The Banker Who Nearly Ended His Life—and the Buddhist Temple That Saved It

Before he became a world-record-breaking endurance athlete, Matt Dawson was a wealthy New York investment banker silently falling apart. Despite the cars, the clubs, and the money, he woke up every morning wanting his life to end. Depression took over. Success meant nothing. And one night, Matt reached a breaking point: he truly believed the world would be better without him.

Instead of ending his life, he made one desperate choice—to run toward something bigger than himself.

He flew to Nepal with no plan except survival. At the base of Mount Everest, inside a small Buddhist temple, Matt experienced the moment that shattered his old identity and pulled him back into life. That spiritual awakening became the turning point that led him from self-destruction to service.

Now, Matt holds six World Records, has rowed solo across the Atlantic, climbed Everest, skied to the South Pole, and created Dawson’s Peak Foundation—donating 100% of net proceeds to Hope for the Warriors and the Gary Sinise Foundation.

Matt’s journey is proof that the human spirit can rise from absolute darkness and become a force of unstoppable good.

Connect with Matt Dawson:

Dawson's Peak Foundation Official Website

Matt Dawson on Instagram

Hope for the Warriors - Veteran Support

Gary Sinise Foundation - Military Veterans

LIVE YOUR IMPOSSIBLE DREAMS

✨ Listen, believe, and transform your life.

Presented by The ALS Network

Produced by EVRYBDY Studios

Host: Aaron Lazar

Instagram: @impossibledreamspodcast

YouTube: @ALImpossibleDreams

Listen on Apple Podcasts: Impossible Dreams

Listen on Spotify: Impossible Dreams

Shop Merch: Impossible Dreams Store

Episode Navigation:

03:22 - How Matt Dawson set 6 World Records for endurance athletics

09:35 - Dawson's Peak Foundation mission: Supporting military veterans through Hope for the Warriors and Gary Sinise Foundation

16:30 - Understanding the difference between profession and purpose in life

17:07 - Breaking free from autopilot: How 95% of your identity becomes programmed by age 35

19:08 - The hidden darkness behind professional success and material wealth

20:28 - Matt's turning point: "Check in or check out" - confronting suicidal thoughts and choosing transformation

23:31 - Solo spiritual pilgrimage to Nepal and Everest Base Camp as life-saving journey

24:33 - Why this Nepal trek was Matt's last-ditch effort to save his own life

25:45 - Moving from head to heart: Transitioning from analytical thinking to embodied awareness

41:27 - Using personal transformation to help others overcome depression, pain,...

What if the voice that guided you through your darkest depression came from a grandmother you barely knew—who had been dead for nearly a decade? What if that voice opened a door to an entirely different dimension of existence, one that would transform your life and help thousands of others find peace?

In this profoundly moving episode of Impossible Dreams, host Aaron Lazar sits down with Rebecca Rosen—internationally renowned psychic medium, bestselling author, and one of the most gifted spiritual practitioners of our generation. From her skeptical beginnings as a college student in Gainesville, Florida to becoming a trusted guide for people seeking connection with loved ones who have passed, Rebecca shares a journey that began with automatic writing in a bookstore and evolved into a 25-year calling of service.

Rosen explains how her dead grandmother—a woman who took her own life when Rebecca was just ten years old—reached across the veil to help her granddaughter heal from depression, offering specific evidence that left even Rebecca's skeptical father speechless. She talks about the difference between psychics and mediums, and how she spent years demanding proof before finally accepting her extraordinary ability to communicate with discarded beings.

But this episode is about more than just Rebecca's story. It's about the universal truths she's learned from spirit—that we are all enough simply for being born, and that the only thing that transcends this physical experience is love. Rebecca offers profound insight into Aaron's journey with ALS, explaining root issues, calling energy back from the future, and the importance of healing not just for ourselves but for generations to come.

