The Climb Out of Pain is Taller Than Everest with Nat Geo photographer Cory Richards PART 2

ℹ️ EPISODE INFO

Released

April 29, 2025

Duration

41m

Channel

Simon Sinek

Watch on YouTube

▶ Open ↗

📝 EPISODE DESCRIPTION

*Please note: At 9:37, Simon and Cory have a discussion about suicide. What happens after we attain success and glory? Where do you go when there's nowhere left to run from yourself? In Part 2 of my conversation with Cory Richards, Cory explains why reaching the summit of Everest marked the beginning of a long, painful fall from grace. After his tumultuous decision to retire from climbing, Cory found himself lost and confused about his true identity. At the same time, he was forced to grapple with multiple life-shattering events at once -- some of his own making. In this episode, we discuss the difference between identity and purpose, the skills Cory learned to cope with multiple tragedies, and why the more we ignore life’s harshest lessons, the louder they become. This…is A Bit of Optimism. Watch PART 1 here: https://youtu.be/ZvQ4K1JpvFI For more on Cory Richards and his work, check out: http://coryrichards.com/ ⏰ Timestamps 0:00 The power of slowing down 4:49 4 steps to reclaim your agency 5:44 Cory's last expedition 12:13 Heartbreak, death, and uncertainty 22:27 The people in Cory's corner 29:37 Purpose is not doing 36:08 Failure does not exist + + + Simon is an unshakable optimist. He believes in a bright future and our ability to build it together. Described as “a visionary thinker with a rare intellect,” Simon has devoted his professional life to help advance a vision of the world that does not yet exist; a world in which the vast majority of people wake up every single morning inspired, feel safe wherever they are and end the day fulfilled by the work that they do. Simon is the author of multiple best-selling books including Start With Why, Leaders Eat Last, Together is Better, and The Infinite Game. + + + Website: http://simonsinek.com/ Live Online Classes: https://simonsinek.com/classes/ Podcast: http://apple.co/simonsinek Instagram: https://instagram.com/simonsinek/ Linkedin: https://linkedin.com/in/simonsinek/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/simonsinek Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/simonsinek Simon’s books: The Infinite Game: https://simonsinek.com/books/the-infinite-game/ Start With Why: https://simonsinek.com/books/start-with-why/ Find Your Why: https://simonsinek.com/books/find-your-why/ Leaders Eat Last: https://simonsinek.com/books/leaders-eat-last/ Together is Better: https://simonsinek.com/books/together-is-better/ + + + #SimonSinek

🎤 SPEAKERS

• Cory Richards

  guest

  National Geographic photographer and climber discussing Everest expeditions, trauma, and resilience.

• Simon Sinek

  host

  Author and podcast host of 'A Bit of Optimism,' known for 'Start With Why.'

🧾 EPISODE SUMMARY

In this episode of Simon Sinek, featuring Cory Richards and Simon Sinek, The Climb Out of Pain is Taller Than Everest with Nat Geo photographer Cory Richards PART 2 explores cory Richards on agency, community, and transforming pain into purpose Richards argues that under threat people default to binary thinking, and resilience begins by slowing down to self-regulate and return to critical thought.

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