Obstacle Course

Why The Obstacle Course Never Ends

This has been... Obstacle Course! Thank you for listening, friends. Andrew's song lyrics: "Every new beginning is some other new beginning's, end." This final episode isn't a memorial, it's a celebration. If you've listened to every episode, you've spent over 7500 hrs with us. Check ya later folks. Union Pacific Coffee Shop [https://www.unionpacificcoffee.ca/]has great atmosphere and delicious coffee/home-made food. "Ironically Wim doesn't respond well to cold calls." Gold. "This podcast has never been one to make us money but we don't want it to cost us a lot either." haha. The episode [https://obstaclecoursepodcast.com/episode/the-struggle-is-real/] where John learned to be present. Hosting Stories of Resilience. Jesse Roper's incredible episode. [https://obstaclecoursepodcast.com/episode/the-jesse-roper-show/] "Screw it up, just go for it, hang it out there. People will love you more for hanging it out there then trying to be something you're not." - Jesse Roper When you're ok with who you are, you'll stop making everything about you. Our guests were people willing to take action!! It's not about being fearless but fearing less. Courage is feeling the fear and doing it anyway. The power of vulnerability is it draws people near. Shoutout to our Decaf Bengal Spice tea that prevented our mouths from drying up while recording. "We know this has been a success if it inspires people to make a small act of courage." Numbers are only one story of the experience. John learned to how to make space for other people. Andrew learned he is best when he asks the questions. "Never let our ambitions confuse us from who we really are." Jim Collins. "Why not just be yourself?" "You will never say something worth remembering if you can't say it from the depths of who you truly are." The three principles that guided all of our guest choices and conversations. 1. Authenticity 2. Vulnerability 3. Good Story Telling Ability Brene Browne! [https://brenebrown.com/] It's impossible to tell a great story story without being authentic and vulnerable. "So clearly, this is well rehearsed." It always was...n't .... Obstacles are opportunities we can learn and grow from. Obstacle Course is a mindset, a decision and a life long habit. That's why it never ends. Often, obstacles start as a feeling. "I will always look back and remember that we hosted a show that encouraged people to not be overtaken by the tough things in life but to allow the tough things to toughen them up so they could move forward and do what's truly meaningful and great in the world." Thank you Judy!!! Your peanut butter cookies will never be be bested. Thank you Andy Robertson for getting us going. Thank you Angie and Sarah for your unending support, belief and for speaking truth. Thank you guests for sharing your souls. You will forever be in our hearts. Last but not least, thank you for listening. We love you. Check ya later :) You are not alone! We love you and keep pushing through those obstacles. Thanks folks.

Let Love Lift Us Higher: Part Two

For our final Obstacle Course interview, we're excited/sad to share the second part of our conversation with Josh Dueck. In this episode, Josh shares his current obstacles and dreams for the future. For our final guest episode we let the music play us off… There is a Part One [https://obstaclecoursepodcast.com/episode/let-love-lift-us-higher-part-1/] to this conversation which you should listen before this. Because it's Part One. [https://obstaclecoursepodcast.com/episode/let-love-lift-us-higher-part-1/] And that's what you do. Everything comes to an end. Like this Podcast. And Andrew and I. What can never end is our shared journey on the Obstacle Course as every day brings new challenges and opportunities for growth. Our final episode will air February 24, 3 years after we began. ------------------------------------------- The death of our identity can often feel fatal. What we learn is this rock bottom can be a solid place to rise up and begin again. Discipline creates freedom! A space to just be. Meditation in Motion. Josh's family motto: Listen, Be kind and Have fun! (Feel free to steal this) Terry Fox, the greatest Canadian! This is a great book [https://www.amazon.ca/Value-Facing-Challenge-Story-Terry/dp/0717281345] as is the series (little John grew up on this series as a kid). Grief, like exercise, is something we do every day. We never finish or arrive. We begin anew every day. It's a process. New T-shirt Idea? “I'm 40 and I can feel. And that's fucking awesome.” "Retiring from sport was harder than breaking my back." “It's not going to be easy. But! It'll be ok.” To connect with and keep track of what Josh is doing, follow him on social media. [https://joshdueck.com/] Discipline is Freedom. “One of our favourite expressions is the obstacle course never ends - because we don't get through all our obstacles until it's all over and then maybe by then we're the better for all the obstacles that we did end up participating in. It's what brought meaning to our lives.” Andrew “The challenges and traumas in our life remove the grit so we can see life more clearly.” Josh “Sport can create hope where once there was only despair.” Nelson Mandela

