From Almost playing pro hockey, to travelling the world running some of the top bars in Australia, Lance Essihos has never lived a dull moment, but he also has had to face some inner demons and difficult times. He battled with drugs and alcohol for many years and having to overcome the losses of his younger brother to suicide and his father to cancer both within a span of 18 months

He made a promise to himself to create a new life that was going to have meaning, value and fulfillment, and show that even when faced with adversity at the worst possible moment, that there is always light at the end of the darkness.

Today Lance runs the top 200 podcast University of Adversity and is co-founder of IGNiTE – podcasting with purpose – to help others bring their ideas to the masses through podcasting. He continues to follow his passion of connecting with people and help build an inspirational influence that he can share with the world and bring value to their lives.

Places to Find Lance:

On Instagram @lancewessihos

Personal website.

Ignite Podcast Production website.

University of Adversity on iTunes.

Show Notes:

[3:00] minute: What was life like for you growing up and what was the mindset around money and success that was instilled in you?

• Grew up in Edmonton in a good family but one that struggled financially, creating a scarcity mindset.
• Moved across the country with his Father at 11 years old, separating him from the rest of his family and support.
• Became lost during his teenage and high school years as he tried to make it pro in hockey, and found drinking to be his only escape.
• Bartended through his 20’s, “partied to work, worked to party”.
• Had a Brother commit suicide, followed by losing his Dad to cancer in a short period of time. This inspired Lance to want to make a change.

[10:15] minute: What is it about you or your mindset or what you did after you lost those people close to you that allowed you to make it through that experience and learn from that adversity instead of crumbling under the weight of it?

• Had gotten sober prior to his Father passing, and that allowed him to react differently when it happened, he was already on a path of transformation.
• Gratitude practices helped. “I can use the adversity as fuel, or I can let it absolutely destroy it.”

[12:10] minute: What is the common thread that you see from your guests on University of Adversity in the way that they turn that adversity into a strength ultimately?

• Has realized how similar we all are.
• Every single human being that has been successful has gone through something.

[13:30] minute: Dorothy briefly explains the “Hero’s journey”.

• Learning to enjoy the journey and the process.
• “You are going to get thrown curveballs.”

[15:00] minute: Talk to me about podcasting, you’ve had incredible success with your show the University of Adversity, what is it about podcasting that gets you so fired up and what would you say to someone interested in the field that hasn’t taken the leap?

• Everyone needs to understand the levels of magnitude it can have.
• Started for him as a way to build an audience. Hired someone else to help him build it, that way all the little things that would normally stop people from doing it were done for him.
• He wanted to help others do the same thing as was done for him, so created IGNiTE productions, podcasting with a purpose.

[20:00] minute: For someone thinking about starting a show, what would you say to that person who is having trouble quieting that inner voice that is telling them all the reasons they can’t do it?

• Personalized to everyone.
• Need to jump in. If you are scared it’s normal.
• There is competition everywhere in life, focus on you not them.

[23:00] minute: You’ve built the idea of giving back directly into IGNiTE, could you tell me about that?

• Put back some of the money that comes in back into social causes.
• “As entrepreneurs your main focus should be helping others get what they want. It’s all about value.”

[25:00] minute: Who has been the most impactful person on your journey to do well and achieve financial success?

• First mentor that got him into everything was Balazs Kardos.

[25:40] minute: Who has been the most impactful person in feeding your drive to do good and wanting to have an impact?

• His girlfriend who has supported him through a lot and always goes with his ideas.

[26:10] minute: If you are having a bad day what do you do to get yourself out of the negative headspace?

• Change my state. Go for a workout, sauna, or cold shower to help switch that state.

[27:00] minute: What book do you find yourself recommending to people most often?

• A Happy Pocket Full of Money by David Cameron Gikandi
• Similar to Think and Grow Rich, with really thorough steps and really detailed.

[28:00] minute: What is the best piece of advice related to happiness that you would give our listeners?

• Be Yourself.
• You can’t be wearing a mask. Don’t cover yourself up, stay true to who you are and follow your heart.

Do Well & Do Good Challenge Nominee:

Aprons for Gloves

Website | Donate

Web Description:

Founded in 2012, Aprons for Gloves Boxing Association is a non-profit organization focused on providing community outreach through the sport of boxing.

Based in Vancouver’s Downtown eastside community Gastown, the organization was developed by a small group of professionals and entrepreneurs who seized an opportunity to re-establish a historic boxing program for at-risk women and youth. The program offers free mentorship and training to individuals who may otherwise not have the resources or support to participate in such activities.

The sport of boxing teaches discipline, respect, hard work and self-control. Training results in positive self-esteem, good health and camaraderie for its practitioners.

Where to Find Dorothy:

Visit Do Well and Do Good’s free Facebook community here and arrange a one-on-one with Dorothy herself!

Follow Dorothy on Instagram @dorothyillson to keep up with the latest Do Well & Do Good news!

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