Heroicminds

Jean-Paul ran the Toronto Marathon 6 times in a row. Why you might ask? Because running is his tool for wellness, power and resilience. Jean-Paul was sexually abused at a young age and didn’t tell his family until he had been married 25 years and had a son in his twenties. Jean-Paul is a remarkable writer and speaker. He wrote a book called, Running Into Yourself - unlock your strength, heal your wounds, and find new life through running. Jean-Pauls talks about his journey through exposure therapy, his thoughts on the starting line at a race in South Africa and how this trend of wanting a quiet mind may not be the right approach. Jean- Paul doesn’t run with music. It gets in the way of the dark conversations that he has with himself. The conversations that deal with things he could otherwise avoid. The conversations that cultivate resilience. Jean-Pauls Website

Ricky Manetta is a head co-ordinator working world wide with the UFC the ultimate fighting championship. Ricky is also the Founder and senior instructor of MMA KRAV MAGA. He is 50 years old and had his first taste of martial arts when he was just 9 years old. Stay tuned for the conclusion when we talk about Ricky and the top MMA competitors today. Ricky went from the victim of bullying to being the bully and now in the position of teaching people how to have the confidence to stand up to bullies without any physical violence. Ricky takes us through a number of stories, a cab ride that landed him a job as a DJ, the dad that was afraid to stand up to a bully, why we should give a bully a hug, why we should check our own ego and when to listen to the “do right man.” Ricky Manetta on Instagram Send me an email! ben@heroicminds.live  

Drew Butterworth actually started the Original Uber and realized the power of customer experience when bagging groceries as a kid… but before we talk business, we talk real-life, death, masculinity, relationships, and then business.  Drew, entrepreneur and creator of GoodVibesJuice lost his grandmother, father and dog in grade 9 within the span of 3 months. Drew makes some powerful points in this episode, two of my favourites were the process and reasoning for accepting his step father into the family and how it doesn’t matter what business you run as an entrepreneur as long as the reason for the business feeds your passion. I even ask Drew the magical question of why, “Cold Pressed Juice vs regular juice”? He knocks my socks off with his answer. Good Vibes Juice on Instagram

Pro Snowboarder to Counsellor. Ryan was in the middle of what he thought to be a snowboarders dream life; professional athlete, cars, money, sponsorship, parties, travel… He started to realize he really didn’t have much. Everything he had didn’t make him happy anymore. The lifestyle didn’t make him happy. He was doing things for a lifestyle he thought he should want. He looked in the mirror at 6’4, 170 pounds of an abused and alcoholic body and convinced himself he was fine. 1000 days before recording this episode Ryan got the help he needed. He has been sober ever since. He is now the manager of a bike shop, he’s a mentor to indigenous youth, he counsels people suffering with addictions, living and family problems and is leading a heroic life. Ryan on Instagram Send me an email! Ben@heroicminds.live  

Emily is a former inmate at a federal prison. She was dragged into an illegal drug trade. Before that experience Emily was a very successful marketer downtown Toronto and used drugs recreationally as a form of celebration and to help in being the life of the party… like many people do today. Drug use became a coping mechanism for a family issue. She was then dragged into a one time, harmless, no chance of being caught smuggling trip to St. Lucia in the Caribbean. On the way back home while wearing a tailored drug smuggling dress she was caught by security. It was a downhill spiral after being told she was going to prison. Then one day in the midst of this storm Emily turned her life around. She read 82 books in prison. She decided to live a sober life. She decided to start a business with an impact beyond just incredible popcorn, Cons and Kernels. Cons and Kernels Website Emily on Instagram Send me an email! ben@heroicminds.live  

Greg is the President & CEO of Sutton Special Risk insurance company that insures thousands of professional athletes. Beyond that Sutton Risk offers insurance for disability, critical illness, war & terrorism, kidnap, ransom, and professional sports to name a few. We begin this episode with a powerful conversation about how to build long-term, substantial business relationships that go beyond the product or service. We talk business, we talk about normalizing risk in life, and we talk about how professional athletes have changed their opinion on risk over the last 10 years. http://www.suttonspecialrisk.com/

