The Art of Awesome

On todays Friday Fire I reflect on the quote 'Don't Half-Ass It'. It is so simple. Whatever it is that you want to do in life, do it, just don't half-ass it. It doesn't matter so much that you win lose or draw, what matters is that you gave it your all. Wondering "what if I gave it my all", those are the thoughts that keep us up at night. You can have peace at night being simply not 'half-assing' it. Give it your all. Go get it. Book- Greenlights by Matthew McConaughey  Please let me know what you think about this content with a rating or review on Apple Podcasts, or hit my up with a DM on Instagram @NickTroutmanKayak I would love to here more about the subjects that you are most interested in, or any individuals that you would like me to interview. Thanks for listening, Nick Troutman

"I don't always make the best business decision, though I try to always make the best people decision." Today I get to sit down with real-estate investor, podcast host, speaker and mentor, Henry Washington. Henry breaks down real estate investing into it's most simple form and gives steps for how anyone can do it even in todays crazy markets. Henry also shares his insight about where he thinks the market is going and how we can prepare to make wise investments. Podcast- On The Market Book- The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho Book- Who not How by Dan Sullivan www.seeyouattheclosingtable.com Instagram- @thehenrywashington Please let me know what you think about this content with a rating or review on Apple Podcasts, or hit my up with a DM on Instagram @NickTroutmanKayak I would love to here more about the subjects that you are most interested in, or any individuals that you would like me to interview. Thanks for listening, Nick Troutman

On todays Friday Fire I talk about the concept of building a bridge to success island. Though building bridges is hard and can take time, so too often to decide to stop and start a new bridge, or follow the new shiny idea to get to success island. If we continue to do this years will go by and we'll have many unfinished bridges and never quite reach success island. So figure out what success looks like and keep on the path to building your bridge all the way before starting a new project. Please let me know what you think about this content with a rating or review on Apple Podcasts, or hit my up with a DM on Instagram @NickTroutmanKayak I would love to here more about the subjects that you are most interested in, or any individuals that you would like me to interview. Thanks for listening, Nick Troutman

"When the World feels like it's going to end, call it's bluff." Today I get to sit down with the USA Slalom team member and 2023 Green Race Champion, Kaelin Friedenson. Kaelin shares his story of paddling all different disciplines and how that diversity has turned him into the race champion and all around paddler that his is today. Instagram- @Kaelinkayak Please let me know what you think about this content with a rating or review on Apple Podcasts, or hit my up with a DM on Instagram @NickTroutmanKayak I would love to here more about the subjects that you are most interested in, or any individuals that you would like me to interview. Thanks for listening, Nick Troutman

On todays Friday Fire I talk about the idea behind sharpening your ax. I think the story is to be told by Abraham Lincoln, when he said something along along the lines of, if I were to be given 6 hours to cut down a tree I would spend the first 4 hours sharpening my ax. When goal setting, I find it best to figure out the skills and the equipment needed and then focus your energy on execution. Action is certainly needed, though the tree or goal,  will fall much easier and quicker with a sharpened ax or sharpened skills. Please let me know what you think about this content with a rating or review on Apple Podcasts, or hit my up with a DM on Instagram @NickTroutmanKayak I would love to here more about the subjects that you are most interested in, or any individuals that you would like me to interview. Thanks for listening, Nick Troutman

On todays Friday Fire I talk about competition as a game. I talk about the recent Freestyle Kayak World Championships and how it is truly a games that we get to play and my mindset behind the ability to play games with my friend and try our hardest to win, though truly to recognize that win or lose we should be grateful that we get to play the game. Please let me know what you think about this content with a rating or review on Apple Podcasts, or hit my up with a DM on Instagram @NickTroutmanKayak I would love to here more about the subjects that you are most interested in, or any individuals that you would like me to interview. Thanks for listening, Nick Troutman

On todays Friday Fire I talk about how we each have the ability to do what we can each day. No matter what your goal is there is something you can do today to take action towards it, whether it be going for a 10 mile run, a 0.25 mile walk or maybe just visualizing your run. The point isn't to achieve everything on day 1, but to take continual action towards achieving your goal no matter what it is. Go for it. Do what you can today! Please let me know what you think about this content with a rating or review on Apple Podcasts, or hit my up with a DM on Instagram @NickTroutmanKayak I would love to here more about the subjects that you are most interested in, or any individuals that you would like me to interview. Thanks for listening, Nick Troutman

