Obstacle Course – Détails, épisodes et analyse

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 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 where John learned to be present.

Hosting Stories of Resilience.

Jesse Roper's incredible episode.

"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! 

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.

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  to this conversation which you should listen before this. Because it's Part One. 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. 

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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 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. 

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

We don't like to experience the nerves but we need the nerves!

That thing WILL kick in.

The only difference between the feelings of fear and excitement is how we label it.

People hate plastic flowers but real flowers are a lot more work!!

"I fell in love with the soul, the outside wrapper was just a bi-product." - Margarita

MARGARITA'S BOOK
Amazon #1 Bestselling book: Sitting On The Fence is a 10-part journey into love - Ten life-changing chapters revealing soulful realizations, learnings, and ideas about the power of love. Love comes from within and it is all-seeing. It is not "just an emotion" or something to rely on others to fulfill for us - it is a state of being. This book will help you examine your perception of love, expand your awareness of how you show up in your life and explore your connection to love and deepen your fulfillment in your relationships    

Book Page: https://leapzone.lpages.co/book/

Dare To Brand Documentary

https://leapzonestrategies.com/portfolio/dare-to-brand-documentary/  
 

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Trailblazers Retreats
 

Main Retreat Page: www.LeapZoneStrategies.com/retreats

Unbridle Your Inner Rockstar 1-Day Retreat: https://leapzone.lpages.co/unbridle-your-inner-rockstar-1-day-retreat/  

 

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TEDx Talks

THE POWER OF ZERO TOLERANCE 

95% of North Americans either go to bed or wake up worrying about something. Yet, worrying is the #1 killer of creativity, performance and dreams. When revolutionary brand strategist Isabelle Mercier-Turcotte discovered “What we tolerate we worry about,” she realized a little structure brings a lot of inner flexibility and freedom. The result is her simple yet powerful model to help you instantly decrease worry and increase peace of mind.

HOW TO INCREASE YOUR UNITS OF HAPPINESS

Unlike business, there are no schools for creating successful personal relationships. After almost 30 years of living/working together, and working with couplepreneurs, Business Growth Catalyst Isabelle Mercier and Equine-Guided Strategist Margarita Romano have uncovered that there is great relationship wisdom in learning from what makes a business thrive. In this engagingly entertaining talk, learn how three simple yet pivotal business performance strategies can create happier lives when applied to relationships.

Isabelle Mercier and Margarita Romano focus on fulfilling, successful relationships and empower heart-centred entrepreneurs and couplepreneurs to build inspiring brands, businesses and lives. 

LINK: https://www.LeapZoneStrategies.com/tedx-talks

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LeapTV

Canada's #1 branding, positioning, and all things business growth online TV Show for heart-centred business Owners. https://www.LeapTV.com

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Build To Rock 

Build To Rock is a step-by-step online business and brand positioning program designed to help heart-centred entrepreneurs and solopreneurs charge more for their genius by activating + owning their money-making edge. Build To Rock is designed to help you turn your business & brand into a well-oiled machine AND create a waiting list of clients and prospects that enthusiastically say: “I choose to work with you; regardless of price!”

Info Page: www.BuildToRock.com

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Our Websites
 

Main Website: www.LeapZoneStrategies.com

LeapTools: Smart Tools & Tutorials for Business Owners: www.LeapZoneStrategies.com/leaptools

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Free Masterclass

GET PAID WELL FOR YOUR GENIUS -3 Major Warning Signs Your Business is Setup to Fail in Today's Economy!: https://leapzone.lpages.co/get-paid-well-for-your-genius-eg/

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Social Media
 

Twitter: @LeapZone, #BuildToRock

Facebook: LeapZone Strategies

Facebook Group: Cache's Corner

LinkedIn: Isabelle Mercier-Turcotte

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Joint Bio:

Isabelle Mercier Turcotte is a 'no-nonsense' dynamo, born to catapult passionate entrepreneurs to build impactful brands, businesses and lives. As one of North America’s Top Business Influencers; best-selling author, two times TEDx speaker with more than 2.5 Million views, and TV show host, Isabelle’s sole purpose is to empower change and growth. 

Margarita Romano is a certified equine-facilitated coach helping heart-centred entrepreneurs and couple-preneurs connect the dots to lead spectacular lives driven by heart and soul. She is the best-selling author of Sitting on the Fence – How to Love Without Limits and is determined to help people increase their units of happiness.

