Uncomfortable Is Ok Podcast

Traver Boehm was the guest on episode 73 of the Uncomfortable is OK podcast. Traver is also an author, speaker, and transformation coach who consult with clients from around the globe, assisting them in vastly improving the quality of their human experience through One Day Stronger, Inc. With a background high level Executive Protection, Traditional Chinese Medicine, and professional athletics, his approaches to using pain and trauma as catalysts for positive change are pretty awesome. Traver admits that he had it all, the wife, the job (owned a gym), the dog, the life, until all of a sudden it went away. He admits it was not an easy experience to go through, but it was a crucible, it was the most transformative period of his life. He could have continued on the conventional path, or he could follow the path of outlandish adventure. Traver decided on the latter and set about preparing his “year to live” project. You can hear all about that in the podcast episode. I’ve put so much time and energy into followin

This week's podcast is an iteration of a talk I gave about a month ago down at Lululemon in Wellington about defining strength for men in the modern day. It's a chat about why it's vital to get outside our comfort zones so we can build the strength to go after the magic, and to also build the strength to deal with the tough stuff. The new course "Surmount" is coming soon which will take you from defining your comfort zone and identifying a challenge through to completing it at the end. And best of all it'll teach you how to navigate the uncomfortable on the journey. Get in touch with me if you want to get on board when it comes out uncomfortableisok@gmail.com Your regular interview based programming will resume soon

Hey all. Just wanted to let you know that the interview based "Uncomfortable is OK" podcast is going to go on hold for the next couple of weeks. I've had a bit of stuff that has taken up all my time. The interview based show will be back in a few weeks. If you want to help out in the mean time you could send me a bit of audio. Answer me the questions "what was the last uncomfortable thing you did, and how did you get through it?" and then answer "what is the next uncomfortable thing you are going to do, and why is that uncomfortable for you?" Record your answers to those and send them to me via email to uncomfortableisok@gmail.com If you do that I'll create one (or many) episodes based on your audio. Cheers guys and I look forward to having some interesting conversations with you all again soon.

Recently I spoke with Anna Guenther, CEO and chief bubble blower of PledgeMe, a New Zealand based crowdfunding platform “helping Kiwis fund the things they care about”. I’d been wanting to chat with Anna for quite a while, her name was on the “potential awesome podcast guests” list that I keep for myself. I’d been reluctant about reaching out as I’d heard she was super busy and had thought, “Why would a CEO give up their time to chat with me if I’m just reaching out to them cold?” Thankfully one day I managed the courage to reach out to ask if she’d be interested in coming on the show. The reply I received back the next day was awesome “Ha! I’m pretty used to being uncomfortable! I could catch up early next week if you’d like?” We caught up down at Creative HQ in Wellington and sat down to find out a bit more about each other over a cup of peppermint tea before the meeting room we were going to chat in freed up. I don’t know what I’d felt so uncomfortable about as we discussed favourite podcasts, why we liked

This week on the podcast is Hannah Ivanova and director of The Sweat Project NZ , and manager of Lululemon Lambton Quay. A few of the topics we talk about this week are; + Searching for mentors with the traits you want to develop + Why you should be hardworking + Building relationships + Asking 'What should it look like?" + Social media, the negative and positive impacts + and of course getting UNCOMFORTABLE

I got a chance to go and share a cup of tea, a Pain Au Raison, and an awesome conversation with Kathy Tracey. I’d been pointed in Kathy’s direction by Liv Spencer-Bower, world champion canoe polo athlete who appeared back in episode 26 of the podcast. Kathy came to speak with the team as they were prepping for the world champs and by all accounts was insightful, inspirational and not afraid of the uncomfortable. The conversation I got to have with her didn’t disappoint. Kathy’s whole life has been interspersed with times and activities that have made her feel very uncomfortable. Facing these situations and working through them has given Kathy a detailed understanding of how to approach them, the questions to ask, and the strategies to take to find a path through. I got to speak with Kathy about her world record feat of becoming the first all-female crew to row the Atlantic Ocean. We also spoke about her ABD to Victory process she uses both in her leadership coaching and in her personal life. Kathy is a massiv

I'm very excited about this week's podcast episode with Darryl Edwards. After almost two decades working as a technologist in investment banking, Darryl transformed his health after adopting an ancestral model to well-being. Darryl now advises people on maintaining a healthy lifestyle – amidst the epidemic of obesity and other chronic lifestyle diseases. As the founder of the PRIMAL PLAY methodology, he makes activity fun, effective and engaging while getting individuals healthier, fitter and stronger in the process. He specialises in working with children from 4 to 94 - fitness for those who hate to exercise - as well as for those who love it but relish a new challenge. Some of the topics we talk about today are; + Why play is a serious proposition + Physical Literacy + Improving function day to day + Why it's always uncomfortable to start + How to make it attractive to begin + Respecting the individual + Stripping things back to simplify them + and of course getting UNCOMFORTABLE Guest: Darryl Edwards The F

