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,