Confidence Classic: Bust Through Limiting Beliefs & Harness Your Highest Potential with Jenn Drummond, Motivational Keynote Speaker, World Record Holder, Author
In this episode of Creating Confidence with Heather Monahan, Jenn Drummond shares her transformative journey from leading an unfulfilling routine to embracing life's fragility after a near-death experience. Drummond recounts how the power of surrender during her car accident shifted her mindset, propelling her into a life of ambitious mountaineering pursuits and the pursuit of authentic fulfillment.
Offering insights from conquering challenges like scaling the world's tallest peaks, Drummond underscores the importance of meticulous planning, robust support systems, and celebrating the lessons of each journey—successful or not. As detailed in her book "Break Proof," Drummond is on a mission to inspire others to acknowledge and courageously pursue their passions, sparking a cycle of empowerment.
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1-Page Summary
Jenn's Life Before Her Transformative Experience
Jenn Drummond felt unfulfilled as a stay-at-home mom despite achieving validation through achievements and metrics in her previous financial services career. As Jenn describes, she felt a monotonous "meh" and lacked fulfillment in her daily routine.
Jenn's Near-Death Experience and Surrender's Power
In a life-threatening 2018 car accident, Jenn realized the power of surrender, negotiating with death and vowing to make changes if she survived. As Jenn recounts, actively surrendering by consciously moving with the motion of her rolling car shifted her from victim to survivor. Journaling after her accident sparked realizations about life's fragility and the need to embrace new perspectives.
Jenn's Mountaineering Pursuits and the Lessons She Learned
Embracing Challenges Without Certainty
Post-accident, Jenn's mindset shifted to valuing the experience and lessons of attempting challenges, regardless of success. As Jenn states, she embraced climbing the second highest peaks on each continent to celebrate turning 40, accepting the hardships as part of the journey.
Building a Support System for Ambitious Goals
Jenn's Mount Everest climb highlighted the importance of meticulous planning and a robust support team for ambitious pursuits. From managing domestic responsibilities to on-mountain logistics, Jenn underscores getting sufficient assistance as critical for major undertakings, encouraging others to build adequate support rather than downscaling dreams.
Jenn's Mission to Inspire Through Her Story
In her book "Break Proof," Jenn aims to share strategies from her transformative life experiences—like her accident and bucket list adventures—to empower those feeling stuck in an unfulfilling "meh" life. As Jenn hopes, by boldly pursuing passions and becoming "break proof," individuals can inspire others to acknowledge and courageously seek what they need, creating a cycle of empowerment.
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Actionables
- You can explore the concept of surrender by practicing mindfulness during stressful situations, like being stuck in traffic or facing a tight deadline. By focusing on your breath and acknowledging your emotions without trying to change the situation, you learn to let go of control and find peace in the present moment, which can translate to greater resilience in more significant life challenges.
- Start a "Challenge Diary" where you document one small challenge you take on each week, such as trying a new recipe, starting a conversation with a stranger, or learning a new skill. This habit encourages you to step out of your comfort zone regularly and reflect on the growth that comes from each experience, regardless of the outcome.
- Create a "Support Squad" by identifying friends, family members, or colleagues who can offer assistance or expertise in areas you're looking to improve or goals you're aiming to achieve. For example, if you're planning to run a marathon, you might have a friend who's an avid runner help with your training plan, another who's good at nutrition to advise on your diet, and someone else to help with time management so you can fit training into your busy schedule. This approach helps you build a network of support that can make ambitious goals more attainable.
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Jenn's Life Before Her Transformative Experience
Jenn's journey before hitting a pivotal moment in her life involved a relentless search for validation and success both in her professional career and her role as a mother.
Jenn Sought Validation and Success Through Her Career and Status as a Mom
Jenn Sought Validation Through Metrics and Achievements in Financial Services
Straight out of college, Jenn dove into the financial services industry. It was an optimal setting for someone who thrived on external validation; the career emphasized and publicly displayed various metrics of success. These included accolades like having one's name proudly etched on a wall, recognition for the amounts of money made, and the revenue driven for the company.
Jenn Became a Stay-at-home Mom and Felt Unfulfilled
Later, Jenn ventured into entrepreneurship and started her own company. This shift offered her the flexibility she needed when she became a mother to seven children. However, as her c ...
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Jenn's Life Before Her Transformative Experience
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Counterarguments
- Jenn's pursuit of validation through her career may not necessarily be a negative trait; it could be seen as a drive for personal excellence and ambition.
- The public recognition in financial services could be a motivating factor for many, and not solely about external validation.
- Feeling unfulfilled as a stay-at-home mom could be a common experience that speaks to the need for a broader societal conversation about the value of parenting and domestic work.
