Podcast Summary
Leah Gold Stein's Inspiring Journey of Adversity and Triumph: Despite facing numerous challenges, Leah Gold Stein refused to give up and made history by becoming the first woman to win the solo division of the Race Across America at age 52. Her story highlights the importance of resilience, determination, and having the right support system and resources.
Leah Gold Stein's life story is a testament to resilience, determination, and adaptability. Despite facing numerous challenges, including kidnapping attempts and a devastating crash that ended her professional racing career, Leah refused to give up. She transitioned from being an undercover special forces intelligence officer to an ultra cyclist, and at the age of 52, she made history by becoming the first woman to win the solo division of the 3000-mile Race Across America. Through it all, she remained focused on her goals and found ways to overcome obstacles. Her story is a reminder that no matter what life throws our way, we have the power to persevere and achieve our dreams. Additionally, the podcast episode also highlighted the importance of having the right support system and resources. Leah credited her success to the people who believed in her and helped her along the way, as well as the high-quality products from Momentous and On that enabled her to perform at her best. In conclusion, Leah Gold Stein's life story is a powerful reminder of the human spirit's ability to adapt and overcome adversity, and the importance of having the right resources and support system to help us achieve our goals.
Discovering Delicious NA Beers with Go Brewing: Enjoy the taste of craft brews without alcohol's negative effects through Go Brewing's natural, small batch NA beers. Hear founder Joe's story and Leah Goldstein's inspiring journey of overcoming obstacles.
It's possible to enjoy the taste and experience of your favorite brews without the negative effects of alcohol. Go Brewing, a new NA (non-alcoholic) beer company, offers delicious, small batch craft brews made with natural ingredients and no added sugar or artificial processing. Founder Joe's story of starting the company was catalyzed by a conversation with Rich Roll at an event a few years ago. Go Brewing's impressive lineup includes a double IPA and other styles, all brewed to perfection and worthy of trying. Additionally, Leah Goldstein's story is one of grit, perseverance, and overcoming seemingly insurmountable obstacles. Born to parents from China and the Soviet Union, Leah's diverse background included her mother's escape from China during the communist takeover and her father's status as a national boxing champion. Leah's story is not well-known despite her impressive accomplishments, and she shares her experiences of mindset, endurance, and high performance. Overall, this conversation highlights the importance of heeding our inner voice and tapping into our hidden potential to make audacious dreams manifest.
Personal experiences and influences shaping new passions: Overcoming adversity through resilience and determination, discovering true passions and skills.
Personal experiences and influences, such as bullying, can lead individuals to discover new passions and skills. For the speaker, this meant being drawn to martial arts after witnessing Bruce Lee on television as a way to defend herself against her bullies. However, she found her true home in kickboxing due to its more realistic approach to combat and the challenges it presented. Despite initial setbacks and frustration, her dedication and hard work eventually paid off, leading her to become a world champion. This story highlights the importance of resilience, determination, and finding what truly resonates with us.
Young age determination leads to world championship: Hard work and determination at a young age, despite challenges, can lead to great achievements and valuable experiences for future endeavors.
Determination and hard work, even at a young age, can lead to great achievements. The interviewee, despite facing numerous challenges, including being younger than most world championship athletes and having a coach who focused only on improving weaknesses, became the best in the world in their sport at the age of 17. They understood the importance of delayed gratification and sacrifice, having to work harder than others due to a learning disability and physical differences. This mindset helped them excel in school and athletics. However, their dream was not to continue in the sport, but to pursue a childhood dream of becoming James Bond and joining the Israeli Defense Forces. The experiences and discipline gained from their athletic career proved invaluable in their future endeavors.
From a multilingual upbringing to a Krav Maga instructor in the IDF: Your unique background and abilities can lead to surprising opportunities and fulfilling careers, even in unexpected places.
The speaker's upbringing and unique background led her to a surprising career path in the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF). Her parents' association with security and her multilingual abilities sparked her interest in the military from a young age. Despite not being an Israeli national living in Israel, she was able to volunteer and enlist, and her athleticism, fearlessness, and language skills made her a valuable asset. The IDF identified her potential and put her through an intensive training process, ultimately leading her to become a Krav Maga instructor in just six months. This story highlights the importance of unique abilities and backgrounds, and how they can lead to unexpected opportunities and fulfilling careers.