"Play to Win instead of playing Not to Lose." Today I get to sit down with clinical psychologist and performance mindset coach, Susannah Kindred, as we dive into her three pillars to high performance. We also talk a lot about her new models on using self compassion to push oneself instead of negative self-talk. This was another incredible conversation as Susannah brings value to another who wants to push forward in athletics, business, parenting and life as a whole. Past Podcast- EP 194 Clinical Psychology meets Mindset Coach for Sustainable Success  Books- Mindfulness in Plain English Books- The Mindful Athlete  Books- The Gap and the Gain Books- Chasing More and Finding Enough Instagram- @kindred.thriving KindredThriving.com Please let me know what you think about this content with a rating or review on Apple Podcasts, or hit my up with a DM on Instagram @NickTroutmanKayak I would love to here more about the subjects that you are most interested in, or any individuals that you would like me to interview. Thanks for listening, Nick Troutman

On todays Friday Fire I talk about how we each hold the power to choose our own happiness. Every moment of everyday life happens to/ for us, and we all hold the power to determine how these events in our life make us feel. We can choose to be happy or we can choose to allow the chaos or hard times ruin our day. I encourage you all to try to choose happiness for a day and see how it makes your feel. Please let me know what you think about this content with a rating or review on Apple Podcasts, or hit my up with a DM on Instagram @NickTroutmanKayak I would love to here more about the subjects that you are most interested in, or any individuals that you would like me to interview. Thanks for listening, Nick Troutman

"On the plains of hesitation lie the blackened bones of countless millions who at the dawn of victory lay down to rest, and in resting died." - Churchill With our deep dive into preparing for the upcoming Freestyle Kayak World Championships I thought who better to talk with than the longest sitting athlete in Freestyle Kayaking as Eric Jackson. EJ shares how he is using his 59 years of age ad experience all about being the local hero and the pressures that puts on him as an athlete. We also dive deep into the mind space of competing and how EJ has been able to stay at the top of his sports for decades at a time. FB- Eric EJ Jackson IG- @ericjacksonkayak Please let me know what you think about this content with a rating or review on Apple Podcasts, or hit my up with a DM on Instagram @NickTroutmanKayak I would love to here more about the subjects that you are most interested in, or any individuals that you would like me to interview. Thanks for listening, Nick Troutman

On todays Friday Fire I talk about the power of habits and how we can create the life we truly desire by simply starting to create a habit around it. Please let me know what you think about this content with a rating or review on Apple Podcasts, or hit my up with a DM on Instagram @NickTroutmanKayak I would love to here more about the subjects that you are most interested in, or any individuals that you would like me to interview. Thanks for listening, Nick Troutman

As we get ready for the upcoming Freestyle Kayak World Championships I thought I would do a deep dive with some of the athletes and the mentality and preparation for the event. For this episode I get to sit down and talk with Mason Hargrove all about being the local hero and the pressures that puts on him as an athlete. We also dive deep into the mind space of competing at the high level and how it is cliché to talk about, but enjoying the journey if the real flex and most people wont remember your results a couple years down the line. Please let me know what you think about this content with a rating or review on Apple Podcasts, or hit my up with a DM on Instagram @NickTroutmanKayak I would love to here more about the subjects that you are most interested in, or any individuals that you would like me to interview. Thanks for listening, Nick Troutman

On todays Friday Fire I talk about the difference between the ordinary and extraordinary... and it's probably different then what you expect. Please let me know what you think about this content with a rating or review on Apple Podcasts, or hit my up with a DM on Instagram @NickTroutmanKayak I would love to here more about the subjects that you are most interested in, or any individuals that you would like me to interview. Thanks for listening, Nick Troutman

