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:

What happens when one of Broadway’s most iconic voices sits down and decides to tell the truth behind her talent, her faith, her heartbreaks, and the next chapter of her legendary career?

In this electrifying episode, Aaron Lazar welcomes one of Broadway‘s, most legendary divas Kristin Chenoweth — Tony & Emmy winner, comedic assassin, spiritual warrior, and the original Glinda — joining us straight from a New York rehearsal studio where she was building her newest Broadway musical as both star and producer.

And in a stroke of cosmic timing, this conversation is being released the very week that Queen of Versailles opens on Broadway. You’ll feel the adrenaline of a show still being sculpted, the exhaustion and joy of creation, and the pulse of someone who knows she’s standing on the brink of something monumental.

Kristin opens the vault on the five-year journey that brought this musical to life, the pressure of carrying a multi-million-dollar production on her shoulders, and the private spiritual practices that have kept her grounded through impossible highs, painful setbacks, and the beautiful chaos of showbiz.

You’ll hear about the dreams that shaped her, the faith that sustains her, the mentors who molded her, and why she’s fiercely committed to lifting up the next generation through her Broadway Bootcamp, where artists like Tatum Hopkins are being launched into their own impossible dream.

This episode is for anyone who’s ever dreamed audaciously, fallen down, gotten back up, and kept shining. It’s a story of faith, fire, reinvention, and the unstoppable force of a woman who refuses to stop believing in joy.

If you love Broadway, brilliance, or beautiful truth… you won’t stop listening.

Guest Bio:

Kristin Chenoweth is a Tony and Emmy Award-winning actress, singer, and Broadway legend best known for originating the role of Glinda in Wicked and winning the Tony Award for You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown. With a career spanning Broadway, film, television, and concert stages around the world, Kristin has captivated audiences with her extraordinary voice, comedic brilliance, and radiant spirit. She holds a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame and has performed everywhere from Carnegie Hall to the Hollywood Bowl. A proud Oklahoma native and graduate of Oklahoma City University, Kristin is deeply committed to arts education through her Kristin Chenoweth Broadway Bootcamp, a competitive two-week intensive program that trains the next generation of theater artists. She is currently starring in and producing the new Broadway musical Queen of Versailles, with music and lyrics by Stephen Schwartz, book by Lindsey Ferrentino, and direction by Michael Arden, opening November 2025 at the St. James Theatre.

Learn more about Kristin Chenoweth:

Official Website: https://www.kristinchenoweth.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kchenoweth

Queen of Versailles on Broadway: https://www.queenofversaillesthemusical.com

Kristin Chenoweth Broadway Bootcamp: https://www.kristinchenowethbootcamp.com

LIVE YOUR IMPOSSIBLE DREAMS

✨ Subscribe, listen, and believe.

Presented by the ALS Network: https://www.alsnetwork.org

Produced by EVRYBDY Studios: https://www.evrydbystudios.com

Learn more at

What if ALS-one of the most devastating neurological diseases-is closer to being treatable than ever before? What if the cure is not decades away, but within reach in our lifetime?

In this powerful episode of Impossible Dreams, host Aaron Lazar sits down with Dr. Merit Cudkowicz-one of the world's leading ALS researchers and clinicians, the Julieanne Dorn Professor of Neurology at Harvard Medical School, and Chief of Neurology at Massachusetts General Hospital. Dr. Cudkowicz, affectionately known as the "greatest ALS doctor in the world" by countless patients, has dedicated her career to finding better treatments and ultimately a cure for ALS since witnessing the discovery of the first ALS gene in 1993.

This conversation is both deeply scientific and profoundly human. Dr. Cudkowicz walks through the challenging journey of ALS diagnosis-why it typically takes a year and 3-4 doctors before patients get answers-and explains the complexity of a disease that mimics many other conditions. She shares the groundbreaking advances happening right now, from the remarkable success of SOD1 gene therapy (which can halt or even reverse progression in certain patients) to the new wave of therapies targeting TDP-43 protein, the underlying biology present in nearly all ALS cases.