First female Krav Maga instructor for IDF commando units: Trained as a Krav Maga instructor for IDF commando units, became first female instructor, underwent rigorous training alongside soldiers, transitioned to work in Israeli police force intelligence gathering unit, focused on internal threats.
The speaker's experience in the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) involved intensive training to become a Krav Maga instructor for commando units. She was the first female instructor in this role and had to undergo rigorous training alongside the soldiers. Krav Maga is a self-defense system that focuses on deadly force and aggressive action, making it more intense than traditional martial arts like kickboxing or Taekwondo. The speaker was an instructor for about a year before transitioning to work with the police force, specifically in a spying agency unit called the Biloche. Her daily work involved intelligence gathering, primarily focusing on internal threats within the country. Despite her impressive background, she did not become a commando soldier herself due to the physical demands of the role. Overall, her experiences in the IDF and police force involved intense training and unique challenges in the context of dealing with terrorism and other threats in Israel.
Becoming a Spy: Dedication, Isolation, and Danger: To become a spy, one must endure a rigorous recruitment process, remain single and independent, and face dangerous missions requiring long periods of surveillance and even kidnapping.
Being a spy requires extreme dedication, isolation, and a unique personality. The recruitment process is rigorous, and the work is dangerous, often requiring long periods of surveillance and even kidnapping. Spies must remain single and independent to avoid compromising their missions, and even their loved ones can be put at risk. Despite the challenges, some individuals are drawn to the excitement and the feeling of living out a James Bond fantasy. The reality, however, is far from the glamorized version portrayed in movies, with spies often facing real danger and the constant fear of being exposed. The job demands complete focus and a willingness to put one's life on the line for their country.
Navigating the Uncertainty of Intelligence Work: Intelligence work requires adaptability, strong situational awareness, and discretion. However, revealing too much information can lead to being flagged as a security risk.
Working in intelligence involves uncertainty, potential consequences for speaking out of turn, and intense pressure to perform. The speaker, a Canadian woman who had attempted to join Israeli intelligence, shared her experience of being dispatched without knowing the reason, waiting for calls, and being interviewed extensively due to her gender and seemingly out-of-place background. She also mentioned the importance of being a chameleon and having strong situational awareness. However, her curiosity and eagerness led her to reveal information she wasn't supposed to, resulting in being flagged as a security risk. The physical training, which came easily to her, was also mentioned as part of her military background and potentially influencing her cycling career. Overall, the experience was both exciting and terrifying, with the constant awareness of being watched and analyzed.
Unexpected passions and achievements through mentorship and new experiences: Investing in new experiences and mentorship can lead to unexpected passions and achievements, improving our daily lives and personal growth.
The power of mentorship and new experiences can lead to unexpected passions and achievements. The speaker, a commando soldier and triathlon champion, shares how his commander introduced him to the sport of duathlons and ultimately became his coach. This experience not only led him to become a national champion but also ignited a deep love for the sport. Similarly, the speaker's endorsement of Birch mattresses emphasizes the importance of investing in foundational elements that can significantly impact our daily lives, such as sleep quality. And the mention of the meditation app "Waking Up" highlights the transformative power of mindfulness practices and continuous learning. Overall, these stories illustrate the value of embracing new opportunities and the impact they can have on our personal growth.
From police officer to professional cyclist: Overcoming adversity through determination and resilience: Age and past experiences don't limit potential, determination and resilience can help individuals overcome challenges and pursue their dreams.
Determination and resilience can help individuals overcome adversity and pursue their dreams, even when faced with seemingly insurmountable challenges. The speaker, a former police officer turned professional cyclist, shared her harrowing experiences of facing danger and threats to her life, which led her to retire from the police force and pursue her passion for racing. Despite being dismissed by many due to her age and lack of experience, she proved herself through hard work and perseverance, eventually making a name for herself in the competitive world of professional cycling. Her story serves as a reminder that age and past experiences do not define one's potential, and that it's never too late to chase your dreams.
Finding Success After Struggle in Pro Cycling: Despite setbacks and humiliation, staying focused on goals and using criticism as motivation can lead to growth and success in new challenges
No matter your age or past achievements, facing new challenges can be humbling. At 38, after years of trying to become a pro cyclist, the speaker found herself struggling and feeling like a fish out of water. But instead of giving up, she used the criticism and laughter as motivation to improve. She hired a climbing coach, moved to a more hilly location, and came back the following season setting new records. This transition was not easy, and there were long periods of struggle and humiliation. However, the speaker's determination, hard work, and strategic approach eventually paid off, and she gained the notice of team directors. This experience taught her the importance of staying focused on her goals and using setbacks as opportunities for growth. Pro cycling, like many sports, requires a combination of physical fitness and teamwork, and the speaker had to learn these skills from scratch. Overall, this story is a reminder that challenges can be tough, but with perseverance and a positive attitude, we can overcome them and come out stronger on the other side.
