Outlier Magazine Summer 2024

ISSUE NO. 02

MAGAZINE

The Outlier Project Retreat No. 02 “Living with Legends”

Legends in

Jackie Summers

Megan Reilly

Robert Hamilton Owens

The Weekapaug Inn HISTORIC SEASIDE INN | RELAIS & CHATEAUX | FORBES 5-STAR | TRAVEL + LEISURE WORLD’S BEST

Autumn in New England September 29 - October 2, 2024

residence

Michelle “Mace” Curran

Joe Jacobi

Scott MacGregor

A Retreat Like No Other | Scott@TheOutlierProject.co

TABLE OF CONTENTS 08

PUBLISHER’S NOTE Celebrating the Outlier Spirit

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EXCLUSIVE FEATURE: ROBERT HAMILTON OWENS Living your best life

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THINKING LIKE AN OUTLIER: PALAK PATEL Reframing Reality to Push the Boundaries

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THINKING LIKE AN OUTLIER: CHRIS HETHERINGTON Thirst for Extraordinary

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THINKING LIKE AN OUTLIER: ANTONIA HOCK Chasing Fulfillment, Not Applause

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THINKING LIKE AN OUTLIER: CHUCK PATTERSON Leader, Risk-Taker, Wanderer of Untrodden Paths

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TABLE OF CONTENTS 43

THINKING LIKE AN OUTLIER: AMBERLY LAGO Thriving Together on the Entrepreneurial Journey

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THINKING LIKE AN OUTLIER: BRET HEDICAN Champions Who Put Others First

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THINKING LIKE AN OUTLIER: JOANNA LOHMAN Embracing Uncertainty on the Road Less Traveled

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THINKING LIKE AN OUTLIER: DANA CAVALEA Choosing Your Path

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THINKING LIKE AN OUTLIER: HENNA PRYOR Embracing the Awkward & Forging Your Own Path

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THINKING LIKE AN OUTLIER: ANTONIO NEVES Following Your Own Path

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TABLE OF CONTENTS 74

COVER STORY: JACQUES PÉPIN A Life in Two Courses

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FUEL FOR YOUR MIND A Collection of Outlier Authored Books

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CREATING AN OUTLIER On How Hard Work Beats Talent

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OUTLIER POWERHOUSES Unveiling the Power of Nonconformity

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ICONIC OUTLIER SPOTLIGHT Why Outliers Win

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OUTLIER outlier-magazine.com

contact@outlier-magazine.com

PUBLISHER & EDITOR-IN-CHIEF SCOTT MACGREGOR MANAGING EDITOR KATHY LOVE COPY EDITOR MELISSA COHEN CONTENT & ART DIRECTOR VICTORIA WALLING CONTRIBUTING WRITER MANDOLEN MULL, PH.D. Outlier Magazine celebrates the courageous and creative people who dare to show up differently, color outside the lines and take the path less traveled.

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On the cover: Photographer: Tom Hopkins

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THANK YOU ALL FOR SUPPORTING OUR INAUGURAL ISSUE. The overwhelming feedback has been humbling and inspiring. I hope you also saw our cover in the bright lights of Times Square. The explosion of subscribers is adding fuel to our fire as we think about creating something that the world seems to be yearning for.

Our Summer issue features one of the true iconic figures in the culinary world. Jacques Pépin has been a pioneer in many ways, long before celebrity chefs were in vogue. It is a true honor to feature such a legend and to give our readers a glimpse of what makes him an outlier.

LETTER FROM THE Scott MacGregor PUBLISHER This issue is jam packed with an eclectic array of mavericks, so get ready to celebrate the courageous people who show up differently, color outside the lines, and take the path less traveled.

Publisher and Editor-in-Chief

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EXCLUSIVE FEATURE

Photo credit: www.roberthamiltonowens.com

UNAFRAID & UNFINISHED:

ROBERT HAMILTON OWENS ON ADVENTURE, PURPOSE, AND LIVING YOUR BEST LIFE An interview with Robert Hamilton Owens

Ever have that feeling you just don't fit the mold?

Like you were born with a cowboy hat and boots, ready to ride your tricycle eight blocks to adventure?

That's the spirit of an outlier, and at

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Outlier Magazine, we celebrate those who break the rules and color outside the lines.

In this issue, we dive into the life of Robert Hamilton Owens, a man whose stories from childhood paint a clear picture: he's always been an outlier.

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From hitching rides in milk trucks to yearning for skydiving before the thought was even mainstream, Robert's life is a testament to embracing your unique wiring.

In our interview, Robert explores the moment he realized he was different, the influence of his adventurous birth mother, and how he learned to harness his outlier spirit for success.

Join us as we celebrate Robert's journey and discover the power of being unafraid to be who you truly are.

- Scott MacGregor In a lifetime that is literally littered with achievement, what are the most important things that you've done in your life?

RHO: Gosh, I think the most important thing is working with young people, just trying to keep them on track. A lot of kids don't have a lot of parental guidance. So, high school and university students offer a great rate of return when you make an investment of your time with them.

They're soaking up what you share with them; they ask questions. They want to grow. They look for mentors.

Born disabled and left at hospital by mom.

Sent to orphanage, had severe feet and ankle disabilities

Photo credit: www.roberthamiltonowens.com

As far as what I have done in my life, I think probably the most important one is my work with kids. Second is working in my city. When I was in Reno trying to help the low-income mothers and the food bank, I was a social activist pastor.

I figured that if I helped the city, the city would respond. I didn't try to build a church. I tried to reach out and do good things for the judges, for the juvenile hall system - everything. Then word spread and people started coming. I know that those 25 years of social work were beneficial. Many of the judges frequently told me that they appreciated my help.

Adopted at 3 mos. by a couple; learned to run without foot braces in 6th grade

6th grade: Mom contracted Lupus when there was no cure.

Mother was disabled until she was 91.

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You've had so many athletic achievements. Is there unfinished business there, or are you satisfied with that incredible body of work that you've done, whether it's the world marathon, rowing across the Atlantic, or any of the other things that you've accomplished?

RHO: I have a ton of things I'd like to do, but I have a wife and we’re in our 70s.

She says, "Are you going to leave me alone because you have to do another stupid thing? Haven't you done enough to back off and live a life with me? I mean, dream about some vacations with us versus your next adventure."

I said to her, “I got asked to row the Pacific. It's only 30 days, not 43.”

So, she said, “No. What else is in your brain?”

I said, “Well, North Korea is on a lockdown at the moment but when it opens up, there's the North Korean marathon. I'd really like to take the train from China to North Korea and spend a couple of weeks. They open up for a window of time, then lock up again. They will invite 30,000 people from around the world to come in and run. All of the people in the stadium will have to clap and applaud.”

Sexually abused in 7th and 8th grades

Started drinking a lot in 8th grade.

She said, “You're not going to North Korea!” I said, “Oh, yeah? I am, and you're coming with me!” She said, “No, I’m not!”

I said, “That's such a rare opportunity.”

She just laughed and said, “We're going to Greece or something.”

So, I have to keep a lid on these things.

She doesn't want me to die and leave her a widow. I am trying to be more openminded and not be a narcissist. But there are still a lot more things that I'd like to do.

Despite all that you've accomplished, you seem to be looking more through the windshield than you are in the rearview mirror, which makes me believe that you think there’s still unfinished business.

RHO: I think working with more young people is probably my main pursuit. My wife says, "You know, you're always around only guys. All you do is work with guys, talk to guys, help guys. You need to work with some women too."

I just say, “I don't know. I got it wired somewhere [like Special Ops] that it was fun to hang out with guys and do guy things. So, I think I'd like to flame out in

Developed poor self-worth. Felt lost and didn’t fit in.

Became a beach life guard in Orange County California.

Had a surfer die in his arms as a sophomore in High School.

1950s to 60s

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my 90s still mentoring and helping guys because I was a messed up kid. I am where I am today because these men have had input in my life and redirected me, or kept me on a straight line. That inspires me to give back."

Who's had the biggest influence on your life?

RHO: Jesus! You know, there's one thing about making Jesus your savior. You think, “I'm going to go to heaven, thank you very much.”

That's a vertical line. But really, it’s “Jesus is Lord, and that's not my will but thy will be done.” And when I asked him into my heart, He said, “We're not going to go vertical just yet. You're saved. I'll see you in heaven when you get there. I need you to work on Earth for the next 60 years to do what I want you to do versus what you want to do.”

And I thought, “This is gonna be a long life. You’re gonna make me go to church every week, stand up, sit down, put money in the bucket. I think this is miserable.”

So, He said, “I'll let you have some fun.”

Trying to do what He wants brings a lot of emotions -bitterness, anger, forgiveness, vision, and joy.

At 18, he dodged the Vietnam War Draft.

And so, making Jesus the Lord of my life is the hardest thing I've ever done, because it's an every day deal. It's been 50 years, and it has not always been easy.

But it is what matters most.

Two other people who have had a big influence on my life are John Maxwell and Dr. Edwin Lewis Cole. Both were mentors to me for about 25-30 years, and thank goodness for both of them.

What role did they play in your life?

RHO: When I got out of the military and then planted this church with athletes, I had raw leadership. I didn't really understand it, but I knew what it was.

