TRIBEathlon Podcast
My youngest daughter, Bronwyn, has been playing a lot of hockey this term, and I’m fortunate enough to have watched most of her matches; and its had me thinking about the Crista Cullen episode of the TRIBEathlon podcast.
Crista Cullen, an Olympic gold medallist in hockey, an Old Oakhamian and a passionate conservationist, delved into her foundation, Tofauti, which focuses on conservation in Africa. The foundation’s mission is to harmonise the relationship between communities and wildlife, ensuring both prosper. One of their notable projects involves constructing elephant corridors to mitigate human-wildlife conflicts. Transitioning from her athletic career, Crista discussed the challenges of finding new purpose post-sports. She shared her unique experience of climbing Mount Kilimanjaro as a porter, emphasising the evolving acceptance of female porters in a traditionally male-dominated role. Drawing parallels with her hockey days, she highlighted the shared values of teamwork, resilience, and determination. Concluding her insights, Crista emphasised the importance of finding a purpose outside of one’s primary profession, advocating for a balanced life filled with risks and relentless pursuit of one’s passions.
It goes down as one of my favourite conversations because of the local connection, her success in a team and her passion to use that platform for good.
What I’ve Been Reading
“The Happiest Man on Earth: The Beautiful Life of an Auschwitz Survivor” by Eddie Jaku is an emotive and inspiring memoir that highlights the incredible resilience and optimism of the human spirit.
Eddie Jaku, a Holocaust survivor, narrates his harrowing journey, beginning with his pride as a German citizen, which was brutally shattered in 1938 when he was subjected to violence and sent to a concentration camp. Enduring the horrors of Buchenwald, Auschwitz, and a Nazi death march, Jaku lost his family, friends, and homeland. Despite these unimaginable experiences, Jaku emerges with a profound sense of gratitude and an unwavering commitment to cherish life. His story is a poignant reminder that even in the depths of despair, one can find reasons to be thankful and to appreciate the essence of family and human connection. Jaku’s vow to smile daily and his self-identification as the ‘happiest man on earth’ serve as powerful testaments to the strength of the human spirit. His memoir is not just a recount of his sufferings but a beacon of hope, teaching the vital lesson that life’s beauty is a product of our perception and attitude, encouraging readers to find happiness, even in the darkest times.
What I’ve Been Watching
After reading previous recommendation Will, the autobiography of Will Smith, I realised I had never actually watched his award winning movie, Ali.
The film focuses on Mohammed Ali’s remarkable journey, emphasising his endurance, speed and most importantly purpose rather than mere physical power to triumph in the ring. This narrative underlines the importance of mental fortitude, strategic thinking, and agility in overcoming challenges, a lesson that transcends beyond the boxing world. Ali’s approach to boxing, relying on endurance and speed, symbolizes the broader strategy of using one’s unique strengths and intellect to succeed in any field. Additionally, the film portrays Ali’s readiness to sacrifice everything for his beliefs, particularly when he faces opposition for his stance on the Vietnam War and his conversion to Islam. This aspect of his life teaches the value of standing firm in one’s convictions, even at the cost of personal loss.
Ali’s story, as depicted in the movie, is not just about his physical prowess but also about the power of perseverance, the importance of staying true to oneself, and the impact of having a purpose-driven life.
TED Talk I’ve Found Interesting
Most 12-year-olds love playing videogames, but Thomas Suarez taught himself how to create them. After developing iPhone apps like “Bustin Jeiber,” a whack-a-mole game, he is now using his skills to help other kids become developers. When watching his TED talk A 12-year-old app developer, I’m not sure whether I’m more impressed with this young man’s app development, or his ability to hold an audience captivated by his talk.
Quote of the Week
A few of my favourites from Mohammed Ali:
“Float like a butterfly, sting like a bee. His hands can’t hit what his eyes can’t see.”
“I hated every minute of training, but I said, ‘Don’t quit. Suffer now and live the rest of your life as a champion.”
“Service to others is the rent you pay for your room here on earth.”
“I don’t count my sit-ups; I only start counting when it starts hurting because they’re the only ones that count.”
Trusted Team
How would you like a stream of your ideal clients knocking at your door without you having to do any marketing? The world of business is built on win/win relationships, and your marketing should be no different. At my workshop last week, we were discussing how by building Trusted Team Partnerships you can ensure you have a team of people finding your ideal clients for you, without even having to pay them! We had the attendees work through an exercise called The Partnership Playbook, which can show you how you can identify, approach and maximise the Trusted Team Partnerships that can deliver you a constant stream of Ideal Clients. It’s an exercise that features in my free virtual workshop, 3 Steps to Entrepreneurial Happiness, which you can join for free by clicking here
