Ladies and gentlemen, welcome back to another SLG meetup. I'm very excited about this conversation today because we are going to be getting deep into the inspirational elements of what makes you overcome all the challenges. We're going to have the one and only Sean Swarver. He's a two-time cancer survivor.
He's a philanthropist, keynote and alphur, Kleiner of the Everest, seven summits, trekking, S&M polls. He has done the Hawaii Ironman, which by the way, I'm trying to do that. And he has also come up with his documentary, The True North. So he's an inspiration and he's going to be coming here to talk about what it takes to overcome all the challenges and what the really meaning of luxuries, which is like.
Sean, how are you? Am I trying to do it? I'm doing well. I think I'm going to have the world's most boring background right now because we're training our White House and Puerto Rico to Airbnb.
We have our White Malls right now. What is it? It's going to get exciting. That's the truth.
So congratulations on that. All our things in Puerto Rico. Thank you. Much more than they ever call around.
There's no snow down here. That White House is the beach. It's sand. It's not the start of fall from the sky.
That's good. That's good. It makes it a little bit better to go outside. So, well, absolutely.
Thank you for joining us today and for being here. Wow, my pleasure. I'm super excited. Thank you.
No, of course. And, you know, we usually do these conversations with different individuals from luxury lifestyle industry related, such as luxury homes, private jets, yads. And we always bring the definition of what luxury is and the inspirational background of this successful entrepreneur. But in your case, I was really impressed with your background and I think your story is so touching and you have so many things to share with the world.
Because you have become really an international inspiration with all the obstacles that you've overcome as a two times cancer survivor, climbing the Everest and doing such incredible things that I believe that for many that are today listening, it's going to be a life-changing experience. So tell us a little bit about you and what's your story? Absolutely. It'd be a pleasure.
So, it's super quick. I know we don't have too much time, but my life kind of took a different turn when I was 13. It was eventually diagnosed with advanced stage war hospitals and phone on. And as an eight-grader, the doctors actually felt like, hey, your firstborn son only has three months to live.
So, I think with that, absolutely with that first cancer, it really changed my perspective on life. And as opposed to being worried about what I thought at the time was supposed to be heading things that eight-grader is a freshman high school I worried about. I was literally fighting for my life. So, I had developed a different perspective at such a young age.
And then I went through a lot of year chemotherapy. I was in remission for about a year as well. And then going into a chat for the first cancer, they found a second cancer. And this time around, they diagnosed me with a type of disease that affects three-half of a million people with a prognosis of 6%.
And the chances of these reviving both five kids and asking to start coma is equivalent to winning the lottery four times in a row of the same numbers. Wow. And as a 16-year-old, I've been told by my parents, your firstborn son now has 14 days to live. No.
That's... Wow. I'm not even imagining the situation. It was devastating for myself and the family, because I don't know if you know anyone who's ever had a cancer before, but it's not an individual disease.
And it really makes you appreciate life. And I think that's being generous. Because there's so many different things that I look at. And I realize how fortunate I am to be in life.
I was in a medley and there was a coma for a year in my life. I was ready in my life. So, I only had one functioning one. So, how do you face this situation?
Because obviously, I was at that early age in life with your parents also and your family, everybody surrounded by this situation that is definitely not common. And it puts you in a position where either you give up or you start looking at things differently. How do you really change your mind? I said, I'm going to come through this, we're going to make it happen and enjoy life and really see what we can respect it.
Right. Honestly, I think it was one moment when I was 13 and I was 60 pounds out of the way because of the nice chemotherapy and everything. And I was on my hands and these balls from head to toe weeping in the shower, just pulling chunks of hair out of the drain so I would go down. And I think it was in that same moment that I realized I had two choices.
I needed to fight for my life and give up and die. And the second one was an option. But it was also in that same moment, I think, when I realized that I didn't want to look at it as though I didn't want to die, I wanted to fight for my life. And I think looking back at it, if I would have seen it from a different angle of, oh, I don't want to die, things would have turned out incredibly differently.
As opposed to focusing on what I wanted to happen and not the avoidance of what I didn't want to happen. When people are, for example, making money, they don't have the thought of my, oh, I don't want to lose money. They want to make money. Same thing when you're fighting for your life.
You don't want to think about, oh, I don't want to die. I want to focus on fighting and living. And I think that's the difference. I love it.
I think that's a very right on point and such a great inspiration because a lot of people are currently facing little things compared to what you had to go through. And they easily give up just because, well, if I give up, it's okay, there might be other things. If you give up at that point, you die. So you can not give up.
So you said you had two choices. I fight for my life or I give up and die. So I find that situation something that is very encouraging for everybody to start looking at things with that mentality of like, okay, I have two options. The second one is not an option, so I'm just going to make it happen.
And that's an inspiration. So I usually ask the question, one option. I like it. I usually ask the question about what really luxury means for people.
That's because luxury is a word that has been overused and it has a different meaning for so many people, but in your case, why is it really luxury? Great question. I honestly think that luxury for me is having the opportunity to wake up every morning. So many people take that for granted.
I think it's as simple as that. There were times when I went to bed, not knowing if I was going to wake up the next morning. Literally, not knowing if I was going to wake up. And that's absolutely terrifying.
