What happens when you achieve every goal in life and still feel lost? Jesse Heisler did exactly what he was taught: chase the biggest house, the biggest car, the biggest bank account and call it “the good life.” By 32, he had the toys, the status, and the wins. Sitting alone with all of it, one word cut through the noise: purpose.

We walk through Jesse’s winding path from Southern California to UNLV, from nearly joining the military to landing at Pepsi, where mentorship and pressure helped him build a real sales work ethic. Then one unprofessional moment and a “bad joke” became a wake-up call about character, reputation, and what it really means to be a professional. From there, Jesse steps into a family business and finds himself inside a toxic, Wolf of Wall Street-style culture that promises freedom but quietly drains the soul.

The conversation turns when Jesse finds The Purpose Driven Life and begins a faith journey that includes doubt, conviction, and what he describes as a supernatural experience of God’s love. That inner change forces real-world decisions: leaving an unhealthy environment, reshaping his definition of success, and moving toward service. Today, Jesse mentors inmates in the California penal system while also working in private equity with values-driven leaders, and he shares how LinkedIn became the “new golf course” that opened doors through genuine connection.

If you’ve ever wondered why achievement can still feel empty, or how to rebuild after a misstep, this one will meet you right where you are. Subscribe to The Klimb, share this episode with a friend who’s chasing success, and leave a review so more climbers can find stories like Jesse’s.

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Follow Jesse here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jes-h/

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In this episode, we’re speaking with UCF men’s basketball head coach Johnny Dawkins, and his story hits every part of what The Klimb is about: resilience, faith, character, and turning setbacks into a better way forward.

The former Duke standout shares insightful lessons from his career in basketball including recovery from a freak injury as a younger player to the Kobe Bryant workout that nearly pushed him to the edge. Through it all, he refused to compromise authenticity, remaining humble and determined.

We go back to Dawkins’ early years in Washington, D.C., where competition on the playground taught him how to compete and hone his skills. From there, he shares what it was like helping Coach K build the Duke basketball standard and why Coach K’s real advantage was relationships, preparation, and knowing exactly how to get the best out of people over time. If you’re a coach, athlete, or leader at work, the message is clear: be yourself, because your peers can feel when you’re performing.

Then we get into the unforgettable moments: the NBA icing mistake that deadened a nerve in his leg nearly derailing his pro career, and the mental toll of living with uncertainty during the rehab. Dawkins also takes us inside the 2008 USA Redeem Team environment and tells a true Kobe Bryant story that defines Mamba Mentality, from demanding the toughest defensive matchup to training at full speed for hours.

We close with how Dawkins builds UCF basketball culture in the NIL and transfer portal era of the NCAA, his five core values, and why loving the process matters more than chasing a perfect ending. Subscribe to The Klimb, share this with someone who needs a push, and leave a review with your biggest takeaway.

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He was an eighth grader testing at a third to fourth grade level in key subjects, getting laughed at when he read out loud, and hearing adults warn him not to bet on athletics. Coach Mike Morrison didn’t deny the struggle, he learned how to climb through it. We talk about dyslexia and learning differences in a real, practical way: what it feels like, why it happens, and the specific tools that helped him rebuild confidence and comprehension, from slowing his eyes down to using an index card window to focus on one word at a time.

That academic fight runs side by side with a late-bloomer basketball story that ends in the NBA. Mike shares how tutoring, recording lectures, and relentless accountability at Loyola helped him grow into an All-American and a pro, and why real development is usually quieter than the highlight reel. We also get into what he learned coaching and mentoring around top basketball environments, and what separates great minds: love for people, respect for the game’s history, and obsession with the small details that create longevity.

Then we zoom out to life after the final buzzer. Mike opens up about family, community, and why identity can’t be anchored to a jersey. He explains the mission behind Gap Year Unveiled, a nonprofit focused on helping athletes transition after sports with mentoring, counseling, and career development, and he shares the moment of faith that changed his direction for good.

If you’re chasing growth through setbacks, this conversation will meet you right where you are. Subscribe, share this with a friend who needs encouragement, and leave a review with your biggest takeaway.