- The guilt and shame Jenn felt might not be solely due to her role as a stay-at-home mom but could also stem from societal pressures or personal expectations.
- The monotony of daily life as a stay-at-home mom could be an iss ...
Actionables
- You can redefine success by creating a personal fulfillment chart that includes non-work-related achievements. Start by listing activities that bring you joy or a sense of accomplishment outside of professional metrics. This could be anything from reading a book to completing a puzzle or having a meaningful conversation with your child. Track these activities daily or weekly to visualize your personal growth and fulfillment.
- Develop a habit of daily self-reflection to combat feelings of guilt and monotony. Set aside 10 minutes each day to write down what you're grateful for, what you've accomplished, and how you've connected with others. This practice can shift your focus from what you feel you're lacking to the value you're adding to your life and those around you.
- Initiate a project that aligns with your in ...
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Jenn's Near-Death Experience and Surrender's Power
Jenn's life-threatening car crash and her subsequent embrace of surrender have highlighted life's fragility and the power inherent in letting go of control.
Jenn's Car Accident Highlights Life's Fragility and the Need to Live Fully
Jenn was involved in a horrific car crash on December 18, 2018, which by all accounts, should have been fatal. This brush with death forced her to acknowledge that while she had no control over when she might die, she could fully dictate the manner in which she lived her life.
Jenn's Life-Saving Moment of Surrender
In a profound moment before her accident, Jenn realized the strength in surrender, viewing it as a superpower rather than a weakness. During the terrifying moments of the accident itself, Jenn negotiated with the prospect of death, vowing to make significant changes in her life if she survived. It became evident that facing the possibility of death was a life-saving event for her, leading to an unexpected awakening about the temporal nature of existence.
Jenn Embraced the Power of Surrender and Letting Go
Amidst the chaos, Jenn understood that trying to fight the accident's outcome was futile; instead, she needed to surrender to the motion of her rolling car. By placing her hands on the steering wheel and her head against the headrest, she consciously chose to give in to the motion of the situation. This decision was not just a metaphoric surrender but an actualized one, shifting her from a potential victim to someone actively engaged in her own survival.
After her life-altering event, Jenn took up journaling and contemplated the simple facets of life, such as not knowing her favorite color—realizations that stemmed from her newfound perspective. She likens learning to surf with the art of surrender, pointing out the initial effort required to catch a wave, followed by the crucial point where one must relax and go with the fl ...
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Jenn's Near-Death Experience and Surrender's Power
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Counterarguments
- The notion that surrender is always a strength could be challenged by arguing that in some situations, maintaining control and taking decisive action is crucial for survival or success.
- The idea that facing death is inherently life-saving may not apply universally, as some individuals might not experience a positive transformation after such an event.
- The concept of surrendering to the motion in a car accident as a survival strategy might not be applicable in all accident scenarios, and it could be dangerous to generalize this as advice.
- The implication that journaling and contemplating simple facets of life are direct results of the accident could be questioned, as people find various ways to cope with trauma, and not all may find solace in such activities.
- The comparison between surfing and surrendering in a car accident might be seen as an oversimplification, as the skills and mindset required for surfing are developed over time and are not necessarily transferable to unexpected life-threatening situations.
- Heather Monahan's transformative experience in a spin class and the subsequent realization about surrendering to ...
Actionables
- You can practice mindfulness during routine activities to cultivate a sense of surrender. While brushing your teeth or taking a shower, focus entirely on the sensations and movements, letting go of other thoughts. This trains your mind to surrender to the present moment, which can be beneficial in unexpected, high-stress situations.
- Start a 'What If' journal to explore different life paths without commitment. Write down scenarios starting with "What if I..." and detail how you might approach these alternate realities. This exercise can help you let go of the need for control by comfortably entertaining uncertainty and change.
- Engage in a physical a ...
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Jenn's Mountaineering Pursuits and the Lessons She Learned
Jenn Drummond's transformation from a selective challenger to an open-minded mountaineer illustrates the poignant lessons gleaned from her high-altitude adventures.
Jenn's Challenge: Climb Second Highest Peaks on Each Continent
Mountain Climbing Taught Jenn the Value of Open-Mindedness and Embracing New Experiences
Jenn Drummond’s mindset shift from post-accident recovery resulted in a newfound appreciation for embracing challenges without certainty of success. Before her accident, Jenn confessed she would only undertake a challenge like climbing if assured of victory. However, she now values the experience of attempting to climb—and the lessons learned therefrom—regardless of the summit's achievement. This epiphany led her to embrace the challenge of climbing the second highest peaks on each continent.