When Maxwell first started writing books, he'd been a pastor for 20 years, he wrote his first leadership book, “The 21 Laws of Leadership.” This was a big seller of his, and he wrote the outline of the book on yellow pad while visiting our church.

I got to hang out with him, and to have him explain leadership and how to grow self-leadership and how to grow others, developing the leader within and leaders around us. I spent 15 years traveling with him, and he offered me a job to leave Reno and to come work with him and all

Made sure he had Went to college 4 a disqualifying times. Quit to surf, arm injury. snow ski and party.

1950s to 60s OUTLIER MAGAZINE | SUMMER ISSUE

At 19, got job in Snow Ski Motion Picture Business.

Collected the money from theaters at night

1970s

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the men that he works with. But I turned it down.

Each country has a slightly different tweak on what makes a great man.

Dr. Edwin Cole was a guy that just worked with men. Not leaders, but men, and on how to develop better men. We were in the Philippines, and we were speaking to the Joint Chiefs of Staff some 20 years ago. And General Santos of the Philippine Joint Chiefs of Staff said, “We have good generals, but we need better men.” So that became a critical topic of leadership and character in times of conflict.

When I was doing a conference in Spain, we had 2,000 men in attendance. I was sitting with Dr. Cole onstage. One of the things we spoke about was the differing views on families and marriage.

Around the globe, what makes a man a better man? When we would travel the world, we would say, “What is it that every man, in every culture, needs to learn to be a better man?”

We visited different countries and continents - Australia, New Zealand, the UK, France, Africa. Each country has their own traditions and educational norms.

Slept in van often in New England in the winter.

Traveled on US 91, US 93 and US 95 all winter in 1970.

That brings us back to the question of how to make a better man. Conversations around the world all brought us back to that discussion in the Philippines with the Joint Chiefs of Staff. We have good generals but we need better men - how do we develop better men? That's a character issue.

Maxwell and Cole, they didn't know each other but they respected each other, so I brought them both to Reno at the same time and had them stay in the same hotel. I sent them to a boxing match, and they sat next to each other for four hours watching guys beat each other up. They became best friends.

Worked on the floor of the Pacific Coast Stock Exchange in downtown L.A.

Watched day trader have a heart attack and Quit and moved back to Utah die next to him as his mountains to be “Lockheed” Stock a Ski Patrolman. crashed in 1971.

1970s

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Photo credit: www.roberthamiltonowens.com

So my two heroes are best friends and they talk about each other around the world.

They impacted my life an awful lot.

Do you have any regrets?

RHO: You know, that's a great question to ponder. You're walking in the light that you got at the time. Everything I've done, I've tried to do the best I can do with what I know. Would I do things differently? Not really, only because I didn't know any better. I gave it my best shot - raising kids with my wife, being a church pastor, starting from nothing, selling cars. I was selling Volkswagens,

Desperate for change, structure, and more adventure.

Underwent 6 months of physical, mental, and emotional training.

trying to make a living, work with kids, and there's nothing harder than starting a business or starting a church or starting something. It's a full-time job. I'm a risk taker, an entrepreneur, I roll the dice and see what happens. I had a wife who was not a risk taker. You marry your opposites. She got really tired of let’s-rollthe-dice-and-do-it-again.

Once she turned 40, she said, "Can we just mellow out? I just want to nest". I never wanted to nest. We had 10,000 more people to reach. So, you just give it your best shot. I don't have a whole lot of regrets. The things that I have messed up, I have said I'm sorry.

Became Air Force Went into the Air Special Operations Force at 23.

Pararescueman.

Was assigned to do rescue work in Alaska.

1970s

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What drives you, and has it remained consistent through your life?

or whatever it is, find mentors who are better at it than you are. Ask them how they found success, and if they would be willing to help you.

RHO: Ever since I asked Jesus into my heart it's been consistent. When I said, “Jesus, come live in my heart. Do what you want with me.” He said, “Really?”

Humility goes a long way. Listening to smarter guys goes a long way.

My dad didn't talk to me at all about money. There are people who are experts and can teach us how to do what they did to be successful. It makes sense when someone breaks it down for you. So, mentorship.

My answer was, “Just don’t make me religious. Don't make me say Praise the Lord all the time. Don’t make me go to church all the time.”

And He said, “Well, you’re gonna go to church, you may have to do your time in the building, but you can have Van Halen, ponytails and stuff. You can rock it."

I think I'm consistent in that I've tried to do my best. I've tried to just be the best person that I could be, and to help as many people as I can.

RHO: How do you like it? You know, I say how do you like your stuckness? Is it working for you? Don't change a thing if you're into it, but if you think that there's a better life than that and you want to change, ask yourself some questions.

How do you want to change? Can someone help you with that? Are you surrounded by the right people or the wrong people to make that change?

What's your best advice for young people who are just getting started?

RHO: Humility and mentorship. Ask for help. Admit that you don't know what you're doing and then find mentors.

Whether it's in finances or relationships

Attempted Winter Ascent of Mt. McKinley (now called Mt. Aleskya)

Almost died in ice cave.

What advice would you give to people that are older but are stuck (be it in a relationship, a job, a mindset, anything)?

Performed Medical Helicopter and parachute Rescues in the Arctic, Pacific Ocean and Alaska wilderness.

Did rescues from North Pole south to Washington, East Canada to Hawaii and Russia

Had over 50 ocean, mountain, wilderness rescues.

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When in your life did you realize you were a bit of an outlier?

RHO: You know my mom said I had cowboy boots on, and my hat, and my guns on, and I was on my tricycle and I was about four. I rode my tricycle to the end of the street, got off my tricycle, and disappeared. I walked eight blocks to school where my sister was in third grade. I walked in with my boots and cowboy hat on and said, “Hi!” and just jumped in a chair and sat with the class.

My mom had called the police to report that I had been kidnapped. The school called her back and said, “You know your son is over here sitting in class, right?” My mom later told me, “I knew in that moment that you were different, that you were unafraid, you wanted an adventure, and you just did what you felt you wanted to do.”

I've always been wired to live on the edge, even as a child. In the old days of there being milk trucks, I was always told, "Don't ride in the milk truck." One day, I went up to the milk driver at the end of the cul-de-sac and said, “Let me in!” I was six, and he said, “You're not supposed to be in it.” I got in that thing, went around, and just before I got to my house, I jumped out and missed our lawn. I landed right in the street. I was all scraped up, and the milk truck driver stopped and asked, “Are you okay?” I said, “All good, all good.”

Performed ocean scuba rescue jumps. Did civilian rescue work with crashed planes.

Delivered his first baby from a native Alaskan village in the back of a helicopter at 24.

Photo credit: www.roberthamiltonowens.com Photo credit: www.roberthamiltonowens.com Photo credit: www.roberthamiltonowens.com

Played Rugby for 2 years with the “Anchorage Storm”.

In 1978, Robert was notified that he would be leaving the AF.

For five years, he smuggled Christian Literature into the Soviet Union and political documents out of Soviet Union.

1970s

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I walked into the house, and my mom asked, “What happened to you?”

“Nothing, just fell off my bike.” Later my mom said, “You were in the milk truck, weren’t you?” I said, “Yeah, it was way fun, mom.”

The interesting thing is that I just found out who my parents are, about 6 months ago. My birth mother, who left me at the hospital, was an adventurer. She was a Colonel's wife. He was a pilot in the Korean War, and she didn't get along with all the other Colonel's wives because she climbed mountains, she had pro golfer status, and she was out all of the time.

So, when I found out that my mother was an outlier, they all said that's where you got it. You got some DNA a long time ago. It’s what made you who you are today.

Went back to College and University for 5th time.

Graduated with a BS Degree in Theological Studies and Church History. Finally got A’s!

1970s OUTLIER MAGAZINE | SUMMER ISSUE

Throughout junior high, high school, five times in college, I was always outside the box and there was no place for me to fit. I did alternative stuff until finally someone told me I was going to die if I didn't get it together. That’s why I said, “Jesus, can you take an outlier like me and figure out what to do with me? Because I think I'm illegal worldwide.”

At 16, I said I wanted to jump out of a plane. My parents said, “Don’t even think about it.” I told my parents I went surfing instead, but I went and jumped out of a plane twice that morning. I think each of us is gifted differently, and you have to figure out what your gift is, and how it's going to work for you, not against you.

I used it against me until about 21 when I made it work for me. Then it just grows because you have success at it, and you keep sharpening the pencil.

Started coaching Cross Country High School Team at Incline HS at Lake Tahoe.

Became Chaplain at University of NevadaReno for 24 years.

Started a nonDenominational Church at the University for 25 years.

1980s

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Started a 1-hour television program on FOX Regional Network paid for by local businesses for 24 years.

Flew 4M miles over the years speaking and teaching in 30 countries.

Ran for State Legislature. Won the Republican Primary.

Lost the General Election.

Raised medical relief funding for homeless families living in cars.

Parachuted from a plane alongside Tiger Woods Started the Crises Pregnancy Center in Reno.

Played Rugby for Reno.

1990s

1980s

Was one of the original Ironman Finishers in 1980

Adopted low-income elementary schools and established after school programs.