Together, Isabelle and Margarita co-founded their first business venture a few years out of their teens, which quickly escalated to become one of Canada's most awarded branding and creative firms; from prestigious international design awards to national entrepreneurs of the year. They are true pioneers in branding, and to this day still continuously re-establish the way people do business. Throughout their careers, they’ve had the opportunity to work with more than 500 companies, including some influential and iconic brands like A&W, Robeez Footwear, Earls Restaurants, IMAX Corporation, and HSBC Investments just to name a few. 

With over two decades of hands-on experience in branding, marketing and business growth, as well as extensive learnings from traveling the globe, Isabelle and Margarita are determined more than ever to help entrepreneurs and thought leaders all over the world, catapult their way to massive success.

For this episode, we brought back three elite athletes to discuss the state of athletics, exercise and competition in 2020. 

In this episode we have a Gold Medalist, Ironman Triathlete and a beastly Business Owner.  Episodes, 4, 27, 36. :)  Welcome back to the podcast, Adam Kreek, Sara Gross and Simon Young!

This episode has a lot of buzz! Sorry by the way, also, you're welcome. It's 

Simon's 3 Keys to success in training and life

1. Show Up
2. Do the work
3. Ask questions

Citizen athletes. Nice. Accurate yet not offensive :) 

Adam's muscle garden sounds amazing!!

Ready for a new challenge? Try the Murph!

A great cure for depression is to get out of the way of yourself.

"As a pro athlete, being self absorbed was a strategic advantage. Post sports, it's less of a strategic advantage." Adam Kreek 

Missing Pro Sports? The Last Dance documentary on Netflix is INCREDIBLE. 

Check out Sara's latest podcast - Unfazed!

Adam's accents are the best. haha.

Rocky Rocky Rocky Rocky!!!! #4

This is Part Two of our conversation with Jon Williams. If you haven't listened to Part One, we highly recommend it. 

"Look after yourself, have fun and for goodness sake smile." Want a t-shirt?

Anyone else relate to Jon's library trolley brain analogy? #onpoint

What Was That Radio is now LIVE!  Check it out!!!

$7/month or $55 per year will help Jon bring you the music and artists you want!

Jon really loves his M&M's. 

This podcast finds its origin and identity in Joseph Campbell's Hero's Journey. 

"You have to ask yourself what you've been through and you have to face that."

"You have to push yourself as an individual to eventually be one with the darkest part of your being."

"You've got to tell them who you are. You have to be yourself and you must vocalize your truth!"

"Look after yourself. Have fun. And I love you." Jon Williams

In this episode we speak with Jon Williams, former host of The Zone 91-3 and present host of Victoria's newest internet radio station, What Was That! 

Welcome Williams of Jon/Jon Williams.

Britain's next great Comedian! 

What makes a great interview? Authenticity, openness and vulnerability. 

You must be vulnerable in order to create trust, not the other way around. 

Autopilot: Where interviews go to die. 

The recovered interview with George Brewster, the WWII veteran!

The identity of Jon's abusers remains unknown.

If you have experienced sexual abuse of any kind, it is important that you seek out a professional therapist whom you can trust and can help you process what happened. 

Foundry offers young people ages 12-24 health and wellness resources, services and supports – online and through integrated service centres in communities across BC. Check it out!! 

Not using your voice is a form of lying - to yourself and others. 

If you'd like to subscribe to What Was That, Jon's online radio station, go here  and here and here! :)  What Was That debuts September 1. 

This is the final part of our three part conversation on what happened to Ben Kilmer. In this final episode, we discuss how Tonya was able to endure  this traumatic time and we also discuss prevention. 

You can and should listen to Heather McLeod's excellent episode here. She shares openly her process of grief after losing her 38 yr old husband, Brock, to cancer. It's one of our top downloaded episodes of all time for a reason.

We all have a fail safe to get through life's traumas.  Kelly McGonical writes and speaks extensively on stress, how to manage it and how it can be a good thing. 

Spirituality tends to come up in most of our episodes. Although, Andrew and John are not religious (John was a Christian Pastor for decades and discusses his loss of faith in his episode) they are both very spiritual and find their connection through time spent in nature.  Spirituality can be transformative in times of trauma and stress but can also be a crutch if leaned on permanently. 

"I had to find against depression every single day." TK

"I never knew what it could feel like to suffer an emotional death. Nothing compared to the pain of this loss." TK

Exercise can be more effective than any anti-depressant. Movement is key. 

The Obstacle Course never ends, we begin again every day. 

