Unreasonable Pursuits: Scott Cutlan on Climbing, Leadership, and Purpose

Alan Briggs sits down with Scott Cutlan—business leader, mountaineer, and author of Unreasonable: Seven Impactful Lessons Discovered Climbing the Seven Summits. Scott shares his journey from corporate executive to scaling the highest peaks in the world, and the deep leadership insights he uncovered along the way. They explore purpose, alignment, resilience, and the importance of saying "no" to stay focused on what truly matters.

1. The Call to Adventure

• Scott was led by faith to leave his high-powered corporate job, climb the Seven Summits, start a nonprofit, and self-fund it—all without any prior mountaineering experience.
• The initial challenge of stepping into the unknown and trusting the process.

2. Leadership & Mountain Analogies

• Scott describes himself as a “mountain guide for the leadership journey,” drawing parallels between climbing and business leadership.
• Alignment is key—leaders must be clear on their purpose to make the right decisions.

3. The “More” Concept

• Many people misunderstand "more" as adding complexity. Instead, Scott defines "more" as expansion that comes through alignment with purpose.
• Purpose = The best of what you have for others.
• Fulfillment = The result of choosing to live in that purpose.

4. Saying No to Say Yes

• Leaders face decision fatigue—executives make an estimated 40,000 decisions daily.
• Scott is shifting from 30+ speaking engagements a year to only six highly intentional ones.
• “The power of yes is in alignment, not just saying yes.”

5. Resilience & The Why That Keeps You Moving

• Scott’s harrowing Everest solo climb:
  • Facing brutal conditions on the North side, alone, at extreme altitude.
  • The moment of exhaustion when he almost sat down—knowing that sitting meant death.
  • The significance of the colored band on his wrist, representing his “why.”

6. Isolation vs. Community

• Isolation is one of the greatest threats to leaders.
• The importance of linking arms with others for accountability, support, and shared growth.

7. The 3 Types of Responses You’ll Get When Pursuing Your Purpose

• Eye Rolls: Dismissive people who don’t understand.
• Blank Stares: Those who aren’t ready to process it.
• Tell Me Mores: The people who are curious, hungry, and ready to engage—Scott’s focus.

8. Business, Money, and Alignment

• Money can be a distraction or a tool—it must be aligned with purpose.
• Scott shares how he self-funded his mission, trusting that provision would come.

9. The Most Important Pillar from His Book Right Now: Death

• Not physical death, but dying to oneself daily.
• Taking time to pause, realign, and ensure decisions reflect core values, not external pressures.

Resources & Next Steps:

Book: Unreasonable: Seven Impactful Lessons Discovered Climbing the Seven Summits – Available on Amazon. Leave a review!

Self-Assessment: Take the Unstoppable Clarity assessment to gain insight into your alignment and purpose. Text CLIMB to 33777.

Stay Connected: Follow Scott for more leadership insights and adventure-driven wisdom. https://www.scottcutlan.com/

Subscribe & Share: Enjoyed this episode? Subscribe to the podcast and share it with someone who needs to hear this conversation!

"If you sit, you die. Keep moving." – Scott Cutlan