Raised medical supplies funding for Nicaraguan Contra soldiers.

15 trips to Africa 1994-2007

Made 3 trips to Albania under Communist Rule.

Started a food bank which turned into the largest live-in rescue center in the county.

Began to visit and work with 5 prisons for 20 years in California and Nevada because of the TV Program.

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Sailed across the Atlantic Ocean.

Became a paid coach for SEALFIT.

Lost home in recession.

Married again in 2014 to High School girlfriend.

10 trips to China working for ProDemocracy Leaders

Didn’t finish 13th Ironman. Came home and had heart attack in 2019.

Photo credit: www.roberthamiltonowens.com

Moved home and took care of father (from age 92 to 101).

2000s

Rowed across the Atlantic.

43 days 3100 miles Row 12 hours a day.

Longest sleep: 1:45 minutes.

Ran 238 miles across Greece 8 days for the Navy SEAL Foundation.

2020s

2010s

Completed Ironmans 6-12

Oldest Finisher of SEATFIT’s Navy SEAL 50 Hour Nonstop Navy SEAL Crucible known as Kokoro.

Bad case of Covid.

Presently has “Long Covid.”

Finished World Marathon Challenge known as 777.

Went through a divorce 2009 after 30 years of marriage and 5 kids.

Appointment by two Governors to 8 years on the Nevada State Judicial Ethics Commission overseeing the Judges and Attorneys in Nevada.

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At 72, he was running on his knee replacement in 4 weeks.

Lost most of 2023 to walking pneumonia and torn up knee.

Declared “The Fittest and Mentally Toughest 66-Year-Old in the World” by Spartan Games founder Joe De Sena.

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THINKING LIKE AN OUTLIER FEATURE NO. 01

with...

PALAK PATEL

Celebrity Chef, Bestselling Author, TV Personality

Photo credit: https://www.chefpalakpatel.com/ & Shay Paresh

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Q: In a fire, what irreplaceable possession would you risk saving and why?

In a house fire, I would prioritize saving a cutting board bearing my mom's handwritten recipe of my favorite dish, which was given to me by my sister and best friend. I would also save my passport and my old journals. My journals are repositories of memories, emotions, experiences, and reflections.

I love rereading them to get a snapshot of myself in a moment and time.

Photo credit: https://www.chefpalakpatel.com/

Q: What’s your favorite way to spend a day off?

Photo credit: https://www.chefpalakpatel.com/

My favorite day begins with a deep meditation, where I sit quietly and center myself, allowing the stillness to set the tone for the day. After this peaceful start, I love making a homemade brunch with family and friends.

We share jokes and stories, basking in each other’s company and the warmth of my home. Then I'll indulge in a midafternoon nap.. In the evening, I take a moment to celebrate a recent work or life moment I'm proud of.

“I TRY TO SURROUND MYSELF WITH PEOPLE WHO DO WHAT THEY SAY THEY ARE GOING TO DO.” - PALAK PATEL

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Q: What goal do you want to accomplish in the next 12 months?

I'm planning a huge relocation and an audacious work project. I'd like the move to be seamless and step into the next year with clarity and courage.

Q: How do you find the strength to keep pushing when things get tough?

I pride myself on surrounding myself with supportive friends and family members, and rely on many modalities like breathwork, yoga, and meditation for self-care.

Photo credit: https://www.chefpalakpatel.com/

Q: What's your biggest pet peeve?

It is not being accountable. I try to surround myself with people who do what they say they are going to do.

Accountability is huge for me as it helps build trust in people.

Q: What’s your favorite thing about yourself?

My ability to forge and maintain meaningful connections.

Q: What is your favorite quote?

“To make an end is to make a beginning.” ~ T.S. Eliot.

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Q: Do you have a mentor?

I have a diverse set of friends and business professionals that I've come to rely on for making decisions and getting support.

Q: What do you want people to say about you when you’re gone?

I'd want to be known for my effervescent energy, kindness, and resilience.

Q: If you could time travel, when and where would you go?

I would travel back to when both my grandfathers were alive, whom I never had the chance to meet in my lifetime. I'd return to India when they were young men raising their families and ask them about their stories, quirks, and legacies. Though they are no longer with us, their presence lingers in the memories I now carry, a testament to the power of ancestry.

Photo credit: https://www.chefpalakpatel.com/

What does it mean to be an Outlier?

To me, being an outlier means challenging conventional thinking and even challenging my belief systems and pushing boundaries, continuously reframing the frames that I use to make decisions.

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THINKING LIKE AN OUTLIER FEATURE NO. 02

with...

CHRIS HETHERINGTON Founder and CEO of Peels CBD, CEO of Fathead, 11-yr NFL Veteran, Yale Grad

Photo credit: Peels CBD Website

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Q: In a fire, what irreplaceable possession would you risk saving and why?

If my family and dog were safe, I would save my journal, which is full of memories and reflections, both good and bad, over the last 10 years.

Q: What's your biggest pet peeve?

My biggest pet peeve is lack of preparation. I love the saying, “Proper preparation prevents piss poor performance!”

Photo credit: Chris Hetherington Instagram

Q: What is your favorite quote?

“Recognize what you can and cannot control.”

Q: What’s your favorite way to spend a day off?

My favorite way to spend a day off is to do my normal daily routine - wake up at 4:44am, cold plunge, sauna, meditate, workout, then spend the rest of the day with my wife and kids.

Photo credit: Christ Hetherington X

“I FIND STRENGTH THROUGH FOCUSING ON MY “PURPOSE” AND MY “WHY.” - CHRIS HETHERINGTON

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Q: What goal do you want to accomplish in the next 12 months?

My goal over the next 12 months is to significantly grow my businesses, while being present with my wife and kids, and visiting my parents and family in CT more.

Q: How do you find the strength to keep pushing when things get tough?

I find strength through focusing on my “Purpose” and my “Why”. Also, my daily practice of meditation, manifestation, and faith has been extremely helpful.

Q: If you could time travel, when and where would you go?

Photo credit: Chris Hetherington Instagram

Photo credit: Chris Hetherington Instagram

If I could time travel, I would go back to my wedding day in San Diego on June 15, 2013, and experience that special day and night again.

Q: What’s your favorite thing about yourself?

My favorite thing about myself is my consistent discipline and grit.

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Q: Do you have a mentor?

I have 2 mentors/heroes - my dad, Ray and my older brother, Brian. They have been incredible influences in my life and have provided unconditional support throughout my life.

Q: What do you want people to say about you when you’re gone?

I want people to say I was a positive influence, a value adder, and lived life with meaning and impact.

What does it mean to be an Outlier?

To be an Outlier means you choose to live with a thirst to be extraordinary.

To have a growth mindset, and to be a part of a unique and special community of other Outliers that help you accomplish your goals, personally and professionally, with their unwavering support.

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THINKING LIKE AN OUTLIER FEATURE NO. 03

with...

ANTONIA HOCK Former Global Head of Ritz Carlton Leadership Center, Entrepreneur, Athlete

Photo credit: Antonia Hock LinkedIn

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Q: If you could time travel, when and where would you go?

I would travel back to the Heian Period of Japan to have a front row seat for the cultural achievements in art and architecture. I love art, calligraphy, poetry, and literature, so this is a fascinating time in history for me. I love The Tale of Genji! This is also the time when the rise of Samurais began-- and the development of Bushido code would be exciting to experience.

Photo credit: Antonia Hock LinkedIn

Q: What do you want people to say about you when you’re gone?

I want to be remembered for leading an authentic life where I made decisions that were not governed by fear. Each human on this planet has incredible gifts, but the only way to make a contribution is to show up without artifice or allow fear to change the choices you make.

Photo credit: Antonia Hock LinkedIn

“CURIOSITY KEEPS US ALL GROWING!” - ANTONIA HOCK

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Q: What’s your favorite thing about yourself?

Q: What is your favorite quote?

I solve problems well under extreme stress, and that has saved my life more than once. It has also shaped my ability to thrive under difficult circumstances. This trait created value for me at times when everyone else decided to fold.

Theodore Roosevelt's "Citizenship in a Republic" speech, delivered on April 23, 1910 at the Sorbonne inspires me every time I read it. It is widely known as "The Man in the Arena" address, and the message is one that is core to my perspective in life.

Q: What goal do you want to accomplish in the next 12 months?

I had an expedition planned to climb Aconcagua, the highest mountain in both the Southern and Western Hemispheres, and I had to postpone it in 2024, but 2025 is the year!

Training for big mountains is such an exciting nexus of hard work, discipline, and excitement.

I have the seminal line: "The credit belongs to the man in the arena" memorialized as a tattoo, so I carry it with me always.

Q: Do you have a mentor?

I don't have a mentor, and I haven't had a lot of success with that model. I do believe in sponsors-- where there is alignment to an outcome, and you are focused on that achievement together.

Q: What is your biggest pet peeve?

Curiosity is a trait I highly value, and when someone lacks the interest or engagement to seek new understanding, learn new things, or have new experiences, I'm disappointed. Curiosity keeps us all growing!

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Q: What’s your favorite way to spend a day off?

