In 2019 Victor Vescovo became the first person to dive in a submersible to the deepest points in all five of the world’s oceans. In 2017 he became the 12th person to complete the Explorer’s Grand Slam, climbing the highest peak on all seven continents and skiing to the North and South Poles.  He is the managing partner of a private equity firm called Insight Equity and holds degrees from Stanford, MIT, and Harvard Business School. 

 

Some interesting insights from this episode:

• Doing well in school wasn’t about some unfettered ambition but rather, a desire to explore and just be good at something.
• It’s nice to have a plan but plans don’t always work out so it’s important to give yourself options. When you’re young, you should build a really good skill set and from there opportunities will surface.
• “We should try to live as maximally as we can and make precious use of this time that we’re given because it goes quickly.”
• He never set out to climb all 7 peaks as a goal but rather “just fell into it” by wanting to do things that were interesting.
• “I don’t think we’re put on this Earth just to be comfortable. I believe there has to be an element of challenge and suffering to have a complete life.”
• “Humans have this ability to draw this incredible strength to overcome our bodies and our minds to do extraordinary things.”
• “You can’t let fear control you because fear can lead to panic and panic can lead to disaster.”
• “Excellence is never stopping to continuing to improve.”