Turning Adversity into Hope: Dusty Mysen’s Journey from Diagnosis to Leadership

In this episode of the Project 1202 Leadership Lab, host Rich Lohnman sits down with Dusty Mysen to explore an extraordinary journey of resilience, leadership, and hope in the face of one of life's greatest adversities: cancer. Diagnosed with pancreatic cancer at 47, Dusty shares how he transformed a dire prognosis into a battle for life and leadership. This episode is a powerful testament to the impact of faith, perseverance, and community support in overcoming insurmountable challenges. It’s more than a story of survival—it’s a guide for leading with courage and purpose through even the darkest times.

• The Diagnosis and Initial Shock: Dusty recounts his journey from living a healthy life to facing a life-altering diagnosis, providing context for how he transformed his fear into hope and action.

• Building Resilience through Faith and Positivity: The critical role of Dusty’s faith and his mantra “faith over fear” exemplifies how belief systems can empower individuals to fight unimaginable battles.

• Support Networks Matter: Dusty reflects on the profound impact of family, friends, and community support during his treatment and recovery, emphasizing the power of connection in overcoming challenges.

• Turning Pain into Purpose: Dusty’s decision to document his experience led to his book, Cancer Warrior, serving as a source of hope and guidance for others facing difficulties.

• Leadership in Adversity: Rich and Dusty delve into how leadership principles, such as courage, humility, and resilience, play crucial roles in both personal and professional challenges.

One of the episode's most moving moments captures Dusty’s transformative realization about the power of hope through the compassion of a hospital nurse. This interaction illustrates the unexpected sources of strength that can spark a change in mindset:

Dusty Mysen: “The overnight nurse came in... she asked if I was a Christian and offered to pray over me. She laid her hand on my abdomen and prayed for about half an hour, repeating ‘by His stripes, you will be healed.’ She believed it, even when I couldn’t. That was my first glimmer of hope, and it changed everything.”Rich Lohnman: “That courage and belief—on both of your parts—is what leadership is. It’s stepping up even when everything seems hopeless.”

Dusty Mysen’s story is a powerful reminder that leadership extends beyond boardrooms and sports fields—it’s a personal journey of overcoming fear, connecting with others, and inspiring hope. His battle with pancreatic cancer, chronicled in his book Cancer Warrior, serves as a beacon of resilience and motivation for those grappling with their own challenges. Dusty’s journey exemplifies how embracing faith, fostering a strong support network, and leading with courage can turn adversity into a transformative opportunity for growth and leadership.

Resources:

• Pre-order Dusty’s book, A Cancer Warrior: How I Fought And Survived My Battle With Pancreatic Cancer. It’s available December 10th.

• Contact Dusty Mysen at, [e-mail] or follow on Facebook@Dusty Mysen or Instagram @dustymysen

• Visit the Project 12:02 website

• Check out our