I don't really subscribe to days "off"-- as I see every 24 hours as an opportunity to create, experience, build, and enjoy. I get inspired by being high in the mountains-- alone in nature-- so anytime I can be 14,000ft+, I know it will be a great day!

Q: How do you find the strength to keep pushing when things get tough?

"Tough" is relative. Throughout my whole life I have been beating the odds and pushing through really challenging experiences, so I don't frame my life in that way. When you develop strength as a very young

person, "pushing through" is your normal modus operandi. Always bet on yourself!

Q: In a fire, what irreplaceable possession would you risk saving and why?

I have a Zuni totem that was given to me by a tribal member before a big mountain climb. Her grandfather carved it, and she had been awaiting its match for many years. Her grandfather is exhibited in the Smithsonian, but the value to me is in the gift from the heart and the alignment she felt between this Mountain Lion carving and my energy. I carry it with me all the time, and I always remember that strangers sometimes bestow experiences that connect us to our truest selves.

Photo credit: Antonia Hock Instagram

What does it mean to be an Outlier?

Outliers trust in their own abilities and lead life according to what brings them the greatest fulfillment. It is not about the applause from the crowd, what is mainstream, or what others will value. They understand that their time on this earth is limited, and they seek to lead an authentic life-committed to their own guiding principles and purpose.

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THINKING LIKE AN OUTLIER FEATURE NO. 04

with...

CHUCK PATTERSON Greatest Multi-Sport Extreme Action Sport Athlete in History

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Q: What is your morning routine?

In a nutshell, I wake up at 5:00 and take the dog out for a walk. We come home, all hop back in bed for about 15 minutes, read a little news, and then I'm out the door to the gym or a surf, depending on the tide and conditions.

Then it’s back home for a protein smoothie, food and addressing office emails, sponsor project obligations, social media, phone calls and back in the water or training outdoors.

Q: What's an area of your life where you need to practice more self-discipline?

Time management is a big challenge. I have a hard time saying no and taking on too many things at once, especially if I want to be well rested for the next day.

Q: Who is your favorite comedian?

Aziz Ansari

“I HAVEN'T MET ANYONE THAT DOESN'T EXCEL AT SOMETHING.” - CHUCK PATTERSON

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Q: Do you speak another language? If not, which one interests you most and why?

Q: How do you consume news, and what topics do you pay attention to?

My mom is from Germany, so it was more important that German was my first language, even though I was born in California. I spent my early years growing up in Germany, even going to a German school run by nuns. When we moved back to California, we continued German school on the weekends between our regular schooling until the school sent a note to my parents stating my sister and I needed to put more time into learning the English language.

My wife and I wake up early and she reads the news out loud. Some of it we take with a grain of salt, politics for instance. We keep a close eye on global weather, which is often followed with booked flights out in the next 24 hours to chase an incoming swell or snow storm.

I’m grateful as I still can speak and understand German pretty well to this day.

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Q: How do you incorporate fun into your life?

It's the opposite for me. I find difficulty incorporating other things into my life because I am so busy having fun! I try and justify it by saying it's my job to have fun. :)

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Q: What decision impacted your life in the most positive way?

At the start of college, I received a dream sponsor offer to get paid to windsurf and travel the world competing, filming and teaching windsurfing.

I was pretty scared to ask my parents for their blessing, as I knew education was a huge part of growing up and succeeding in life. However, to my surprise, after explaining my plan and expressing my passion and love for the sport, along with the ability to learn so much from world travels, culture, and being on my own, they both gave me the nod. They agreed as long as I put 100% into it, knowing that failure or coming back with my tail between my legs was not an option.

This was definitely the launch of my career as a fully paid professional athlete and the start of living out many sports highlight dreams to this day.

Q: Why do you think some people excel and others don’t?

I haven't met anyone that doesn't excel at something. Some people make headlines on what they "excel" at, others may not even realize that they in fact do excel at something, even if it's just kindness, which for some doesn't come naturally.

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Q: Looking back on your personal journey, what are you most proud of?

Such a tough question as I feel very blessed for all the life lessons, challenges and goals I’ve experienced and the healthy sports lifestyle I’ve been able to keep living while doing what I love...

In all honesty, I'd say my work ethic and determination to never look back while chasing my passion. I am very grateful for all of my friends and family who have supported and inspired me while keeping me humble. Lastly, my love of sharing everything I've learned to help others find their passions and chase their dreams with a smile.

Q: Were you a studious or a curious student in school? Do any teacher comments from your report cards still resonate with you today?

I was more curious about sports than studious in school, but once I learned I couldn’t play sports without a good grade point average I had to buckle down and put in the work. It wasn’t easy, but my father made me a deal I couldn’t refuse; if I put my head down and finished all my homework and studies, he would support anything I wanted to do, especially in sports. My last year in high school, I graduated with straight A's.

"Anything is possible if you put your mind to it."

What does it mean to be an Outlier?

An Outlier is someone that chooses to live a life less ordinary, an outside of the box thinker, willing to risk everything for what he/she believes in, not afraid to be different or run their own path less traveled. They are a leader, not a follower.

An Outlier does what others wish they could do, but fear it's not attainable or "safe".

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THINKING LIKE AN OUTLIER FEATURE NO. 05

with...

AMBERLY LAGO CEO, BESTSELLING AUTHOR, TOP KEYNOTE SPEAKER Photo credit: Amberly Lago LinkedIn

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Q: What decision impacted your life in the most positive way?

I knew from a young age that I wanted to move to LA to be a professional dancer. I worked four jobs to save up enough money-- $1,200 to be exact. I packed up my bags and set out for California and ended up with a successful dance career. This small town girl's first gig was a dream come true. After a month of being in California, I danced in MC Hammer's music video, "Can't Touch This." Oh boy!

Now I'm really aging myself!

Photo credit: Amberly Lago LinkedIn

Q: Looking back on your personal journey, what are you most proud of?

Photo credit: Amberly Lago LinkedIn

I am so proud that I never gave up after my motorcycle accident, 34 surgeries to save my leg from amputation, being diagnosed with an incurable nerve disease (CRPS) and told I would never walk again. Not only can I walk but I have completely transformed my life and career and now am blessed to be able to inspire others to be unstoppable as well!

“RESILIENT PEOPLE DON'T LET ADVERSITY DEFINE THEM, BUT INSTEAD FIND THE COURAGE TO MOVE FORWARD TOWARDS A GOAL BEYOND THEMSELVES. “ - AMBERLY LAGO

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Q: Were you a studious or a curious student in school? Do any teacher comments from your report cards still resonate with you today?

Although I was a very studious and curious student, in elementary school I was put in the special needs class because I wasn't doing well, and was probably driving my teacher crazy. I didn't fit in that class either. I would finish all my work quickly and then tap dance under the desk and made up my style of cursive writing. They then tested me and said, "Oh wow, she really is smart." I was then put in the Talented and Gifted Program at school where I went to state to compete and won. But being put in a classroom for "slow" learners always stuck with me, and for so long I really didn't think I was smart. It wasn't until I graduated with honors that I started to develop more confidence.

Q: What’s an area of your life where you need to practice more self-discipline?

I need to practice taking better care of myself and giving myself some grace. I love grit and I love going fast. I tend to push and push, and I need to be more disciplined about taking breaks throughout the day and setting better office hours. I also need to be more disciplined about setting boundaries. As an overcoming people pleaser I want to help everyone and be there for everyone.

I have to be more disciplined about being there for myself so I CAN be the best version of myself and serve from a place of good health, mentally and physically.

Photo credit: Amberly Lago LinkedIn

Q: Do you speak another language? If not, which one interests you most and why?

I have a thick Texas drawl and sometimes feel like I can barely speak English lol. But I took four years of French and had the opportunity to practice speaking the language as I wandered around Paris. I am married to a Cuban and I can understand when he is talking smack about me, but I can't speak a lick of Spanish. I would love to learn Spanish and surprise my hubby.

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Q: How do you consume news, and what topics do you pay attention to?

I don't really watch the news. I don't really even watch TV. My hubby, a former Lt Commander, loves the news so he gives me the Cliff Notes version of what is going on in the world.

Q: Who is your favorite comedian?

Ron White

Q: What is your morning routine?

Photo credit: Amberly Lago LinkedIn

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The first thing I do each morning is drink a huge shaker of water mixed with my gut health supplement and immunity shot. I wake up early before my family, so I can have some quiet time and focus on my intentions for the day. I read the third step prayer which reminds me, His will and not my own throughout the day. I read from my Daily Reflections book and 24 Hours a Day book because I am sober by the Grace of God since 2016. I have a gratitude practice where I write 10 things I am grateful for and then I share it with my sober sisters.

We call ourselves "the God squad".

Then I move my body because it moves my mood. It might sound like a lot, but it keeps me grounded and sets my day up for success. I do all of this before I pick up my phone and scroll through social media or check emails. (Even though I really want to pick up that dang phone.)

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Q: Why do you think some people excel and others don’t?

Q: How do you incorporate fun into your life?

We all have setbacks and challenges.

Those who give up question their abilities and goals. Those who get back up again and again and persevere focus on strategy and tactics. They have grit.

