78. One Mind, Many Matters (Strength & Resilience)

Barnaby Howarth has faced more than his share of tragic experiences in life. From being diagnosed with diabetes at 14, to suffering a torn cerebral artery in a gang fight (and having a stroke 7 days later) to losing his first wife to breast cancer shortly after their honeymoon, to choosing to have his finger amputated because it was hindering his daily life, Barnaby has not had it easy. But as he tells it, being an everyday “Joe Bag O’Doughnuts” IS enough, doing the best you can day to day IS enough. Being a regular person who tries to put “small good” out in the world is all you have to do to live your best life.

As a former AFL player for the Sydney Swans, the host of the “Everyday Greatness” podcast, and sought-after public speaker, Barnaby doesn’t just TELL an interesting story – he is living one.

Discussion Points

Why and how do you use the term “Joe Bag O’Doughnuts”?
Some of Barnaby’s early stories around the AFL
The gang fight and his friends– and subsequent stroke
The tiny exercises that seemed ridiculous - moving paper clips and clenching buns
The challenges Barnaby has to live with forever because of the stroke
Good things/bad things happening to people has no logic
Losing his first wife Angela to breast cancer
How to move on after the loss
What’s the buzz you get from public speaking?
Choosing to have his finger amputated
Chemism and their work helping the disabled find work
Parents, parenthood, and being present for people in your life
How are you proud of yourself?
My key takeaways:
- Leaders do their best all the time
- Leaders do the small things well
- Leaders forgive
Contact me with questions or comments