From Diagnosis to Dedication - BethAnn Telford - Chief Endurance Officer - Episode # 027

10/13/23 • 35 min

Welcome to another captivating episode! Today’s guest is someone who was born with an endurance mindset! Introducing BethAnn Telford, Special Events Coordinator at the US Government partners with host Gregory McDonough to share how her cancer diagnosis motivated her to keep persevering through life. BethAnn also delves into her biggest motivation, her passion for running, and how she gives back to the community.

Takeaways:

After being diagnosed with brain cancer several years ago, BethAnn initially considered giving up. However, thanks to her neurosurgeon’s support, she found the strength to persevere. Her motivation wasn’t personal glory, but rather her cancer journey and the people who supported her.
Midway through the 5k, in her hometown, BethAnn’s father surprised her by joining her through a different route. His encouragement, reignited her passion for running after her brain surgery. His motivation during that 5k ultimately led her to compete in an Ironman.
John has been BethAnn’s primary trainer not only for global adventures but also in nutrition and various aspects. He integrated seamlessly with her family and her partner, Bob, serving as their biggest cheerleaders, reminding them of how far she’s come.
Support and motivation come from various sources, including trainers, family, friends, and even strangers at the finish line. Sometimes it's about giving back and helping others, running alongside them even if they're not as fast.
A sense of accomplishment in assisting someone else can be incredibly rewarding, and BethAnn’s been fortunate to have people who supported her, even if it meant sacrificing their own time, just because they wanted to see her succeed.
Veterans Day is the most important event to BethAnn. Her gratitude for veterans motivates her to give back. Despite not serving in the military, she annually supports and advocates for veterans at places like the Vietnam Wall and Arlington National Cemetery.
Advocating for children with brain cancer helped BethAnn see that they received far less support than adults. This drove her to become a dedicated advocate for children's healthcare. Building bonds with these kids, some now in college or getting married, underscores the significance of her advocacy efforts.

Quote of the Show:

"The joy of giving back is more rewarding than receiving." - BethAnn Telford

Links:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bethann-telford-a62080b2/
Personal Website: http://www.teambt.org/
Email: [email protected]

Ways to Tune In:

Takeaways:

After being diagnosed with brain cancer several years ago, BethAnn initially considered giving up. However, thanks to her neurosurgeon’s support, she found the strength to persevere. Her motivation wasn’t personal glory, but rather her cancer journey and the people who supported her.
Midway through the 5k, in her hometown, BethAnn’s father surprised her by joining her through a different route. His encouragement, reignited her passion for running after her brain surgery. His motivation during that 5k ultimately led her to compete in an Ironman.
John has been BethAnn’s primary trainer not only for global adventures but also in nutrition and various aspects. He integrated seamlessly with her family and her partner, Bob, serving as their biggest cheerleaders, reminding them of how far she’s come.
Support and motivation come from various sources, including trainers, family, friends, and even strangers at the finish line. Sometimes it's about giving back and helping others, running alongside them even if they're not as fast.
A sense of accomplishment in assisting someone else can be incredibly rewarding, and BethAnn’s been fortunate to have people who supported her, even if it meant sacrificing their own time, just because they wanted to see her succeed.
Veterans Day is the most important event to BethAnn. Her gratitude for veterans motivates her to give back. Despite not serving in the military, she annually supports and advocates for veterans at places like the Vietnam Wall and Arlington National Cemetery.
Advocating for children with brain cancer helped BethAnn see that they received far less support than adults. This drove her to become a dedicated advocate for children's healthcare. Building bonds with these kids, some now in college or getting married, underscores the significance of her advocacy efforts.

Quote of the Show:

"The joy of giving back is more rewarding than receiving." - BethAnn Telford

Links:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bethann-telford-a62080b2/
Personal Website: http://www.teambt.org/
Email: [email protected]

Ways to Tune In:

Previous Episode

Unwavering Pursuit - Mo Fathelbab - Chief Endurance Officer - Episode # 026

Welcome to another captivating episode! Today’s guest is an author and a seasoned speaker! Introducing Mo Fathelbab, President at Forum Resources Network. Mo partners with host Gregory McDonough to share his entrepreneurial mindset, confronting fear and development, and the value of peer groups. He also delves into consulting services for leadership. It’s a great, informative conversation you don’t want to miss!