Resilient people don't let adversity define them, but instead find the courage to move forward towards a goal beyond themselves. I believe successful people know where they want to go. They cast a vision and focus on what they can control instead of what they can't. And most importantly, they know they need a community of positive people and support around them and that they don't have to do it alone.

My daughters are the joy of my life.

As well as my hubby! But I have so much joy when I get to go fishing with my youngest daughter, go on adventures with her--she is a dare devil like me. We were actually playing in a rain storm through all the puddles yesterday. Believe it or not, fun for me is when I get to go to the gym. One of my most favorite things I get to do is speak at events and hold retreats for my mastermind ladies. This sparks so much joy when I get to connect with amazing people.

Photo credit: Amberly Lago LinkedIn

What does it mean to be an Outlier?

I believe the happiest and most successful people are the ones that are a part of community. Being an Outlier means I am never alone on my entrepreneurial journey. I think we all just want to feel heard, seen, and understood. Thanks to Scott we have the most amazing supportive community, and he brings the most phenomenal, passionate, positive people together.

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THINKING LIKE AN OUTLIER FEATURE NO. 06

with...

BRET HEDICAN

2x Olympian, Stanley Cup Champion, 17-year NHL career, Broadcaster, Entrepreneur Photo credit: Bret Hedican Instagram

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Q: How do you find the strength to keep pushing when things get tough?

In my darkest days as a professional hockey player, early in my career when I hadn’t mastered my mental game, I learned that it’s ok to fail and know that you’ll bounce back. While it may sound counterintuitive, the strength I’ve gotten from failing, and going back to the drawing board to find a better way to do things, showed me that even failure is just an opportunity to point your compass in a different direction.

Photo credit: Bret Hedican Instagram

Q: In a fire, what irreplaceable possession would you risk saving and why?

A lot of people would probably think I’d be running for my Stanley Cup ring.

My answer might surprise you. I’d grab my HEDi-PACK. People might say it’s just a backpack, but it’s been everywhere with me, and each of the patches I have on my HEDi-PACK are moments in my life that changed me and made me the person I am today.

Photo credit: Bret Hedican Instagram

“NO MATTER WHAT I DO IN LIFE, I COME AT PASSION WITH EVERYTHING I HAVE.” - BRET HEDICAN

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Q: What goal do you want to accomplish in the next 12 months?

When someone sees a backpack out in the world with patches all over it, I want people to recognize it and say, “that’s a HEDi-PACK!” It’s where people know this is not just any backpack, but a representation of one’s individuality and moments in their life that changed them.

Q: If you could time travel, when and where would you go?

I would go 100 years into the future from now. It’s hard to comprehend how far we’ve come as a civilization in 2024 years, let alone what we’ve accomplished since the turn of the 20th Century. Imagine what a centenarian has seen in their last 100 years, and imagine what we’ll accomplish in our next 100 years. I’d love to know that answer!

Photo credit: Carolina Hurricanes Media Archives

Q: What is your favorite quote?

M.O.B. = “Make Others Better.” I try to live with a MOB mentality, because every winning team or organization I’ve ever been a part of all had one thing in common—everyone was more concerned with the person beside them than themselves.

Throughout the years whenever I’ve been stuck in a rut, or if I was struggling to break out of a negative cycle, I’d turn my focus to others and good things would happen.

Photo credit: Getty Images

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Q: What’s your favorite way to spend a day off?

Q: What's your biggest pet peeve?

Playing my guitar. In a world that’s always demanding our attention or pushing us to the next thing, it’s such an amazing release to grab my guitar and only think about the next chord and the words of the song, which keeps me completely in the moment.

This is sort of a weird one, but I don’t like it when people text back “sure” or “okay.” Like you’ve just invited someone to come over and barbecue or play a round of golf and the most they can muster is “sure.” It’s the text message version of a buzz kill, and life’s too short not to be enthusiastic.

Q: Do you have a mentor?

Q: What’s your favorite thing about yourself?

I have a close friend, a successful entrepreneur himself, Greg Gartner, who has been my mentor. He’s helped me in many areas of my life, both business and personal.

Q: What do you want people to say about you when you’re gone?

Bret always made me feel like I was seen.

Passion. No matter what I do in life, I come at it with everything I have. I have a saying, “I am a Loving, Courageous, Passionate leader.” I’ve realized that for me to get to where my passion lives, I first have to come from a loving place in my heart, and if I do, it takes me to my Courage to not leave the best of who I am at the door. If I come from Love, I know I’ll have the Courage to show up with all that I am, and my true passion for life will come out.

Photo credit: Bret Hedican Instagram/

What does it mean to be an Outlier?

It means I'm a part of a community of people who have thought of others more than themselves, and to me, those are Championship type people I want to associate with.

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THINKING LIKE AN OUTLIER FEATURE NO. 07

with...

JOANNA LOHMAN USNWT member, Pro soccer player, Number Retired, Hall of Famer, Keynote Speaker

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Q: In a fire, what irreplaceable possession would you risk saving and why?

Truly, there is no possession that I own that holds that much value that I would risk saving. To me, they are just things. The people, however... My wife, Melodie, my daughter, Luna, my dog, Dewey, I would risk it all for.

Q: What is your biggest pet peeve?

Showing up consistently late. I think time is our greatest currency and I do not appreciate when this currency is devalued or worse, wasted.

Q: Do you have a mentor?

I do not have one specific mentor but I have many close friends and colleagues I deeply respect and go to for advice, discourse, and guidance. My parents are also my best friends.

Relationships are the fabric of my life and I invest heavily in their quality.

Q: What’s your favorite thing about yourself?

The insatiable passion and purpose I have for this life which emits itself as a magnetic force field.

“EACH EFFORT WE MUSTER SPEAKS TO THE WAY WE CHERISH OUR IMPACT AND THE INTEGRITY OF OUR EXISTENCE.” - JOANNA LOHMAN

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Q: What do you want people to say about you when you’re gone?

Q: What is your favorite quote?

That Jo Lohman was a rainbow confetti cannon: She brought an energy and light to this world that brightened every experience she was a part of.

She contributed to society in a way that made others feel more empowered to unleash their authentic excellence and walk proudly knowing their worth.

She gave every ounce of her being, every drop of her blood, and tried so damn hard to be the best version of herself.

This quote concisely expresses several deep meanings: Each moment we have on this earth is an opportunity to commit to greatness; to put it all on the line with no guarantee of glory.

Each person has unique value, and when this unique value is gifted to the world, we are all better for it.

Each effort we muster speaks to the way we cherish our impact and the integrity of our existence.

"To give anything less than your best is to sacrifice the gift." - Steve Prefontaine

Q: What goal do you want to accomplish in the next 12 months?

To know myself even more intimately and explore the edges of my capacities, humanity and identity.

Q: If you could time travel, when and where would you go?

I would travel back to 1972, the year that Title IX was passed, to spend time with the individuals who blazed trails and gave me the opportunity to play sport. This would include my late Grandmother, Jesse Baum. I would thank them, one-by-one, for tirelessly dedicating their existence to progress, justice and equality and tell them, "you changed my life".

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Q: What’s your favorite way to spend a day off?

My favorite day off would have the perfect mixture of activity and down time: It would start with a relaxing morning. This includes drinking coffee and reading the sports section of the Washington Post that is delivered to my door. Then, my wife, daughter, and I would eat a family breakfast. Shortly after, we would venture out for a hike in Rock Creek Park with our dog, Dewey. We would picnic in the park, soak up the sun, and play in the grass.

Before heading home, we would eat an early dinner sitting outside at one of our favorite restaurants. The day would end with lounging on the couch, watching "Top Chef" and going to bed promptly at 9:30pm =)

Q: How do you find the strength to keep pushing when things get tough?

I remember that a good life is forged precisely from the things that make it hard: It is through the breakdown that we have breakthroughs. It is through the challenge that we experience change. It is through the struggle that we build strength. It is through the chaos that we build character. And as a woman who knows how hard it hurts to fall and hit the earth face down, I viscerally understand pain is an inevitable part of the beautiful process. So bring it. Oh, and I want to do hard shit with good people.

What does it mean to be an Outlier?

To walk your path with courage, conviction, and enthusiasm and as you walk, you sprinkle that path with surrender, because you truly do not know where it leads.

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THINKING LIKE AN OUTLIER FEATURE NO. 08

with...

DANA CAVALEA

Former Performance Coach for the New York Yankees, World Series Champion, CEO Photo credit: Coach Dana Cavalea LinkedIn

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Q: In a fire, what irreplaceable possession would you risk saving and why?

Outside of my bulldogs Rocco and Santino, I would say my 2009 World Series championship ring. This means so much because it is a symbol of the years of dedication and fight that went into achieving it. It's a timeless piece that encapsulates tremendous output and effort in the quest of victory!

Photo credit: Coach Dana Cavalea LinkedIn

Q: What is your favorite quote?

“It starts with a dream, hard work, and the desire to play forever.”

-Cal Ripken Jr

Q: What's your biggest pet peeve?

People that are not people of their word.

“THAT GUY STOOD FOR SOMETHING. HE WENT AGAINST THE GRAIN. HE WAS PRETTY ROGUE. AND HE WAS A MASTER AT REINVENTING HIMSELF.” - COACH DANA CAVALEA

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Q: What’s your favorite way to spend a day off?

