I’m back! Or rather, I’m moving forward!

I led workshops this week at the Mountain Works event, in Bend, Oregon. Here's how I ended my session titled, "The Tough Guy Show Meets Cancer: Lessons on Guts, Leadership and Life from a Tough Year."

The small but mighty group of participants in the session.

“I stand in front of you a year later than expected.

Yes, cancer ‘grounded’ me. But the word has two meanings. It limited me, curtailed my travel–I wasn’t supposed to take planes because my immune system was compromised by chemo drugs.

But cancer also grounded me by connecting me to deeper truths. It centered me.

It took my mind and my spirit to a higher level.

When The Tough Guy Show met Cancer, I softened.

I learned that having guts means feeling and expressing pain, sadness and fear. I learned that strong leadership is born from the vulnerability to admit weakness.

What’s more, I discovered that life doesn’t have to be defined by fear, that my fellow human beings are more big-hearted and radiant than I imagined, and that I could trust my gut and relax–even amid, or perhaps because of, a deadly disease.

And now I’m back in airplanes. Here’s me en route from San Francisco to Bend.

I’m taking flight again. And I’m aiming to reach new heights.

I wish the same for you and your organizations.

May you be grounded in the best sense. And may you soar like never before.”

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I’m giving away 5 free virtual versions of this interactive talk. A few folks have already asked me about it. Let me know if you’re interested!