Let Love Lift Us Higher: Part 1

Josh Dueck [https://joshdueck.com/] is the quintessential obstacle course guest including a stunning story, professionally told and is now changing the world through his work. This is Part One of our conversation. Here's the word [https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/reverberating] John nearly hurt himself trying to pronounce. Despite John's weird analogy, this episode really does have everything and is the essence of Obstacle Course. Andrew practiced for weeks to say Chef De Mission. [https://freestylebc.ski/2020/12/02/josh-dueck-named-canadas-chef-de-mission/] For the record, Josh is a 3 time paralympic medalist, including gold! He's also won an X games gold medal and the world championships. John's finger has healed nicely. His ego continues to be a work in process. -------------------- Josh is the first person in history to perform a backflip on a sit ski!!! Here's the iconic jump! [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qlqab5pMmuc] "We're going to go make an effort today." It turns out that's all any of us can ever do. Wake up. Do the work. Rinse and Repeat. When we're in the middle of doing our best work and aren't distracted by ego or fear, serenity will guide the way. The Freedom Chair [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yWOzVPl-xP8]is a beautifully filmed award winning documentary about Josh's iconic jump. It can be watched on Apple TV for the low low price of $3. Josh's TED talk [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kFa4wnIOWxU] is raw, honest and incredibly inspiring. A must watch! Josh was only 23 at the time of his accident. In the moment before the jump, he remembers disregarding the warnings to impress a bunch of young kids. "What is my why in this moment?" Fear may sometimes be a red flag from the body. It's important to use wisdom and meditation to decipher normal fear from a legitimate warning from our higher self. We love you Ellen!! Just keep filming. Just keep filming. Here's Josh's excellent appearance on Ellen. [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yn0Vnc9CavE] Josh's Three Life Mantras 1. Everything happens for a reason 2. Nothing happens we're not strong enough to deal with 3. Everything in my life has prepared me for this moment The ambulance ride/rock bottom can feel like an eternity. But like every moment, this too shall pass. "Things don't happen to us, they happen for us." Tony Robbins The life affirming words from the Josh's Doctor, "Gab," were transformative and they are still close friends and neighbours to this day. At rock bottom, hope remains and becomes the light that sees us through. Join us for Part Two of this epic conversation.

The Long Road to Mexico

We are joined today by Jeff Sorensen, founder of the Breath Army [https://www.breatharmy.com/]. We changed the intro. Deal with it. Also, Happy 2021!! :) If you are interested in learning more about The 75HARD Challenge, listen to this informative and inspirational episode [https://andyfrisella.com/blogs/realaf-podcast/14-75hard-a-tactical-guide-to-winning-the-war-with-yourself]by the creator. Andrew and Sarah's Hard mantra: "We can do hard things. We choose to do hard things. We become better by doing hard things. We see out hard things to do." Everybody breathes. Not everybody connects with their breath. Breathwork Breathing is a behaviour. We need to up our breath game. As humans, we have a tendency to seek out what we know. This can get us into trouble. At rock bottom, Jeff choice life over death. He mentioned a "sense of something that was left undone." Yes, you heard correctly. Jeff worked for the Sinaloa Mexican Cartel [https://www.bbc.com/news/world-latin-america-40480405]! From the Cartel, Jeff went to Wim Hof. Here's Tim's great conversation [https://tim.blog/2015/09/07/the-iceman-wim-hof/]with The Iceman! Go here [https://www.breatharmy.com/] to join Jeff's Breath Army or be notified when his book is released.