Ex-Marine and police officer Brian Murphy was supposed to have the day off on August 5th, 2012. Instead he found himself in the middle of a gun fight at a Sikh Temple in Oak Creek, Wisconsin. In a total of a minute and fifteen seconds he was shot 15 times. He was then dragged into a police car by his partner, vest cut off with a knife and loaded into an ambulance. The first bullet that hit him in the face is still in his body today. Brian explains how he stayed calm amidst the gun fire, how he kept fighting even after he was shot in the face, the negative power that pity can play in ones life, how to act as a leader and a whole lot more. This entire episode is a collection of stories from that day, all with different lessons. Brian concludes with a story to share what a hero is. CNN Video/Article  http://bammindset.com/ Send me an email! Ben@heroicminds.live  

  Shawn Matthias played 10 incredible years in the NHL. But what happens when you move on from playing? When you have to redefine yourself and find out who you really are? An enlightening conversation I never thought I would have with a 10 year NHL vet, one year out of playing. We touched on a couple things to say the least... - 10 years in the NHL - How the ego is the enemy - Wake-up calls from a visit to Africa - Spirituality - Negative lifestyle habits due to assumptions - Finding out who you really are - Not playing hockey doesn't mean retirement Shawn on Instagram Send me an email! ben@heroicminds.live  

On December 14, 2012, Scarlett Lewis experienced something that no parent should ever have to endure: she lost her son Jesse in an act of unimaginable violence after a gunman opened fire at Sandy Hook Elementary School. This conversation is about how to face the impossible, how to find courage when you think you have none, and how to choose love instead of anger, fear, or hatred.  We can live in anger and resentment, or we can choose love and forgiveness. With her decision made, Scarlett found some peace and began to believe that choosing love was the key to creating a healthy, safe, and happy world. She began the Jesse Lewis Choose Love Foundation. the foundation develops programs that teach children about the power each of us have to change our thoughts and choose a life without fear and hate.  Nurturing Healing Love is Scarlett's story of how choosing love is changing her life--and how it could change our world. To learn more about the foundation or to make a donation, go to www.jesselewischooselove.org S

  Craig Towler is a bilateral amputee. On July 4th, 2016 he was struck by an impaired driver which resulted in the amputation of both of his legs. He leads a life knowing nothing can take away his happiness and will to succeed. In this episode we talk about dealing with the anger, the value of reflecting on the past to assist us in the future but not dwelling too long in the past that it takes away from our ability to live now. The popular saying “It is not about what happens, it is how you react to it” … in Craigs opinion it is how you “interpret” what happens and leverage that for the future. Craigs Website | Craigs Instagram Send me an email! Ben@heroicminds.live  

The audio from the first ever Heroic Minds Live Event held at the University of Waterloo on March 20th 2019. 6 guests and myself had an interactive conversation with the audience. Guests: #2 - Nik Knezic | Stay Weird And Live In The Moment #4 - Amber Shewfelt | Accept What You Can't Control #9 - Ryan Martin | Acceptance Breeds Resilience #29 - Nichole Robertson | We Create Limitation #34 - Chris Miranda | Greater Purpose #46 - Matthew McCoy | The Addicts Attic Wow, what an incredible evening, enjoy! Send me an email! - ben@heroicminds.live  

On July 17, 1989 Angie was sitting in a police interrogation room, her world crashed down as she listened to two detectives tell her that her husband had coordinated and carried out the murder of his father. Angie has lived out the heroes journey through and through. She has totally figured out how to stop living life in defence mode, how to totally rationalize mistakes to the point that they are simply mistakes and who cares, she has accepted her past with no need at all to change it, she has raised 3 children and has been re-married now for 25 years! Oh ya she also went back to school and graduated the same day as one of her daughters. Angie has decided to happen to life, instead of letting life happen to her. Angie on Instagram My email: Ben@heroicminds.live **Remember to tag me in a heroic story so I can share on my social media! @Ben_Fanelli_  &  #HeroicMinds

We run away. Mike runs toward. Internationally acclaimed Filmmaker and photographer. Storm chaser. Emmy winner. Published author. Husband and father of three. For Mike, a passion turned into a life-changing career with Mother Nature. We talk storms, we talk philosophy, we talk life and more. From what mother nature has taught Mike about life, to how it can change people, to the beauty of difference in every single storm he chases. Aligning with the philosophy of the heroes journey is a quote from Vincent van Gogh, “There is peace even in the storm...” Mikes Instagram  Mikes YouTube

Two bioethicists. Maria is an independent consultant in privacy & health law. Melissa is a neuroscientist. A career of high level decision making under pressure. Taking into account and prioritizing a collection of philosophical, social, legal and ethical concerns with the goal of maximum benefit to patient and caregiver. A very heroic duty. This episode has two parts: In part one we talk about making the tough decisions, keeping out bias, prioritization of values, living with the decision, the issue with policies, and more. In part two we apply this information to hot topics in the media today, assisted dying, artificial intelligence, and gene editing.