Clive Neeson is the guest on Episode 72 of the “Uncomfortable is OK” podcast. He is also the director of the widely acclaimed film “Last Paradise” Clive grew up on safari in East Africa as his parents filmed wild animals during the 1950’s. In New Zealand and Australia, he joined a group of young mavericks who would become the pioneers of today’s extreme sports. Clive studied for 6 years under pioneering physicist and disciple of Ernest Rutherford, Professor Bruce Liley graduating with Masters degree in physics and electronic engineering. Clive worked for 30 years as an international expert in hi-tech innovation and energy projects from Silicon Valley to the Middle East. From the first digital climate monitoring system to nation-wide control systems for power generation, many were “world-firsts”, requiring deep mastery of physics and hardware/software. From inside the silicon chip to total systems design. Living a double life between extreme sports madmen and the entrepreneurial hi-tech world, Clive filmed the

The podcast guest this week is Dave Hanley Dave has a varied career and is the current CEO of tomorrow. He has taken on some big challenges in life and in business. Dave is a real example of continuing to push into the discomfort and taking the exciting curious option. . Today we talk through a few topics, including; +Becoming uncomfortable with what he had to offer +Making complicated decisions + Unlocking creativity + The power of words + Embracing doubts + Deep learning + Why it's important to talk through crazy concepts + Using forcing functions to improve ourselves + How to get the most out of constructive feedback + and of course getting UNCOMFORTABLE Guest: Dave Hanley Dave Hanley website Dave Twitter Dave instagram Dave LinkedIn Tomorrow Host Chris Desmond UIOK Facebook UIOK Instagram Twitter Music: Jeremy Desmond Support the show on Patreon

It's been 100 episodes. I've had a lot of fun and learnt a lot, hopefully you guys have too. Things have started to get a little bit comfortable, which isn't the point. This short burst will let you guys know what is next and how I'm continuing to get uncomfortable.

Wowee episode #100 of the #podcast! . A great one for you this week with a return visit from @digbyscott who was one of the most popular guests last year. . Digby brings back his insight, leadership, humor, and all-round wisdom to mark this milestone. Today we chat through; + Doing new better + Exploring your curiosity + The difference between diverse and epistemic curiosity and why it pays to have both + Daily anchors, what are they and how do they help us + Focusing on progress not perfection + and of course getting UNCOMFORTABLE Guest: Digby Scott Digby's website Digby LinkedIn Host Chris Desmond UIOK Facebook UIOK Instagram Twitter Music: Jeremy Desmond Support the show on Patreon

I got the chance to have a chatwith one of the guys who help inspire me to get into podcasting. I started listening to Will Fleming last year when he hosted the “My Kiwi Life” podcast. He pondered life with a bunch of interesting Kiwis. More recently I’ve got into his new podcast “Willosophy” where he willosiphises about life. All up I reckon I’ve spent close to 40 hours listening to Will have conversations without ever having met him, or had a chat with him myself. It’s a strange dynamic talking with someone that you think you know, but you don’t. Thankfully Will had listened to a few of my podcast episodes so hopefully he was having similar slightly odd feelings. More thankfully Will in real life was exactly like he is on the podcast so it was easy to get into some great conversation quickly with no need for too much preamble. Will is a content creator who has done some pretty deep self-analysis over the past few years. He told me in our chat that “very rarely do we stop and analyse who we are”, which he wa

Today I'm chatting with an awesome young filmmaker from Wellington, Brandon Te Moananui. Brandon is involved in a lot of cool stuff but make sure that you head over and check out The Maori Side Steps. Brandon and I chat through some really interesting stuff today including; + Learning to love the struggle + Unleashing creative capacity + How good it is just to get on and do things + Why opening up to people and being honest with them is vital + Brandon shares some deep stuff about his background and how that has helped shape how he interacts with the world + Why hard is good + and of course getting UNCOMFORTABLE Guest: Brandon Te Moananui Brandon Facebook Brandon Instagram The Maori side steps facebook The Maoris side steps Youtube Host: Chris Desmond UIOK Instagram UIOK Facebook Chris Desmond Twiter Support the show on Patreon Jeremy Desmond Music

