University of Adversity
University of Adversity is a show about the moments that change us — especially the ones we didn’t ask for. I’m Lance Essihos, and I sit down with athletes, bestselling authors, doctors, entrepreneurs, spiritual teachers, and everyday warriors to have real conversations about adversity — the kind that strips away the surface and forces us to face who we really are. We go deep into the mindset shifts, emotional breakthroughs, and practical tools that helped them rebuild. Not just to survive, but to come back stronger, clearer, and more aligned. This isn’t motivation. It’s what happens after the breakdown, when you’re trying to put the pieces back together and make it mean something. If you’re in a season of uncertainty, burnout, or reinvention — this show is here to walk with you. We don’t just talk about getting through the hard times. We talk about who you become because of them.
Episodes
Matt Gottesman is a visionary writer, strategist, and creator who has built an audience of 10,000+ readers while guiding entrepreneurs and leaders toward alignment with their true calling. His work has been recognized for its clarity and unique ability to reframe success beyond hustle culture.
But behind his wisdom lies a deeper truth: many of us are living out of alignment — chasing external success while ignoring intuition, mistak...
Rudi Riekstins has been named one of the Top 5 Coaches in the world by Thrive Global and a Top 20 Thought Leader by Business Insider. He’s a leadership visionary, business mentor, and transformational speaker trusted by entrepreneurs, creatives, and even billionaires.
But behind the accolades lies a truth we rarely talk about. Men have been fed a lie — that we must always be strong, stoic, and never show vulnerability.
That condition...
🔥 Episode Summary:
Paul F. Austin, founder of The Third Wave, joins us for a deep dive into one of the most important conversations shaping mental health today: the psychedelic renaissance.
Psychedelics are moving from taboo to mainstream. Microdosing LSD, psilocybin, and other plant medicines are now being studied for their ability to heal trauma, regrow neural pathways, and transform lives. But as these powerful tools gain popular...
🔥 Episode Summary:
Joe De Sena, founder of Spartan and Tough Mudder, returns with one of the most necessary wake up calls for men today.
We break down the hard truth: men are getting soft. Comfort is killing purpose. We’ve lost our edge — and Joe’s here to help you take it back.
Joe unpacks:
– Why modern life is designed to make men weak
– When the decline actually started (and it wasn’t just the iPhone)
– How the pandemic nearly destro...
🔥 Episode Summary:
This conversation will punch you in the face — in the best way.
Joe De Sena, founder of Spartan and Tough Mudder, returns with one of the rawest, most necessary wake-up calls for men today.
We break down the hard truth: Men are getting soft. Comfort is killing purpose. We’ve lost our edge — and Joe’s here to help you take it back.
Joe unpacks:
– Why modern life is designed to make men weak
– When the decline actually ...
Episode Summary:
In this powerful conversation, Anna Lozano shares her journey of breaking free from societal programming and redefining success through the balance of masculine and feminine energies. As a Polish immigrant and entrepreneur, she built a thriving career in network marketing, co-founded Love Powered Co., and now mentors female founders in aligning strategy, mindset, and energetics for lasting impact.
Anna and L...
Episode Summary
In this powerful conversation, Ben Azadi shatters common health myths and challenges the traditional calorie-focused approach to weight loss. He explains why food quality matters more than counting calories and how inflammation and hormones play a bigger role in fat loss than most people realize.
Ben shares his personal journey with the carnivore diet, exposes the hidden dangers of seed oils, and explains why...
Episode Summary:
In this episode, Amberly Lago returns to the show after four years to share her powerful journey of resilience, joy, and overcoming adversity. Through her experiences with chronic pain and life’s challenges, she has developed transformative strategies to help others cultivate gratitude, embrace joy, and build unshakable resilience. We dive into the importance of joy-spotting, overcoming guilt in happiness, and recog...
Summary
In this episode, Lance shares personal updates and reflections on his journey over the past year, including his travels to Tulum, Edmonton, Bali, Bangkok, and Ho Chi Minh. He discusses the importance of personal development, spirituality, and the challenges of finding fulfillment in life. Lance emphasizes the significance of habits and mindset in achieving success and introduces his new initiative, the FREE 7 Day 'Warrior Re...