"We just gotta keep pushing play."

For more information on or to experience Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy, reach out to Dr. Bill Code. 

Self awareness (knowing yourself) is essential in learning how to come back from trauma. Give yourself what you need and be gentle in how you speak to yourself. 

The most courageous thing you can ever do is call 911 or ask for help. It takes strength to fight for your or a loved one's life. Do not hesitate to do what you need to do to save a life. 

"I am certain calling 911 would have saved Ben's life."

Isolation is deadly and we must be militant in maintaining strong connections in our families and our communities. 

If you wish to continue the conversation and stay connected, please join our growing community on Facebook - Obstacle Course Community. You can connect with hundreds of other listeners, past guests and John and Andrew! It's a great place to find the support and resources you need to continue to push through life's obstacles. 

We'd like to thank Tonya and The Kilmers for trusting us to host these crucial conversations. 

If you haven't listened to Part 1 of our conversation with Tonya, we highly recommend you push stop and listen to it first. 

We realize we left you on a 2 week cliff hanger. Sorry? :) 

Calling 911 is the best option if you become emotionally compromised and you can't reach a loved one or mental health professional. Do not hesitate to call.  Tonya is still convinced this could have saved Ben. 

The Find Ben Kilmer Facebook page was extremely helpful in supporting Tonya and the family in the search for Ben. 

Anxiety is not a sign of weakness. It means you have a pulse. It takes real strength to face how you're feeling and ask for help. The days of the Cowboy are over. 

Keep Sexy Alive. :) 

If you're looking for additional resources on mental health or to continue the conversation, go here.

Part 3 of our conversation will be released on August 12. 

If you have enjoyed these conversations, please share this episode or leave us a a kind review on iTunes!

For more information on mental health or to connect with Tonya Kilmer, please visit her website. 

Our guest today is local artist Coco Jones. 

While they appreciate great art, Andrew and John have no painting or drawing talent whatsoever. 

Coco Jones... coolest name in history. 

John seems to debut a new laugh in this episode. Similar to Cookie Monster. It's lovely?

We're everywhere folks. Even on Spotify. 

Coco's daughter, Enya, was in studio for this one! Hiiiiiii Enya!!

"Art is a mad search for individualism." Gauguin

"Art is anything you can get away with." Andy Warhol

All artists long to be original in some way. 

Art is a compulsion. Something you can't NOT do.

"The feeling I got from doing art was a conduit to the Divine. It took away my pain and suffering." Coco.

Perfection is often the great escape from ourself." We talked about this in our fantastic conversation with Lindsay in episode 66.

Coco's Dad wanted her to be a lawyer and not a starving artist. Her compulsion won out.

"Fulfillment comes from doing what you want rather than what's expected."

Born to Run - Storytelling at its best.

A steamy affair with a military man brought Coco to the West Coast. "I kissed him and that was it."

Parent's don't always know what's best. "If you can allow your kids to be who they are, they will always come back to you."

"I am one of those people whose inner child gets to run rampant through their existence." Coco.

Why does it take more vulnerability to hang out in joy than sorrow or pain? Life is waiting for no-one. Joy is your job.

Does art create healing or does pain create art? Both. Your pain becomes the way and in the way.

Painting is never finished. You just learn when to stop. 

Nothing owes you anything. You have to show up. 

If Psychedelic medicine doesn't call to you, stay away. You'll know when it's time. Plant medicine won't give you anything you don't need. The loss of control and purging aspects of Ayahuasca are difficult but the result is transformative.  It helps you own and face the sickness within.

"I was shown I was still holding onto the things I had long forgiven." 

Parenting Moment: Never say to kids, "it's just your imagination." 

The job of plant medicine is not to remove or takeaway but help you embrace and take in.

"Our souls are so magnificent, we have NOTHING to be afraid of." 

While drugs have often been used to numb or help the user escape. The purpose of plant medicine is to help you face and experience. Set and Setting is everything. 

"Plant medicine has helped me see where my art comes from." Coco

To be clear, John said, "you look at an amazing pianist and they just play." 

One key to a healthy relationship is a strong balance between dependance and independence. Each partner needs their space to create! 

"It's difficult to be creative without a musical influence."

"The only difference between people is tints, tones and shades."

Black people don't need your guilt. And it doesn't inspire action.

"The War of Art." Fantastic book. 

"The Muse isn't going to wake you up. You still have to do the work." 

We still have to prime the canvas. 

"I hope when people look at my art, they experience healing."