tedx

We are only as strong as the adversity we overcome. If that is the case, then Marcus Aurelius Anderson is a StrongMan of character. But facing adversity isn’t the only prerequisite for developing grit, you have to choose to use it as an opportunity for growth so you can adapt. It is not freedom from adversity, but it is the freedom, the power, the choice to take a stand and lean into your adversity. Our stories are unique, but the struggle is universal. To the strong, Adversity is a Gift.

My guest is Marcus Aurelius Anderson. Marcus is an author, TedX Speaker, and Mindset Coach who, while preparing to deploy with the U.S. Army, suffered a severe spinal injury that left him paralyzed from the neck down. His life was turned upside down, and after dying twice on the operating table, he was told he would never be able to walk or use his hands again. He discovered he was left with two choices, he could either be a victim, or change his mindset and become a Victor. Having no other option, he began looking for any lessons to be learned from his injury, and soon discovered that his set back was a gift. After being paralyzed and coming back from death, Marcus is here to help guide us not only out of adversity, but into it.

SHOW NOTES:

Man’s Search for Meaning – Viktor Frankl

3:10 Who was Marcus prior to joining military at 38? Marcus the Younger

9:00 What he learned from his great uncle. The power of intention and purpose.

18:40 Joining the military at 38.

23:40 The concept of Arete and Ikigai

35:00 Knowing yourself – Temet Nosce

38:15 Grit – Dying and Paralysis – Movement is a Gift – the healing power of Gratitude

Genuine gratitude is not a buzzword, it is acting in a grateful manner.

57:34 You should be seeking out adversity, one in way shape or form. If you can have adversity as your compass, it will always direct you in the right direction, and for most people that are going through hardship, the answer they are looking for so desperately is found within the adversity that they are not facing.

58:30 Resiliency training – cold exposure – micro adversity

1:05:50 Adversity Scale

1:16:50 If you want to go beyond mediocrity, then you have to demand more from yourself. If you don’t demand something from you, life will start demanding things from you that you don’t want.

Misery loves company but not as much as mediocrity.

1:19:00 The meaning of service

1:22:30 Lessons from a failed marriage

1:31:17 Favorite quotes and books.

LINKS:

Book: The Gift of Adversity: Overcoming Paralysis and Pain to find Purpose

Websites: MarcusAureliusAnderson.com TheSisuWay.com

Social Media: @marcusaureliusanderson @1scottmcgee @thesisuway

Marcus’ Podcast: Epic Achiever

The Sisu Way Podcast – PLEASE LEAVE AN ITUNES REVIEW IF YOU LISTEN TO THE SHOW

Dan “Nitro” Clark is a American Gladiator, TEDx Speaker, Writer, Happiness Seeker, & Gratitude Practicer, who is committed to serving others. Dan’s path was one of suffering and trauma, but he grew into someone who set out to burn bright, or die trying.

In this episode we learn about his past struggles, how culture taught him “big boys don’t cry,” how losing his brother created the person he has become, how sports has defined him, and how cheating death kicked his ass into loving, learning, and living his best life.

We discuss how to master the art of living a happy, fulfilled, and meaningful life worth living.

Show Notes:

Why are you alive? To be of service. Live – Love -Feel

4:58 Losing brother created the person he became.

“We tie our happiness to what we achieve and we achieve in order to achieve, but that happiness is short lived.” “Happily achieve instead of achieving to be happy.”

9:20 Don’t chase gratification. Chase Gratitude.

11:00 How Dan was culturally taught not to cry or show emotion. Big boys don’t cry.

14:00 Sports filled a hole, a chance to hide.

Visualization and the power of the mind.

18:35 Morning routine. Key to life is being in right state.

*25:54 “Anything thats good in my life came through the dedication of self improvement and personal growth.”

Service to others.

30:00 Why are you alive?

**32:50 “Sports taught me about life, but almost dying taught me how to live.”

33:20 Health is Wealth – The ability to walk. What are your stairs?

Gratitude Practice – Ka ching!

43:44 Vulnerability is Strength – “The vulnerability in me gives the light a chance to shine.”

49:00 Strength is a Choice

49:59 Smiling Practice – The ripple effect of happiness.

Dali Lami: “In every human interaction we have, we have a choice to make that person happier or less happy.”

54:20 Upstream Reciprocity

Relationships and Conflict Resolution. Seek to understand, then to be understood.

1:02:50 What does surrender mean? “Even though I was having a heart attack and dying… When I surrendered, I felt a deep sense and profound sense of peace.”

Meditation and breathing for overall health and well being.

The Wim Hof Method

“Life is not lost by dying. Life is lost minute by minute, day by day, by not really living.”

Time isn’t guaranteed. Live each moment fully.

Books:

F Dying – Dan Clark

Gladiator – Dan Clark

The Warrior and the Monk – Greg Amundson

Psycho Cybernetics – Maxwell Maltz

The Beauty of a Darker Soul – Joshua Mantz

Social Media and Websites:

@DanNitroClark @1ScottMcGee @TheSisuWay