Throughout this episode, Dr. Cudkowicz's message is clear and urgent: "I don't think curing ALS is impossible. I absolutely think it's possible." She explains why staying connected to research centers, being part of the ALS community, maintaining physical and mental well-being, and never giving up hope are essential for patients navigating this disease. This episode is not just for those living with ALS, it’s for anyone who is living through the unknown of a life-changing diagnosis or has ever cared for someone who has. It's about spreading hope and community in the face of what feels impossible

Guest Bio:

Dr. Merit Cudkowicz is the Julieanne Dorn Professor of Neurology at Harvard Medical School and Chief of the Department of Neurology at Massachusetts General Hospital. A chemical engineer from MIT who went on to complete her medical training at Harvard, Dr. Cudkowicz has been at the forefront of ALS research since 1993, when her mentor Dr. Robert Brown discovered the first ALS gene (SOD1). She is the founder and director of the Healey ALS Platform Trial, a revolutionary multi-drug testing system that is dramatically accelerating the pace of ALS drug development. Dr. Cudkowicz has dedicated her career to clinical trials, patient care, and translating laboratory discoveries into treatments that can help people living with ALS.

Learn more about Dr. Merit Cudkowicz:

Mass General Neurology

Healey ALS Platform Trial

Harvard Medical School Faculty Profile

LIVE YOUR IMPOSSIBLE DREAMS

✨ Subscribe, listen, and believe.

Presented by the ALS Network

Produced by EVRYBDY Studios

Learn more at Aaron Lazar

Instagram: @impossibledreamspodcast

YouTube: @ALImpossibleDreams

Apple:

What if the secret to becoming extraordinary isn't found in your achievements—but in understanding how your mind actually works?

In this transformative episode of Impossible Dreams, host Aaron Lazar sits down with Dr. Michael Gervais—legendary high-performance psychologist to elite athletes, Olympians, and world champions—for a conversation that will change how you think about success, suffering, and the human spirit. As Aaron continues his radical journey with ALS, he and Dr. Gervais explore the profound psychology of facing the impossible and what becomes accessible when you master your inner world.

Dr. Gervais reveals why mastery of self matters infinitely more than mastery of craft, the three non-negotiable practices for building awareness, and why being "unreasonable" might be the only path to extraordinary outcomes. From understanding why we're always either in a storm or heading toward one, to the truth about high performance versus the path of mastery, Dr. Gervais shares the framework that's helped the world's best performers unlock their potential.

But this conversation goes deeper. Aaron and Dr. Gervais dive into the raw reality of Aaron's ALS diagnosis—how the disease forced him to confront a profound loss of self-trust, why German New Medicine gave him a radical new lens ("the body playing dead"), and the critical shift from trying to "beat" the disease to learning to heal from it. Plus: the power of self-talk, why "your team" should actually be "the team," holding an unreasonable vision while calibrating to what someone truly believes is possible, and Dr. Gervais's simple 60-second morning mindset routine that can change everything.

If you've ever wondered what it takes to meet life's most brutal moments with dignity and eloquence—or if you're ready to stop grinding on the "high-performance treadmill" and step onto the path of true mastery—this episode is your roadmap.

Guest Bio:

Dr. Michael Gervais is a high-performance psychologist who has worked with some of the world's most elite performers, including Super Bowl champions, Olympians, and world record holders. He is the co-creator of Finding Mastery, a leading platform dedicated to helping people unlock their full potential through the psychology of high performance. Dr. Gervais is the author of "The First Rule of Mastery: Stop Worrying About What People Think of You" and hosts the Finding Mastery podcast. He is known for his work with the Seattle Seahawks during their Super Bowl-winning seasons and continues to work with elite athletes, CEOs, and organizations committed to excellence.

Learn more about Dr. Michael Gervais:

Morning Mindset Routine

Finding Mastery Podcast

Finding Mastery Platform

"The First Rule of Mastery" Book

LIVE YOUR IMPOSSIBLE DREAMS

✨ Subscribe, listen, and believe.

Presented by the ALS Network

Produced by EVRYBDY Studios

Learn more at Aaron Lazar

Instagram: @impossibledreamspodcast

YouTube: @ALImpossibleDreams

Apple: Impossible Dreams Podcast

Spotify:

What if the key to an extraordinary life isn't having all the answers—but learning to listen to the whisper?

In this raw and revelatory episode of Impossible Dreams, host Aaron Lazar sits down with volleyball icon, entrepreneur, and wellness visionary Gabby Reece for a conversation that will make you question everything you thought you knew about success, parenting, and what it really means to be strong. As Aaron navigates his ALS diagnosis with radical presence and unconventional healing, he and Gabby explore what becomes possible when you refuse to let fear dictate your life.

