Is a perfectly mapped-out life actually a success, or is it—as Anker Heegaard suggests—maybe just a little bit boring?

In this episode, I sit down with Anker Heegaard to explore the "myth of the planned life." Anker is a self-described "mutt" of experiences: born in Nepal to Peace Corps volunteers, he spent his thirteenth year navigating the foothills of Afghanistan and his late teens in Cairo following a self-described "educational pause."

We discuss how Anker transitioned from studying English and Religion at NYU to leading a specialized affordable housing finance firm for over 30 years—proving that the connection between what we study and what we become is often a "blurred" one.

We dive into:

• The Three-Legged Stool of Success: Why achievement requires a balance of personal capability, hard work, and the raw, unpredictable power of luck.

• The "Analog" Upbringing: How waking up for a 4:00 AM paper route and navigating difficult family transitions built a resilience that the modern, structured world often lacks.

• The Snowball Effect: Why it’s easy to "disappear" when things get hard, and how to find your way back.

• Leaving the Campsite Better: A philosophy for living a meaningful life in the face of uncertainty.

Anker’s journey is a powerful reminder that the most "circuitous" paths are often the most rewarding. If you’ve ever felt like you’re off-course or behind the map, this conversation is for you.

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Embracing the journey.

#Resilience #Success #PersonalGrowth #LifeLessons #Podcast #AnkerHeegaard #EmbracingTheJourney

In this episode of Embracing the Journey, I sit down with Eric Klenofsky — someone I’ve known for a long time — to reflect on the path he’s taken from a young goalkeeper to the professional game, and now into a new chapter of life.

Eric’s journey includes standout years at Monmouth University, being selected in the MLS SuperDraft, and playing professionally in the U.S. and abroad. But this conversation goes beyond the surface of that career.

We explore the moments people don’t see — the pressure of expectation, the uncertainty that comes with your associated identity, and the experiences that shape how you think, respond, and grow over time.

It was great to reconnect and hear more about the moments that influenced Eric’s perspective, and how those lessons now show up in his life as a husband, father, and coach.

In this inspiring episode of Embracing the Journey, I sit down with Emmy award-winning marketing leader Marie Keeler—Vice President of Brand & Marketing at the Fiesta Sports Foundation. With over 15 years at the intersection of sports, brand management, and fan engagement, Marie has shaped the stories of the world’s biggest stages, from the NFL to the FIFA World Cup.From fighting for survival the moment she was born…

• To becoming a Division I team captain…
• To launching FS1 Studio Shows and leading integrated campaigns for the World Cup…

• "Hold My Beer": The competitive spirit that fueled her move from Canada to the U.S.
• Possibility Before Proof: Why waiting for "the right time" or "the data" is the biggest barrier to success.
• Building the Door: How to navigate a career when the traditional paths are closed.
• The Weight of Vulnerability: Why leading with your true self is more effective than any "corporate mask."
• From Detroit to the Desert: Her journey through the Detroit Lions, Fox Sports, and now the Fiesta Sports Foundation.

Marie shares the blueprint for what it looks like to enter a male-dominated industry and not just find a seat at the table, but build the table itself.Inside This Conversation:The Power of Mentorship: Identifying the "Champions" in your life and being one for others.Marie speaks candidly about the "fight" that started in her first three days of life and how that same resilience helped her launch Big Noon Kickoff and elevate the global brand of football."If you don't see a door, you have to build one. You can’t wait for proof to believe in the possibility of what you can achieve."Connect with Marie & Fiesta Sports Foundation:🔗 Website: https://www.fiestasportsfoundation.or...🔗 LinkedIn: / mariekeeler Follow RAISE Mindset & Embracing the Journey:🖥️ YouTube: / @raisemp 📱 Instagram: @RAISEMindset#SportsMarketing #WomenInSports #Leadership #Resilience #FiestaBowl #NFL #WorldCup #MarieKeeler #EmbracingTheJourney

In this powerful episode of Embracing the Journey, I sit down with retired U.S. Air Force Major General John Teichert — fighter pilot, test pilot, former Base Commander at Edwards Air Force Base, author, and lifelong leader — to explore what resilience really looks like when purpose, ambition, and identity collide.

• From spotting the Concorde as a preschooler…
• To flying the F-15 and F-22…
• To being permanently disqualified from becoming a NASA astronaut because of a single kidney stone…
• The meaning behind his fighter pilot call sign “Dragon”
• The concept of “Winding the Clock” in moments of crisis
• The power of “Stones of Remembrance” — marking painful milestones as anchors of strength
• Faith, Family, The Dragon’s, and Team Teichert…
• The Four Pillars of Resilience: Mental, Physical, Social, and Spiritual
• Why faith, family, and country must be integrated — not compartmentalized
• What real leadership looks like in a divided world
• Why success is about impact, not titles

John shares the story of how one small checkbox ended a lifelong dream — and how that loss ultimately redirected his life toward deeper impact.Inside This Conversation:John speaks candidly about wandering “in the wilderness” after his astronaut dreams ended — and how that season shaped his faith, his mission statement, and his understanding of purpose.“You gain resilience by looking within and looking forward.If you see every challenge as training for the next one, you’ll handle both better.”

In this episode of Embracing the Journey, I sit down with Ken Black — former Nike Creative Director, co-founder of SPARQ Training, and lifelong designer of ideas — for a powerful conversation about how “seeing differently changes everything.”Ken walks us through the unexpected path that shaped him — from a design professor telling him he’d never make it as an artist, to leading some of Nike’s most influential creative initiatives. Together, we explore how curiosity, failure, and self-awareness formed the foundation of his resilience and career.This episode moves beyond biography. It’s an invitation to question how you see yourself, your work, and the world around you.

What does resilience look like when your identity, geography, and purpose are constantly shifting?In this episode, we sit down with writer and photographer David Shams, whose life has been shaped by movement, cultural immersion, and unexpected detours. From his Iranian-American roots in rural Kentucky to being disqualified from joining the Navy, David’s path has been anything but linear. Now living in Warsaw, Poland as a trailing spouse, he documents everyday life across Asia, Europe, and the U.S. through words, images, football (soccer) —capturing the quiet moments that reveal who we are, where we come from, and what we carry.Our aim is to explore how resilience takes shape when nothing stays still—when home moves, identity expands, and purpose evolves. Through David’s story, we examine how heritage becomes a compass, how creativity becomes an anchor, and how adaptability becomes a strength. Listeners will gain insight into maintaining a sense of self across borders, embracing cultural duality, and discovering meaning in the midst of constant transition.This is a conversation about belonging, reinvention, and the subtle power of noticing the world closely.David opens up about:🇮🇷 Growing up Iranian-American in Kentucky, USA🌍 Leaving the U.S. and building a life overseas👀 How living abroad reshapes your understanding of home📰 His evolution as a journalist, writer and photographer🎥 Storytelling as a bridge between cultures💬 The emotional weight of heritage — and why he now embraces it fullyThis is a conversation about identity, nuance, courage, and the quiet resilience found in choosing your own path. One of our most thoughtful, honest, and globally-aware episodes yet.🔗 Connect With David ShamsWebsite: https://www.davidshamswriter.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/davidshamswriter/🌟 Follow RAISE Mindset & Embracing the JourneyWebsite: https://www.raisemindset.orgInstagram: @raise.mindset.performanceTikTok: @raise.mpFacebook: @raise.performance.mindsetLinkedIn: Lee BakewellSpotify: Embracing the JourneyApple Podcasts: Embracing the JourneyPodbean: https://raisemindset.podbean.com/

What does it mean to lead with empathy, discipline, and cultural pride?In this episode of Embracing the Journey, I sit down with Monica Jonas, a global executive and startup founder whose path—from NASA to media to leadership —reveals how heritage, creativity, and resilience intertwine to shape authentic leadership.Monica opens up about growing up as the daughter of Polish immigrants in New York, learning piano from her mother (a Juilliard-trained musician), and the discipline and empathy those lessons instilled. She shares how those formative years shaped her leadership style—balancing rigor with heart—and how she’s now stepping into the “zero-to-one” startup world to reimagine how people find meaningful work and connection.Together, we explore the influence of culture on confidence, why creativity matters in leadership, and what it truly means to find joy and authenticity in the work you do.🎧 Whether you're a leader, parent, or creative, this episode is a reminder that our roots aren’t barriers—they’re the foundation we rise from.