26. Real Life Hero: How One Man Saved Lives in America’s Deadliest Mass Shooting

What does it truly mean to be a hero? Today’s episode is about courage, humanity, and the power of showing up when it matters most. My guest, Todd Blyleven, has lived a life shaped by resilience, from his years as a Major League Baseball pitcher to his remarkable actions during one of the darkest moments in recent history. On October 1, 2017, Todd was at the Route 91 Harvest Festival in Las Vegas when gunfire erupted. Instead of running for safety, he ran back into the chaos—again and again—pulling people to safety, holding strangers in their final moments, and choosing to act when most would freeze. In this conversation, we explore what real strength looks like, why vulnerability is a superpower, and how confronting our emotions — rather than suppressing them — can be the key to true resilience. Todd shares his tools for processing trauma, offers guidance on seeking and giving support, and explores how to find meaning after tragedy. This is an episode that will move you, challenge you, and remind you of the profound goodness that still exists in the world in a time when we need it most.MORE ABOUT THIS EPISODE:(00:00:00) Introduction(00:01:08) Lessons from Growing Up in Professional Sports(00:09:29) The Night That Changed Everything: Surviving the Las Vegas Massacre(00:20:04) Becoming a Hero & Changing the World with One Brave Act(00:26:58) Healing from Trauma & Walking with Peace(00:39:17) The Strength in Vulnerability & Leading with Love(00:51:42) This Is How We Heal HumanityResources:• Website: toddblyleven.com• Instagram: @todd.blylevenConnect with Kate:• Watch the episode on YouTube• Instagram• Website• BookRawish is produced by Crate Media.