From Peaks to Purpose: A Narrative of Growth and Authenticity
Release Date: 04/29/2025
Living Your Ikigai: Sam Ushio on Purpose, Presence, and the Power of Daily Alignment
The Grit Factor
Host is the founder of and host of The Grit Factor Podcast, where she helps purpose-driven leaders build grit, resilience, and purpose in their lives and organizations. A former U.S. Army Apache helicopter pilot and one of the first women to fly the Apache in the Army, Shannon brings real-world leadership experience from the military and corporate boardroom to her work as an author, speaker, and leadership educator. She is the author of The Grit Factor: Courage, Resilience, and Leadership in the Most Male-Dominated Organization in the World, which distills lessons from elite leaders across...
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The Power of Purpose: Phyllis Wilson's Impact on Military History
The Grit Factor
Host: Shannon Huffman Polson is a former Apache helicopter pilot, speaker, and author of "" She is the founder of , where she helps purpose-driven leaders build grit and resilience. Guest: Phyllis Wilson is a retired U.S. Army Chief Warrant Officer 5 with a military career spanning nearly four decades, including deployments to Iraq as a senior intelligence analyst. She is the president of the Military Women's Memorial in Washington, DC, the only national memorial honoring the service of women in all branches and eras of the U.S. military. Description In this episode of , Shannon Huffman...
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The Purpose Equation: John Coleman's Blueprint for a Meaningful Life
The Grit Factor
Host: Shannon Huffman Polson is a renowned author and speaker, known for her work on grit and resilience. As the founder of , she empowers individuals to lead with purpose and determination. Guest: John Coleman is the co-CEO of l and a Harvard Business Review author. He is a thought leader in purpose-driven leadership, offering insights into how individuals can find meaning in their personal and professional lives. Summary In this episode, John Coleman discusses the crisis of purpose in modern life, exploring how individuals can find meaning and fulfillment in their...
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Sarah McArthur on Frances Hesselbein: Leadership, Mentorship, and Service
The Grit Factor
Guest Bio is an accomplished editor, writer, and leadership thinker. She worked for over two decades alongside renowned executive coach Marshall Goldsmith, serving as managing editor on dozens of leadership books and co-authoring several works. Sarah was also mentored by the late —one of the most influential leadership figures of the 20th century—becoming a close collaborator and friend. Today, Sarah continues to preserve and share Frances’s legacy through writing, editing, and storytelling. Host is a former Apache helicopter pilot, corporate veteran, keynote speaker, and author of ....
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Radical Humility: Urs Koenig on Leading with Grit, Heart, and High Standards
The Grit Factor
Guest Bio / Introduction Urs Koenig is a leadership coach, keynote speaker, former NATO peacekeeping commander, and ultra-endurance athlete. With an eclectic background spanning UN peacekeeping missions, military command, competitive cycling, academia, and business coaching, Urs brings a rare blend of lived experience and research-backed insight to leadership. His award-winning book, Radical Humility, challenges the outdated “heroic” leadership model and offers a compelling framework for blending high performance with humanity. Episode Summary In this episode of The Grit...
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Uncolonized Power: Healing Mindsets, Embracing Purpose, and Rising Together with Valeria Aloe
The Grit Factor
Professional Summary Valeria Aloe is an award-winning author, speaker, and high-performance business coach who founded the Rising Together movement to help professionals unlearn limiting mindsets and build the clarity, confidence, and behaviors needed to reach their next level. Her signature work combines mindset transformation with applied behavior change to accelerate individual and team performance. Born in Argentina, Valeria was the first in her family to graduate from college. She holds undergraduate degrees in Finance and Business Administration and later pursued graduate studies in the...
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Conviction, Capital & Courage: Alexander Friedman on Purposeful Leadership in a High-Stakes World
The Grit Factor
Host: Shannon Huffman Polson Guest: Alexander Friedman, CEO & Co‑founder of Novata; former CFO of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation; former CIO of UBS; ex‑White House Fellow; board member at Franklin Templeton Episode Summary Join Shannon as she interviews Alexander Friedman, a leader who has navigated high-stakes roles across the highest levels of philanthropy, finance, government, and now tech. In this episode, Alex shares insights into operationalizing purpose, driving change across complex systems, and forging a career of conviction and curiosity. This conversation brings...
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The Blueprint for Thriving People and Teams: Belonging, Autonomy, and Purpose
The Grit Factor
What does it look like to lead with grit, purpose, and a fierce sense of responsibility—across the battlefield, boardroom, and home? On this week’s episode of The Grit Factor, I speak with Kiwi phenom Ellen Joan Ford—a former New Zealand Army officer, tech leader, mother, and fierce advocate for Work School Hours. Ellen’s story is one of extraordinary service, from deploying with the U.S. military to evacuating Afghan allies during the fall of Kabul, to now challenging the structural norms that leave working parents (especially mothers) behind. We talk about: • How military...
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Jim Weber’s Long-Term Vision: Building a Brand That Lasts
The Grit Factor
What does it look like to lead with purpose and performance — to stay true to your values while building something that lasts? I so enjoyed talking with fellow alum , longtime CEO of , for a conversation about leadership, grit, and building a brand rooted in conviction. Jim took the helm at Brooks when the company was on the verge of bankruptcy — and through a relentless focus on purpose, customer obsession, and culture, he helped lead it to become a billion-dollar brand. He did all of this while navigating a personal cancer diagnosis — a chapter that deepened his...
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Building Resilient Communities: Killian Noe’s Vision of Love, Leadership, and Recovery
The Grit Factor
In this conversation, Killian Noe discusses her journey through leadership, resilience, and community work, emphasizing the importance of personal growth, accountability, and the power of forgiveness. She reflects on her upbringing, experiences in diverse communities, and the founding of Recovery Cafe, highlighting the significance of beauty in healing and the need for loving accountability in organizations. The dialogue explores the balance between control and surrender in leadership, the role of community in personal transformation, and practical steps for engaging in social change. ...
info_outlineIn this conversation, Melissa Arnot Reid shares her experiences as a mountaineer and the lessons learned from her climbs, particularly on Everest. She discusses the internal struggles faced during high-stakes situations, the importance of team dynamics, and the journey to finding a sense of belonging. The conversation delves into the nature of leadership in perilous environments and the responsibilities that come with guiding others. Melissa emphasizes the significance of consistency, honesty, and understanding individual strengths within a team. In this conversation, Melissa Arnot Reid shares her insights on leadership, personal values, and the challenges faced as a woman in the mountain guiding community. She emphasizes the importance of self-reflection, the evolution of success, and the impact of her nonprofit, the Juniper Fund, which supports families of high-altitude workers. The discussion highlights the significance of love, intent, and personal growth in both leadership and life.
TAKEAWAYS
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Climbing without supplemental oxygen exposes both physical and mental limits.
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The internal voice of doubt can be a source of discomfort that needs to be navigated.
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Team dynamics are crucial; each member brings unique strengths to the table.
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Belonging is a fundamental human need that can drive us to extreme challenges.
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Leadership in climbing involves significant responsibility for others' safety.
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Experiencing discomfort in nature can provide a sense of control over one's life.
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Having someone who believes in you can change your life trajectory.
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Leaders must confront the weight of their decisions and their impact on others.
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Consistency and honesty are essential traits for effective leadership.
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Understanding individual needs within a team enhances trust and collaboration. Leadership is a customized process that requires deep relationships.
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Operating from your values increases your chances of success as a leader.
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Self-reflection is essential for personal growth and leadership development.
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Love and connection are critical components of effective leadership.
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Intent behind actions significantly affects how they are received by others.
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Judging someone's capability based on appearance is misleading.
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Climbing Everest multiple times was necessary for recognition in a male-dominated field.
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Loss can create space for new opportunities and growth.
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You don't need to be perfect to be deserving of love and success.
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The journey of healing and self-acceptance is ongoing and transformative.
TITLES
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Climbing the Heights of Leadership
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The Power of Personal Values in Leadership
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Breaking Barriers: Women in Mountain Guiding
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Redefining Success Beyond Achievements
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The Heart of Leadership: Love and Connection
Get a copy of her book HERE.
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