Takeaways:

As an entrepreneur, startups are bound to have some uncertainties including doubts and investing. Despite this, Mo truly believes in working hard and adapting. His mission is to unwaveringly pursue success, connect with a billion people, and change the world.
Approaching goals can reset one’s mindset, and for Mo, it falls within sports or business. Goal-setting is crucial, and when plans deviate, it's about constant progress. He strives to adapt and seek help when stuck, echoing the wisdom of Jeff Dennis, a founding member of Toronto's EO chapter.
Mo is passionate about peer groups as they offer a non-judgmental space for personal growth, bridging divides and nurturing empathy in our polarized world. Understanding others' motivations reduces judgment, reminding us of our shared humanity and the potential for a more empathetic world.
Training oneself to respond with empathy to less fortunate people is something Mo is working towards, by countering negative thoughts with well wishes. His work with CEOs has shown the significance of self-belief and resilience in achieving success.
Mo’s late grandfather's metaphor taught him to confront fear directly, motivating him to tackle it promptly. This mindset helped him become more comfortable in situations like public speaking, where he honed his skills at Toastmasters International.
Initially, Mo took pride in hearing that people in peer groups felt closer to their peers than their best friends or family. However, he realized that peer groups are meant to help individuals become their best selves, not replace their close relationships.
Forum Resources Network provides consulting services for both peer groups and executive leadership teams. The same effective principles that apply to peer groups are extended to executive teams when CEOs seek dynamic and open communication. This work is highly rewarding and meaningful for them.

Quote of the Show:

“There is no failure. It’s just a question of how much I’m going to work and how hard I’m going to work.” -Mo Fathelbab

Links:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mofathelbab/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/Fathelbab
Personal Website: https://www.mofathelbab.com/
Company website: https://www.forumresourcesnetwork.com/ and https://www.growthinstitute.com/
Entrepreneur Organization: https://hub.eonetwork.org/
Books: The Friendship Advantage and Forum: The Secret Advantage of Successful Leaders

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Next Episode

Unleashing Your Endurance Mindset - Travis Macy - Chief Endurance Officer - Episode # 028

Today’s guest is an endurance coach, speaker, and a consultant who empowers individuals and groups to reach their goals in business, education, athletics, and life. He is the author of his new book, A Mile at a Time, and author of the award winning book, The Ultra Mindset. Host of his own self titled podcast, The Travis Macy Show, please welcome, Travis Macy! Travis partners with host Gregory McDonough to share how he draws on his endurance athlete resilience, reflecting on his love for teaching, and maintaining a healthy athlete’s routine. He also delves into his books and his inspiration for writing.

Takeaways:

Travis prioritizes his kids' interests and doesn't push his own on them. If they gravitate toward his interests, like running or biking together, it's fulfilling to him. Travis is committed to supporting their own passions.
Going through a challenging transition where he questioned his identity beyond being a competitive athlete, Travis struggled with a void left by not constantly pursuing podium finishes, prizes, and sponsorships. His resilience and adaptability as an endurance athlete eventually helped him keep the faith.
The core of Travis’ income comes from coaching adult endurance athletes, which is a natural extension of his life as an athlete. He’s always enjoyed teaching and pedagogy, and coaching allows him to teach what he loves. This approach extends to his podcasting, writing, and business approach.
Maintaining an athlete's routine provides stability amidst change, improving mood, outlook, and energy. Exercising in the morning greatly enhances Travis’ professional productivity and overall well-being, benefiting both work and family life.
"The Ultra Mindset," Travis’ first book from 2015, explores eight core principles for success in business, sports, and life, using engaging endurance sports narratives as examples. It's meant to be applicable beyond athletics.
In contrast, "A Mile at a Time," released in March of this year, is a memoir centered around Travis’ father's journey through Alzheimer's. It offers some prescriptive content but primarily focuses on their personal story and his dad’s life.
Adventure racing is a challenging, dynamic, and niche sport that combines various disciplines like running, paddling, biking, fixed ropes, and navigation using a map and compass. Races are unmarked courses, often lasting nonstop for five to ten days. Teams usually consist of four people of mixed gender, emphasizing the team sport aspect.

Quote of the Show: