E330: John Kippen - Being Different is your Super Power

John Kippen is an entrepreneur, professional magician, speaker, resilience and empowerment coach and published author.

John was dealt a bad blow in 2002 when he was diagnosed with a large benign brain tumor. Its removal, although successful, left him with permanent facial paralysis which stopped his forward momentum forcing him into hiding for more than 12 years.

As John hit bottom, he rediscovered his childhood love for performing magic and storytelling . Now filled with passion and hope , he discovered that his facial difference had become  his greatest superpower.

This new mindset gave John the strength to live life with joy and become a sought after resilience and empowerment coach who uses the lessons and methodologies he learned overcoming his adversity to inspire and assist his clients to get out of their own way and live their best lives.

His two mottos are

 “ Being Different is your Superpower!” and

 “Feed your Heart with your Art”

Summary

In this conversation, Benjamin Lee and John Kippen explore the transformative power of personal stories and resilience. John shares his journey from being diagnosed with a brain tumor to discovering his passion for magic and storytelling. They discuss the importance of embracing differences, the healing power of sharing experiences, and how coaching can empower individuals to overcome obstacles and build self-confidence. The conversation emphasizes that everyone has a unique story that can inspire others and that vulnerability can be a source of strength. In this engaging conversation, John Kippen shares his journey from childhood creativity to becoming a successful speaker and magician. He discusses the importance of preparation, audience engagement, and the power of personal connections. John emphasizes living life to the fullest, building relationships, and embracing authenticity, especially in the wake of the pandemic. He also introduces the Rolodex Roulette game as a tool for reconnecting with others and shares insights on public speaking and personal growth.

Takeaways

Everyone has a powerful story to share.

Reconnecting with passions can be healing.

Embracing differences can become a superpower.

Sharing personal experiences can inspire others.

Coaching can help individuals overcome self-imposed obstacles.

The importance of having support during difficult times.

Self-confidence can be rebuilt through positive experiences.

Preparation is key to overcoming performance anxiety.

Engaging the audience can be achieved through storytelling and magic.

Life is short; make every moment count.

Building relationships is essential for personal and professional growth.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Personal Background

02:08 John's Journey Through Illness

07:13 Facing Surgery and Its Aftermath

12:54 Rebuilding Self-Confidence Through Magic

19:18 The Power of Connection and Storytelling

24:52 Embracing Differences as Strengths

30:42 The Impact of Sharing Personal Stories

35:40 The Power of Generosity and Support

36:46 Creating Impact Through Storytelling

39:48 Embracing Authenticity and Resilience

42:31 Overcoming Adversity and Self-Doubt

49:38 Transformative Coaching and Personal Growth

52:19 Navigating Fear and Performance Anxiety

01:01:29 The Art of Connection in Public Speaking

01:08:48 Embracing Life's Challenges

01:11:58 Rolodex Roulette: Reconnecting with Others

01:14:16 The Importance of Genuine Connections

01:16:42 Celebrating Relationships and Life's Moments

01:18:20 Life's Unexpected Moments and Their Impact

01:20:29 Living Authentically in a Masked World

01:22:39 Future Endeavors and Personal Growth

01:25:38 Sharing Insights and Lessons Learned

01:39:47 Embracing Technology for Better Communication

You can find John below:

https://johnkippen.com

https://kippencoaching.com

TedX Talk: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=on-IVeZ4M4U

Documentary: https://youtu.be/u462NpswNso?feature=shared

Press: https://www.johnkippen.com/press