Jenn decided to celebrate her 40th birthday with a mountain climb, originally selecting Ama Dablam based on recommendations. But when the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted her plans, a conversation with her son pivoted her toward Everest to demonstrate overcoming any challenge.
After seeking guidance from a coach and reading "Becoming an Uphill Athlete," Jenn learned about a woman in the Alps who secured a Guinness World Record after enduring a hardship. Inspired by her story, Jenn's coach suggested she could aim for a record by being the first woman to summit the seven second highest peaks. As a mother of seven, Jenn connected with the goal and pushed forward with her mission, fully accepting the impending hardships as part of a grand experience.
Jenn's Everest Climb Showed the Value Of Seeking Help and Forming a Strong Support Team for Ambitious Goals
Jenn Drummond's climb up Mount Everest was a test of careful planning and the assembly of a robust support system. Despite her inexperience in mountaineering—having never slept in a tent before the challenge—Jenn meticulously vetted climbing companies for the expedition. Her shift away from needing certainty of success allowed her to embrace each step of the journey, whether that entailed making tough decisions or ...
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Jenn's Mountaineering Pursuits and the Lessons She Learned
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Actionables
- You can set a "challenge horizon" by identifying a personal goal that feels slightly out of reach and commit to pursuing it within a specific timeframe. For example, if you've always wanted to write a book but doubted your ability, set a goal to complete a manuscript in six months, and take daily steps toward that goal, such as writing for an hour each day or joining a writer's group for support and accountability.
- Start building your support network by reaching out to friends, family, or online communities who share similar aspirations or have achieved the goal you're aiming for. If your goal is to run a marathon, find a local running club or an online forum where experienced runners can provide advice, encouragement, and training tips to help you prepare for the race.
- Conduct thorough research to find resources or serv ...
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Jenn's Mission to Inspire Through Her Story
Jenn Drummond is on a mission to inspire others to build resilience and reach their goals. Through her book "Break Proof" and the narrative of her life's challenging and transformative experiences, she aims to empower individuals to step out of stagnation and pursue their passions.
Jenn Wrote "Break Proof" to Share Strategies For Resilience and Achieving Goals
Jenn Drummond's "Break Proof, Seven Strategies to Build Resilience and Achieve Your Life Goals," addresses individuals feeling stuck in a "meh" life, unsure how to change. She draws upon personal experiences like her own accident and subsequent year of exploration in 2019—during which she tackled a bucket list that led her from tasting pasta in Italy to climbing a mountain—fueling a pursuit to set a world record.
Jenn Aimed to Reach People Stuck In a "Meh" Life Unsure how to Change
In "Break Proof," Jenn specifically targets those who find their life lacking excitement and are uncertain about how to make impactful changes. Whether someone has just sold a company, ended a marriage, or is facing a life transition like launching kids into adulthood, Jenn offers strategies to help them overcome challenges. Her message is one of curiosity and self-discovery, encouraging people to try new things and reignite fun in their lives.
Jenn Hopes to Empower Others to Step Out of Their Comfort Zones and Pursue Their Passions
By sharing her own story, Jenn provides examples of facing "the messy middle" or "the imperfect start," and how to navigate these challenges with resilience. She illustrates a metaphor using mountain climbing and the process of acclimatization to demonstrate the importance of integrating learnings from failures and trying again with newfound knowledge. In her book, Jenn discusses strategies like asking for help and building support teams ...
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Jenn's Mission to Inspire Through Her Story
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Counterarguments
- While Jenn Drummond's strategies for resilience may be helpful, they might not be universally applicable as individual circumstances vary greatly.
- The concept of a "meh" life is subjective, and some individuals may find contentment in simplicity or stability that others might view as stagnant.
- Stepping out of one's comfort zone is not always feasible or responsible for everyone, especially for those with significant obligations or limited resources.
- The idea of trying new things to reignite fun can be challenging for individuals facing mental health issues, financial constraints, or other personal barriers.
- Learning from failures and trying again may not always be possible in situations with high stakes or irreversible consequences.
- The strategies suggested, such as asking for help and building support teams, may not be accessible to everyone, particularly those without a strong social network or community.
- Empowerment and the refusal to apologize for one's nee ...
Actionables
- You can create a "Resilience Roadmap" by visualizing your goals as destinations on a map, marking the challenges as terrains to cross, and identifying the resources and allies you'll need along the way. This makes the abstract concept of resilience more tangible and can help you strategize on how to overcome obstacles.
- Start a "Fun Fridays" tradition where you dedicate time each week to explore a new hobby or activity that's outside your usual routine. This could be anything from a dance class to a pottery workshop, fostering a sense of adventure and injecting fun into your life.
- Develop a " ...
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