The Climb Out of Pain is Taller Than Everest with Nat Geo photographer Cory Richards PART 1

ℹ️ EPISODE INFO

Released

April 22, 2025

Duration

48m

Channel

Simon Sinek

Watch on YouTube

▶ Open ↗

📝 EPISODE DESCRIPTION

What happens when we reach the top? There’s only one place to go. Cory Richards has scaled the world’s highest peaks and fallen to life’s lowest lows. An acclaimed mountain climber, photographer, and filmmaker, Cory has literally reached the top of the world. He climbed Mount Everest with no supplemental oxygen, became the first American to summit an 8,000-meter mountain, and narrowly survived an avalanche, after which he skyrocketed to fame when his photos graced the cover of National Geographic. And yet, after all that success, Cory felt like an emotional wreck. As his mental health deteriorated, his volatile behavior damaged his career and his relationships. Without the identity of “climber” to give him validation, Cory was forced to confront who he really is. In Part 1 of this conversation, Cory shares with me head-spinning stories from climbing the Himalayas, his struggles with mental health as a teen, and the difference between survival and resilience. This…is A Bit of Optimism. For more on Cory Richards and his work, check out: http://coryrichards.com/ ⏰ Timestamps 0:00 An intro to Cory Richards 3:24 Cory survived an avalanche 10:51 Cory's volatile childhood 25:48 Cory's reasons for climbing 29:52 A selfish pursuit 33:56 What Everest taught Cory Richards 39:06 Why Simon quit writing "Leaders Eat Last" 44:01 Giving up vs. letting go + + + 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

• Simon Sinek

  host

  Author and speaker known for leadership books including "Start With Why" and "Leaders Eat Last."

• Cory Richards

  guest

  National Geographic photographer and filmmaker, high-altitude mountaineer, and avalanche survivor.

🧾 EPISODE SUMMARY

In this episode of Simon Sinek, featuring Simon Sinek and Cory Richards, The Climb Out of Pain is Taller Than Everest with Nat Geo photographer Cory Richards PART 1 explores cory Richards on trauma, Everest, and the deceptive lure of success Cory Richards recounts a winter ascent of Gasherbrum II and surviving an avalanche that catalyzed both his National Geographic fame and a long, delayed reckoning with PTSD.

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