Chinese medicine views the body as a garden, while Western medicine views it as a machine. Chinese medicine focuses on the health and wellness of the whole ecosystem, considering factors like soil, sunlight, and water. Kevin Preston, a practitioner of Chinese medicine, was drawn to this holistic approach after experiencing the effectiveness of acupuncture in treating his knee injury. He believes that Chinese medicine offers individ...
Breathwork or Meditation: Which is Better for Personal Growth?"
The relationship between breathwork and meditation is a powerful synergy that can significantly enhance personal development and well-being. Lance underscores this connection by illustrating how meditation quiets the mind and connects it with the heart and body, while breathwork releases stuck energy and completes the stress response.
From Lance's perspective, incorporat...
Cam MacDougall is a dedicated advocate for personal growth and resilience, driven by his own experiences of lacking a supportive figure during his youth. Emphasizing the importance of embracing difficult situations as opportunities for learning and self-discovery, Cam encourages individuals to build resilience, understand their boundaries, and clarify their values. His mission is to guide men towards becoming mentors for the next g...
**Special Episode from The NextDay Nomad Podcast***
Hola Amigos, in today’s episode of The NextDay Nomad Podcast, I interview Lance Essihos, the host of the "University of Adversity" podcast. Lance is a seasoned entrepreneur, speaker, and author who has turned his life experiences into a powerful message of resilience and growth. His journey from personal struggles to becoming a beacon of hope for many is both inspiring and educatio...
Episode Highlights:
- Self-awareness and personal growth are pivotal for navigating life's challenges effectively.
- Lance Essihos, a proponent of this transformative journey, emphasizes the crucial role of releasing negative emotions and adopting a resilient mindset.
- Essihos illustrates this perspective by comparing harboring resentment to "drinking poison and expecting the other person to die," highlighting how such emotions imped...
Episode Summary
In this episode, I share my perspectives on how immersing in different cultures and stepping out of one's comfort zone can foster invaluable life lessons and personal growth. I explore my own experiences, such as participating in the Temezcal ceremony and reconnecting with my creative passions upon returning back to Canada, to highlight the importance of trusting the unknown, adapting to new situations, and continuou...
Tara Portelli is a former paramedic who has transitioned her focus to mental health and psychedelics. Drawing from her background in emergency services and experiences with medicinal mushrooms, Portelli is on a mission to support first responders and others in high-stress professions through proactive mental health strategies.
In this episode, Tara Portelli shares her personal journey from the high-pressure world of emergency servic...
Identity transformation, a fascinating concept that pertains to the process of consciously reshaping one's personal beliefs, habits, and environment for self-development, plays a pivotal role in personal growth. Lance Essihos, an advocate of this intriguing concept, suggests that our identity is sculpted by our everyday habits, actions, and past experiences. With an unwavering belief in the potential for personal metamorphosis, Ess...
In the digital age, the concept of a social media detox is growing in popularity as a way to combat the negative effects of constant online presence. Lance Essihos, a firm advocate for this concept, believes that excessive use of social media can lead to a range of mental health issues, including anxiety, depression, and feelings of inadequacy. From his perspective, taking regular breaks from social media is essential for mental he...
Sharon Land, a seasoned professional with a diverse background in health and well-being, helps high performers, athletes, and professionals in stress management and optimized health practices.
Sharon Land's perspective on healing from diseases and illnesses is deeply rooted in her personal journey of overcoming physical, emotional, and professional challenges. She emphasizes the importance of following one's own soul's direction an...
Nicole Sciacca is a yoga teacher, FRCms practitioner, professional dancer, and mother to her son, Beau. Currently based in Los Angeles, she trains a diverse clientele including working moms, entrepreneurs, former athletes, and A-list celebrities. Her expertise has earned her features on The Doctors TV, E! Online, and in The New York Times.
Drawing from her personal experience with the loss of her partner, Nicole offers a unique pers...
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