From a Life of Fear to a World of Firsts
For years, I lived a life that looked successful on the outside. As an entrepreneur and investor, I navigated the high-stakes world of business, building companies and backing successful founders. But I was living within the confines of a quiet, persistent fear—a fear of living fully, of pushing my own boundaries. I was afraid of flying, afraid of public speaking, afraid of failure. Afraid.
Then, a rare form of leukemia gave me a diagnosis that would change everything. It was the ultimate ultimatum: learn to face my mortality, or die having never truly lived.
That crucible forged a new philosophy, one that has become the operating system for my life: Fear is Fuel.
It was the realization that the anxiety, uncertainty, and doubt that once held me back could be harnessed and converted into the very energy needed to achieve the extraordinary. This wasn't just a mindset shift; it was a complete rewiring of my brain. It transformed me from a man afraid of living into, as my kids would say, "Captain Courageous."
The proof is in the results. Since beating cancer, I've dedicated my life to systematically confronting fear and helping others do the same. This journey has taken me from the boardroom to the world's highest peaks.
As an Entrepreneur and Investor:
- Started 5 companies and invested in over 60 more.
- Achieved 4 successful exits, including one that transformed my family's future.
- Currently a Venture Capitalist, guiding the next generation of fearless founders.
As a World-First Adventurer and Athlete:
- Set 3 cycling world firsts, summiting and riding down Mt. Kilimanjaro, Mt. Elbrus, and Mt. Everest Base Camp.
- Won the Race Across America (RAAM) in a four-person team.
- Competed in the legendary Leadville 100 mountain bike race 10 times.
- Certified commercial pilot with sea plane and aerobatics ratings, ski mountaineer, ice climber, and paraglider.
As a Storyteller and Best-Selling Author:
- Authored the Wall Street Journal #5 Bestseller, Fear is Fuel.
- Delivered two TEDx talks and a keynote at Google on the power of harnessing fear.
- Produced an award-winning documentary with my son about our climb of Mt. Elbrus.
As a Humanitarian:
- Traveled to Ukraine five times since the start of the war, providing humanitarian aid and filming documentaries to give a voice to the resilient Ukrainian people.
Today, I split my time between Boston, Chamonix, and Milan, but my mission is singular: to share my powerful framework with leaders, teams, and organizations around the world.
I’ve learned that the principles for navigating a multi-million dollar investment are the same as those for navigating a high-altitude descent in a storm. They are about calculated risk, unwavering resilience, and the deeply human ability to turn our greatest fears into our greatest assets.
I show teams how to achieve their own impossible.