Kara's Will To Survive

Welcome to the Podcast! Today we speak with the remarkable Kara Robinson Chamberlain [https://www.kararobinsonchamberlain.com/]. When Kara was only 15 years old, she was kidnapped in broad daylight by a serial killer who stuffed her into a rubber maid container and took her back to his apartment where she was sexually assaulted over an 18 hour period. We talk to Kara about where she found the courage and resourcefulness to not only escape her restraints but help the police track down her captor. We also talk about the importance of sharing your story and how social media platforms like Tik Tok can actually make you happy. This! Is Obstacle Course. Choose Your Reaction Wisely Tik Tok Can Make You Happy How Strong We Truly Are. Have we mentioned that Andrew is an English major? Kara's Tik Tok [https://www.tiktok.com/@kararobinsonchamberlain?_d=secCgsIARCbDRgBIAIoARI%2BCjxUw8%2B1XoxEKfNdpBcGi27SzRPmml2Ni0npgjlarFv%2BE5mlTeTccpKhQU1a42yLVgkjdeXSd5HjwuLQruQaAA%3D%3D&language=en&sec_uid=MS4wLjABAAAAPJGsd-G2dZXa7baVnrpw7KBTQaX_AAA9G9nPvVqXAodVBBHi6xW-zgV8EUVe7-nL&share_author_id=6803842450479744006&tt_from=copy&u_code=dbaijb59eg19a4&user_id=6803842450479744006&]. She can make you happy! Here's the excellent episode [https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/248-congratulations-smarty/id1074507850?i=1000498345355]from the wildly popular My Favourite Murder Podcast. It starts at the 32 min mark. For more information on Kara's story and to connect with Kara, definitely go to her website. [https://www.kararobinsonchamberlain.com/] Check out The Social Dilemma on Netflix. Incredible documentary about the power and toxicity of social media. We also spoke about disassociation as a form of protection in our fantastic episode 42 with Suzanne Venuta [https://obstaclecoursepodcast.com/episode/the-courage-to-comeback-from-abuse]. The Body Keeps The Score [https://www.amazon.ca/Body-Keeps-Score-Healing-Trauma/dp/0670785938] is THE landmark mark on how the body reacts to traumatic stress. It's a must read. How did Kara escape? 1. Strong Will to Survive. "I will escape." 2. Plan of Action 3. Projected Positivty 4. Looked for her opportunity - Resourefulness 5. Stubbornness. "I refuse to be a victim." "When suffering post traumatic stress and anxiety, remember, you've already done the hard part. You've survived. So you can do this because it's not as hard. You get to choose your reaction." Kara relies on her daily gratitude journal. You can't outthink trauma response. The Headspace App [https://www.headspace.com/?utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=917256442&utm_content=51529949212&utm_term=409650401166&headspace&gclid=CjwKCAiAnvj9BRA4EiwAuUMDf_lHz1SE6OJk_HDqrpukOKmLWUTHLlDq1x_pLutPewBR_iF-H_MrhhoC7owQAvD_BwE] is a fantastic and convenient way to practice daily meditation. It also has dozens of helpful one minute videos that bring calm and perspective. John is on Day 85! And if he can do it, anybody can. :) For more information on repressed trauma, check out the landmark and mind blowing book, "It Didn't Start With You." [https://www.amazon.ca/Didnt-Start-You-Inherited-Family/dp/1101980362] "It's always been cathartic for me to just talk about what happened." Kara's media appearance [https://www.kararobinsonchamberlain.com/media]s including her excellent interview with Elizabeth Smart. Kara points to exercise as key in her healing and recovery. Disassociation is NOT being in your body and exercise brings you back. You are literally stronger than you think. You already have the ability to get through whatever is coming. Andrew has been a beast the past few months and is in the final days of the incredible online challenge 75 Hard. [https://medium.com/@simoncaruso_58869/what-is-75hard-and-why-im-doing-it-4ac40342447] "Your body is listening and is already preparing for whatever your mindset is. Both positive and negative." "I'm very mindful of treating my kids like the adults I want them to be." If your kids never see you struggle they might wonder, what's wrong with me?? Why do I struggle??