This conversation is raw and transformative. It's for anyone who has ever questioned their worth despite their success, or anyone who needs a reminder that miracles happen when we get out of our own way and align with our Higher Self.

Guest Bio:

Rebecca Rosen is an internationally renowned psychic medium, bestselling author, and spiritual teacher who has spent 25 years helping people connect with loved ones who have passed and find healing through divine guidance. Her work bridges the physical and spiritual realms, offering evidence-based readings that provide comfort, clarity, and validation to thousands of clients. Rebecca is the author of multiple books including "Spirited," where she explores root issues and universal spiritual truths. She hosts the podcast "Small Medium at Large" and is known for her compassionate, authentic approach to mediumship—one that honors both the skeptics and the believers. With her gift, Rebecca helps people understand that we are all connected to something greater and that love is the only thing that truly matters.

Learn more about Rebecca Rosen:

Official Website: https://WsBQMs.short.gy/wq0G0e

Instagram: https://WsBQMs.short.gy/9wAuPL

Small Medium at Large Podcast: https://WsBQMs.short.gy/T8a8lU

LIVE YOUR IMPOSSIBLE DREAMS

✨ Subscribe, listen, and believe.

Presented by the ALS Network - https://WsBQMs.short.gy/nLpfro

Produced by EVRYBDY Studios - https://WsBQMs.short.gy/oBFSUT

About Aaron Lazar - https://WsBQMs.short.gy/ipArgW

Instagram - https://WsBQMs.short.gy/CO4vRr

Apple...

In this deeply intimate episode of Impossible Dreams, host Aaron Lazar sits down with Josh Groban-the multi-platinum recording artist, Broadway star, and one of the most beloved voices of a generation. From standing on stage with Celine Dion at just 17 years old to selling millions of albums while battling impostor syndrome, Josh opens up about a journey that was anything but what it appeared from the outside.

This conversation reveals the real Josh Groban. He shares why he felt like a "complete fraud" for the first ten years of his career, performing by "the skin of my teeth" while terrified someone would discover he didn't belong. He talks about being plucked from obscurity at such a young age that he missed those crucial formative years of failure, friendship, and figuring it out in private-years he's now jealous of other artists for having.

But this episode is about more than just Josh's story. It's about the moment when The Impossible Dream-a song Josh had reimagined years ago-became the anthem for Aaron's album and his battle with ALS. Josh explains why he said yes immediately when asked to contribute, what it means to be of service through music, and why at 44, he's still dreaming impossible dreams: from writing for film and television to conquering his fear of creating without the security blanket of his voice.

This conversation is raw, funny, healing, and inspiring. It's for anyone who has ever felt like a fraud despite their success, anyone who's wondered if they missed their shot, or anyone who needs a reminder that it's never too late to dream something new.

Guest Bio:

Josh Groban is a multi-platinum recording artist, actor, and one of the most distinctive voices in contemporary music. Since bursting onto the scene at age 17, Josh has sold millions of albums, performed on the world's biggest stages, and established himself as both a classical crossover phenomenon and a Broadway star. Beyond his musical accomplishments, Josh is known for his philanthropy, his genuine connection with fans, and his willingness to use his platform for meaningful causes. Josh founded the Find Your Light Foundation dedicated to ensuring that every child has the opportunity to experience quality arts education. His reimagined arrangement of The Impossible Dream has become a modern classic, inspiring countless performers-including Aaron Lazar-to bring new life to this timeless anthem of hope and perseverance.

Learn more about Josh Groban:

Official Website: joshgroban.com

Find Your Light Foundation: https://fylf.org

Instagram: @joshgroban

YouTube: @JoshGroban

LIVE YOUR IMPOSSIBLE DREAMS

✨ Subscribe, listen, and believe.

Presented by the ALS Network

Produced by EVRYBDY Studios

Learn more at aaronlazar.com

Instagram: @impossibledreamspodcast

YouTube: @ALImpossibleDreams

Apple: Impossible Dreams Podcast

Spotify: