Confidence Classic: Discover Your Calling! With Ryan Blair Founder Of AlterCall
In this episode of the Creating Confidence with Heather Monahan podcast, Monahan interviews Ryan Blair about his journey from overcoming a challenging childhood marked by gang violence to achieving personal and professional success. Blair shares how a mindset shift through motivational tapes and embracing spirituality transformed his life's trajectory.
The conversation explores the pivotal roles of faith, meditation, forgiveness, and self-awareness in Blair's transformation. He discusses integrating spiritual practices into his daily routine, parenting, and business ventures. The episode delves into Blair's perspective on cultivating miracles, synchronicity, and aligning one's work with personal values for sustainable achievement.
This is a preview of the Shortform summary of the Jan 28, 2025 episode of the Creating Confidence with Heather Monahan
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1-Page Summary
Overcoming Adversity and Finding Purpose
Ryan's Difficult Upbringing and Transformation
Ryan Blair, according to Heather Monahan, overcame a dysfunctional childhood embroiled in gang violence. A mentor provided him motivational tapes which inspired Ryan to reprogram his mindset, leave the gang, and achieve business success through personal growth.
Ryan's Mindset Shift: From Poverty to Wealth
Monahan highlights how Ryan's journey exemplifies the power of mindset reprogramming and continuous learning to transcend adversity and attain meaningful success.
The Role of Faith, Spirituality, and Personal Growth
Ryan's Spiritual Awakening After Rebellion
While initially rebelling against faith after his father's departure, Ryan found connection through prayer and meditation. He made a pivotal vow to God to renounce gang ties. Over two years, he immersed in spiritual practices to reawaken his faith and purpose.
Ryan's Spiritual Integration In Life and Business
Today, Ryan embeds spiritual practices into his daily life and business ventures to achieve growth and success, per his teachings. His story demonstrates spirituality's transformative role in all spheres of life.
Forgiveness and Healing Relationships
Forgiving His Estranged Father Through Empathy
After his father's passing, Ryan realized he hadn't forgiven him. By understanding his father's past struggles, Ryan developed empathy, forgave him, and healed their fractured bond.
Forgiveness Shapes Ryan's Parenting
Influenced by this journey, Ryan became an attentive father to his son with autism, nurturing their loving relationship with the understanding he gained.
Cultivating Miracles and Synchronicity
Recognizing Miracles Invites More
Ryan believes acknowledging daily miracles, like his son's progress with autism through prayer and therapy, allows one to experience more miracles.
Breathwork and Meditation Foster Synchronicity
Practices like breathwork, per Ryan, release trapped emotions and open pathways to divine guidance and synchronistic experiences. He integrates these to enhance personal growth.
Integrating Spiritual Practices Into Life and Work
Creating Space for Spiritual Growth
Ryan emphasizes dedicating time for self-care and spiritual practices like meditation through boundary-setting to prevent work overtaking life.
Integrating Spirituality Into Business
While critiquing ego-driven business success, Ryan advocates aligning work with spiritual values like generosity and productivity for meaningful, sustainable achievement through his company Alter Call.
1-Page Summary
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Counterarguments
- While Ryan Blair's story is inspiring, it's important to acknowledge that not everyone has access to the same resources or mentorship opportunities that may have been pivotal in his transformation.
- Mindset reprogramming and continuous learning are powerful tools, but they may not be sufficient on their own to overcome systemic issues or barriers that contribute to adversity.
- The role of spirituality in personal transformation can be significant for many, but it's also subjective and may not resonate with individuals who have different beliefs or who are non-religious.
- The concept of forgiving an estranged parent through empathy is powerful, but it's important to recognize that forgiveness is a personal process and may not be possible or appropriate in all situations, especially where there has been abuse or trauma.
- The idea that acknowledging miracles invites more miracles could be seen as a form of confirmation bias, where one is more likely to notice events that confirm their beliefs.
- Breathwork and meditation are beneficial practices for many, but they are not a panacea and may not be suitable or effective for everyone, particularly those with certain health conditions.
- The integration of spirituality into business practices is a novel approach, but it may not align with the values or operational models of all businesses or industries.
- The emphasis on boundary-setting to prevent work from overtaking life is important, but achieving this balance can be challenging for individuals in precarious employment or those with significant financial pressures.
- Aligning work with spiritual values is an ideal that may not always be practical or profitable in a competitive business environment, and there may be trade-offs between these values and other business objectives.
Actionables
- Create a personal growth playlist with diverse motivational content to listen to during daily routines, like commuting or exercising, to inspire a positive mindset shift. By curating a mix of motivational speeches, educational talks, and uplifting music, you can create an environment conducive to mindset reprogramming without needing a mentor's direct guidance.
- Establish a "miracle journal" where you write down small, positive occurrences each day, helping you to recognize and appreciate the daily progress in your life. This practice can shift your focus from what's lacking to what's abundant, reinforcing a mindset of gratitude and openness to more positive experiences.
- Dedicate a specific time each week to engage in a new spiritual or self-care practice, such as trying out a guided meditation app, attending a local yoga class, or experimenting with breathwork techniques found online. By scheduling this time as you would a business meeting, you ensure that self-care becomes a non-negotiable part of your routine, allowing you to explore and integrate spiritual practices into your life at your own pace.
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Overcoming Adversity and Finding Purpose
Ryan's life story, detailed by Heather Monahan, is one of overcoming adversity through growth and mentorship, from a troubled youth to a life of success.
Despite Challenges, Ryan Achieved Success Through Growth and Mentorship
Ryan's Dysfunctional Childhood Led To Gang Involvement
Ryan Blair was raised in a setting that initially seemed middle-class, complete with a pool, new clothes, and abundance during the holidays. However, it was a façade masking a dark reality. His parents were gripped by addictions to alcohol and drugs, and his father exhibited violent tendencies. This dysfunction culminated when Ryan's father fell into drug addiction and vanished when Ryan was only 14, forcing his mother, lacking career or corporate skills, to fend for both of them on her own. This tumultuous family environment led to Ryan's rebellion. Forced to lie about his family's purported perfection, he sought belonging elsewhere and became embroiled in a gang. During the 1990s, Ryan’s gang involvement led him down a path of violent activities and criminal acts.
Guided by a Mentor, Ryan Left the Gang For a Successful Career
It was in this period of darkness that a mentor emerged, providing Ryan with tapes focused on personal growth. This mentor played a pivotal role in Ryan’s transformation by encouraging him to exchange his "gang uniform" for attire that would allow him to secure a job, even offering to purchase new clothes for him. Embracing the challenge, Ryan absorbed the motivational messages from the tapes he was given, dedicating himself to reprogramming his brain and changing the trajectory of his life.
Ryan's Journey From Poverty to Wealth
Ryan's Journey From Poverty ...
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Overcoming Adversity and Finding Purpose
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Actionables
- You can create a personal growth playlist by curating audio content from various thought leaders and listening to it during your daily commute to instill positive thinking and motivation. Start by identifying areas in your life you want to improve, search for speakers who specialize in those topics, and compile their talks into a playlist. For example, if you're looking to enhance your leadership skills, you might include talks from Simon Sinek or Brené Brown.
- Develop a "mindset shift" journal where you document daily reflections on how you're actively changing your thought patterns. Each day, write down one negative thought you've encountered and how you've reframed it into a positive or constructive one. For instance, if you catch yourself thinking, "I'll never be good at this," write down how you can view the situation as a learning opportunity instead.
- Engage in a "mentorship exc ...
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The Role of Faith, Spirituality, and Personal Growth
Ryan delves into his spiritual experiences, illuminating how faith has played a central role in his personal development and professional success.
Ryan's Spiritual Journey: A Rollercoaster With Faith
Ryan's path to spiritual growth was marked with turbulence and revelations.
Ryan Rebelled Against Faith Despite a Spiritual Grandmother
While Ryan was a seeker of spiritual understanding from a young age, drawing inspiration from his grandmother—a woman he describes as living a high vibrational, joy-filled life—he acknowledged a time where he lost sight of this path. The loss of his father triggered a rebellion against his faith, leading him down a darker path where he saw himself as a predator, vastly disconnected from any form of faithfulness.
Ryan Deepened His Divine Connection Through Prayer, Meditation, and Silence
Overcoming the turbulence of losing faith, Ryan found solace and divine connection through steadfast prayer and the practice of meditation—a central tenet of many spiritual traditions and supported by scientific research for its benefits. His redemptive arc was punctuated by a deal made with God in court where, in exchange for leniency, he vowed to renounce his gang affiliations. True to his word, he embraced a period of intensive work to realign with his spiritual self and leave his troubled past behind.
Ryan's Spiritual Journey Has Been Crucial
This journey was not without purpose, facilitating profound personal renewal.
Two Years of Intensive Work Ground Ryan Into a Purpose-Driven Individual
Ryan's self-redemption was forged in the solitude of intense spiritual discipline. At the pivotal age of 40, he submerged himself in two years of rigorous internal examination, meditation, and prayer. This period of self-im ...
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The Role of Faith, Spirituality, and Personal Growth
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Actionables
- Explore your heritage to find spiritual inspiration by researching your family's religious and spiritual history, which may uncover practices or beliefs that resonate with you, similar to how a family member's influence can spark a spiritual journey.
- Create a personal "spiritual deal" to initiate change by writing down a commitment to yourself that involves giving up a harmful habit or behavior in exchange for dedicating time to a spiritual or self-improvement practice, thereby setting a clear intention for personal growth.
- Integrate mindfulness into ...
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Forgiveness and Healing Relationships
Ryan Blair's emotional journey of forgiveness towards his estranged father led to profound changes in his perspective and significantly influenced his approach to parenting and relationships.
Forgiving His Estranged Father Transformed Ryan
After His Father's Passing, Ryan Realized He Had Never Fully Forgiven Him, Sparking a Long Journey For Forgiveness
Ryan Blair shares that the passing of his father was a pivotal emotional moment. He was struck with regret over his unforgiving stance, realizing that he had never let go of his anger. Although his father had made attempts to reconnect via Facebook, Ryan had blocked him, preventing any chance of reconciliation. This left Ryan with a poignant sense of what could have been—his father had never met his grandson nor felt the warmth of a forgiving embrace from Ryan himself.
By Practicing Forgiveness and Understanding His Father's Life, Ryan Developed Empathy and Healed Their Relationship
Following his father's death, Ryan endeavored to make amends posthumously. Delving into his father's past, Ryan examined old photographs and recounted his father's life story, tracing back to his father's childhood, sympathizing with his father's role as a victim before he became a perpetrator. Through this reflective journey, Ryan fostered empathy and was able to forgive his father, which led to a sense of healing in their fractured relationship.
Forgiveness Shaped Ryan's Parenting and Relationships
Witnessing His Father's Struggles, Ryan Becomes a More Attentive Father
Ryan utilized the "medicine" imparted by his father—composed of all experiences, including struggles—to nurture and protect the bond with his own son. He has made a conscious choice to be an attentive and caring father, direct ...
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Forgiveness and Healing Relationships
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Actionables
- You can create a "forgiveness journal" to explore your feelings towards someone you've struggled to forgive. Start by writing down your thoughts and emotions about the person, the situation, and what forgiveness means to you. Over time, reflect on changes in your perspective and document any moments of empathy or understanding that arise.
- Develop a "parenting mantra" based on empathy and understanding, which you can recite during challenging moments with your children. This could be a simple phrase that reminds you of the importance of patience and empathy, such as "Every challenge is a chance to understand and grow together."
- Initiate a weekly "empathy hour" with ...
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Cultivating Miracles and Synchronicity in one's Life
Ryan Blair explores how embracing daily miracles and engaging in spiritual practices like breathwork and meditation can transform lives and invite synchronicity.
Openness to Miracles Is Key To Experiencing Them
Blair attributes his survival and current success to miraculous experiences, highlighting that acknowledging the presence of daily miracles in our lives can pave the way for experiencing more.
Ryan: Recognizing Daily Miracles Invites More Into Our Lives
He emphasizes the importance of gratitude for the simple things and the act of living itself. By recognizing our everyday experiences as miracles, it broadens our capacity to receive and notice more, Ryan Blair suggests.
Through Vulnerability, Faith, and Willingness, Ryan Witnessed His Son's Autistic Transformation Miracles
Ryan Blair shares the deep impact of autism in his life, particularly regarding his son. Confronting the initial challenges, he pursued various therapies and interventions. Integrating prayer and meditation into their routine, he witnessed significant improvements in his son's condition, which he describes as miraculous transformations.
Spiritual Practices: Breathwork and Meditation Foster Miracles and Synchronicity
Breathing Releases Emotions, Clears Energy, and Opens one to Divine Guidance
Blair points out the necessity of deep, comprehensive breathwork, as shallow breathing due to stress or poor habits can trap emotions in the body. Through breathwork, one can release trapped anxieties and emotions, which opens pathways to divine guidance an ...
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Cultivating Miracles and Synchronicity in one's Life
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Counterarguments
- The concept of daily miracles may be subjective and not universally accepted; what one person views as a miracle, another may see as a coincidence or the result of hard work and natural processes.
- The idea that acknowledging miracles leads to experiencing more could be confirmation bias, where one is more likely to notice events that confirm their beliefs.
- While gratitude is widely recognized as beneficial, attributing improvements solely to a mindset of gratitude may overlook other factors such as actions taken, support from others, and environmental changes.
- The notion of vulnerability and faith leading to miraculous transformations may not always hold true, as many individuals may remain in difficult situations despite their faith or openness.
- The improvements seen in Ryan's son could be due to a variety of factors, including but not limited to the natural progression of development, the specific therapies used, or other environmental influences, rather than prayer and meditation alone.
- The efficacy of breathwork and meditation is supported by some scientific studies, but their ability to foster miracles and synchronicity is not empirically proven and remains a matter of personal belief.
- The claim that deep breathwork is necessary for releasing trapped emotions is not universally supported by scientific evidence and may be considered speculative by some medical professionals.
- The idea that breathwork can open one to divine guidance is a spiritual belief that may not resonate with individuals who do not share the same spiritual views or who are skeptical of such c ...
Actionables
- Create a "miracle journal" to document the small wonders of your day, fostering a habit of gratitude and awareness. By writing down at least one positive or unexpected event each day, you train your mind to focus on the positive, which can increase your overall sense of well-being and open you up to noticing more 'miracles' in your life.
- Develop a personalized mini-breathwork routine to use during short breaks throughout the day. This could be as simple as taking three deep, intentional breaths before starting a new task or during moments of stress. This practice can help reset your emotional state and maintain a sense of calm, making you more receptive to positive experiences.
- Pair a daily task with a moment of mindfulness or a positive affirmation to create a rout ...
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Integrating Spiritual Practices Into Life and Work
Ryan Blair explores the incorporation of spiritual practices into everyday life, underscoring the significance of space, boundaries, and integrating spirituality into business for a well-rounded sense of fulfillment and success.
Space and Boundaries: Key to Spiritual Growth
Optimizing Time For Self-Care and Spiritual Practices
Ryan Blair emphasizes the importance of creating space for self-care and spiritual practices to thrive. He discusses a technique that starts by analyzing how one's time is spent, differentiating between activities that bring joy and those that are required, such as work. He advocates for establishing boundaries that prevent work from overtaking every free moment, thereby preserving time for joy-bringing activities.
Time Spent On Meditation, Prayer, or Breathwork Yields Personal and Professional Benefits Over Time
Over the course of two years, Ryan dedicated himself to erasing negativity and trauma, relying heavily on spiritual practices like vows of silence and periodical cessation of work to engage in meditation and prayer. These practices weren't just for his own benefit; they contributed significantly to his son's development and progress as well. Further, Ryan encourages finding daily time for practices like breathwork, proposing that even 10 minutes reclaimed from time-wasters like social media or news can be redirected towards beneficial spiritual practices.
Integrating Spirituality Into Business for Holistic Fulfillment
Entrepreneurs' Ego-driven Success Lacks Peace and Purpose
Ryan Blair speaks on an "awakening" occurring among successful business people, as they start to question the true motivations behind their pursuits. He identifies the chase for more money as a goal that eventually yields diminishing returns in terms of happiness, suggesting that motivations often lie in power, fame, or other drivers once basic financial needs are met.
Aligning Work With Spiritual Values: ...
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Counterarguments
- While creating space for self-care and spiritual practices is important, not everyone may have the luxury of time or resources to do so, especially those in demanding jobs or with caregiving responsibilities.
- Establishing boundaries is crucial, but some professions inherently require a high level of commitment and may not allow for strict separation between work and personal time.
- The benefits of meditation, prayer, or breathwork are subjective and may not be universally experienced; some individuals may find other activities more beneficial for personal and professional growth.
- The idea that spiritual practices can contribute to personal growth and development may not resonate with everyone, particularly those who do not hold spiritual beliefs or prefer other forms of self-improvement.
- Allocating time for spiritual practices assumes that all individuals perceive these activities as valuable, which may not be the case for everyone.
- The awakening among successful business people about their motivations may not be a universal phenomenon; some may find fulfillment in their achievements without integrating spirituality into their work.
- The pursuit of money and success does not necessarily lead to diminishing returns in happiness for everyone; some individuals may find satisfaction in the challenge and rewards of their careers.
- Aligning work with spiritual values is a personal choice and may not align with ...
Actionables
- You can integrate self-care into your daily routine by setting a specific "wellness alarm" on your phone or smart device. Choose a time each day for this alarm to go off, reminding you to pause for a brief meditation, deep breathing session, or a moment of gratitude. This ensures that, regardless of how busy your day gets, you're carving out time for spiritual practices without needing to constantly remember to do so.
- Start a "Generosity Jar" in your home or office where you contribute a small amount of money each time you complete a task or achieve a goal. Once the jar is full, donate the collected funds to a cause that aligns with your spiritual values. This practice not only encourages productivity but also keeps generosity at the forefront of your actions, making it a tangible part of your work ethic.
- Create a personal "Values State ...
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