On my farm- working outside and spending time with the beef herd. I am also an obsessive landscaper.

Q: What goal do you want to accomplish in the next 12 months?

I am looking to purchase a USDA Slaughterhouse and take our meat brand, Freedom Farms, to 8-figures.

Q: How do you find the strength to keep pushing when things get tough?

Photo credit: Coach Dana Cavalea LinkedIn

What other option is there? None.

That’s my mindset. So every day we strap on and go no matter how we feel.

Q: If you could time travel, when and where would you go?

2002- back to when I started with the Yanks. It was a time of magical naivety. I would also like to have dinner with the Titan, John D Rockefeller- that would be pretty epic.

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Q: Do you have a mentor?

My parents and my wife are my mentors. They push me every day to be better. They are all no excuses people.

Q: What’s your favorite thing about yourself?

Q: What do you want people to say about you when you’re gone?

That guy stood for something. He went against the grain. He was pretty rogue.

And- he was a master at reinventing himself.

I am always curious and never intimidated to try something new.

Photo credit: https://pryoritygroup.com/

What does it mean to be an Outlier?

It means to look at the herd- and go quickly and boldly the other way. Who wants to join the club when you can start your own?

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THINKING LIKE AN OUTLIER FEATURE NO. 09

with...

HENNA PRYOR Bestselling Author, Keynote Speaker, Entrepreneur

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Life is like a box of chocolates Choose wisely.

www.cocovaa.com

JAMES BEARD NATIONAL SEMI-FINALIST | WINNER OF 30 ACADEMY OF CHOCOLATE AWARDS | ETHICAL SOURCING | PREMIUM INGREDIENTS | MADE WITH LOVE, HONESTY AND A PINCH OF ATTITUDE. 1815 East Washington Avenue

Madison, Wisconsin USA

info@cocovaa.com

Q: Were you a studious or a curious student in school? Do any teacher comments from your report cards still resonate with you today?

I was extremely studious and curious with South Asian parents who came to this country with little, I felt an obligation as the firstborn not to waste their effort and do a good job in school. I was generally a star student with one exception: I would get written up for talking too much in class. Sounds about right for someone who went on to be a keynote speaker!

Q: What decision impacted your life in the most positive way?

It was the same decision made twice both of my career pivots. I pivoted from Big 4 public accounting to executive search/staffing, and then again from that to executive coaching and keynote speaking. Both times were TERRIFYING and I had a huge pit in my stomach, but the decision to leap (both times) has been the best thing to ever happen to me.

“BEING AN OUTLIER MEANS BEING WILLING TO DO WHAT LIGHTS YOUR HEART UP, EVEN IF IT'S DIFFERENT THAN WHAT EVERYONE ELSE IS DOING.” - HENNA PRYOR

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Q: Who is your favorite comedian?

Q: How do you incorporate fun into your life?

Hard to pick just one, but as far as who makes me laugh all the time even when he's not in performance mode, I'll have to go with Philly's finest, Kevin Hart.

Is it cheesy as hell to say my middle name is fun? Fun is in my top 5 values.

We try to make everything fun in our household. Funny voices, kitchen dance parties, stupid jokes. I try to borrow the skills honed by comedians -- looking for the fun and funny in the everyday and mundane. Is that squirrel's tail kind of scraggly? That's hilarious to me. The big vacations and concerts are awesome, but living a fun-filled life means finding those daily moments.

Q: Looking back on your personal journey, what are you most proud of?

How amazing our kids are, despite having two working parents with very demanding jobs. They are selfassured but respectful, independent but deeply caring, and incredibly kind while willing to advocate or speak up for those who can't. I think every working caregiver worries about whether they've given enough to their kids, but they are truly my greatest accomplishment.

Q: How do you consume news, and what topics do you pay attention to?

Honestly, I don't. I avoid the news as much as humanly possible. I find it does more harm than good for my mental health - I get overloaded by all of the things I can't fix. Instead, I try to pick one issue at a time that I'm passionate about and try to spend more energy moving the needle there. If something is newsworthy enough, I'll hear it from the mouth of someone.

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Q: Why do you think some people excel and others don’t?

People who excel are willing to take or at least try - good advice when it's given to them. When I'm fortunate enough to have a chat with someone who is further along than I am or is where I want to be, and they give me advice... I take it. It shocks them. They say, "Henna, you actually DO the things we suggested!" It always surprises me, because otherwise, why am I asking? Too often, people don't want to switch things up, and 6 months later, they're in the same boat.

If you say want to do something and are lucky enough to have someone guiding you -- do the damn thing.

Q: Do you speak another language? If not, which one interests you most and why?

Yes, I speak Urdu. My mom is from Pakistan and my dad is from India (raised in Pakistan) so English wasn't my first language, I learned in preschool and kindergarten. I'm also fluent in Spanish as I took it all the way through college, and I'm still obsessed with Spanish-speaking countries. We are taking the kids to Mallorca (island in Spain) this summer!

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Q: What's an area of your life where you need to practice more self-discipline?

Buying books. (I have WAY too many and I can't get through my stack for the life of me, although I struggle to apologize for that - support your authors!) More broadly, I would say I'm constantly working on my boundaries. I have them, but they're porous sometimes. I'm quick to make an exception to a hard line in the sand if they "deserve it" or I "feel bad."

Working on it.

Q: What is your morning routine?

As of this issue, we're finally in summer, but my kids' bus during the school year comes ungodly early. So I roll out of bed, brush my teeth, get them on the bus, and start the coffee. I have a slow morning skincare routine (my self-care) and then my husband and I typically get some time to ourselves in the morning for breakfast and good conversation before we start our work days in earnest around 8:30 or so.

What does it mean to be an Outlier?

Being an Outlier means being willing to do what lights your heart up, even if it's different than what everyone else is doing. It means having the courage to forge your own path AND the courage to get off the path all together and stumble into the grassy knoll covered with horse poop and back again, knowing with certainty that you can always wash your shoes off. Everyone is awkward - including the confident people. Outliers own it, live it, and embrace our quirks.

And isn't that a more fun way to live?

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THINKING LIKE AN OUTLIER FEATURE NO. 10

with...

ANTONIO NEVES Founder of Morning Man, Global Keynote Speaker, Author, Award-Winning Journalist

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Q: In a fire, what irreplaceable possession would you risk saving and why?

I've reached a point in my life where there's nothing material I care enough about that I would risk my life for.

Good or bad, I've never been sentimental about material things.

However, I am sentimental about people things. Without hesitation, I would risk my life to save the life of someone I love.

Q: How do you find the strength to keep pushing when things get tough?

I do my best to not negotiate with myself. Instead, I recommit to what's most important. People think commitment is a one-time thing.

Nope. You have to recommit every day to what you say is most important.

“PEOPLE THINK COMMITMENT IS A ONE-TIME THING. NOPE. YOU HAVE TO RECOMMIT EVERY DAY TO WHAT YOU SAY IS MOST IMPORTANT.” - ANTONIO NEVES

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Q: What’s your favorite way to spend a day off?

Nothing like spending time in the backyard with my wife and kids.

Nag champa incense burning.

Cooking food on the smoker.

Reading a great book or magazine.

Listening to dub reggae. And tossing or kicking a ball with the fam.

Q: What goal do you want to accomplish in the next 12 months?

I'm excited to rent an amazing home and spend an entire month abroad during the summer with my wife and kids, immersing ourselves in a new language, culture, and cuisine.

Photo credit: Emma D. Alessandro

Q: What do you want people to say about you when you’re gone?

That when I showed up, things got better.

Q: If you could time travel, when and where would you go?

I would go back and check out my parents and their lives before I was born and learn more about them.

We forget that our parents once were young and had dreams and aspirations as well.

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Q: Do you have a mentor?

I've been blessed to have many mentors over the course of my life.

One is my late college professor, Dr. Edward Mayo. He poured into me, believed in me, and opened my eyes to the opportunities in front of me when I needed it most. He reminded me that the sky was the limit and that a small town kid from Michigan could accomplish some amazing things.

Q: What is your favorite quote?

Q: What’s your favorite thing about yourself?

My favorite thing about myself is that I can find humor in everything, even in pain. It's been my saving grace.

Q: What's your biggest pet peeve?

One that sticks out is when someone says, "I'm stuck in traffic." No, you're not stuck in traffic. You are traffic.

You're part of it.

"All of humanity's problems stem from man's inability to sit quietly in a room alone."

-Blaise Pascal

Photo credit: https://pryoritygroup.com/

What does it mean to be an Outlier?

It's a willingness to go left when everyone is going right. It's trusting that though folks may say you're going the wrong way, you know that you're just going a way of your own. It's doing what you say you're going to do without expecting a pat on the back.

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“We believe anyone can be ordinary, but we all have the powe to choose to be extraordinary.”

- Scott MacGregor

Join us in a community like no other. theoutlierproject.co

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“There are a lot of friends, and that's what counts more than anything else in your life.”

-Jacques Pépin Jacques Pépin's life has been a whirlwind of culinary adventures.

From working in his family's restaurant as a child, to serving presidents and gracing our television screens with Julia Child, Pépin's passion for food has taken him on an extraordinary journey.