Haley is a South Florida native who was diagnosed with autism at age three. Upon receiving her autism diagnosis, her family was told that she would be fortunate to make a friend, graduate high school, or obtain her driver’s license. Haley has defied the expectations set forth within her initial diagnosis. Haley attended the University of Florida and graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Criminology & Law as well as a Bachelor of Science in Psychology in 2015. She completed both degrees in an impressive three years. Haley then graduated from the University of Miami School of Law. Today, she is an attorney, author, artist, and autism advocate who writes and speaks publicly about her journey and gives hope for other autistic people and their families and friends. Haley Moss Instagram  Haley Moss Twitter Haley Moss Website Send me an email ben@heroicminds.live  

Through podcast guests I’ve started to develop this idea of being shock-proof; composure amidst challenge. This doesn’t come from a set of skills but rather how we decide to live our lives. My best friend once told me we all have a pot representing what we can handle. And if we don’t deal with things that need attention, our pot can boil over… limiting what we can handle, limiting our composure in the face of challenge. We don’t have to be alone with our thoughts, we don’t have to have tough conversations, we don’t have to create things on our own anymore. It is so interesting that technology has given us so many great things but also so many crutches and distractions. We need to empty our pot. We need to do the difficult things, the new things, the exciting things. So when that road you are on takes a turn or you see a bump coming…  Your pot has room for challenge. You are in tune with yourself. You are shockproof. Send me and email: ben@heroicminds.live  

Victor Oreskovich found himself in the Semi-Finals of the Stanley Cup Play-Offs. 6 months prior he wasn’t even thinking about hockey and had been “retired” for two years. He went from the NCAA to the Ontario Hockey League to retirement, back to school, then back to hockey. 5 games out of retirement he finally arrived in the NHL. Here’s the kicker… Vic lost the love for the game when he was 12 years old. We start with what it takes to make it to the NHL and then circle back to narrow down what mindset gave Vic the ability to play in the National Hockey League. What changed? What temporary fix gave him the ability to play in the best hockey league in the world? Stories, regrets, and lessons learned through one divergent yet incredible hockey career. Victor Oreskovich on Instagram Send me an Email! ben@heroicminds.live  

Chief Happiness Officer and Co-Founder of Plasticity Labs, Jim Moss, was a Hall of Fame, gold medal-winning, pro athlete. But, in the weeks leading up to the 2009 season, he was suddenly rendered acutely paralyzed from a rare autoimmune disease. As an athlete of this caliber, he knew what it would take to fight his way back. Regardless, the doctors weren’t sure how long it would take to walk again. Ignoring the naysayers, Jim hacked his own healing, focused on being grateful and learning the science of mood and performance. He walked out of the hospital six weeks later. The moral of the story? Mood drives performance. When you have a transformational experience like this, you are compelled to share it with the world. Jim Moss Twitter Plasticity Labs Send me an email @ ben@heroicminds.live  

Laura and Jacob were in a car accident that changed life for both of them. Laura is now a C6 Quadriplegic. Laura has taken on immense challenges including yoga which we talk about. Jacob has taken on a supporting role and together they are living a life that they didn’t chose but have come to accept. Laura talks about continuing to push the envelope. Jacob discusses learning through trial and fire how to best support Laura. They both share their new approach to spirituality or religion (whatever you’d like to call it). They both talk about how their relationship has changed and also grown stronger. The couple went on spontaneous road trips and adventures before the accident and that hasn’t changed today. They go on even more adventures today than they used to. Laura has this incredible aura of optimism and bravery that people need to hear. Laura on Instagram Send me an email: ben@heroicminds.live  

Dr. Daniel Grossman is an Emergency Medicine Physician without the use of his legs. A mountain biking accident brought a new normal into his life. In a mere 5 months Dr. Grossman went from being transported in a helicopter from the accident to learning how to drive without his feet to treating patients from a wheel chair. Getting ready in the morning takes Dr. Grossman 3 hours, and he doesn’t complain about it. He views and compartmentalizes the situation as his new normal that is now part of the path to his goals. His goals are to make a difference and innovate in the medical community on an individual level as well as across the world on a macro level. His goals in life have not changed. The only thing that has changed is how he will reach those goals. Dr. Grossman Twitter Dr. Grossman Instagram Dr. Grossman Website Send me an email ben@heroicminds.live