Overcoming tragedy through determination and resilience: Even in the face of devastating setbacks, maintaining a strong mindset and persevering through rehabilitation can lead to a successful comeback
Determination and resilience can help overcome even the most devastating setbacks. The speaker, a professional cyclist, recounted her experience of a tragic crash during the Cascade Classic race in 2005, which left her with severe injuries and a diagnosis that she might not walk properly again, let alone race. Despite this, she made a promise to herself to get back on her bike and race again, even stronger than before. This mindset, along with months of rehabilitation, ultimately led her to make a successful comeback to the sport. The crash, which was dubbed the most epic of all time, left her with physical scars, but her indomitable spirit shone through.
Mental strength in overcoming challenges: Believe in your ability to recover and stay positive, even in overwhelming situations. Mental strength is more powerful than physical strength.
Mental strength is crucial in overcoming challenges, even in the face of overwhelming situations. The speaker's experience in the military and a traumatic accident helped her develop the mental rigor to focus on the task at hand and believe in her ability to recover. Despite setbacks and doubts, she remained determined and optimistic, which contributed to her quick recovery. Mental strength is more powerful than physical strength, and it's essential to stay positive and keep moving forward, even when faced with obstacles. The speaker's resilience and determination allowed her to return to racing in less than a season after her accident.
Overcoming Fear in High-Risk Activities: Recognizing fear and pushing through it is crucial for safety and success in high-risk activities. Some abilities, like functioning on little sleep, may be innate, but mental fortitude can be developed.
Fear can be a major obstacle, especially during high-risk activities like racing. The speaker's experience of crashing and the resulting injuries led her to recognize the importance of overcoming fear to ensure safety not only for herself but also for others. Additionally, the speaker's ability to push through pain and function with little sleep, developed through military training, made her well-suited for ultra endurance racing. However, the speaker's career as a professional racer came to an end after a severe crash, leading her to transition to ultra endurance racing. It's important to note that while mental fortitude can be developed, some abilities, such as the ability to function well on very little sleep, may be innate. The speaker's experience highlights the importance of recognizing one's limitations and making the transition to a new challenge when necessary.
False promises in military training and ultra endurance racing: Be prepared for unexpected challenges and long hours in ultra endurance racing, as even the most well-laid plans can change in an instant.
When something seems too good to be true, it probably is. This was exemplified during a grueling military training experience, where soldiers were given a false promise of rest only to be called back into action shortly after. This concept applies to ultra endurance racing, such as the Race Across America (RAAM), where participants must be prepared for unexpected challenges and long hours on the bike. RAAM, a 3,000-mile race from California to Maryland, requires a unique set of skills and training. In 2011, the speaker, a former pro cyclist and military veteran, embarked on his first RAAM solo attempt, having self-trained and relying on an inexperienced crew. The race, which lasts 12 days, presents various challenges, including sleep deprivation, physical pain, and navigational issues. It's essential to be mentally and physically prepared for the unexpected, as even the most well-laid plans can change in an instant. RAAM is a testament to human endurance and the importance of adaptability and resilience.
Overcoming unique challenges in endurance races: Perseverance and adaptability are crucial in endurance races, especially when facing unconventional challenges like neck conditions. People with a history of whiplash or injury crashes are more prone to such conditions.
Endurance races like the Race Across America present unique challenges, and it often takes experience to figure out what works best. The speaker learned this firsthand when dealing with Schirmer's neck condition, which made holding his head up during long hours on the bike impossible. This condition forced him to find creative solutions, such as shaving his head and using tensor bandages to anchor his head to his heart rate monitor. Despite the pain and discomfort, he refused to quit and finished the race using this unconventional method. This experience taught him the importance of perseverance and adaptability in the face of adversity. Additionally, people with a history of whiplash or injury crashes are more prone to Schirmer's neck, and it is often a condition that affects women.
Taking a break can lead to new beginnings: Taking a break can help you recharge, return stronger, and prove that age is just a number.