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Some stories challenge your definition of success. This one begins with humble origins and big dreams, then winds through boardrooms, hospital wards, and a quiet moment where a young man heard the words that changed everything: you’ve never enjoyed the harvest. Adrian sits down with longtime friend and corporate consultant leader Jonathan Paul to trace how early lessons in sowing and stewardship became a blueprint for building a national firm—and how love and caregiving for his family led to a profound new perspective on life.

Jonathan shares major turning points in his life, shaped by faith, personal loss and keen perseverance. By the age of twenty‑six, he successfully launched a consulting firm serving Fortune 500s. The clients came quickly but so did the stress. On the other side of his career, Jonathan spent twelve years of round‑the‑clock caregiving for his wife while working nonstop on his business. This duality culminated in a cancer diagnosis with a 50 percent prognosis. From that crisis, Jonathan rebuilt around human purpose: taking on fewer clients, forming deeper partnerships, and an approach that blends organizational strategy with clinical psychology to align motivation, identity, and results.

The insights cut to the bone for leaders and teams: acceptance precedes performance; purpose clarifies priorities; healthy companies invest in people’s growth and protect their dignity. Jonathan explains how to spot a poorly run organization, how to stop performing for approval, and how to design work that’s fruitful and humane. Jonathan calls the outcome the garden life—productive, beautiful, and bounded by rhythms that let you reap what you’ve faithfully sown. If you’ve ever wondered why success feels empty, this conversation offers a map back to meaning.

Subscribe to The Klimb for more stories that turn adversity into wisdom and share this with someone who needs hope. Leave a review with one change you’ll make this week to enjoy your harvest.

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What if the thing that sets you apart isn’t your stat line but your courage to choose a role and master it? That’s the heartbeat of our conversation with basketball Hall of Famer Michael Cooper—5x NBA champion, 1987 Defensive Player of the Year, and title-winning coach in the WNBA, G League, and Big 3—who turned blunt advice into a blueprint for winning on and off the court.

We trace Coop’s path from a childhood injury that threatened his ability to walk to a career built on defense, discipline, and purpose. Shortly after joining the Lakers in 1979, legendary team executive Jerry West told him there weren’t enough basketballs to go around, so Cooper adaptated his mindset and found another niche: to lock people up, think the game, and raise the team’s energy. He takes us back to the 1987 season, where his expanded offensive game caught up to his stellar defense and when his Walter J. Kennedy Citizenship Award honored a school attendance program that lifted local communities. The theme behind Coop's success is consistent: do the work, serve the team, and give back more than you take.

Coop also breaks down his 5 D’s—determination, dedication, desire, discipline, and decision making—and shows how they can apply across various fields in life. He shares how his coaching principles mirrored fellow Hall of Famer Pat Riley’s standards, and how he developed his players with honest feedback built on trust. We also revisit Coop's legendary pre-draft workout with a high school phenom named Kobe Bryant, and the passion and professionalism that hinted at the Mamba Mentality years before the rest of the world saw it.

This is a masterclass in coachability and role clarity, filled with stories that double as playbooks: how to build niches, how to align talent with responsibility, and how to let values steer your ambition. If you’re climbing in sports, business, or life, you’ll leave with an inspired mindset you can act on today—and an affirmation worth repeating: “I think, therefore I can.”

If this conversation hits home, follow the show across our online platforms, share it with a friend who needs a push, and leave a review to help more climbers find us.

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From standing tall as a successful businessman to being completely paralyzed overnight, Barry Shore's life took a dramatic turn that would seem unfathomable for most people. Instead, it awakened an extraordinary mission that's inspired countless lives worldwide.

Before becoming the "Ambassador of Joy," Shore's resilience was being forged through early life lessons. At just ten years old, his father taught him a profound truth hidden in plain sight: in the word "business," the "u" comes before the "i" – when you prioritize others, you'll naturally be taken care of. This foundation of service would later sustain him through unimaginable challenges.

Shore's life was first upended by a devastating car accident at age 24 that shattered his femur and left doctors uncertain if he'd walk again. But with grit and charisma, Barry recovered and continued on to a successful career in business. Years later, however, another serious challenge threatened to upend his life on September 17, 2004, when a rare disease suddenly transformed him from completely healthy to totally paralyzed from the neck down in a single day. After 144 days hospitalized, two years in a home hospital bed, and four years in a wheelchair, Shore refused to surrender to despair.