So I think for me, luxury is learning how to transform tragedy into triumph. And always seeing the opportunities as opposed to the obstacles. So when I was going through my treatments, I really understood a little bit differently that it was a situation I was in where I had an opportunity to appreciate the little things. Now, what we're facing, right?
I think more people are realizing how important it is to be self-conscious about the personal development, wellness. So what are some ways that you will think are going to be great ways to promote this? Honestly, I think the best way to promote what anyone wants is to understand what you value most. And what you value most revolves around what I call your personal core values.
Absolutely. So that's a great point. And I believe that also sharing your story is a way of inspiring so many people's lives. I know you came up now with a documentary that really narrows your story.
So what is that about? Well, it's called True North, the Sean's War Story, it's about an expedition to the North Pole where the production company somehow managed to make it even though the colorful and beautiful at the same time, which is the miracle in itself. But it's a journey to complete what's known as the Explores Grand Slam, which is my first high smot on every continent. That's called the Seven Sonnets, and then finishing with the North and South Pole.
And on the first campus of ours to do that, it's a really, really compelling film about adventure, necessarily cancer, but about reaching your destination and knowing what your true north is. Wow. I mean, I encourage everybody that is sitting in today to please take a look at what he's been doing. I mean, Sean, you're amazing.
I believe that with your story, you're exploring so many people's lives, just because sometimes we complain about the little things that are happening in our daily basis. And then we look at somebody like you and your story, which not only overcame a moment of death, but twice you had to face this cancer situation. And not only just survive it, but you took it as an opportunity to try to empower yourself and inspire other people in the journey. Because trust me, I'm training for an Ironman myself, and for those that I'm not too familiar with the Ironman, it's a hell of a challenge.
With the swim in Viking running, and I'm doing it, actually, you know, I was supposed to be in Puerto Rico with you in March for the half Ironman, but they canceled it. And it's a challenge. And for you to do it in Hawaii, which is the toughest one, full Ironman, with the situation with the lungs, I mean, hats off. That by itself is amazing.
So thank you for doing what you're doing. And I believe that nowadays with the power of social media, reaching out people's lives, it has become easier and easier. So look, we connected to the clubhouse, another platform that really opens doors for communication and inspiration. So what would you recommend the people that are listening?
I'm sure everybody has unique stories. We all go through our personal situations, and might resonate more with one or another. So if somebody has a story that they would like to share, or might inspire others, what would be your takeaway on how they can do it? Just start.
A lot of people are held back because of fear. And a lot of people don't move forward because they're freaking out. They'll reach out to people. Reach out to others.
Like, I reached out to you guys. You never know, because the answers always know unless you ask. So I'm just constantly put it out there. Constantly ask people.
Constantly ask for feedback. And if you ask for the feedback, be open-minded about it because you're trying to surround yourself by people who want to help elevate you, not pull you down. And I think that's one of the biggest keys is to find people in your circle, in your circle, to elevate you, not to pull you back. I love that.
We already have too much negativity around. Exactly. With a strong inner circle that will put you through. And you will do the same by others through the journey.
So I think those are key points that really resonate with a lot of people today. And I don't know if you have any other takeaways or comments that you would like to share before we wrap this up. You know, I think the biggest thing is personal core values. And I'm also an international keynote speaker.
I put together a co-online program, author of a number of books. And if anyone reaches out and gets you to talk to me, just Sean at CancerCliner.org. Sean at CancerCliner.org. I have no problems with sending all the information that I have to help others because that's one of my life purpose.
And there was a trip I was on flying from Hong Kong, I'm sorry, from Dallas to Hong Kong. And I sat next to a guy who was a multi-balltime millionaire, amazing guy. And he was just so focused on life, so focused on life. And I asked him questions about, you know, when was the last time you saw your kids?
He said, well, you know, I missed his first words and missed his playing team while he missed him walking. And when we got done, he had almost a billion dollars. And he took that flight once every other week. But he missed his family.
So at the end of it, I asked him a question. This is very simple question. Have you fulfilled your life's purpose? Are you still alive?
That makes you think. That makes you think and really do things a little bit differently. I'm sure people have been so successful. I mean, they need to look at things with a different perspective because life, the meaning of life, we need to ask ourselves our questions sometimes.
So, I do appreciate you sharing all this insights and inspiration for all of us. That's a matter of where we come from. So I encourage everybody that is watching or listening to please go and follow Sean. He's doing amazing.
Watch out his documentary. True North, and if they have any questions, please reach out to you as well. So I do appreciate your time, Sean. I look forward to seeing you soon.
Maybe we can work out a little bit as well and get ready for our next item, but thank you again. Next time you have to keep up with the right performance. Oh my God. I can't believe it.
I can't believe it. I can't believe it. I mean, he posted a story that shows like a mile under four minutes. And I'm like, this guy is flying because he landed on when you were in the car.
I forgot to turn the watch out for everybody. Oh my God. I was going to tell you, I don't know. This is war record right there.
But anyway, Sean, thank you so much. I appreciate your time. Say hi to your wife. Enjoy the renovations for the housing in the Puerto Rico or B&B.
I look forward to seeing you soon. Appreciate it. Very much. Great.
Thank you. All right. Bye. And thanks again for everybody tuning in today.
We hope you enjoyed it. And remember, embrace it's beautiful, success in life. My name is Alvaro and I'll see you next time.