In this interview, we delve into Pépin's remarkable career, exploring his early days in France, his bold decision to turn down a White House position, and the serendipitous events that led him to become a household name.

We also discuss his love for art and how it complements his culinary creativity, and finally, we chat about what truly matters most to this legendary chef.

- Scott MacGregor OUTLIER MAGAZINE | SUMMER ISSUE

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You found your passion early.

And despite the fact that you worked seven days a week for little pay, it seems like you were very happy. How did you know so early on that this was going to be your path? Did you ever have a plan B? Jacques: Well, not really. I mean, the point is that life then was quite different.

You know, I've been in the kitchen for over 80 years now. Basically, I left home in 1949 to go into apprenticeship. Formal apprenticeship. But home was a restaurant. Home was a restaurant where, already, I was working with my brother, helping in the kitchen and so forth.

Remember, at the time, we didn't have a television, we didn't have a radio. We didn't have the telephone, so it was another world. Much simpler, in a sense, than now. My father was a cabinet maker. My mother was a cook. I was going to be a cabinet maker or a cook.

So that's it. I never thought that I would be a doctor, a lawyer, or anything like this. So I went into the kitchen. I liked it.

It felt exciting. And so, yes, life was simpler at the time.

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You were the personal chef for French President Charles de Gaulle. In 1961, John F. Kennedy and Jacqueline Kennedy asked you to do the same, and you turned that down to head up culinary development for your friend Howard Johnson. That seems like a really bold decision.

What went into that decision making process?

Jacques: Well, it wasn't that complicated. From '56 to '58, I was chef to the president in France. You know, I served people like Nehru, Tito, Macmillan, Eisenhower. They were all heads of state. Never once ever would you be called to go to the dining room for kudos. That did not exist.

The cook was in the kitchen. That was it.

No one knew. I never had authority in France. Television barely existed, but radio or newspaper, magazine, I never had any interview like this. The cook was really at the bottom of the social scale.

When I came to America, I worked at Le Pavillon. And in 1960, I was asked to go to the White House, not by Jacqueline Kennedy, but by the owner of La Caravelle, because the Kennedy family

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used to eat there all the time. It was Joseph Kennedy, the father, who asked the owner, saying they needed a chef for the White House, and they called me.

I had been in New York, a year or so. I was going to Columbia University. I had friends in New York. I had no idea of the potential of the White House, because I had done that in France and it wasn't a big deal.

And on the other hand, Pierre Franey, who was the executive chef at Le Pavillon, had left to work for Howard Johnson. Howard Johnson was a regular patron of Le Pavillon, and he wanted Pierre to work for him, and Pierre asked me to go with him.

It was another world, totally different.

Then I was a consultant for the World Trade center, which opened a commissary serving 35,000 people a day.

I was a consultant at the Russian Tea Room for a few years, too. I am saying those names because I would never have been able to do any of those jobs

I never thought that I would be a doctor, a lawyer, or anything like this. So, I went into the kitchen. I liked it. It felt exciting. And so, yes, life was simpler at the time.

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without the training and knowledge that I acquired at Howard Johnson's in mass production, chemistry of food, American taste, and so forth.

So, yeah, that was a good decision for me, but maybe not as noble as you think it was.

You have an Ivy League education from Columbia with a Bachelors and a Masters degree in French literature. Why was that important to you at the time?

Jacques: I worked in France at Maxim‘s and Fouquet‘s. When you went out in France, to dance, to the nightclubs, it was common for people to ask what you do (for a living).

Well, I am a cook. Even if it was the greatest place in Paris, it didn't pay very much. So we always had a complex about not having an education. So, when I came to America, I came on a student boat from the north of France.

There was a teacher there, and I spoke with him. I said, what is the best place for me to go to learn English? He said, the best school in New York is Columbia University, which of course I'd never heard of.

I was there within a week. I scrambled to look at different places and eventually, got to go to school for English for foreign students. And I did that for, I think, a couple of years. Then I wanted to continue, but I never went to high school.

So I went to see an advisor. He said, okay, you can take an entrance examination. If you pass that entrance examination, we'll put you in a validation program, which I did for a couple of years. And eventually I was accepted in the program. So I went to Columbia from 1959 to 1972, working in New York, but going to Columbia at night.

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That changed my life to a certain extent.

So now I didn't have a complex anymore. I think it was Gilbert K. Chesterton who said, education is important. "Without an education, you are likely to fall in the deadly danger of taking educated people seriously."

So it's true. I didn't have a complex anymore.

Your career took a dramatic turn in 1974 when you were in a near fatal car accident. How difficult was it to come to grips with the fact that physically you could no longer undergo the stresses of running a kitchen?

Jacques: Yeah, it was difficult. Difficult for my wife too, you know, because I severed my sciatic nerve when I broke my back and both hips, my pelvis and so forth. So it was difficult for a couple of years, but things were changing at a rapid pace.

It was the time people started opening little cookware shops with a cooking school in the back, and I was asked to teach in one or two of them. And of course, as a professional chef, I probably work harder and faster than anyone else.

And it was much easier for me to do that.

Even if I do two classes a day, each one two hours, it is easier than being behind a stove in the kitchen. So I end up spending over 35 weeks out of the year, teaching in all the different parts of the country.

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But that may be the book that people remember.

You reinvented yourself to become an educator, a prolific author, and a pioneer as a TV personality, particularly with your longtime friend Julia Child.

How did that all come about?

I would go to the west coast for four or five weeks and repeat those classes. So that's also what introduced me to the home cooks in America and so forth. It is also the reason that I wrote the book La Technique, which was one of my first books. It was an illustrated manual of cooking technique, like 1500 pages, 1500 pictures.

I would go there and I would peel a carrot and people would say, "Wow, that's how you peel a carrot?" So I said, all right, I'm going to start with doing those basic techniques, which I did. And of course, I've done many more books after that.

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Jacques: Well, you know, things were happening. It's a question of luck. There are too many chefs, as good or better than me, who didn't have the luck that I had. From doing cooking classes in different schools all over the country, to doing one thing or another, I met Julia in 1960 in New York through Helen McCully.

She kind of became my surrogate mother. I knew her from Craig Claiborne at the New York Times, when I came here to Le Pavillon. The food world was very small at the time. Within less than a year that I was here, I knew the trinity of cooking, which was James Beard, Julia Child and Craig Claiborne.

It was a small world. So, I met Julia there and we became friends. I still teach at Boston University. We worked together there many times doing a new program; it was a master of liberal arts that we created in the eighties.

It's not like anything is planned. Things happen that lead to another thing which happened and other things happen and so forth. And you take or don't take advantage. You know, I had a column in the New York Times for ten years in the 80's.

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And that led to another thing. Then I spoke with Julia. I said, “Oh, you should do television.“ WADT in New York, and later WGBH in Boston both approached me about television. But that was the end of it.

They never raised the money.

And at some point, I was giving classes in California, in San Francisco, at Martin Yan‘s Chinese Cooking School.

And he said, "You know, KQED, the PBS station in San Francisco, wants me to do a show. Can you come with me to do it?"

I said, sure. So I went there. We cooked together. Then the executive producer asked me, would you be interested in doing a series with us? That’s how one thing led to another.

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How does your love of creating art compare to your love of creating delicious meals?

Jacques: Both of them kind of complete me in some ways, you know? I mean, I've been painting since age 19 when I started at Columbia. I took a class there, in sculpture, I believe, and in drawing.

And eventually, in the early 60's, I started painting.

Since then, I've always painted, but it was never as big as it eventually became. A friend of mine, Tom Hopkins, who lives here in Madison, Connecticut, he is my friend for 40 years. He's done most of my books. And in the last three years, my daughter Claudine asked me, “Could you do a little show for Facebook? Three, four, five minutes."

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Tom said, "Yeah, I'll shoot it." So Tom and I shot them. We've done 385 videos, something like that.

About 40 years ago, Stony Creek library asked me if I wanted to do an exhibit of my paintings. I said, sure. I'd never done that. So I had about 40 or 50 paintings I showed there. I brought three cases of wine. We brought food. My wife Gloria, and my friend Gloria Zimmerman, cooked with me and fed all the guests who arrived.

When someone said, "Oh, I like that painting.", I said, "Okay, you can have it. I like that, but okay, you can have it." I got rid of 50 paintings. They were sold.

I never expected that kind of reaction.

Then, five or six years ago, Tom said, “I'm going to do an exhibit with your paintings.”

And that's what he does now. And I sell as many paintings as I sell books and cookbooks now. So I've been very lucky.

My daughter did Facebook. I would never have done Facebook. My friend Tom did that exhibit, I would never have done that. And my son-in-law did the Jacques Pépin foundation.

respect and admiration of everybody in the culinary world, what are you most proud of, Jacques?

Jacques: My daughter, my life, my sonin-law. It always goes back to that type of thing. We are a very good group here. We play pètanque, which is a kind of bocce ball. We can get a group of about 50 people doing that. Seven or eight of us have a ball court. So It's a big party.

Mine was on the 25th of May, just a couple of weeks ago. We had a sit down dinner for 50 people, and playing ball and drinking about 100 bottles of wine between all of us. It went from 02:00 in the afternoon until 10:00 at night.

