Sean Swarner was voted One of the World’s Top 8 Inspiring People of all Time and is the recipient of ESPN’s, Don’t Ever Give Up Award.
He is a two time cancer survivor who was first diagnosed at age 13 with Hodgkin’s Disease and later with Askin’s sarcoma and is believed to be the only person in the world to ever have been diagnosed with both these deadly cancers.
Sean established his own foundation (The Cancer Climber Association) which promotes cancer awareness and helps raise money for cancer research. He is also the author of Keep Climbing.
Sean Swarner is Driven By | Knowing there are others in the world who are fighting for their lives, who need a little boost in life. Those who need hope in their lives are the ones who inspire me to Keep Climbing.
My Highlights | Battling through two cancers and being in remission is something to be proud of, but I was also given 3 months to live and then 14 days to live. I was also in a coma for a year and now only have one lung. Climbing Everest with that one lung and becoming the first cancer survivor to stand on top of the world is something to be proud of as well. What makes me most proud is when I speak to people and see that I’ve influenced their lives for the better… knowing I’ve made a difference.
The Difference Between good And Great | A certain set of values combined with confidence… but not over-confidence. One must truly remain humble to achieve greatness.
Start Having Already Achieved | Many people view goal-setting incorrectly. They picture the mountain and start at the base, in essence “climbing” to the summit and moving forward on goals accomplished. Those successful goals give them a sense of encouragement and desire to continue. What’s not correct about that view is when an obstacle is placed in one’s path that difficulty may be too large or overwhelming to overcome. In my personal view… I begin successful.
I begin on the summit. I take the mountain and flip it upside down. Before I even begin on any journey, I picture the end result and make it real in my mind’s eye, and if any obstacles get in my path, they will only slow me down… never stop or prevent me from achieving my goal. Why? Because in my head I’m already there and anything that gets in my way is never enough to deter me from the emotions of already accomplishing my goal.
It Is important To | Live by a certain set of morals and ethics.
A Critical Skill To Achieve Success | It’s a mental ability to perceive success in my mind even before beginning.
How I Use My Mind | It’s very important to do something that works for you, something that’s unique to your personal style of success. However, during the journey to your goal, always remember that you do not have to be THE best…. But be YOUR best.
Advice On Building Wealth | Keep everything in perspective. Keep in mind that neither of those terms (wealth or richness) mean the same to everyone, but if you want to feel rich or wealthy…. remove everything you have that money can’t buy and see what you have left. Then you will truly feel rich in life.
Athol Williams came from humble beginnings in Mitchells Plain, Cape Town, and has then lived in Johannesburg, Boston and London. He currently splits his time between Oxford and Cape Town. Athol Williams has published 3 collections of poems and 2 children’s books. He also has a deep passion for reading and education. He is pioneering […]
South Africa is blessed to have the passionate and hugely inspiring John McInroy as one of her major MISSION MEN. With a heart for supporting primary education as a means to empower South African people, and address the significant inequalities the majority of South Africa still contend with, he founded “Red Socks Friday”, a movement […]
Some entrepreneurs are so ridiculously prolific, talented and ‘out-there’ that they get to take on the status of ‘celebrity’ entrepreneur. In my opinion, David Donde is one of those. I know this for a fact because I get to experience both the brand and the products that David brings to the market almost every day […]
Life for Christopher Venter may have seemed like a black hole after losing his sight during his 40s. Before this happened, Chris’ carefree spirit took him on many boundary-pushing adventures. However, his loss of sight demanded that he learn to entertain his creative spirit differently. With tenacity, determination and a secure belief in himself, Chris […]
Taryn Lock is the Executive Director of Read to Rise, the NGO she co-founded with her husband Athol Williams. Having now interviewed them both on The Legacy Project I formally declare this couple as one of South Africa’s most special jewels. What hearts and passion they have for a better South Africa. In 2013, Taryn […]
Designer and Technologist Jessi Baker (b.1984) creates user-centered experiences. She is particularly interested in the relationship between individual and collective decision making and emerging technologies. Jessi studied Engineering at Cambridge University (2003-2007) receiving sponsorship from Arup Consulting engineers throughout her degree. During her time at Cambridge, she won numerous awards for entrepreneurship and design, notably […]
Prof Jonathan Jansen is the Rector and Vice-Chancellor of the University of the Free State. He is also the Honorary Professor of Education at the University of the Witwatersrand and Visiting Fellow at the National Research Foundation. Jansen also serves as an Independent Non-Executive Director for Advtech Limited and is the Chairman at the School […]
Kristina Dryža is an international trend forecaster, writer and author of the allegorical novel, Grace and the Wind. Of Lithuanian origin she was raised in Adelaide, Australia and moved overseas in 1999. For the past 13 years Kristina has been based between London, New York, Tokyo and Hawaii while travelling the world gaining insight into […]
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