Through what he calls "PTL" – Prayer, Therapy, and Love – Shore gradually reclaimed portions of his mobility. Today, though still requiring some assistance, he swims two miles daily, six days a week, accumulating over 10,000 miles. His philosophy of "SMILE" (Seeing Miracles In Life Every day) radiates through every conversation.

Shore's transformative approach centers on three fundamentals: recognizing that life has purpose, going "MAD" (Making A Difference), and uncovering the power of everyday words. He views joy as the "Journey Of You," emphasizing that becoming your best self naturally improves the world around you. His current mission? Giving $1 billion to charity without costing givers a penny through his "Everywhere Card" initiative.

Whether you're facing your own challenges or simply seeking wisdom from someone who's climbed from the depths of adversity, Shore's message offers a blueprint for resilience: "When you choose success... how you choose to respond in any given situation will determine your path in life and your trajectory."

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What defines your true legacy? For former NC State standout Dereck Whittenburg, it's how many people you've helped along the way—not the trophies, accolades, or championships you've won. As a young boy driving with his father past the White House, Whittenburg wondered what it would be like to meet the president someday. That childhood dream became reality not once but twice, as his journey took him from the Maryland playgrounds to NCAA basketball glory.

The heart of Whittenburg's story isn't just about championship rings or coaching successes—it's about his remarkable pattern of turning setbacks into comebacks. He shares how breaking his foot during his senior year at DeMatha High School taught him resilience, only to face the same injury years later during NC State's championship season. Through mental toughness and unwavering positivity, he recovered faster than expected both times, contributing to what became known as the "Cardiac Pack" under legendary coach Jim Valvano.

Whittenburg's wisdom extends far beyond the basketball court. After his playing days, he rebuilt his career coaching at Wagner College and Fordham University before reinventing himself again as an Emmy-winning documentary producer. Most meaningfully, he helped co-establish the Jimmy V Foundation, which has raised nearly $400 million for cancer research, honoring his beloved coach's legacy.

"People have to believe they are worthy of success," Whittenburg advises. "Stay the course, believe in yourself, let people help you, and your dreams can come true." Through the Dereck Whittenburg Foundation, he's now helping first-generation college students achieve their educational goals, embodying his philosophy: "If you want to lift yourself up, lift someone up today." Listen to discover how to transform your own setbacks into powerful comebacks that benefit others along the way.

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Ever questioned if you're truly meant for greatness? In this soul-stirring episode, Adrian Branch welcomes two-time Olympic gold medalist Ruthie Bolton for a profound conversation about resilience, faith, and finding purpose through life's toughest challenges.

Ruthie takes us back to her humble beginnings as the 16th child in a family of 20 in McLain, Mississippi, where her minister father instilled unshakable principles that would shape her extraordinary journey. With remarkable vulnerability, she shares the pivotal moment at age 14 when conquering her fear of jumping a fence became the unexpected foundation for her championship mindset.

The conversation delves into Ruthie's heartbreaking college recruitment story—being told she wasn't talented enough while watching her sister receive star treatment. Instead of surrender, Ruthie embraced a grueling 10-hour bus ride to Auburn University, where coaches bluntly informed her she would never make the travel team. Through tears and determination, she transformed rejection into fuel, ultimately becoming a starter her freshman year.

Perhaps most powerful is Ruthie's raw account of forgiveness after being unexpectedly cut from the Sacramento Monarchs, the team where she had become a franchise icon. "When you don't forgive, you become a prisoner of your own emotions," she reflects. "It clips your wings and you can't not just fly, but soar."

Now an author, coach, and humanitarian, Ruthie shares how her current book "Sent with Purpose" emerged from her realization that every struggle was preparation for a greater mission. She offers listeners a masterclass in mental resilience: "When resistance tries to hit me, the stronger they come, the stronger I get."

Ready to break through your own barriers? Join us for this transformative episode that will leave you saying, "If she can overcome, I can overcome too."

Connect with Ruthie on social media @RuthieBolton to learn more about her inspirational journey.

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