So there are a lot of friends, and that's what counts more than anything else in your life.

And I've been, as I said, lucky. I moved to Connecticut in 1976 to the house that I am in now, which used to be a brick factory in the twenties or thirties.

With 24 James Beard awards, five honorary doctorate degrees, a public television lifetime achievement award, an Emmy for lifetime achievement, and the

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You're still so incredibly active with your foundation. You're traveling, speaking, teaching, tv, painting, writing. It's as if there's still unfinished business. Is that accurate? And if it is, what do you still hope to accomplish?

Jacques: Well, you know, more of the same. Basically I don't travel as much. I was a culinary executive, the culinary director for a cruise line. And, the last time I cruised was last fall. I have difficulty alking because of all my accidents and all that.

My back gives me trouble. The traveling

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itself is what's hard. The airport and so forth, not really where I'm going. So I do less of that without any question. But otherwise, I have a new book coming out next year, with more of my paintings and my recipes.

So I'm still active at that. I'm still doing interviews, writing, and cooking. Of course, I cook for myself, but I still cook.

And my daughter doesn't live too far.

They live in Barrington, Rhode island. So, they come to visit. They'll be here in a couple of days, and they stay here with me, so that's good. Then I have Gaston, my dog. He keeps me company. So life goes on.

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FUEL FOR YOUR MIND A COLLECTION OF OUTLIER AUTHORED BOOKS CURATED FOR THIS ISSUE

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THE ONE TRUTH JON GORDON

THE STANDARD BEN NEWMAN

THE PUSH FOR CHANGE JOE ROBERTS

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RELENTLESSLY JOY JOY BARIBEAU

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BET ON TALENT DIANE TURNER

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TRUE GRIT & GRACE AMBERLY LAGO

ASK FOR MORE ALEXANDRA CARTER

LEAD LIKE A GIRL DALIA FELDHEIM

MY SELF CARE SHIT KATHY LECKEY

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SHOEMAKER JOE FOSTER

THE IMPOSSIBLE FIRST COLIN O’BRADY

10 RULES FOR RESILIENCE JOE DE SENA

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FEATURE STORY

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I was never a “numbers person”…until I became one.

You see, for some reason that is still awfully perplexing to me, in the fall of 2015 I decided to voluntarily subject myself to pursuing a doctorate. And in the process of earning my Ph.D., I was required to undergo an immense transformation as I transitioned from being a consumer of knowledge into a producer of knowledge: I had to pass the gauntlet of statistics courses.

A massive, unholy, painful, truly unreasonable amount of statistics courses, y’all.

And in that transition, I actually became a very good statistician. Why? Because I had a remarkable mentor in my statistics professor who gave me a safe place to fail.

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“I had to learn to walk and talk again.”

She designed the curriculum with the assumption that the coursework would be challenging. Working from that premise- that this was hard stuff that may not come naturally to mostassignments were crafted to ensure that if I put forth effort, I was going to have success. This meant the only obstacle in my way would be not a lack of talent, but a lack of hard work.

Wait, work ethic and not talent was my key to success? Why, this was my zone of excellence my friends, and I was up for the task! I realized that through

this setup, I was able to shift my focus away from some specific outcome (a grade) and towards enjoying the process of learning. As a result? Despite my lack of inherent talent in the quantitative realm, I became an excellent quantitative statistician.

This was all because someone intentionally reconfigured the variables I had deemed as obstacles and crafted them into a situation of success.

But it wasn’t just the coursework I had to endure during my doctorate - there were personal hurdles as well.

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But I’m not just a statistical Outlier, I’m an intentional Outlier also.

I’ve navigated other health issues and hardships as well, beating percentages and prognoses. And while my obstacles are often considered by others as me having rotten luck, I very much believe I’ve had the opposite. Because, through all of this, I’ve learned that it is the ability to transform stumbling blocks into stepping stones that is the differential of an intentional Outlier. My statistics professor taught me that.

Such as…I had to learn to walk and talk again.

wish my prognosis had come to fruition.

In the fall of 2016, I experienced significant neurological symptoms of uncontrollable muscle spasms which inhibited my ability to walk and talk correctly. After a battery of painful tests, I was diagnosed with acquired torsion dystonia. The prognosis was that I would be severely disabled within 5 years. Two years later, I graduated with a 4.0.

Statistically, I am an Outlier.

Eight years later, I write this feature, able to walk unassisted and talk at the pace and frequency that I am sure makes some folks

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Less than 1% of the world’s population holds a Ph.D. Less than 1% of the world’s population has dystonia.

Of that 1% with dystonia, only 1% has acquired torsion dystonia.

And those 1% of that 1% who beat the prognostic odds?

Why, that puts even my advanced statistical chops to the test.

And if my story doesn’t convince you, consider the insight of someone who wrote an entire book related to it.

In 2008 Malcolm Gladwell released “Outliers: The Story of Success”. In that book, Gladwell detailed how situational factors contributed to the success of “Outliers”, making them far less enigmatic and something that- with attention and intention- can be replicated. He provides myriad examples of individuals who optimized the variables they had at their disposal…if only they were willing to put forth the effort to grab ahold of those variables and shape them

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into the successful outcomes they desired.

And while, as a statistician, I must entertain the idea that within a margin of error an Outlier can occur by accident, I believe it’s far more probable that intentional Outliers can be purposely created.

Someone wants to be an Outlier?

They need to craft it.

They need to accept there are challenges.

They need to reframe the fear of failure into a safe place to fail.

They need to transform from helpless to hopeful.

They need to harness obstacles into outcomes.

And they need to believe that what looks like terrible, horrible, no good, very bad luck is actually just good luck waiting on the other side.

It’s not statistical odds, its intentional action, that truly makes an Outlier.

It’s not statistical odds, its intentional action, that truly makes an Outlier.

This magazine is full of folks who have crafted their situations to become those who are not consumed by life, but rather those who produce it.

Their energy, impact, and resiliency are not only inspirational but aspirational.

And that’s the key to being an Outlier, my friends: Knowing you’re empowered to take what life has offered and shape it into success.

No statistics course required.

Author’s Note: A special thanks to Dr. Kim Nimon for not just making me a statistician, but for teaching me how to become an intentional Outlier as well.

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SHELLEY PAXTON -The Outlier Project Guest May 7, 2024

Former Head of Marketing at Harley Davidson, TEDx Speaker, Forbes #1 Book to Read (Soulbbatical), and Entrepreneur

Photo credit: https://www.shelleypaxton.com/

“WHAT WE CARE ABOUT WHEN WE SHOW UP IS THAT WE GET TO CHOOSE, AS LEADERS, TO BE A PART OF THE CHANGE OR NOT.” -SHELLEY PAXTON

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MICHAEL EASTER -The Outlier Project Guest May 14, 2024

2x New York Times Bestselling Author, Frequent Guest on The Joe Rogan Experience, Professor

Photo credit: https://eastermichael.com/

“ONCE WE START TO MEASURE SOMETHING WITH A QUANTIFIABLE NUMBER, WE LOSE TRACK OF WHY WE DO WHAT WE DO.” -MICHAEL EASTER

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GREG SCHEINMAN -The Outlier Project Guest May 21, 2024

Founder and CEO of Midlife Male Ventures, Bestselling Author, Serial Entrepreneur

Photo credit: https://midlifemale.com/

“WE TEND TO FOCUS ON THE OUTCOMES, BUT IT’S REALLY THE ACTIONS WE TAKE THAT MAKE THE OUTCOMES INEVITABLE.” -GREG SCHEINMAN

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KOFI DOUHADJI -The Outlier Project Guest June 4, 2024

Officer in the United States Air Force, 2x Bestselling Author, Founder of Dooko, Founder of Flying Wings

Photo credit: Kofi Douhadji’s LinkedIn

“YOU CAN ALWAYS CHOOSE HAPPINESS. IT’S OUR FREE WILL. UNLIKE A TREE THAT CAN’T MOVE AWAY FROM ITS ROOTS, WE HAVE A CHOICE.” -KOFI DOUHADJI

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KEVIN REMPEL -The Outlier Project Guest June 11, 2024

Keynote Speaker, Entrepreneur, Paralympian, 2015 World Championships (Silver Medalist), 2014 Paralympics (Bronze Medalist) in Sochi, Russia, among others

Photo credit: Kevin Rempel Website

“ACCEPTANCE DOES NOT MEAN GIVING UP. YOU DON’T STAY STUCK ON WHAT ONCE WAS; YOU FOCUS ON WHAT IS AND CREATING WHAT COULD BE.” -KEVIN REMPEL

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MATTHEW EMERZIAN -The Outlier Project Guest June 17, 2024

Top Keynote Speaker, 4x Bestselling Author, CEO/Founder of Mondays Matter

Photo credit: https://www.matthewemerzian.com/

“WE ARE AT OUR VERY BEST WHEN WE ARE AWARE OF OUR FEELINGS, LIFTING PEOPLE UP, AND ARE PART OF A COMMUNITY.” -MATTHEW EMERZIAN

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An

ICONIC OUTLIER

Photo Credit: www.billwalton.com