An Introvert's Experience of a Business Conference

Last week, I gave two talks in Nashville, Tennessee at Nerve 2015, a well attended and extremely well organized conference put on by the Entrepreneur's Organization. In my talks, I shared stories from the cycling adventures I've taken with my children and from guiding my friend Dan Berlin as he became the first blind runner to cross the Grand Canyon and back nonstop. Our next challenge is Machu Picchu! See http://teamseepossibilities.com

I told the audience things like, "discomfort is the birthplace of resilience" and "the person who says it cannot be done should not interrupt the person doing it." As I stood in front of a room full of people, sharing my story and offering my philosophy on living, I felt a surge of energy. It's natural to feel pressure when a group is looking at you expectantly, wondering if what you are going to say has value to them. But I didn't mind the pressure. In fact, I felt energized. I realized how extroverted I am, that I derive energy from interacting with others.

That's why I was fascinated when I met Kimberly Novosel, co-founder of Press Management Group. She's using her degree in music business and her background in tour promotions to help new artists create a stronger brand. She's a self-described "fitness fanatic."

She's also an introvert.

Kimberly explained how energy-draining it is to meet strangers and interact with people all day. After a while, she needs to find a place to be alone and recover from all the energy expended talking with others. We spoke for a while over lunch at the conference, and I worried how draining my extroverted exuberance must have been for her. But she couldn't have been kinder. And she just published a great article about her experience. Check it out here.

Pic of me with Kimberly:

Daunted Courage book reading - Oct 3, 5 - 6 p.m.

Here's the media alert that just went out about my forthcoming book, Daunted Courage: A Family's Bicycle Adventure on the Lewis & Clark Trail:

WHAT:  National Geographic-featured adventurer Charles R. Scott will read excerpts from his forthcoming* book, Daunted Courage, and describe how he cycled 1,700 miles of the Lewis and Clark Trail with his 12-year-old son and 6-year-old daughter – including traversing the Rocky Mountains. The event is FREE.

WHEN:  Saturday, October 3, 2015, 5 – 6 p.m.

WHERE: Fifty NYC, an Affinia Hotel, 155 East 50^th Street (at Third Avenue), New York City

WHY:    Charles encourages people of all ages to think adventurously. He believes a kid can do a whole lot more than most adults think and that each of us can overcome even the most intimidating obstacles.

WHO:   Charles R. Scott, National Geographic-featured adventurer and author of Rising Son: A Father and Son’s Bike Adventure Across Japan. His endurance challenges have been covered by The New York Times, NBC, FOX News, CBS Evening News, PBS, CNBC, Outside Magazine, The Huffington Post and many other media around the world.

Charles left a 14-year career at Intel Corporation to become an author, adventurer and public speaker. He gives keynotes and executive workshops about developing an adventurous mindset. Charles has cycled over 7,000 miles with his young children across Japan, Iceland, Europe and the U.S., and also serves as a guide to disabled athletes. In October 2014, he guided the first blind runner to cross the Grand Canyon and back nonstop. He ran a marathon at age 13 and, since then, completed six Ironman triathlons and many marathons and ultra distance races. For more details, see: http://familyadventureguy.blogspot.com

* Daunted Courage will be released on October 20, 2015

COMING IN OCTOBER

I've just finished writing a book about re-tracing 1,700 miles of the Lewis and Clark Trail with my children when they were 12 and 6. I will read an excerpt at the Affinia Hotel in New York City on Saturday, October 3 at 5 p.m. Kids are welcome. Come on out!

Here's a summary of the book:  

Sometimes the best way to understand history is to ride a bicycle through it.  Daunted Courage tells the story of an adventurous father and his two young children who spend a summer re-tracing the Lewis and Clark Trail, first by car then by bike. Offering entertaining insights into the most famous expedition in U. S. history, the story takes the reader on a thoroughly enjoyable ride.

Is 1,700 miles too far to cycle for a twelve-year-old boy and six-year-old girl? Can they really pedal over the Rocky Mountains, all the way to the Pacific Ocean? Charles Scott and his kids were daunted, but decided to try anyway, telling people, “Kids can do a whole lot more than most adults think.”

And like any good adventure, things did not always go as planned. 

Daunted Courage mixes danger, history, raising children with grit, and the travails of exploring the unknown into a grand tale that will leave you wanting to go out and create your own adventure.