Episode

Key Takeaways

John Register's mission focuses on helping organizations overcome adversity by "amputating fear."
His father's activism in the 1960s civil rights movement profoundly influenced his early life.
A severe leg injury in 1994 led to amputation, shifting his athletic focus to the Paralympics.
He developed a resilience model encompassing reckoning, revision, and a rebirth of identity.
Register emphasizes redefining self-identity beyond external attributes, leveraging faith, family, and friendships.
His philosophy centers on investing in others, believing positive actions yield abundant opportunities.

John Register, a two-time Paralympian and Persian Gulf veteran, works with organizations and executives.
His professional mission involves helping them overcome adversity by "amputating fear."
He advocates for embracing a "new normal mindset" to achieve success in challenging environments.

As a freshman, the guest won the collegiate high hurdles at the Dallas Morning News Invitational.
He was invited to compete against elite athletes that evening but finished last in the race.
Jeanette Bolden approached him, advising him to use his admiration for competitors as motivation to train harder and win the following year.

Post-graduation, the guest bypassed a job offer to enlist in the Army, motivated by the World Class Athlete Program and financial support.
His Army experience, including exposure to struggles for equality and service like the Tuskegee Airmen, shaped his character.
Reflecting on service, his focus shifted towards building a meaningful life founded on faith and purpose by 17:00.

On May 17, 1994, a misstep on the third hurdle resulted in a severe left leg injury, leading to the guest choosing amputation over lifelong mobility aid use.
Despite choosing amputation to alleviate pain, he experienced intense phantom pains afterward, which worsened as the limb healed.
On June 17, 1994, while in severe pain, he watched a news report about the O.J. Simpson white Bronco chase, leading to a moment of spiritual clarity.

The guest initially felt shame regarding his amputation and worried about losing his wife, realizing the question was whether he was still desirable.
His son's simple validation of him as 'dad' prompted him to question his own doubts, aiding his transition from an athlete to a disabled individual.
He outlines a resilience model beginning with 'reckoning,' accepting the past and focusing on the present and future rather than hypothetical changes.

The guest unexpectedly qualified for the Paralympic Games as a swimmer, despite initially aiming to be a hurdler, and later won a silver medal in the long jump in Sydney.
While preparing for a TEDx talk, he had an 'aha' moment, realizing his true strength came from faith, family, and friendships, providing freedom.
This realization marked an internal shift, helping him recognize himself as more than just an athlete or veteran, especially after losing that identity by 35:58.

The guest believes investing in others and 'breathing life' into them opened new opportunities, comparing this to planting seeds that yield an abundant harvest.
He states that negative actions yield negative outcomes, while positive intentions lead to good results and growth.
This philosophy became his mission: to inspire life in others, viewing inspiration as the catalyst for motivation, action, and transformation.

During Operation Desert Shield/Storm, the guest unexpectedly connected with a Saudi prince by learning basic Arabic.
This interaction led to a shift in his relationship with Saudi guards, who invited him to share meals, teaching him the value of "breaking bread" and learning from every engagement.
He highlights wisdom from 'Uncle Gloucester,' emphasizing the importance of understanding and arguing for differing perspectives, a trait he observed and modeled in Saudi Arabia.