On todays Friday Fire I talk about dealing with anxiety whether it be in life or on the river. First off, recognize that we all deal with fear and anxiety at times, so it is normal. Though what we don't want to do it left that anxiety build, so let's deal with it in 2 easy steps. In regards to the river, this can be achieved by Step 1- taking it easy and walk the rapid, paddle under your skill level and remember why kayaking is fun in the first place. Step 2- once you find your flow and 'fun factor' then you can take small baby steps to push yourself again. This combination can overcome the most crippling of fears. Give it a try and let me know if it works for you. Please let me know what you think about this content with a rating or review on Apple Podcasts, or hit my up with a DM on Instagram @NickTroutmanKayak I would love to here more about the subjects that you are most interested in, or any individuals that you would like me to interview. Thanks for listening, Nick Troutman

Today I get to sit down and talk with Neil Rogers about his new book Bar Tips. Neil has taken his 40 years of experience in sales and marketing and filtered it down to the best 10 success tips, though what he concluded was that all the success came from his time as bar tender and the lessons learned from the hospitality industry. Neil has a wealth of knowledge and I enjoyed our conversation together and I can't wait to get my hands on a copy of his book. Bar Tips Please let me know what you think about this content with a rating or review on Apple Podcasts, or hit my up with a DM on Instagram @NickTroutmanKayak I would love to here more about the subjects that you are most interested in, or any individuals that you would like me to interview. Thanks for listening, Nick Troutman

On todays Friday Fire I talk about Mental Health. June is Men's Mental Health month and I talk about some of the ways we can help out or deal when you feel stuck in the darkness. I have dealt with depression after several concussions and it is hard when you feel lost in the darkness, though some of the tips that I talk about that helped me are getting out for exercise, trying to eat healthier, and asking for help. There are therapists that can help, or apps, or just talk with a friend, and remember just keep on going as the darkness will pass. Please let me know what you think about this content with a rating or review on Apple Podcasts, or hit my up with a DM on Instagram @NickTroutmanKayak I would love to here more about the subjects that you are most interested in, or any individuals that you would like me to interview. Thanks for listening, Nick Troutman

Today I get to sit down with long time friend and professional photographer, Peter Holcomb. Peter shares his story of how he got into photography and how saying yes to opportunities has lead him down the unknown path to freedom and his dream life. Peter also shares some veteran advice into parenting and getting your children into the outdoors. This is an incredible interview with so many nuggets of gold for anyone that wants to chase their passion and live out their own 'Dream Life'. Instagram- @PeterHolcomb  YouTube- @PeterHolcomb Please let me know what you think about this content with a rating or review on Apple Podcasts, or hit my up with a DM on Instagram @NickTroutmanKayak I would love to here more about the subjects that you are most interested in, or any individuals that you would like me to interview. Thanks for listening, Nick Troutman

On todays Friday Fire I talk about this quote, "Judge me by my Good Ideas, not my Bad Ideas." This concept is about taking action and failure is still better then non action or waiting on the sidelines. Someone who tries 20 things, and fails 17 times, but have 3 successes is still way ahead of the person who hasn't tried anything at all. Remember that failure comes with action, but action is the only way to win! Please let me know what you think about this content with a rating or review on Apple Podcasts, or hit my up with a DM on Instagram @NickTroutmanKayak I would love to here more about the subjects that you are most interested in, or any individuals that you would like me to interview. Thanks for listening, Nick Troutman

On todays Friday Fire I talk about excellence vs perfection. The irony at times society can almost group them together, or close to one another, though in actuality that are opposites, as perfection is non achievable, though excellence is the continuation of growth and improvement. Please let me know what you think about this content with a rating or review on Apple Podcasts, or hit my up with a DM on Instagram @NickTroutmanKayak I would love to here more about the subjects that you are most interested in, or any individuals that you would like me to interview. Thanks for listening, Nick Troutman

Today we are joined with Cole Ruud-Johnson as we discuss brand building, entrepreneurship and real estate. Cole shares his story of leaving collage and living the frat life as he started his own business whole-selling real estate and landing contract of $100K on his first deal. Cole shares some incredible real-world experience that has had an incredible impact in his life. Book- Buy back your Time by Dan Martell Podcast- Off Market Operator  Instagram- @coleruudjohnson Please let me know what you think about this content with a rating or review on Apple Podcasts, or hit my up with a DM on Instagram @NickTroutmanKayak I would love to here more about the subjects that you are most interested in, or any individuals that you would like me to interview. Thanks for listening, Nick Troutman