Joel Zaslofsky and Scott Dinsmore at WDS 2013

It started five years ago with a simple book review.

I was innocently browsing the archives of a new blog I found called Reading for Your Success and I came across a golden review of Keith Ferrazzi's Never Eat Alone.

So I instantly requested the book from my public library and wrote this comment on the blog post:

If the book is half as useful as the review, it will be a game-changer for me!

Never Eat Alone did change the game for me and it's in my top five books of all-time. But it didn't have a fraction of the impact as the guy who wrote up the review: Scott Dinsmore.

He and I eventually became friends, but it was the world of passionate work and deep connections that mattered even more to us.

Sadly (a serious understatement), Scott was killed in mid-September 2015 in a freak accident near the summit of Mt. Kilimanjaro, which he was climbing with his wife, Chelsea.

With a smile on my face and a tear in my eye, I intentionally waited two months to record this podcast episode tribute to him. I needed more context. More time to reflect and clarify the legacy of a mentor and true world-changer.

It's been amazing to see his local and global Live Your Legend communities come together even stronger after his death. And it's been incredible to see how people have honored his character, spirit, and work … and will keep doing it, just like I am.

I want you to know what's possible with a guiding force like him in your life. If you get nothing else out of this episode though, take the challenge to find your own version of Scott Dinsmore.

As Scott made abundantly clear, who you surround yourself with and how you bring people together makes all the difference. It's often 100% in your control.

So will you have transparent, community-driven, risk-taking, generous, and undeniably good people in your corner? Or will you settle for less than you deserve?

Press play and discover what one wild adventurer did and means to the world … and how he changed my work, relationships, and life forever.

You're about to Learn …

  • How to change the world by doing work you love.
  • Where to find the most amazing people in your local community.
  • The fastest way to do things you don't think can be done.
  • Why life sometimes comes down to this: bring people together.
  • A near certainty when you pursue a shallow life and career.
  • How to “brainwash the impossible” and achieve goals that seem crazy-pants.

 

 

Resources and Items Mentioned in This Episode:

Timestamps and Topics

  • [04:27] Context about Scott and how I learned of his death
  • [09:42] Ways that Scott has changed the world
  • [20:09] What Scott meant to his friends, community, and around the globe
  • [26:18] What Scott did for me
  • [35:02] What Scott meant to me
  • [44:18] How the LYL community continues to remember Scott

Extra Gratitude and Special Mentions

I've been saving this note from a listener named Chloe because it's appropriate for the themes of this episode. She wrote to me a little while ago and said:

“I’ve probably drafted you at least 6 emails that I intended to send to say how absolutely, overwhelmingly grateful I am to have found your work and how inspirational you have been in helping me shape the life that I want to lead. Your energy and passion are so uplifting and motivating that you can’t help but want to make changes not only in your own life, but in the wider community.

It’s become a ritual of mine on my way home from work to listen to one of your podcasts and wind down whilst appreciating this amazing life that I have and that I’m creating for myself and my family. I will forever be grateful. You are a freaking awesome human!”

Sweet sassy molassy, Chloe, those are powerful words that get me revved up every time I think about them. Thank you for supporting me and our show!

How to Support Me, This Show, and Our Community

Patreon, baby. Patreon.

Awesome Ways to Subscribe to the Show

If you're not already subscribed for automatic notifications of a new show, please do so with one of the links below.

Transcript

The transcript will not be available until I find a new transcriptionist (if you know someone good, let me know).

I'm Grateful for Your Reviews!

If you enjoyed this specific episode or the Smart and Simple Matters show in general, I always appreciate an honest iTunes review on this page. Every single review is a huge help, lets others find the show more easily, and generates a ton of gratitude!

Here are the four quick steps to leave an iTunes review (assuming iTunes is already installed):

  1. Click here to visit the Smart and Simple Matters iTunes page.
  2. Click the blue button on the left labeled “View in iTunes” below the show cover art.
  3. When iTunes loads, click the navigation tab labeled “Ratings and Reviews” and then click the “Write a Review” button underneath the “Customer Reviews” heading.
  4. Write a review with whatever title you like, whatever length you have time for, and give the show an honest rating. If you don't think it deserves five stars, don't rate it as a five star show.

Thanks again for your time and attention (I never take it for granted). And if you have someone or something you’d like us to cover on an upcoming show, tell us in the comments below.