I set myself a few different challenges each year. One of my physical challenges for this year is to train for the 400m race and compete in the Masters games once I've turned 35.   Check out why.   Make sure to follow along on Instagram

Today on the podcast I'm chatting with Pat Armitstead about all things Joyful. Pat is a pioneer in the area of Joy as a transformational agent. Today we talk through. + Always wanting to be first + The compassionate self and humorous self + Playing pranks on patients + Interrupting patterns + Why Pat is OK with being back in the corridor + Informed adventure + Holding your ground emotionally + and of course getting UNCOMFORTABLE Guest: Pat Armitstead Joyology Facebook The Laughter Channel - Laughter Channel Facebook Linkedin Art informed by encounters with humanity Host: Chris Desmond UIOK Instagram UIOK Facebook Chris Desmond Twiter Support the show on Patreon Jeremy Desmond Music

I had the pleasure of having a conversation with a young Kiwi dude currently residing in L.A. His name is Stephen McDowall, or better known on social media as “The Buzzy Kiwi”. Stephen’s plan for his life hit a bump a couple of years back. Just out of uni and working as a self-employed personal trainer an old rugby injury came back to haunt him. Undergoing what he thought was a routine surgery, he woke up to the news that the cartilage in his hip had started dying and he was experiencing arthritic changes. Instead of being back at work in 3 days, he couldn’t walk for 8 weeks, and couldn’t exercise for 8 months. I got to talk with him on the podcast about what happened and then his re-evaluation of what was important to the way he lived his life. Here are a couple of my take away points from the conversation with Stephen. “My whole life was sports, when that was taken from me I needed a new passion” Stephen’s life had revolved around multiple sports, but as with many young Kiwi males the main one being rugby.

Today I'm chatting with Andy Proctor - positive psychology junkie about the science of HAPPINESS.   Today we chat through; + How we define happiness + Challenging our natural strengths + Finding a purpose within the pain + Learning optimism + Figuring out that it's not personal and not permanent + asking what is the world searching for + and of course Getting UNCOMFORTABLE   Guest: Andy Proctor More Happy Life - Instagram More Happy Life - Podcast More Happy Life - Courses Host: Chris Desmond UIOK Instagram UIOK Facebook Chris Desmond Twiter Support the show on Patreon Jeremy Desmond Music

I caught up with a young guy named Jack Candlish. We met up on an overcast Sunday afternoon at his workshop in Berhampore, Wellington. I’d got in contact with Jack a little bit earlier to find out if he was keen to sit down for a conversation which we could turn into a podcast episode. Turns out he was very keen. The reason I wanted to catch up with Jack was to hear more of his story, and the story of his company, Organic Dynamic. What drew me to Jack was the concept, creating environmentally friendly surfboards out of recycled polystyrene, Paulownia timber and sustainable resin. It’s a different way of making boards to the usual method, one which has far less environmental impact. It’s been a “learn as you go” process for Jack as there aren’t many people out there making boards like this. The making of the boards is only part of the interesting stuff about Organic Dynamic. Jack is also developing the machine he uses to form the boards so that other shapers and makers from all over can work the way he does, w

This week I'm chatting with BJJ black belt James Cherrie of Whangarei BJJ about life and martial arts including BJJ Some topics we cover are; + Taking joy in the little things + The strive for perfection even though it's not atainable + How to use habit to beat procrastination + Not being able to communicate in a foreign country + Why you should train while you're tired + Pushing yourself to the limits phhysically + Why you learn more when you lose + and of course, getting uncomfortable   Guest: James Cherrie Whangarei BJJ Facebook Whangarei BJJ Instagram Host: Chris Desmond UIOK Instagram UIOK Facebook Chris Desmond Twiter Support the show on Patreon Jeremy Desmond Music

Rania Hoteit is the CEO of ID4A Technologies. named "Best Entrepreneurial Company in America" by Entrepreneur magazine under her leadership. She is an award-winning serial entrepreneur, sought after expert judge on global startup competitions, international public speaker, advisor, author and social impact leader in gender equality, women empowerment, education and industry innovation with multiple recognitions from the White House, and other prestigious awards. Rania was recognized amongst the 55 global leaders to speak at the United Nations Global People's Summit during the UN General Assembly where she discussed the global production and manufacturing pipeline and how automation, Ai and Robotics can reduce global exploitation of labor. She's been featured in many publications including HuffPost, Forbes, Entrepreneur. She was recently recognized alongside Melinda Gates, Sheryl Sandberg, Malala Yousafzai and other significant leaders 'who have successfully built outstanding brands' by