Embracing Change and Unleashing Potential with Risa August
Imagine life as a big, crazy rollercoaster ride. You're eagerly waiting in line, meticulously planning how you'll raise your arms on the big drops and scream on the loops. You're prepared for every twist and every turn, convinced that sticking to the plan will make the ride perfect.
Then, halfway through, the car derails slightly. You find yourself in unexpected territories—dark tunnels, steep inclines you didn’t see on the map. Your meticulously planned reactions no longer apply, and you’re forced to adapt on the fly. This situation mirrors Risa August's experience after her diagnosis. She had a well-planned, structured life as an Ironman athlete, but the unexpected journey of her illness pushed her off track.
Bike Ride Of A Lifetime
During this unpredictable part of the ride, like Risa’s challenging moments, you could panic and let fear paralyze you. However, Risa demonstrates the power of viewing obstacles as opportunities. Instead of giving in to fear, she embraced the journey by tackling it pedal stroke by pedal stroke, symbolized by her ambitious bike ride from Canada to Mexico.
Now, remember when the rollercoaster sweeps through a pitch-dark tunnel. You can't see where you're going, and every sense screams uncertainty. According to Tyson Gaylord’s perspective, you can’t control the tunnel, but you can control your reactions. Like the stoic wisdom Tyson mentions—"the obstacle is the way"—these moments of uncertainty push you forward, teaching you resilience.
On this rollercoaster, there are parts where you ride parallel to others—fellow travelers cheering you on and offering a scream of solidarity like those people Risa encountered handing out pumpkins during her ride. This camaraderie and collective spirit can propel us through even the darkest tunnels, showing us the light at the end.
And finally, when your ride ends, it’s not the perfect execution of your plan that you'll remember most. It’s the exhilarating journey, the unexpected laughs, the moments of kindness from strangers, and the realization that you’re stronger and more capable than you ever thought. Just like Risa, you’ll find out that embracing the ride with all its unpredictability defines the true measure of personal growth and fulfillment.
Enjoy the episode!
YouTube: https://youtu.be/bgAaII-p0EI
Show Notes: https://www.thesocialchameleon.show/Risa-August
You can listen to the episode on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Overcast, Pocket Casts, Castbox, YouTube Music, Amazon Music, Audible, Substack, or your favorite podcast platform.
Key Highlights:
- Personal Responsibility in Health
Tyson stresses the importance of taking personal responsibility for your health. Risa echoes this sentiment, explaining how crucial it is to trust your own body's messages rather than solely relying on experts. - From Diagnosis to Determination
Risa shares her emotional journey towards her pituitary tumor diagnosis and the subsequent brain surgery and radiation. Despite challenges and medical predictions, Risa embarked on a significant bike ride from Canada to Mexico, symbolizing her reclaiming of life. - Empowerment Through Obstacles
Drawing on the stoic philosophy, Risa and Tyson discuss how obstacles can become the way forward, with Risa’s biking endeavors exemplifying overcoming challenges step by step. - The Role of Environmental and Dietary Factors
Risa touches on the idea that environmental factors such as soil quality and food can contribute to health issues, offering a different perspective than traditional medical viewpoints. - Living Limitlessly
Inspired by her journey and the challenges faced, Risa talks about adopting a "limitless" mindset, breaking through both external and self-imposed barriers. She shares practical tips on embracing change, rejecting limiting beliefs, and finding balance in life. - Transformation and Self-Discovery
Risa emphasizes that personal growth often comes from unplanned or challenging circumstances. Her mantra “CAN” (Capable, Able, Now) helps shift focus to what can be done now, encouraging actionable steps towards improvement. - Spreading Positivity
Small acts of kindness can have a ripple effect. Risa’s story of handing out mini pumpkins during a bike ride is a beautiful reminder that joy can be shared in the simplest ways.
Let’s continue to be the light in each other’s lives and embrace our unique paths of growth and discovery. Remember, it’s not just about the end goal but the journey toward self-improvement and accomplishment.
Meet Risa August
Risa is an award-winning author, speaker, Gestalt practitioner, and patient advocate who lives with a rare pituitary disease. She transformed her diagnosis into a powerful mission, guiding others to break through their limiting beliefs and fully embrace life. With her dynamic energy, Risa empowers her audiences through insightful talks, coaching, and creative workshops.
From once being an Ironman athlete, Risa continues to explore new challenges and lives an expansive, inspirational life. Her work focuses on helping others unleash their potential and live without limits.
The Road Unpaved - Border to Border with a Brain Tumor and a Bike
1,845 miles. 41 days. 12 cyclists. 1 brain tumor named Bubba.
After a shocking diagnosis for a rare pituitary disease, and with her eighteen-year marriage in shambles, Risa's life has fallen far from picture-perfect. Recovering from brain surgery and desperate to get back to her former self, she signs up for the bike tour of a lifetime-six weeks from Canada to Mexico on the Pacific Coast Highway.
The old Risa could have done the ride in her sleep, but for the new Risa, trapped in a body that no longer feels like her own and stuck in the company of her brain tumor, Bubba, the ride becomes a challenge unlike anything she's ever faced.
As Risa pedals through rain, pain, and the ghosts of her memories, she wonders if the woman she once was will ever return or whether the new woman rising up in her place might just be the person she was meant to be all along.
A remarkable story of transformation and resilience, The Road Unpaved speaks to shifting gears to navigate life's roadblocks and live a life without limits-a life fully unleashed.
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*** Challenge ***
- Inspired by Risa's transformative journey, we challenge you to take a step towards something you've always wanted to do. Whether it's signing up for a class, meeting up with friends, or initiating a small project, let this be the start of your personal evolution. Share your journey with us on social media using #SocialChameleonChallenge – we can't wait to see your progress!
Listen to this week's challenge
SELECTED LINKS FROM THE EPISODE
Here’s a detailed rundown from the episode:
Marcus Aurelius - Meditations
- Tyson references a stoic quote by Marcus Aurelius: "The impediment to action advances action. What stands in the way becomes the way." This quote supports the idea that obstacles can be turned into opportunities for growth and transformation.
Ryan Holiday - The Obstacle is the Way
- Tyson mentions Ryan Holiday's book while paraphrasing Marcus Aurelius's quote, highlighting the theme of overcoming challenges by viewing obstacles as the path to progress.
Benjamin Hoff - The Tao of Pooh
- Risa brings up this book to illustrate the value of simplicity and wisdom in navigating life authentically, without adhering to rigid plans, and finding calm amidst chaos.
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