No matter what stage of life you're at, it's never too late to pursue your passions and set new goals. The speaker, a former professional racer, shared her experience of taking a break from racing for several years to recharge mentally and then returning to the sport with renewed determination. She emphasized the importance of staying active and keeping a balance in life. Despite facing tough competition and challenges, she continued to push herself and proved that age is just a number. It's important to remember that taking a break can help you come back stronger and more focused. And if you're ever in need of some deeper reflection, consider checking out Soulboom for some thought-provoking existential questions.
Insights from Health, Wellness, and Personal Growth Podcasts: Holistic approaches to personal growth and success include nutrition, mindset, fitness, relationships, and effective preparation for challenges. Listen to podcasts like Soulboom, Feel Better, Live More, and The Conversation for valuable insights.
There are various podcasts, such as Soulboom, Feel Better, Live More, and The Conversation, which can provide valuable insights on health, well-being, mental health, relationships, and personal growth. Rainn Wilson's Soulboom podcast offers thought-provoking conversations with intellectuals and entertainers, while Dr. Rangan Chatterjee's Feel Better, Live More podcast focuses on nutrition, mindset, fitness, and relationships. Amanda DeCadine's The Conversation delves into raw and honest exchanges on various topics, including mental health, sex, politics, and ambition. Another key takeaway is the importance of balance and preparation, as illustrated by the story of a racer who learned to focus on both climbing and sustaining power on the flats to succeed in a long race. The racer also emphasized the importance of a comfortable bike position and effective navigation to avoid setbacks. Overall, these podcasts and the racer's story underscore the importance of holistic approaches to personal growth and success.
Preparing for Long-Distance Cycling Events: Physical and Mental Fortitude: To complete long-distance cycling events like RAAM, focus on physical preparation (finding the right saddle, managing sleep), mental preparation (staying focused, embracing discomfort), and maintaining commitment when faced with challenges.
Enduring long-distance cycling events like the Race Across America (RAAM) requires a combination of physical preparation and mental fortitude. Physical preparation includes finding the right saddle to prevent saddle sores and managing sleep deprivation. Mental preparation involves staying focused on the task at hand, learning to be comfortable being uncomfortable, and reminding oneself of the reason for undertaking the challenge. When faced with moments of weakness, it's essential to remind oneself of the potential regret of quitting and the importance of staying committed. Ultimately, the key to completing RAAM, or any challenging endeavor, is to love what one is doing and find meaning and purpose in the experience.
Communication and crew support are vital during ultra-endurance races: Effective communication and a strong support system help riders cope with physical challenges and unpredictable conditions during ultra-endurance races, including employing strategies like wearing a cotton t-shirt, using ice packs, and receiving water and IVs from their crew.
Effective communication and a strong support system from the crew are crucial during ultra-endurance races like the Ram Race. The crew acts as the rider's brain when they become delirious and unable to make rational decisions. Training, such as wearing a weighted helmet, can help prepare for the physical challenges, but unpredictable conditions like extreme heat can still pose significant risks. To cope with intense heat, riders may employ strategies like wearing a cotton t-shirt, using ice packs, and receiving water and IVs from their crew at regular intervals. The importance of adaptability and being prepared for unexpected challenges cannot be overstated in such events.
First woman to win RAAM outright: Despite extreme conditions and fierce competition, [Name] persevered and became the first woman to win the Race Across America outright.
The Race Across America (RAAM) is an incredibly challenging endurance event with strict rules. A woman named [Name] finished the race in 11 days, 3 hours, becoming the first woman to ever win the race outright. She faced extreme temperatures, headwinds, and dehydration, requiring multiple IVs. Only 3 people finished the race, and many teams and relays dropped out. The Appalachians were the most challenging part of the race due to steep climbs. [Name] passed the leading male rider, Mark, in the Appalachians but didn't celebrate as she knew anything could happen. She almost didn't finish due to overheating and a rapid heartbeat, but she walked the last part of the race to ensure she finished. The race tested her limits, and her determination paid off.
Women's athletic potential in endurance races does not fade with age: Women's mental fortitude and ability to handle pain make the gender gap in endurance racing narrow as they age. Despite physical challenges, women continue to compete and recover effectively.
