How to Turn Challeges Into Triumph with Kristin Smedley

How to Turn Challeges Into Triumph with Kristin Smedley

Author: Joe De Sena May 28, 2024 Duration: 28:06

When Kristin Smedley's young son was diagnosed as blind, she was devastated. But rather than accepting limits, she became fiercely determined to give him every opportunity. Tapping into creative problem-solving skills from her own athletic past, Kristin empowered her son to navigate life fearlessly.
 
Through using all available tools and relentless advocacy, her sons thrived academically against all odds. But Kristin's vision didn't stop there. She now inspires others through her nonprofit, proving disability is no barrier to success with the right mindset and support.
 
Hear Kristin's incredible story - from the shock of her son's diagnosis to his graduation at the top of his class. Discover practical lessons on nurturing independence, creative accessibility solutions, and transforming challenges into triumphs. Kristin will motivate and inspire you to believe in limitless potential.
 
Highlights:
00:00 Intro
01:01 Kristin's childhood in Philadelphia
03:43 Learning about the importance of team
07:19 The shock of hearing her firstborn was blind
10:13 Realizing what to do as a parent of a blind child
14:23 Finding a nonprofit to help the blind community
18:43 What I Can Be Is Up to Me book
20:31 Using all available tools and holding the school accountable
23:22 Things to apply to make your life better
26:28 Where can people find Kristin?


Joe De Sena, the founder of Spartan Race and a New York Times best-selling author, believes the most rewarding path is rarely the easy one. In his The Hard Way With Joe De Sena podcast, that philosophy comes to life through raw, unscripted conversations. Joe travels the globe, sitting down with a diverse array of guests-from elite athletes and pioneering entrepreneurs to acclaimed authors and visionary CEOs-to dig for the unvarnished truths about resilience and achievement. These aren't just interviews; they're deep dives into the mental frameworks and physical disciplines that define a Spartan mindset. You'll hear stories that challenge conventional wisdom, practical advice forged through real struggle, and surprising moments of humor that come from shared experience. Each episode is designed to provide tangible tools for improving your health, fitness, and overall approach to life's obstacles. By bringing together this panel of extraordinary thinkers and doers, the podcast creates a unique space where the secrets to success in business, wellness, and personal growth are examined without shortcuts. Tune in for a dose of motivation that’s as actionable as it is inspiring.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 100

The Hard Way With Joe De Sena
Podcast Episodes
Jim Baird on Arctic Survival, Alone, and Owning Bad Decisions [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 21:16
Pinned against Arctic cliffs with no way out, Jim Baird realized the truth too late. One bad decision had put him and his brother in a position where no one was coming to help. In this episode of The Hard Way, Joe De Sen…
Dr. Layne Norton on Intensity, Nutrition, and Why Consistency Wins [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 21:24
Most people in the gym aren't training hard enough. Dr. Layne Norton has competed in bodybuilding and powerlifting for over two decades, holds a PhD in nutrition, and says the biggest driver of progress isn't fancy progr…
Discipline After Combat Injury: Rules for Ownership and Resilience [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 20:26
When everything breaks, excuses disappear and standards are exposed. Joe De Sena sits down with Johnnie Yellock, Air Force Combat Controller, combat search and rescue operator, IED survivor, Spartan finisher, and Sons of…
Under Fire: Discipline When Everything Breaks [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 21:36
Hard moments expose your standards fast, and this episode shows what discipline looks like when the stakes are life or death. Retired Staff Sergeant Jose Sanchez sits down with Joe to break down the mindset that kept him…
Life After the Uniform: Chase Chewning on Discipline Without Orders [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 26:49
Most people don't fall apart overnight. They drift when structure disappears. In this episode, former U.S. Army veteran, health and wellness entrepreneur, and podcast host Chase Chewning joins Joe De Sena to break down w…
Still Competing at 45: Max King on Discipline and Endurance [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 17:02
Most people quit when progress slows. Max King kept going and got better. In this episode, two-time world champion endurance athlete Max King sits down with Joe De Sena to break down what actually sustains performance ov…
Discipline Before Strength: Brian Alsruhe on Mental Toughness [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 22:29
Pressure reveals the truth. It shows what you trained and what you avoided. In this episode, strength coach, strongman gym owner, mental conditioning coach, and licensed therapist Brian Alsruhe talks with Joe De Sena abo…