S1E26: From Survive to Thrive with Tanner Gers - Part 1

21-year-old Tanner (2004) had big dreams! He was getting ready to
go into the military to serve his country but this dream crashed
as he was impaled by a tree through the head in an auto accident
which rendered him legally blind.


The next phase of Tanner’s life was filled with multiple brain
surgeries, reconstructive surgeries and psych evaluations.


But the biggest tragedy in Tanner’s life, wasn’t losing his sight
- it was NOT living life, and NOT taking every day by the horns.


As you can imagine, he was in a lot of pain, angry and severely
depressed.


‘’I felt like my life was pretty much over’’ – Tanner Gers


The big shift - Wise words from dad ‘it could always be worse’
shifted his perspective gave him a positive outlook on his life
and planted the seeds of appreciation and gratitude.


Discovering baseball for the blind brought joy back in his life
and enabled him to express himself physically on a level plain
field. This super motivated him and sparked a desire to be as fit
as possible and sent him on the path to more competitive sports
and Paralympics.


Since that fateful accident in 2004 Tanner has reinvented himself
into a pro-athlete and an all-round high performer. He has
graduated from college and has won several sporting laurels
including 2011 Para Pan American gold, 2012 US Paralympic trials
gold medal and National Beep Baseball Association World Series
Offensive MVP.


He has also ignited his entrepreneurial passions and founded a
sports performance membership site called The Athlete Summit.


I know this man outside of this interview and I can vouch that he
is an all-round high performer and an unstoppable force for good.
When he is not training for the Paralympics in Rio 2016, he is
lifting others (metaphorically speaking) with his motivational
speaking and free podcast - The Creative Success Show.


Key lessons from Tanner’s story:


• Learn how self-pity and complaining is the recipe for hitting
rock bottom


• Learn the power of perspective and positive outlook to create
success


• Learn to use of mindset to break through obstacles


Click here for part 2 of this interview, when Tanner shares his
daily habits that keep him progressing towards his goals and
shares the lessons from his experience of overcoming adversity
and thriving from it.


Click to view: show page on Awesound