Athletic potential does not diminish with age, especially for women in endurance and ultra-endurance races. The speaker, a 52-year-old woman who became the first female winner of a transcontinental race, emphasized that these types of races are more mental than physical. She believes that the gap between men and women in endurance racing narrows as they age due to women's ability to handle pain and mental fortitude. The speaker also mentioned that the heat was a significant challenge in her race, and she plans to adjust her training for future races accordingly. Despite not meeting her time goal, she intends to participate again. Recovery involves light exercise and a gradual return to normalcy, as the body takes time to adjust after such an intense experience. The speaker also shared that she is a plant-based athlete and has been in various phases of it throughout her career.
Elite athlete's plant-based diet journey: An athlete adopted a plant-based diet due to performance benefits and availability during military service, reintroduced meat, then switched back after watching 'The Game Changer'. She emphasizes personal choice and relies on smoothies, protein powders, and bars during training.
The speaker, an elite athlete, adopted a plant-based diet during her military service due to the availability of vegan options and the performance benefits she experienced. Later, she reintroduced meat into her diet due to food limitations in her new environment. However, after watching the documentary "The Game Changer," she switched back to a plant-based diet and noticed significant improvements in her athletic performance. The speaker emphasizes that she doesn't push her dietary choices on others but believes in the benefits it brings to her life. During intense training, she relies on smoothies and liquid foods, and in her daily life, she uses vegan protein powders and bars. The military's catering to plant-based diets and the experiences of high-performing athletes and soldiers who followed similar diets were key factors in her decision to adopt and maintain a plant-based diet.
Mental fortitude in endurance sports and martial arts: Both endurance sports and martial arts require mental strength and consistency. In endurance sports, the real opponent is oneself, while in martial arts, stopping can lead to defeat. Both demand dedication and a strong mind to overcome challenges and push beyond limits.
Endurance sports and martial arts share a common theme of discipline and consistency. Both require regular training and practice, regardless of how one feels. In martial arts, an opponent presents a challenge, but in endurance sports, the real opponent is oneself. The mental fortitude developed through martial arts training can be invaluable in pushing through the physical and mental challenges of ultra-endurance events. Conversely, the mental focus and determination required to complete long endurance races can help martial artists stay disciplined and consistent in their training. The key difference lies in the level of control: in cycling or other endurance sports, one can stop or take a break when needed, whereas in martial arts, stopping can lead to defeat. Both pursuits demand a high level of dedication and a strong mind to overcome challenges and push beyond limits.
Ultra endurance racing vs combat: Similarities and differences: Consistency and precision are crucial for success in both ultra endurance racing and combat situations. Racers must manage numerous details and push themselves, while a good team is essential for both.
Both ultra endurance racing and combat situations require discipline, precision, and a team effort to succeed. However, while the stakes may be higher in combat, the demands of ultra endurance racing are unique due to the length and complexity of the event. Racers must stay on top of numerous details, including nutrition, clothing, and bike maintenance, and push themselves harder than they would in a race to be prepared for their goal. A good crew is essential, as they determine the racer's finish and work tirelessly to support them with tasks such as bottle drops, navigation, and vehicle maintenance. Despite the challenges, consistency and precision are key to success in both ultra endurance racing and combat situations.
Overcoming Challenges in Extreme Races: Determination, support, and adaptability help overcome challenges in extreme races. Focus on possibilities, find passion, and take action towards goals despite fear or uncertainty.
No matter how insurmountable a challenge may seem, with determination, support, and adaptability, it can be overcome. The rules in extreme races, such as triathlons, allow for assistance during certain situations, like starting or obstacles on the course. These safety measures ensure the safety of competitors and enable them to continue despite setbacks. The documentary based on the athlete's experiences follows their journey, showcasing their past accomplishments and providing inspiration for those looking to make positive changes in their lives. The athlete emphasizes the importance of focusing on possibilities rather than limitations and encourages individuals to find their passion and take action towards their goals, even when faced with fear or uncertainty.
The power of hard work and determination: Identify what lights your fire and keep pushing forward despite obstacles, everyone has the ability to outwork others and achieve their goals.
No matter what your gifts or limitations may be, you have the power to make your life whatever you want it to be through hard work and determination. As Leah Stein shared in the conversation, it's not about how many times you fall, but how many times you can get back up and keep pushing forward. She emphasized that everyone has the gift of work and the ability to outwork others to achieve their goals. Leah's own story is a testament to this, as she worked tirelessly for nine years to become a successful cyclist despite not being naturally gifted in the sport. The key is to identify what lights your fire and to keep moving towards your finish line, no matter what obstacles come your way. As Leah wisely noted, "Life's too short. You can't sit there and wait for things to happen."
