Erik Weihenmayer: World Renowned Blind Adventurer (ep. 866)

Erik Weihenmayer is an adventurer, bestselling author, and motivational speaker… but he's perhaps best known as the first blind person to summit Mount Everest. After losing his vision as a teenager, Erik refused to let blindness define his limits. Instead, he became a world-class climber, kayaker, and co-founder of No Barriers—a global movement helping people turn adversity into possibility. Today, Erik shares how losing his sight reshaped his identity, how climbing became both his passion and his teacher, and how summiting Everest was never a solo achievement but a testament to trust, teamwork, and community. He opens up about learning to navigate fear, why saying "yes" to challenge is the doorway to growth, and how every one of us (regardless of circumstance!) can live a No Barriers life. My friends, if you've ever felt limited by your circumstances, this conversation is for you. You'll leave inspired to rethink what's possible, encouraged to lean into community rather than go it alone, and reminded that your greatest obstacles might just become the foundation for your greatest purpose.