Ep169: Why Becoming a Failure is Essential to Success | with Alex Weber, ANW

Optimize Yourself

There are turning points throughout our lives where we have a choice to either accept the status quo and continue being “comfortable” or take a stand to affect real change. Whether it’s change on an individual level or even on a larger scale, to take a stand requires courage and “brave honesty” (to borrow a term from today's guest), and most importantly real change requires stepping into the discomfort zone and attempting things you never previously believed you were capable of. Sounds simple enough...but how can you actually take that terrifying step? And what if you fail?

My guest today is Alex Weber, an international speaker, American Ninja Warrior, award-winning entertainer, and author of the upcoming book Fail Proof: Become the Unstoppable You. Alex travels the country teaching top professionals and leaders how to bring their very best everyday to the most high-stakes situations that can make or break their success.

In this conversation, Alex and I go deep into the honest history of our many collective failures, analyzing and extracting the important lessons that have come from them and highlighting how important they've been to our successes. We discuss the importance of community and how essential it is to find people who support your highest goals and most basic needs. Because when you have a strong support structure around you, your chances of success increase exponentially. I hope this conversation inspires you to step outside your own discomfort zone and pursue goals you thought previously unachievable now that you will be “Fail Proof.”

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Here's What You'll Learn:

• Why we should redefine failure so it's not so binary and black and white.
• What the deep end effect is.
• The story of how Alex moved to Los Angeles and became the host of American Ninja Warrior.
• How Alex struggled with confidence issues during the first season of ANW.
• The story of the ANW towel and what it represents.
• Breaking down the ANW course run and what led to his failure.
• The motivation that ANW gives Alex to continue training despite the unknown of being on the show.
• My bully story and how it led me to the success I've had in life.
• Alex shares his bully story and what it taught him.
• How to effectively become your own coach to turn your negative self talk into an asset.
• Why Alex has a nickname for himself and his negative voice inside his head.
• What the ABC is and how to make it work in your favor.
• KEY TAKEAWAY: Enjoy the journey.
• Why it's essential to embrace each moment.
• How Alex sets goals.
• What it means to be bravely honest.
• What Alex learned from a spilled cup of coffee.
• What advice Alex would give his younger self who was bullied.

Useful Resources Mentioned:

Ep161: Managing Limiting Beliefs, Imposter Syndrome, and all the “Chatter” In Our Heads | with Ethan Kross

Ep121: Breaking Down Impossible Obstacles to Make (Almost) Anything Achievable | with Jessie Graff, ANW

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Guest Bio:

Alex Weber is an international speaker, American Ninja Warrior, award-winning entertainer and author of the upcoming book Fail Proof. He has been awarded US Lacrosse Coach of the Year honors, holds a World Record, and competed in the World Championships of lacrosse finishing as a Top Scorer in the world. Alex shows Top Professionals and Leaders how to bring their very best everyday, and to the most high-stakes situations that can make or break their success.

Show Credits:

This episode was edited by Curtis Fritsch, and the show notes were prepared by Debby Germino and published by Glen McNiel.

The original music in the opening and closing of the show is courtesy of Joe Trapanese (who is quite possibly one of the most talented composers on the face of the planet).