- https://christopherdorris.com/lists

The Gallup organization has been doing research on job satisfaction among Americans for decades. The results have been remarkably consistent. And remarkably disturbing. The vast majority of people polled report being dissatisfied with their jobs. Far from in love with them. And “job” is the place where most of us spend most of our lives. --- Our guest today is Chief Strategic Career Advisor at The Bauke Group, Julie Bauke. Julie is a no nonsense, self-proclaimed “Fierce Advocate” for not settling but rather for proactively co-creating your ideal vocation. --- Here are some of the highlights from our conversation: The critical nature of seeing POSSIBILITIES vs. “availabilities” How imperative it is for you to get full clarity on the simple, yet profound, question, “What do you really want?” What Millenials get that the rest of us don’t The death of the “Gold Watch” mission The power of NOT “staying in your lane” Who to be when you get laid off The Deserve, Worthy, CAN attitude What it means to “Smash the Box!” How to own and strategize (in advance) upon the fact that “your company wants you – until they don’t.” --- Join us for our aggressive challenge of how how we have historically permitted ourselves to “settle” into less than ideal careers. --- Links: www.TheBaukeGroup.com --- https://christopherdorris.com/tough-talks-julie-bauke-career-strategist-the-bauke-group/ --- If you enjoyed this content and you are not getting notifications of new posts, then I invite you to signup to my list. Please also share this with the people in your world that would also dig this post and benefit from it. --- https://christopherdorris.com/lists

In today’s episode of Tough Talks, we are fortunate to have as our guest the former NFL superstar and current NFL Broadcaster, Adam Archuleta. Adam knew from early youth that he wanted to be a professional American Football player. That’s true for a lot of kids. But one of the distinguishing factors about Adam is that he skipped over hoping and wishing and got straight into deciding. --- Not only did Adam simply decide that he would be playing in the NFL, he became a voracious student and devotee to learning and doing whatever it would take to make that his reality. --- Adam treats everything that way. He isn’t interested in being good at things. He’s interested only in being the best. Which is why he overcame his self-reported “extreme introversion” and “near social phobia” in order to be able to manifest one of 16 positions in the world sitting in the booth calling NFL games on live internationally broadcast TV. --- A few of the hit points we cover in our fascinating dialog: The critical difference between “try to” versus “DECIDE TO!” The importance of responding masterfully when others doubt you How to interpret all adversity as fuel How the mantra “No job is too small for me” and the humility that comes with that, continues to play a big role in his ability to create new dreams The problem with “timelines” when you’re shooting to be the best in the world How tons of great practice and repetitions still aren’t enough to cut it when you’re committed to creating excellence --- Adam IS a very typical person. He just chooses to live very atypically. And there’s a lot for us to learn from that. --- Links: @AdamArchuleta --- https://christopherdorris.com/tough-talks-adam-archuletaformer-nfl-star-current-nfl-host/ --- If you enjoyed this content and you are not getting notifications of new posts, then I invite you to signup to my list. Please also share this with the people in your world that would also dig this post and benefit from it. --- https://christopherdorris.com/lists

How has my life been impacted because of the world that I live in? How do I want to impact the world because I have lived in it? --- These are the questions that today’s Tough Talks guest, Dr. J’Lein Liese, has committed her life to challenging people across the globe to answer. Dr. Liese is an international expert in leadership, strategy execution, communication, change management, and conflict resolution. She works extensively in acute-conflict areas. Most recently, in the Middle East and previously throughout Africa. The bottom line, really, is that J’Lein is a global servant and her mission is to have us live together peacefully and productively. --- J’Lein is about as interesting a person as you can ever meet. She’s a master of distinctions. And that all comes through abundantly clearly, as usual, in this fascinating dialog during which we touch upon: 9:00 – The distinction between Attachment and Preference and how this distinction can govern our happiness 17:30 – The magic of Mirror Neurons en route to a gorilla trek in Uganda 20:00 – The difference between Positive and Negative Resilience and the importance of putting a Positive Resiliency practice in your life to avoid becoming depressed or becoming a victim thinker 31:00 – The beauty and blessing of Neuroplasticity and how huge change doesn’t need to take forever 32:45 – The 5 Step Process of changing your inner stories (capitalizing upon that neuroplasticity) and freeing yourself from old restrictive thought patterns --- J’Lein is a true genius and a gift to the world in which we live. I know you’ll love her and enjoy this poignant discussion. --- http://www.leadwithconversations.com --- https://christopherdorris.com/tough-talks-jlein-liese-ph-d/ --- If you enjoyed this content and you are not getting notifications of new posts, then I invite you to signup to my list. Please also share this with the people in your world that would also dig this post and benefit from it. --- https://christopherdorris.com/lists