What Wings4Heroes.org Is Doing to Help Veterans Rise Again With Dignity and Joy with Lyubim Kogan

Welcome to Compassiviste Dialogues. I'm Ali, your host, and my mission with this podcast is to shed light on critical social and environmental issues worldwide, exploring avenues for positive change.

This conversation explores the remarkable journey of Lyubim Kogan, a five-time first-generation immigrant, Winter Olympian, and founder of WingsForHeroes.org. Lyubim shares his experiences of resilience, cultural integration, and the relentless pursuit of dreams, emphasizing the importance of heart in decision-making and the lessons learned from both failure and success. The discussion also highlights the significance of compassion and shared experiences in overcoming life's challenges. In this conversation, the speakers explore themes of generosity, fulfillment, and the social contract we hold with those who protect us. 

They discuss personal experiences of wealth and dissatisfaction, the inspiration drawn from adversity, and the importance of collective action in supporting veterans through initiatives like Wings for Heroes. The dialogue emphasizes the need for compassion in action, confronting societal hypocrisy, and the responsibility of individuals to contribute to meaningful change.

ABOUT GUEST:

Winter Olympian. 9/11 WTC survivor. NYU Stern graduate. Bestselling author and co-author with Steve Forbes. Former Wall Street trader turned humanitarian. Vanished for 10 years to rebuild what war had torn apart. Now leading Wings4Heroes.org — helping amputee veterans rediscover purpose through flight and camaraderie. I am inspired by Henry Dunant and Mother Cabrini.

With hard work, dedication, and careful planning, all clients of Kogan Financial avoided losses in the 2008-2009 financial crisis.

KEY NOTES:

How Lyubim’s childhood in the Soviet Union taught him resilience and purpose What real success costs, and why true wealth begins with serving others Why founding Wings for Heroes was a moral imperative, not a choice Compassion is not a feeling, it’s what you do when no one’s watching.

TIMESTAMPS:

00:00 - Intro   04:04 - How Lyubim’s Childhood shaped him?   11:08 - What Should Drive You - Talent or Will?   19:00 - The Relentless Discipline Behind Every Spotlight Moment   29:03 - Why True Wealth Starts When You Stop Selling Your Soul   37:20 - The Empty Fridge of Success   43:18 - The Universe Doesn’t Block You—It Re-Routes You   46:03 - Resilience Wasn’t a Choice   51:30 - The Currency of Compassion   58:16 - Why Lyubim Founded Wings4Heroes   01:13:25 - Change Starts With One   01:24:44 - How Can People Support Wings4Heroes   01:28:35 - Compassion Isn’t Just a Feeling — It’s Action   01:38:42 - If You Could Change the World   01:41:10 - Outro  

THINGS MENTIONED IN THE PODCAST:

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