Gabby reveals the unconventional childhood secret that made her who she is today (hint: it wasn't stability), why being "a little screwed up" might actually be your competitive advantage, and the controversial truth about masculine and feminine energy that society gets completely backwards. From growing up in the Virgin Islands without a roadmap to building a clean food empire with big-wave legend Laird Hamilton, Gabby shares how following "the whisper" led her to everything she never knew she wanted.

But this isn't just another success story. Aaron and Gabby dive into the messy, beautiful reality of parenting in the digital age (with Aaron's son Adrian right there in the studio), why love isn't weakness but actually the most powerful force we have access to, and the profound lesson Laird taught about revenge (spoiler: he doesn't believe in it). Plus: nature’s way of pushing your limits, why comfort a blessing and a curse, grieving while you're still alive, and the one truth Gabby would "hang her hat on" above everything else…LOVE.

If you've ever felt lost, questioned your path, or wondered if there's more to life than what you've been told—this episode is your permission slip to trust yourself.

Guest Bio:

Gabby Reece is an iconic professional volleyball player, sports announcer, fashion model, author, entrepreneur, and podcast host. Standing 6'3", she became one of the most recognizable faces in women's beach volleyball and used her platform to become a fitness icon and wellness entrepreneur. She co-founded Laird Superfood with her husband, legendary big-wave surfer Laird Hamilton, committed to creating clean, functional foods without shortcuts. Gabby is the host of "The Gabby Reece Show" podcast and author of multiple books on fitness and life. She's a mother of three and passionate advocate for authentic living, conscious parenting, and the power of nature.

Learn more about Gabby:

The Gabby Reece Show

XPT - Extreme Performance Training

Laird Superfood

LIVE YOUR IMPOSSIBLE DREAMS

✨ Subscribe, listen, and believe.

Presented by the ALS Network

Produced by EVRYBDY Studios

Learn more at Aaron Lazar

Instagram: @impossibledreamspodcast

YouTube: @ALImpossibleDreams

Apple: Impossible Dreams Podcast

Spotify: Impossible Dreams Podcast

Merch:

In this deeply personal episode of Impossible Dreams, host Aaron Lazar sits down with Ben Stiller and Christine Taylor for an intimate conversation about resilience, relationships, and finding your way back to what matters most.

Ben and Christine open up about their journey through separation and reconciliation, the challenges of balancing demanding careers with family life, and how personal growth sometimes requires taking space to evolve. From their excitingly quick romance to navigating the pressures of Hollywood while raising two kids, they share hard-won wisdom about communication, self-awareness, and the practice of staying present.

Aaron connects with Ben and Christine through their shared involvement with Project ALS—the groundbreaking research organization co-founded by Jennifer Estess after her 1997 diagnosis. Ben reflects on 25+ years of friendship with Jennifer and the organization's mission, while Aaron expands on his ALS journey and unconventional healing approach. Together, they explore themes of hope in the face of devastating diagnoses, the limitations of Western medicine, and the power of community and love.

From Ben's work on the documentary about his legendary parents (Anne Meara and Jerry Stiller) to Christine's reflections on prayer and meditation, this conversation weaves together Hollywood stories with profound spiritual insights. Plus: the Hawaiian shirt incident at their wedding, why their separation ultimately strengthened their family, and the impossible dream of a Sedona river trip.

Guest Bios:

Ben Stiller is an Emmy Award-winning director, producer, and actor known for films including Zoolander, There's Something About Mary, The Secret Life of Walter Mitty, Tropic Thunder, Cable Guy and countless others. He directed the acclaimed limited series Escape at Dannemora, as well as the award winning and instant obsession, Severance, and just released Stiller and Meara: Nothing is Lost, his documentary about his parents, comedy legends Anne Meara and Jerry Stiller. Ben has been a longtime supporter of Project ALS and numerous humanitarian causes.

Christine Taylor is an actress best known for her roles in The Brady Bunch Movie, A Very Brady Sequel, Zoolander, Dodgeball, and Arrested Development. She has been a dedicated supporter of Project ALS and is passionate about meditation, prayer, and conscious parenting.

LIVE YOUR IMPOSSIBLE DREAMS

✨ Subscribe, listen, and believe.

Presented by the ALS Network

Produced by EVRYBDY Studios

Learn more at Aaron Lazar

Instagram: @impossibledreamspodcast

YouTube: @ALImpossibleDreams

Apple: