Summit After the Storm

For all the ways modern life keeps people connected…many people have never felt more emotionally alone.In Episode 111 of Summit After the Storm, Bart reflects on emotional emptiness, loneliness, social media overload, spiritual drift, depression, and why so many people quietly feel disconnected in today’s world.From constant phone notifications…to endless scrolling…to losing real human connection…this episode explores how distraction slowly pulls people away from meaningful relationships, purpose, and emotional presence.Bart also shares a deeply personal reflection about the first time he truly felt emotionally empty after heartbreak in college — and why many people silently carry that same feeling today.This episode explores:📱 Social media, distraction, and emotional disconnection💔 Depression, heartbreak, loneliness, and emptiness🙏 Spiritual drift and losing meaningful connection⛰️ Kilimanjaro lessons about authentic human connection🔥 Why modern culture keeps people constantly distracted📖 “It is not good for man to be alone” — Genesis❤️ Why one phone call can matter more than you realize🌎 The difference between being digitally connected and emotionally connectedBecause distraction was never meant to replace connection.🎙️ Summit After the Storm with Bart WilbanksLeadership. Faith. Resilience. Perspective.🌐 summitafterstorm.comAnd for those continuing to climb through life’s storms… you can learn more about the movement, my book, and see new merchandise by clicking the cart icon at SummitAfterStorm.com.#MentalHealth #Loneliness #Depression #Faith #Leadership #PersonalGrowth #Mindset #Resilience #KeepClimbing #SummitAfterTheStorm

Around 50,000 people die from storms every year.But the most dangerous storms in life…usually happen inside people.In Episode 110 of Summit After the Storm, Bart reflects on fear, anxiety, insecurity, emotional battles, and the invisible internal storms people quietly fight every day.From surviving a tornado warning as a child…to chasing storms outside…to confronting storms within…this episode explores why the battles nobody sees are often the most destructive.This episode explores:🌪️ A terrifying childhood tornado experience🧠 Anxiety, fear, pride, anger, and internal struggle🙏 Faith and confronting emotional storms honestly⛰️ Kilimanjaro lessons about internal battles during hardship🔥 Why invisible storms often damage people the most📖 “Above all else, guard your heart…” — Proverbs 4💭 The emotional storms many people hide from others❤️ Why grace matters because many battles are invisibleBecause storms outside can destroy buildings…but storms inside can quietly destroy peace, relationships, identity, and souls.🎙️ Summit After the Storm with Bart WilbanksLeadership. Faith. Resilience. Perspective.🌐 summitafterstorm.comAnd for those continuing to climb through life’s storms… you can learn more about the movement, my book, and see new merchandise by clicking the cart icon at SummitAfterStorm.com.#MentalHealth #Anxiety #Leadership #Faith #Resilience #PersonalGrowth #Mindset #LifeLessons #KeepClimbing #SummitAfterTheStorm

Have you ever lied when someone asked:“How are you?”Most people answer:“I’m fine.”Even when they’re exhausted.In Episode 109 of Summit After the Storm, Bart reflects on emotional exhaustion, hidden stress, burnout, anxiety, and the silent burdens many people carry every single day while pretending everything is okay.From work pressure…to health fears…to family stress…to emotional overload…this episode explores why so many people feel drained physically, mentally, and spiritually in modern life.This episode explores:🧠 Emotional exhaustion and hidden burnout💭 The pressure of pretending you’re okay🙏 Faith, rest, and bringing burdens to God⛰️ Kilimanjaro lessons about fatigue building slowly over time🔥 Why modern life leaves so many people mentally overwhelmed📖 “Come to me, all who are weary…” — Matthew 11:28❤️ Why kindness matters more than people realize🌎 The emotional weight most people quietly carry internallyBecause sometimes the strongest-looking people…are actually the most exhausted.🎙️ Summit After the Storm with Bart WilbanksLeadership. Faith. Resilience. Perspective.🌐 summitafterstorm.comAnd for those continuing to climb through life’s storms… you can learn more about the movement, my book, and see new merchandise by clicking the cart icon at SummitAfterStorm.com.#MentalHealth #Burnout #Leadership #Faith #Anxiety #PersonalGrowth #Resilience #Mindset #KeepClimbing #SummitAfterTheStorm

One of the loneliest feelings in leadership…is carrying something you cannot talk about.In Episode 108 of Summit After the Storm, Bart reflects on the emotional isolation leaders quietly experience while carrying responsibility for others.From confidential company decisions…to difficult conversations…to silently carrying pressure nobody else fully sees…this episode explores the hidden emotional weight leadership often creates behind the scenes.This episode explores:💼 The hidden loneliness many leaders quietly carry🔥 Confidential burdens and silent emotional pressure🙏 Why leadership often feels isolating at higher levels⛰️ Kilimanjaro lessons about responsibility and trust💭 The emotional cost of carrying information you cannot share📖 “Carry each other’s burdens…” — Galatians 6❤️ Why even strong leaders still need support🌎 The difference between leadership appearing powerful versus feeling heavyBecause people often see the confidence…but not the weight behind it.🎙️ Summit After the Storm with Bart WilbanksLeadership. Faith. Resilience. Perspective.🌐 summitafterstorm.comAnd for those continuing to climb through life’s storms… you can learn more about the movement, my book, and see new merchandise by clicking the cart icon at SummitAfterStorm.com.#Leadership #ExecutiveLeadership #MentalHealth #Resilience #Faith #PersonalGrowth #Mindset #LifeLessons #KeepClimbing #SummitAfterTheStorm

If someone asked you to describe yourself…without mentioning your job…could you do it?In Episode 107 of Summit After the Storm, Bart reflects on identity, ambition, burnout, career pressure, and the dangerous way modern culture ties self-worth to titles, accomplishments, and professional success.From resumes and LinkedIn profiles…to promotions, deadlines, and external validation…this episode asks a deeper question:Who are you when all the titles disappear?This episode explores:💼 Identity beyond careers and job titles🔥 The pressure of modern ambition and achievement🙏 Faith, purpose, and becoming more than your resume⛰️ Kilimanjaro lessons about character versus status📖 “What good is it to gain the whole world…” — Mark 8💭 Why most people answer “Tell me about yourself” with resume bullets❤️ The lasting importance of family, relationships, and character🌎 Why people remember who you were more than your titleBecause one day…the role changes.The title disappears.And what’s left is who you actually became.🎙️ Summit After the Storm with Bart WilbanksLeadership. Faith. Resilience. Perspective.🌐 summitafterstorm.comAnd for those continuing to climb through life’s storms… merchandise is now available at SummitAfterStorm.com. Just click the cart icon.#Leadership #PersonalGrowth #Mindset #Faith #Career #LinkedIn #LifeLessons #Resilience #KeepClimbing #SummitAfterTheStorm

If you try to rush Kilimanjaro…you can die.In Episode 106 of Summit After the Storm, Bart reflects on burnout, emotional exhaustion, nonstop modern life, and one of the most important lessons taught on Kilimanjaro:“Pole pole.”Slowly, slowly.Originally spoken by lead guide Baha, “pole pole” is more than a mountain phrase — it’s survival wisdom. Because on Kilimanjaro, rushing can lead to altitude sickness and death.And maybe life works the same way.This episode explores:⛰️ The real meaning behind “pole pole”🔥 Burnout, emotional overload, and modern exhaustion🙏 Why slowing down is sometimes wisdom, not weakness💭 The danger of nonstop ambition and constant pace📖 “Be still, and know that I am God” — Psalm 46❤️ Presence, relationships, and learning to breathe again🌎 Why many people are climbing through life too fast🧠 The emotional and spiritual cost of never slowing downBecause sustainable climbing requires sustainable pace.🎙️ Summit After the Storm with Bart WilbanksLeadership. Faith. Resilience. Perspective.🌐 summitafterstorm.comAnd for those continuing to climb through life’s storms… merchandise is now available at SummitAfterStorm.com. Just click the cart icon.#Burnout #MentalHealth #Leadership #Faith #Mindset #PersonalGrowth #Kilimanjaro #Resilience #KeepClimbing #SummitAfterTheStorm

Some of the biggest moments in life begin with interruptions.In Episode 105 of Summit After the Storm, Bart reflects on unexpected changes, redirected plans, divine timing, and how one last-minute business decision completely changed the course of his life.What initially felt like a frustrating work interruption…required Bart to leave Houston early and return to Memphis…where he ended up sitting next to the woman he would eventually marry.Amanda.This episode explores:✈️ How unexpected interruptions can redirect lives❤️ The surprising way Bart met Amanda🙏 Faith, timing, and trusting God’s plan⛰️ Kilimanjaro lessons about adapting when plans change🔥 Why some “inconveniences” become life-changing blessings📖 Proverbs 16 and God directing our steps💭 The illusion of control and the discomfort of uncertainty🌎 Why not every interruption is destruction — sometimes it’s redirectionBecause sometimes the moment you thought ruined your plans…was actually the moment that changed your life for the better.🎙️ Summit After the Storm with Bart WilbanksLeadership. Faith. Resilience. Perspective.🌐 summitafterstorm.comAnd for those continuing to climb through life’s storms… merchandise is now available at SummitAfterStorm.com. Just click the cart icon.#Faith #Leadership #LoveStory #PersonalGrowth #Resilience #Mindset #LifeLessons #DivorceRecovery #KeepClimbing #SummitAfterTheStorm

Modern culture tells people success looks like:money…titles…recognition…followers…achievement…But why do so many outwardly successful people still feel empty?In Episode 104 of Summit After the Storm, Bart reflects on the difference between accomplishment and fulfillment, the hidden cost of chasing modern success, and why many people spend years climbing ladders leaning against the wrong wall.From leadership and career pressure…to Kilimanjaro lessons about perspective…to faith, relationships, and purpose…this episode explores what real success actually looks like when life strips away status and appearances.This episode explores:💼 The hidden emptiness behind “modern success”⛰️ Kilimanjaro lessons about perspective and meaning🙏 Faith, fulfillment, and purpose beyond achievement🔥 Why titles and money alone never satisfy the soul❤️ Relationships, peace, and gratitude as real success📖 “What good is it to gain the whole world…” — Mark 8💭 Why some of the most successful people still feel lost🌎 Building a life you’re actually grateful to liveBart also announces new Summit After the Storm merchandise inspired by the themes of resilience, faith, perspective, and continuing to climb through life’s storms.🌐 Visit summitafterstorm.com and click the cart icon to see what’s available.🎙️ Summit After the Storm with Bart WilbanksLeadership. Faith. Resilience. Perspective.🌐 summitafterstorm.com#Leadership #Success #PersonalGrowth #Faith #Mindset #Resilience #LifeLessons #Kilimanjaro #KeepClimbing #SummitAfterTheStorm

Years ago…people could disappear for weeks without communication…and nobody assumed something was wrong.Today?If someone doesn’t text back for a few hours, people panic.In Episode 103 of Summit After the Storm, Bart reflects on modern distraction, digital overload, anxiety, overstimulation, and why peace feels increasingly difficult to find in today’s world.From nonstop notifications…to endless scrolling…to emotional exhaustion from constant mental noise…this episode explores how modern life is quietly overwhelming people emotionally, mentally, and spiritually.This episode explores:📱 The emotional cost of nonstop connectivity🧠 Why modern culture feels mentally exhausting🙏 Faith, stillness, and rediscovering peace⛰️ Kilimanjaro lessons about silence and clarity🔥 Why distraction may be damaging people more than they realize📖 “Be still, and know that I am God” — Psalm 46💭 Why silence now feels uncomfortable for many people🌎 How modern life slowly pulls people away from rest, reflection, and presenceBecause peace rarely survives inside constant noise.🎙️ Summit After the Storm with Bart WilbanksLeadership. Faith. Resilience. Perspective.🌐 summitafterstorm.com#MentalHealth #Peace #Faith #Leadership #Mindset #PersonalGrowth #Anxiety #Resilience #KeepClimbing #SummitAfterTheStorm

Sometimes hardship doesn’t just test people…it strips them down to what’s real.In Episode 102 of Summit After the Storm, Bart reflects on fear, survival, faith, mortality, and the moments in life that expose what truly matters.From nearly dying lost in the Grand Canyon decades ago…to surviving the storm on Kilimanjaro years later…this episode explores how suffering removes distractions and reveals the things people often overlook until life becomes fragile.This episode explores:⛰️ The deeper lessons hardship teaches🏜️ A terrifying survival story from the Grand Canyon🙏 Bargaining with God during moments of fear💔 Why suffering strips away ego, distraction, and illusion🔥 Kilimanjaro lessons about gratitude and perspective📖 Matthew 6 and where our treasure truly is💭 Why people matter more than titles, status, or possessions❤️ The truth many people only discover after life shakes them deeplyBecause sometimes the mountain changes you…not by what it gives you…but by what it strips away.🎙️ Summit After the Storm with Bart WilbanksLeadership. Faith. Resilience. Perspective.🌐 summitafterstorm.com#Faith #Leadership #PersonalGrowth #Resilience #Kilimanjaro #LifeLessons #Mindset #SpiritualGrowth #KeepClimbing #SummitAfterTheStorm

No matter how far you’ve climbed in life…eventually another climb begins.In Episode 101 of Summit After the Storm, Bart reflects on life transitions, starting over after divorce, fear, healing, vulnerability, and the courage required to begin again after painful seasons.Recorded from Europe, this episode explores the emotional reality of rebuilding life after heartbreak and discovering that some of the most meaningful chapters begin after people think their story is already over.This episode explores:💔 Starting over after divorce⛰️ Why every season eventually leads to another climb🙏 Healing, vulnerability, and emotional courage✈️ Reflection while traveling through Europe🔥 Why growth often begins after painful endings📖 Isaiah 43 and God doing “a new thing”💭 The fear and uncertainty of beginning again later in life❤️ How unexpected new chapters can become life-changing blessingsBecause sometimes the hardest climbs…become the ones that change your life the most.🎙️ Summit After the Storm with Bart WilbanksLeadership. Faith. Resilience. Perspective.🌐 summitafterstorm.com#DivorceRecovery #Healing #Leadership #PersonalGrowth #Faith #Resilience #Mindset #LifeLessons #KeepClimbing #SummitAfterTheStorm

Your kids probably won’t remember most of the things you bought them.But they will remember how you made them feel.In Episode 100 of Summit After the Storm, Bart reflects on parenting, regret, family memories, love, presence, and the moments children carry with them long after childhood ends.As the family prepares for Europe…and the reality of older children approaching adulthood becomes more emotional…this episode asks a powerful question:What will your children actually remember about you?This episode explores:👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Parenting and emotional presence💔 Regret, divorce, and learning from past mistakes✈️ Why family experiences matter more than possessions⛰️ Kilimanjaro lessons about perspective and memory🙏 The importance of showing up for the people you love📖 Deuteronomy 6 and leading children through example🔥 Why moments, encouragement, and connection matter mostBecause someday…your children won’t remember how busy you were.They’ll remember whether they felt loved.🎙️ Summit After the Storm with Bart WilbanksLeadership. Faith. Resilience. Perspective.🌐 summitafterstorm.com#Parenting #Family #Leadership #LifeLessons #Faith #PersonalGrowth #Mindset #Resilience #KeepClimbing #SummitAfterTheStorm

Most people don’t realize how small their world has become…until they finally step outside their routine.summitafterstorm.comIn Episode 99 of Summit After the Storm, Bart reflects on travel, perspective, family connection, and how routines can slowly shrink wonder, curiosity, emotional growth, and gratitude.From walking through Paris, Munich, Venice, Florence, and Rome with both sides of the family…to surviving Kilimanjaro with people from completely different backgrounds…this episode explores how shared experiences break down walls between people and create lifelong bonds.This episode explores:✈️ Why travel changes perspective⛰️ The eternal bonds formed through hardship and adventure👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Family connection through shared experiences🌍 Why modern routines can shrink wonder and curiosity🙏 Rediscovering awe, gratitude, and perspective🔥 How challenge and adventure bring people together📖 Psalm 19 and rediscovering the glory of God through creationBecause the world is so much bigger…than your routine.🎙️ Summit After the Storm with Bart WilbanksLeadership. Faith. Resilience. Perspective.#Travel #Leadership #PersonalGrowth #Mindset #Family #Adventure #Faith #Resilience #Kilimanjaro #KeepClimbing

Sometimes life changes quietly…before it changes visibly.In Episode 98 of Summit After the Storm, Bart reflects on the emotional tension of transition seasons — those moments when life still looks ordinary on the outside, but internally you know change is coming.As the family prepares for Europe…and Reagan and Molly prepare to enter their senior year of high school…a deeper realization begins to settle in:This may be one of the last truly normal family seasons before life changes forever.This episode explores:✈️ Preparing emotionally for major life transitions🏡 The strange feeling before life changes🎒 Parenting teenagers nearing adulthood⛰️ Kilimanjaro lessons about standing between seasons🙏 Ecclesiastes 3 and recognizing seasons while we’re still inside them💭 Why ordinary moments become the memories we miss most🔥 The emotional weight of “the last normal week”Because sometimes the most important moments in life don’t announce themselves dramatically.Sometimes they arrive quietly.🎙️ Summit After the Storm with Bart WilbanksLeadership. Faith. Resilience. Perspective.#Parenting #Leadership #LifeLessons #Family #Faith #PersonalGrowth #Mindset #Resilience #KeepClimbing #SummitAfterTheStorm

I showed up to a freezing cold triathlon wearing normal swim trunks…with a Walmart-special Huffy mountain bike…completely unprepared for what was coming.And somehow…that became one of the most important lessons of my life.In Episode 96 of The Summit After the Storm Podcast, Bart reflects on why human beings need mountains, challenges, discomfort, adventure, and experiences that wake us back up emotionally and spiritually.From Kilimanjaro…to a humbling triathlon experience…to nearly quitting after the swim…this episode explores:⛰️ Why challenge creates growth🚴 The freezing triathlon story that changed perspective🏊 Being the slowest swimmer in the lake🔥 Why discomfort reveals character💪 The science behind struggle and strength🙏 How God often uses hardship to wake people up spiritually🏃 The determination that carried Bart past experienced athletesBecause comfort slowly numbs people.But mountains wake us back up.🎙️ The Summit After the Storm Podcast with Bart WilbanksLeadership. Faith. Resilience. Perspective.#Leadership #Motivation #Resilience #Faith #Mindset #PersonalGrowth #Kilimanjaro #Triathlon #LifeLessons #KeepClimbing

Some sacrifices last a moment.Some sacrifices last a lifetime.And some sacrifices echo for generations.In this Memorial Day episode of The Summit After the Storm Podcast, Bart reflects on sacrifice, gratitude, family legacy, and the unseen cost of freedom.From childhood memories…to a framed WWII memorial certificate hanging in his home…to learning later in life that his grandfather received three Purple Hearts and a Bronze Star during World War II…this episode became deeply personal.This episode explores:🇺🇸 The true meaning of Memorial Day🪖 Family stories connected to World War II💔 How war can continue affecting generations afterward🙏 Why freedom should never be taken for granted⛰️ Kilimanjaro lessons about gratitude and hardship📖 John 15:13 and sacrificial love🔥 The sacrifices that continue echoing long after the battle endsBart also references and shares the obituary of his grandfather, Cletis Wilbanks, whose military service included three Purple Hearts and a Bronze Star:Cletis Wilbanks ObituaryBecause Memorial Day is ultimately not about history.It’s about people.Families.Loss.Love.And sacrifices that echo forever.🎙️ The Summit After the Storm Podcast with Bart WilbanksLeadership. Faith. Resilience. Perspective.#MemorialDay #Leadership #Faith #Gratitude #WWII #Resilience #Veterans #LifeLessons #FamilyLegacy #KeepClimbing

One of the most vivid memories I have from the Grand Canyon…is watching my friend throw his camera into the desert because he physically couldn’t carry it anymore.In Episode 95 of The Summit After the Storm Podcast, Bart reflects on a dangerous 1999 Grand Canyon trip where lost supplies, 120-degree heat, dehydration, and exhaustion stripped life down to survival.And somewhere between packing for Europe and remembering that canyon…a deeper lesson emerged:People carry far too much through life.Stress.Pressure.Expectations.Resentment.Fear.Pride.Emotional baggage that was never meant to be carried forever.This episode explores:🏜️ A true Grand Canyon survival story🎒 Why every extra pound matters on mountains🧠 The emotional weight people silently carry⛰️ Kilimanjaro lessons about simplicity and survival🙏 Hebrews 12:1 and “throwing off what hinders us”🔥 The moment hardship reveals what truly mattersBecause sometimes growth begins the moment we finally say:“I just can’t.”And let go of what’s weighing us down.🎙️ The Summit After the Storm Podcast with Bart WilbanksLeadership. Faith. Resilience. Perspective.#Leadership #Faith #Resilience #PersonalGrowth #Mindset #Motivation #LifeLessons #MentalHealth #Kilimanjaro #KeepClimbing

Yesterday morning…I went from helping a stranger at Walmart…to needing help myself less than twenty minutes later.And somewhere in between…I started thinking about how much the world has changed.There was a time when asking strangers for directions was normal.Now many people feel embarrassed to ask for help at all.In Episode 94 of The Summit After the Storm Podcast, Bart reflects on kindness, humility, modern isolation, and the simple words Jesus spoke in Luke 6:31:“Do to others as you would have them do to you.”This episode explores:🛒 A small Walmart moment that became a bigger lesson📱 How technology changed human interaction🙏 Why asking for help is harder than it should be⛰️ What Kilimanjaro taught about dependence and teamwork❤️ Why kindness toward strangers reveals characterBecause all of us need help sometimes.And all of us have opportunities to help someone else.The question is…how often do we actually stop?🎙️ The Summit After the Storm Podcast with Bart WilbanksLeadership. Faith. Resilience. Perspective.#Leadership #Faith #Kindness #LifeLessons #PersonalGrowth #Resilience #Mindset #Motivation #ChristianPodcast #KeepClimbing

Last night I started packing for Europe…and accidentally found a part of myself I thought I had lost.For months, every once in a while, I’d look through drawers and closets trying to find clothes I was convinced had disappeared somewhere along the way.Then suddenly…I found them all zipped inside old compression packing organizers sitting in the back of my closet.A Masters shirt.Favorite workout clothes.Dress shirts.Memories.And it reminded me of something much deeper.In Episode 93 of Summit After the Storm, Bart reflects on:✈️ Packing for Europe🧳 Rediscovering forgotten things🙏 The Parable of the Lost Coin (Luke 15)⛰️ What Kilimanjaro taught about simplicity🧠 How modern life buries joy, peace, purpose, and faithBecause sometimes the things we miss most…aren’t actually gone.They’re just buried underneath distraction, busyness, and noise.And maybe part of life is learning how to slow down long enough to rediscover them.🎙️ Summit After the Storm with Bart WilbanksLeadership. Faith. Resilience. Perspective.#Leadership #Faith #PersonalGrowth #Mindset #Resilience #Motivation #LifeLessons #Travel #Kilimanjaro #Purpose

Last night felt different.For the first Monday night in months…there was nowhere I needed to be.No lineup to build.No stats to analyze.No field to rush to.No game plan to prepare.And strangely…I realized I already missed it.In Episode 92 of Summit After the Storm, Bart reflects on the emotional ending of baseball season, the unexpected relationships built through coaching, and why some people only walk with us for a season… but still leave a lasting impact.This episode explores:⚾ The emotional end of youth sports seasons⚾ Leadership, coaching, and relationships⚾ Why teams become family over time⚾ The parents, volunteers, and support systems behind every season⚾ The connection between baseball and climbing Kilimanjaro⚾ Learning to appreciate seasons before they endBecause sometimes the greatest gift isn’t the championship.Sometimes it’s simply getting to share the climb with other people.Featuring reflections inspired by an Anaïs Nin quote about how people create new worlds within us through shared experiences and connection.🎙️ Summit After the Storm with Bart WilbanksLeadership. Faith. Resilience. Perspective.#Leadership #YouthSports #Baseball #Parenting #Coaching #PersonalGrowth #LifeLessons #Faith #Resilience #Motivation

Before the playoff game even started…I brought a huge cooler full of ice and water because I believed we’d still be playing Monday night in the championship game.We didn’t make it.But that’s not the part I can’t stop thinking about.In Episode 91 of Summit After the Storm, Bart reflects on youth baseball, leadership, belief, disappointment, and why great leaders often believe in people before the scoreboard ever does.This episode explores:⚾ Speaking confidence into others before results appear⚾ Leadership during uncertainty⚾ Why belief changes teams and people⚾ The emotional reality of playoff sports⚾ Why relationships matter more than recordsAnd after the season-ending loss…the kids grabbed the cooler anyway.Ice water everywhere.Parents laughing.Kids celebrating.One final moment together.Because sometimes belief still matters…even when the outcome doesn’t go your way.🎙️ Summit After the Storm with Bart WilbanksLeadership. Faith. Resilience. Perspective.#Leadership #Baseball #YouthSports #Motivation #Faith #Resilience #Mindset #PersonalGrowth #Coaching #LifeLessons

Everyone expected us to lose.We were the 5 seed facing the #1 team in the league.And after falling behind 5–0 early…even our own players started believing the game was over.But then something changed.In Episode 90 of Summit After the Storm, Bart shares the emotional rollercoaster of a dramatic 13–13 tie against the best team in the league and the leadership lesson hidden inside it:Sometimes the greatest victory isn’t the scoreboard…it’s belief.This episode explores:⚾ Leadership under pressure⚾ Youth sports and confidence⚾ Momentum swings and resilience⚾ Why belief changes performance⚾ The mental side of competition⚾ How adversity reveals identityFrom bases-loaded pressure to a game-saving catch in foul territory, this became more than a baseball game.It became proof.Proof that fear can be overcome.Proof that underdogs can compete.Proof that sometimes a tie feels like a breakthrough.Because before people can win difficult battles…they first have to believe they belong in them.🎙️ Summit After the Storm with Bart WilbanksLeadership. Faith. Resilience. Perspective.#Leadership #Baseball #YouthSports #Resilience #Motivation #Mindset #PersonalGrowth #Faith #Sports #LifeLessons

I almost checked my son out of school early for baseball practice.And honestly…it turned into a much bigger conversation about childhood, parenting, memories, and what really matters years later.In Episode 89 of Summit After the Storm, Bart shares a story about balancing academics, dyslexia support, baseball, and family priorities after a local coach invited Noah, Rhys, and Skyler to a special practice session.That moment triggered a childhood memory Bart never forgot:A fishing trip with his father…an argument about homework…and one simple sentence:“The homework can wait.”This episode explores:⚾ Parenting and balancing priorities⚾ Childhood memories that shape us forever⚾ Why connection matters more than productivity⚾ Raising kids in a high-pressure world⚾ Leadership lessons from family and baseballBecause years later…kids may not remember every assignment.But they will remember how we made them feel.🎙️ Summit After the Storm with Bart WilbanksLeadership. Faith. Resilience. Perspective.#Parenting #Leadership #Baseball #Family #Dyslexia #LifeLessons #PersonalGrowth #Faith #Motivation #ChildhoodMemories

A former player quit our baseball team a little over a week ago.Yesterday…I stayed at his school event just to tell him something simple:“I still care about you.”In Episode 88 of Summit After the Storm, Bart shares a deeply personal story about youth sports, anxiety, leadership, compassion, and why people need to know they matter beyond performance.After learning the quiet battle one young athlete had been fighting internally, Bart reflects on:⚾ Anxiety and hidden struggles in kids⚾ Leadership beyond wins and losses⚾ Why encouragement matters more than we realize⚾ The importance of showing up for people⚾ Caring about the person more than the performanceBecause sometimes the most important moments in leadership happen far away from the scoreboard.And sometimes the greatest thing we can give someone…is simply presence.🎙️ Summit After the Storm with Bart WilbanksLeadership. Faith. Resilience. Perspective.#Leadership #YouthSports #Anxiety #MentalHealth #Parenting #Coaching #Faith #PersonalGrowth #Resilience #LifeLessons

Yesterday I discovered something I never expected.35% of Summit After the Storm listeners are from Japan.And across all podcast platforms, ~45% of this audience is from Asia.Honestly… it stunned me.This podcast started as simple stories about storms, mountains, leadership, faith, resilience, family, and the lessons I learned climbing Kilimanjaro.And somehow…those stories traveled halfway across the world.In this special short episode, Bart reflects on:🌍 The unexpected global reach of the podcast⛰️ Why struggle connects people across cultures🙏 Faith, resilience, and universal human storms✈️ Traveling the world while never having visited Asia… yet🎙️ An invitation for listeners across Asia to share their storiesBecause mountains may separate us geographically…but storms connect all of us.If you’re listening from Japan or anywhere in Asia, Bart would love to hear from you:[email protected]🎙️ Summit After the Storm with Bart WilbanksLeadership. Faith. Resilience. Perspective.#Japan #Asia #Leadership #Faith #PersonalGrowth #Motivation #Resilience #Podcast #Kilimanjaro #LifeLessons

We were three outs away from winning.Up 6–4.Then everything unraveled.Routine mistakes.Missed fundamentals.Carelessness under pressure.In Episode 87 of Summit After the Storm, Bart reflects on a heartbreaking 8–7 baseball loss that became a deeper lesson about leadership, discipline, focus, and life in the valley between the summits.Because most failures in life don’t begin with catastrophic moments.They begin with small lapses repeated over time.And eventually…pressure exposes everything underneath.This episode explores:⚾ Leadership during setbacks⚾ Why fundamentals matter in sports and life⚾ How adversity reveals character⚾ The danger of losing focus⚾ Why valleys often shape us more than victoriesFrom youth baseball to Kilimanjaro, this is a conversation about perseverance when life gets harder and the climb gets steeper.Because the summit may get the picture…but the valley builds the climber.🎙️ Summit After the Storm with Bart WilbanksLeadership. Faith. Resilience. Perspective.#Leadership #Baseball #PersonalGrowth #Resilience #Mindset #Motivation #LifeLessons #Faith #Sports #SelfImprovement

We celebrate the milestones.21304050But what about everything in between?In Episode 86 of Summit After the Storm, Bart reflects on Mother’s Day, celebrating his mom, helping host a hilarious 40th birthday party, and the realization that life is mostly lived in the valley between the summits.The laughter.The memories.The people around the table.Too often we become so focused on achievement, success, leadership, and reaching the next mountain that we forget to enjoy the climb itself.This episode is about slowing down, being present, celebrating the people beside you, and remembering that joy is part of the journey too.Because one day, the moments we treasure most may not be the summits at all…but the laughter in between them.🎙️ Summit After the Storm with Bart Wilbankssummitafterstorm.comLeadership. Faith. Resilience. Perspective.#Leadership #PersonalGrowth #MothersDay #Mindset #Faith #Resilience #LifeLessons #Motivation #SelfImprovement #SummitAfterTheStorm

Down 8–7 in the final inning.Time expired.One run ties it. Two runs wins it.In one of the most intense youth baseball endings I’ve ever coached, everything came down to pressure, trust, split-second decisions, and the courage to commit before certainty arrived.After Noah steals home to tie the game, Asa takes over with a clutch single, steals second, steals third, and stands ninety feet away from victory with two outs and a 1–2 count at the plate.One more strike… and the game ends in a tie.Then came the pitch.This episode isn’t really about baseball.It’s about leadership under pressure.Trust built over time.Faith in uncertain moments.And the reality that sometimes the biggest decisions in life happen before you know if you’re right.If you’re a coach, parent, leader, athlete, entrepreneur, or simply someone trying to lead well when the pressure rises, this episode is for you.⚾ Walk-off win⚾ Stealing home⚾ Leadership lessons from youth sports⚾ Trust and pressure in coaching⚾ Parenting and leadership⚾ Faith under pressure⚾ Summit After the Storm podcastHebrews 11:1 — “Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.”Keep Climbing. Pole Pole.#Leadership #Baseball #YouthSports #Faith #Coaching #Parenting #MentalToughness #SportsPodcast #ChristianPodcast #Motivation #Resilience #SummitAfterTheStorm#YouthBaseball

I opened the dryer yesterday…and a lot of clothes were ruined.Yesterday started strong.I got in a hard workout.Pushed myself.Stayed disciplined.Trying to keep moving toward my fitness goals.Then I came inside…and found a purple ink pen in the dryer.And immediately…I knew.Something had gone very wrong.One by one…I started pulling clothes out.Purple ink everywhere.Shirts.Shorts.Laundry covered in stains.Including my favorite Peter Millar golf shirt.Completely ruined.And then I looked inside the dryer.Purple ink…all over the drum.The walls.The door.For a second…I honestly thought:“It would be easier to just buy another dryer.”But instead…I grabbed hand sanitizer, scrubbing pads, and went to work.An hour later…the dryer survived.The clothes didn’t.And honestly…there was probably enough value in the ruined clothes to buy a cheaper dryer.But that’s life in the valley.You work hard.You stay disciplined.You try to move forward.And sometimes…something completely unexpected knocks you backward.In this episode of Summit After the Storm, we talk about:• Why progress rarely feels smooth• How setbacks test your mindset• The reality of “life in the valley”• And why momentum matters more than perfection📖 Galatians 6:9 — “Let us not grow weary in doing good…”Because life is messy.You can do everything right…and still take a hit.But the goal isn’t perfection.It’s persistence.🎙️ Follow Summit After the Storm on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and Amazon Music🌐 SummitAfterStorm.comKeep climbing. Pole pole.#mindset#resilience#leadership#personalgrowth#lifelessons#discipline #growthmindset #keepgoing #selfleadership #motivation

I cancelled practice last night.And the truth is…we needed it.We had a kid quit the team after the first game Thursday.We’re still figuring things out.We need the reps.We need the time together.And this week?Practice matters.But it rained all day.The fields never officially closed…so we could have practiced.But I knew what it would be.A mess.Parents forced to decide.Kids slipping in the mud.Trying to force something…that wasn’t right.So I made the call.Cancelled it.Not because we couldn’t…But because we shouldn’t.And that’s where the lesson is.Because life does the same thing.Sometimes the conditions…just aren’t right.And you’ve got a choice:Force it…Or have the discipline…to wait.In this episode of Summit After the Storm, we talk about:• Why timing matters more than effort• The danger of forcing the wrong conditions• How great leaders read the moment• And when to hold back vs. when to push forward📖 Ecclesiastes 3:1 — “There is a time for everything…”Because wisdom isn’t just knowing how hard to go.It’s knowing when.And sometimes the best decision you can make…Is not yet.🎙️ Follow Summit After the Storm on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and Amazon Music🌐 SummitAfterStorm.comKeep climbing. Pole pole.#leadership#discipline#mindset#decisionmaking#personalgrowth#timing #selfleadership #growthmindset #consistency #lifelessons

My son came over for dinner last night.And it hit me.Jackson turns 22 this summer.And somehow…it doesn’t feel that long ago…that he was just a kid running around the house.But life moves fast.He’s grown now.Got his own life.His own schedule.And when he comes over…it means something.Because it doesn’t happen every day anymore.And the younger kids?They light up.They love it when their big brother walks through the door.There’s just a different energy in the house.More laughter.More life.More connection.And last night…I caught myself just watching it.Taking it in.Because too often…we don’t.We assume there will always be another dinner.Another conversation.Another moment.But the truth is…those moments are limited.And they go faster than we think.In this episode of Summit After the Storm, we talk about:• Why we take the best moments for granted• The importance of being present at home• How success means nothing if you miss what matters• And what the mountain taught me about slowing down📖 Psalm 118:24 — “This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.”Because we spend so much time chasing what’s next…That we forget to appreciate what’s now.So maybe this is your reminder:Slow down tonight.Put the phone down.Be present.Because one day…you’ll realize…these were the moments that mattered most.🎙️ Follow Summit After the Storm on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and Amazon Music🌐 SummitAfterStorm.comKeep climbing. Pole pole.#family#gratitude#mindset#lifelessons#personalgrowth🚀 OPTIONAL HASHTAGS (IF PLATFORM SUPPORTS)

I ran 11 laps around the field on Saturday.No walking.Because before the game Thursday night…a deal was made.For every hit the team got…I’d run a lap.Sounded simple enough.Until they showed up…and got 11 hits.So after practice…it was time to pay up.Lap after lap.Just under an 8-minute mile pace.Not trying to set records…but not taking shortcuts either.All the way to the back fence…around the outfield…and back again.And the whole team was watching.Cheering.High fives at home plate.But the moment I didn’t expect?After lap 10…they joined me.That final lap…they ran it with me.And that’s when it hit me.Leadership isn’t about what you say.It’s about what you’re willing to do.In this episode of Summit After the Storm, we talk about:• Why leaders must go first• How actions build trust faster than words• The power of discipline under pressure• And why people follow what they see—not what they hear📖 1 Corinthians 11:1 — “Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ.”Because if you want more from your team…You have to show them what that looks like.Even when it costs you.Even when it’s uncomfortable.Even when it means running the lap.🎙️ Follow Summit After the Storm on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and Amazon Music🌐 SummitAfterStorm.comKeep climbing. Pole pole.#leadership#discipline#mindset#coaching#resilience#leadbyexample #growthmindset #youthsports #consistency #hardwork

We broke the losing streak.And I’ll tell you…it felt good.But this game?This was about more than the score.We jumped out early.They answered.We took the lead.They tied it back up.8–8.And we knew…this game was going to come down to one inning.The boys stepped up.Put up five runs.Gave us a shot.But that’s not what made this game special.Because the entire game…we were being tested.Interference calls.Dirty plays.Taunting.Trying to get in our heads.And our boys saw it.But they didn’t take the bait.They stayed composed.They stayed focused.And when the moment came…they delivered.Bases tight.Pressure building.Strike three.Game over.We won 13–11.And I ran out there…hugged our closer…and those boys walked off the field like champions.And I’ll be honest…I’m still hoarse.From yelling.Coaching.Celebrating with the team.But it was worth it.Because this wasn’t just a win.This was proof of who we are.📖 Galatians 6:9 — “Let us not grow weary in doing good…”In this episode of Summit After the Storm, we talk about:• Why composure matters more than talent under pressure• How character is revealed when you’re tested• What it means to win the right way• And why discipline always outlasts chaosBecause anyone can win when things go their way.But the real test?Is how you respond when they don’t.If you’re in a season where you’re being tested…this one’s for you.🎙️ Follow Summit After the Storm on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and Amazon Music🌐 SummitAfterStorm.comKeep climbing. Pole pole.#leadership#mindset#resilience#character#coaching#growthmindset #mentalstrength #youthsports #discipline #keepgoing

I bought test tubes the other day.Not for work.Not for science.For my wife.Life in the valley can get routine.Work.Kids.Schedules.Responsibilities.And if you’re not intentional…you start going through the motions.So I decided to mix it up.I started leaving clues around the house for Amanda.Hidden messages.Playful notes.A little flirty.And if you know us…chemistry is kind of our thing.So the other day…I turned the periodic table into a cipher.She had to decode it…to figure out the message.And it made us laugh.But it also reminded me of something deeper.Great relationships don’t drift because something big happens.They drift because nothing happens.In this episode of Summit After the Storm, we talk about:• Why relationships require intentional investment• How small moments create lasting connection• The danger of routine without purpose• And what the mountain teaches us about staying connected📖 Song of Solomon 2:15 — “Catch for us the little foxes… the little foxes that ruin the vineyards.”Because it’s not the big things that usually break relationships.It’s the small things we ignore.So maybe this is your reminder:Do something intentional today.Send the text.Leave the note.Create the moment.Because the best relationships?They’re built on purpose.🎙️ Follow Summit After the Storm on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and Amazon Music🌐 SummitAfterStorm.comKeep climbing. Pole pole.#relationships#marriage#love#mindset#personaldevelopment#intentionality #connection #growth #faith #leadership #husbandlife #keepclimbing

I worked out again today.Part of it?I might have to run a lot of laps Thursday.But something happened today I didn’t expect.An old friend from college called me.We hadn’t talked in seven years.Before COVID.Before life got busy.Before everything started moving so fast.And just like that…we picked up right where we left off.We laughed.Talked about the old days.Remembered some of the fun—and honestly crazy—things we used to do.And it hit me…how fast time really moves.One minute you’re in college…living in the moment…not thinking about anything beyond tomorrow.And the next…you’re working, raising kids, coaching, training…and wondering where the time went.In this episode of Summit After the Storm, we talk about:• Why preparing for what’s next isn’t enough• The importance of reconnecting with where you’ve been• How relationships shape who you become• And why sometimes the best thing you can do… is pick up the phone📖 Ecclesiastes 3:1 — “There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens.”Because life doesn’t slow down.But you can.If there’s someone you’ve been meaning to call…this might be your sign.🎙️ Follow Summit After the Storm on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and Amazon Music🌐 SummitAfterStorm.comKeep climbing. Pole pole.#leadership#mindset#personalgrowth#relationships#lifelessons

We got swept.But we’re getting better.Before the game, my wife told the team:“Coach Bart is running a lap for every hit.”And I’ll be honest…it worked.We started swinging the bats.Putting the ball in play.Competing differently.We only had one official hit…but that doesn’t tell the full story.Because we were making contact.Applying pressure.Getting closer.And then came the moment.Top of the last inning.Two outs.Bases loaded.Their power hitter at the plate.One more run… and we’re fighting just to tie.Two runs… game over.I handed the ball to a kid who’s been putting in the work behind the scenes.Looked him in the eye and said:“I believe in you.”Full count.One pitch.Strike three.We didn’t win the game.But that moment?That was the win.And then after the game…the boys reminded me of something.“One hit, Coach… time to run.”So I took off.Gate locked.Had to run the entire complex.Four fields.One big lap.And I felt every step of it.But it was worth it.Because they earned it.📖 2 Timothy 1:7 — “God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power, love, and a sound mind.”In this episode of Summit After the Storm, we talk about:• What composure under pressure really looks like• Why belief can change performance in a moment• How leaders build confidence when it matters most• And why sometimes the biggest win… isn’t on the scoreboardBecause pressure doesn’t break you.It reveals you.If you’re in a moment where everything feels on the line…this one’s for you.🎙️ Follow Summit After the Storm on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and Amazon Music🌐 SummitAfterStorm.comKeep climbing. Pole pole.#leadership#mindset#resilience#coaching#personaldevelopment#pressure #growthmindset #mentalstrength #youthsports #parenting #faith #confidence #grit #keepgoing

It’s easy to see what everyone else is doing wrong.Harder to look in the mirror…and realize it might be you.We just wrapped up a relationship series at church…and I’ll be honest—it forced me to take a long, hard look at myself.Because most of the time…we don’t treat people the way we want to be treated.We treat people the way they treat us.Short with us?We get short back.Disrespect us?We match it.Hurt us?We hold onto it.And we justify it.Because that’s the culture we live in.A culture that says:“Get even.”“Don’t let them get away with that.”But Jesus said something different.📖 Luke 6:31 — “Do to others as you would have them do to you.”Not react.Not mirror.Choose.In this episode of Summit After the Storm, we talk about:• Why revenge culture is so easy to fall into• How reaction destroys relationships• What it actually means to “do unto others”• And why the hardest person to change… might be youBecause the biggest breakthrough in your relationships…won’t come from changing other people.It comes from changing how you show up.If you’ve been frustrated with someone lately…this one might hit closer than you expect.🎙️ Follow Summit After the Storm on Spotify🌐 SummitAfterStorm.comKeep climbing. Pole pole.#relationships#mindset#leadership#personaldevelopment#faith#selfawareness #growthmindset #emotionalintelligence #communication #mentalstrength #forgiveness #motivation

We’re 1–5.And we lost another tough one.We were leading early.Played better defense.Pitched well enough.Made fewer mistakes.And still…we lost.After the game, I asked the team:“What did we do well?”And one of the boys said:“Nothing.”And honestly…I could relate.Because in the valley…when you’re not winning…it doesn’t just feel like you’re losing.It feels like nothing is working.Not at work.Not at home.Not on the field.But here’s the truth:That’s not reality.That’s frustration talking.📖 Galatians 6:9 — “Let us not grow weary in doing good…”In this episode of Summit After the Storm, we talk about:• Why progress doesn’t always show up in the results• How to lead when your team is frustrated• The balance between truth and encouragement• And what to do when it feels like nothing is workingBecause sometimes…you’re closer than you think.Even when the scoreboard says otherwise.If you’re in a season where you’re improving…but not seeing results yet…this one’s for you.🎙️ Follow Summit After the Storm on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and Amazon Music🌐 SummitAfterStorm.comKeep climbing. Pole pole.#mindset#leadership#personaldevelopment#growthmindset#resilience#coaching #parenting #youthsports #mentalstrength #keepgoing #faith #motivation #selfgrowth #grit

I’ve got a lot going on right now.And none of it feels easy.I’m learning something new…App development.And I’ll be honest…there’s a real learning curve.New systems.New language.New way of thinking.And at the same time…life doesn’t slow down.Last night I was out hitting baseballs with Noah and Rhys.One of the boys wanted extra reps.So we showed up.Put in the work.And then there’s the book.Working with my publisher…getting ready to record the audiobook.Which feels like a whole new challenge too.Different pace.Different pressure.Different kind of growth.And when I step back…I realize something:I’m not overwhelmed…I’m being stretched.📖 Proverbs 4:18 — “The path of the righteous is like the morning sun…”In this episode of Summit After the Storm, we talk about:• What it means to grow in multiple areas at once• Why being a beginner again is part of the process• How to stay consistent when nothing feels easy• And why the valley isn’t where you’re stuck…it’s where you’re being shapedBecause growth doesn’t happen when things slow down.It happens when you decide to keep going…anyway.If you’re in a season where everything feels like a stretch…this one’s for you.🎙️ Follow Summit After the Storm on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and Amazon Music🌐 SummitAfterStorm.comKeep climbing. Pole pole.#mindset#personaldevelopment#leadership#growthmindset#discipline#selfgrowth #resilience #motivation #learning #keepgoing #faith #mentalstrength #successmindset #grind

I’m not going to lie…I’m feeling it today.Sore.Tired.Slower than I used to be.And the truth is…I’m not doing less.I’ve been pushing more.Running.Workouts.Trying to get in shape for what’s ahead.But this morning…my body reminded me of something.I’m not getting younger.And I feel it more than I used to.And that took me back to Kilimanjaro.Because there were mornings on that mountain…where your body didn’t feel ready.Where everything hurt.Where you questioned how you were going to keep going.But you didn’t stop.You took one step.Then another.Pole pole.📖 2 Corinthians 4:16–18 — “Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day…”In this episode of Summit After the Storm, we talk about:• What it means to keep going when your body feels it• Why discipline matters more than motivation• How aging shifts your mindset—not your purpose• And why the strongest people aren’t the ones who feel the best…they’re the ones who keep moving forward anywayBecause the goal isn’t to feel perfect.It’s to keep climbing.If you’ve been feeling it lately…physically, mentally, or emotionally…this one’s for you.🎙️ Follow Summit After the Storm on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and Amazon Music🌐 SummitAfterStorm.comKeep climbing. Pole pole.#mindset#discipline#resilience#personaldevelopment#keepgoing#aging #fitnessmotivation #mentalstrength #growthmindset #selfdiscipline #faith #motivationdaily #stayhard #grit

We couldn’t hit the ball.Not all night.They had a pitcher throwing heat…and we just couldn’t catch up.One single.That was it.And still…we almost won.So we had to find another way.We got aggressive.Stealing bases.Pushing the pace.Creating pressure.We stole home.Forced mistakes.Got runners in the pitcher’s head.And it worked.Until it didn’t.I sent two runners home…both got out at the plate.Close plays.But outs.We lost…8–7.And after the game…the questions started.Was I too aggressive?Did I cost us runs?Should I have held them?Or was that the only reason we even had a chance?📖 Ecclesiastes 9:11 — “The race is not to the swift or the battle to the strong… but time and chance happen to them all.”In this episode of Summit After the Storm, we talk about:• What it means to lead when nothing is working• The risks you take when you have no easy option• How pressure changes the game—and the leader• And why sometimes… you can do everything right… and still loseBecause leadership isn’t about avoiding risk.It’s about choosing it…and living with the outcome.If you’ve ever made a tough call and questioned it later…this one’s for you.🎙️ Follow Summit After the Storm on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and Amazon Music🌐 SummitAfterStorm.comKeep climbing. Pole pole.#leadership#mindset#coaching#parenting#personaldevelopment#youthsports #decisionmaking #resilience #growthmindset #mentalstrength #faith #inspiration #lifeadvice #grit

It rained Friday night.So Saturday morning…the messages started coming in.“Are we still practicing?”“Is the field open?”We only had one practice scheduled this week.And by the time I had a chance to cancel…it was already too late.Parents were on the way.Kids were getting ready.So I said,“We’re practicing.”And if I’m being honest…if I wasn’t coaching…I probably wouldn’t have gone either.I would’ve assumed it was canceled.Waited it out.But I also knew this—if even one kid showed up…I didn’t want them standing there wondering where everyone was.So I went.And when I got there…it was just me…and my two boys.That was it.No team.No crowd.No noise.Just work.We ran.We practiced.We kept going.And it turned into one of the best workouts—and one of the best lessons—of the season.📖 Colossians 3:23 — “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart…”In this episode of Summit After the Storm, we talk about:• What it means to show up when no one else does• Why discipline is built in the quiet moments• The difference between motivation and consistency• And how the valley reveals who’s really committedBecause it’s easy to show up when everyone’s watching.But who are you…when no one is?If you’re in a season where it feels like you’re the only one showing up…this one’s for you.🎙️ Follow Summit After the Storm on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and Amazon Music🌐 SummitAfterStorm.comKeep climbing. Pole pole.#discipline#mindset#leadership#consistency#personaldevelopment#selfgrowth #resilience #motivation #faith #inspiration #mentalstrength #successmindset #keepgoing #grind

We’re 1–3.And if I’m being honest…there have been moments this season where I wasn’t sure I was the right guy for the job.I didn’t plan to be a head coach this year.I prefer being the loud parent in the stands.Cheering. Encouraging.Maybe questioning an umpire call from the peanut gallery.But when the season needed coaches…I stepped in.And I’ve questioned that decision more than once.But then something happened after practice.A kid ran up to me and asked,“Are you going to coach again next season?”I said,“I don’t know… maybe… why?”And he said,“Good… because I want to play for you again next year.”And I smiled.Told him I appreciated that.But as I walked away…my eyes started to water.And I tried to hold it in…hoping he didn’t see it.📖 1 Samuel 16:7 — “People look at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.”In this episode of Summit After the Storm, we talk about:• What leadership looks like when the results don’t match the effort• The moments that make you question yourself• Why impact matters more than record• And how sometimes… the clearest sign you’re doing it right…comes when you least expect itBecause leadership isn’t measured in wins and losses.It’s measured in people.If you’re in a season where you’re questioning yourself…this one’s for you.🎙️ Follow Summit After the Storm on Spotify🌐 SummitAfterStorm.comKeep climbing. Pole pole.#leadership#mindset#parenting#personaldevelopment#growth#coaching #youthsports #faith #resilience #inspiration #selfgrowth #mentorship #mentalstrength #lifeadvice

Did I cost us the game?That’s the question I couldn’t shake after Monday night.We only have one game this week…so I’ve had a lot of time to think about it.One moment.One decision.A kid hits a bomb.I’m coaching third.I send him home.I knew it would be close.At this age… most of the time that play works.Bad throw. Dropped ball. Something goes your way.But this time… it didn’t.He hesitated.Didn’t slide.Tagged out.Inning over.And just like that…the “what ifs” started.What if I held him?What if I trusted the next batter?What if I made a different call?I wasn’t mad.I wasn’t bitter.I was just…questioning myself.📖 Proverbs 3:5–6 reminds us to trust beyond our own understanding.In this episode of Summit After the Storm, we talk about:• The decisions leaders replay in their heads• The risks we take—and the ones we question• Why “what if” moments stick with us• And how to keep leading… even when you don’t have the answerBecause sometimes…growth isn’t having certainty.It’s being willing to carry the question forward.If you’ve ever second-guessed a decision as a parent, coach, or leader…this one’s for you.🎙️ Follow Summit After the Storm on Spotify🌐 SummitAfterStorm.comKeep climbing. Pole pole.#leadership#mindset#parenting#personaldevelopment#growth

It started as a joke.A “yo’ mama” roasting contest between my boys.And at first… it was funny.Rhys is 10.Noah turns 12 next month.So when they asked me to judge…I wasn’t sure how I felt about it.But I listened.And I’ll be honest…a couple of them made me laugh.“Your mama is so fat… the earth was flat until they buried her.”“Your mama is so fat… she sat on an iPhone and turned it into an iPad.”It stayed light…for a moment.Then it shifted.It got personal.And I stopped it.Because that’s how it happens.Not all at once.But one comment at a time…one step at a time…until you’re somewhere you never meant to go.So I changed the game.Instead of roasting…I told them:“Let’s see who can give the best ‘your mama’ compliment.”And everything changed.Same boys.Same energy.Same moment.Different direction.“Your mama is so pretty… the flowers blush.”“Your mama is so hot… the sun feels cold next to her.”And just like that…what could’ve turned negative…became something that built each other up.📖 The tongue has the power of life and death.In this episode of Summit After the Storm, we talk about:• How quickly tone can shift in the valley• Why small words matter more than we think• The leadership power of redirection• And how to turn negative energy into something meaningfulBecause sometimes…you don’t need to shut something down.You just need to change the direction.If you’re a parent, leader, or anyone navigating tough moments…this one’s for you.🎙️ Follow Summit After the Storm on Spotify, Amazon, or whatever platform you're listening on.🌐 SummitAfterStorm.comKeep climbing. Pole pole.#parenting#leadership#mindset#personaldevelopment#growth#coaching #communication #family #faith #selfgrowth #inspiration #lifeadvice #positivevibes #mentorship

We lost 10–9 last night.And this one stung.Down 9–4 late…we fought back.Five runs.Tied it up.One baserunner at a time.One hit at a time.It felt like we were going to pull it off.And then… we didn’t.Game over.Below .500.Two-game losing streak.And that “we were right there” feeling hit hard.But something was different.Because the younger version of me…would’ve let that loss ruin the night.Instead, I found myself encouraging the team.Telling them I was proud.Reminding them what they just built in that moment.📖 2 Corinthians 4:16 — “Therefore we do not lose heart… inwardly we are being renewed day by day.”In this episode of Summit After the Storm, we talk about:• Why the valley doesn’t always feel like growth• How small wins build big momentum• The leadership shift from outcome → development• And what it really means to not lose heart when it stingsBecause not everything that matters shows up on the scoreboard.If you’re a parent, coach, leader—or just someone in a tough season—this one’s for you.🎙️ Follow Summit After the Storm on Spotify🌐 SummitAfterStorm.comKeep climbing. Pole pole.#leadership#mindset#parenting#personaldevelopment#motivation#coaching #youthsports #faith #growthmindset #resilience #success #inspiration #teamwork

“I wasn’t one of them.”And that almost stopped something great from happening.In this episode of Summit After the Storm, I share a real story from my time in the automotive industry—where a breakthrough innovation almost didn’t happen… not because it wouldn’t work……but because I wasn’t part of the group.What followed led to a published paper, a global innovation award, and technology that’s still on cars driving today.But the real lesson?It wasn’t about innovation.It was about mindset.Because too often in leadership… and even in faith… we ask the wrong question:“Are they one of us?”Instead of:“Are they for the mission?”📖 Mark 9:38–40 — “Whoever is not against us is for us.”But here’s the part we don’t talk about:Jesus didn’t tell them to stop someone doing good in His name…He corrected them for trying to.In this episode, we talk about:• Why leaders struggle with trust• How “outsider thinking” can unlock breakthroughs• The danger of protecting your circle too tightly• And how this same mindset shows up in the Church todayIf you’ve ever felt overlooked, questioned, or like you didn’t belong—this one is for you.🎙️ Follow Summit After the Storm on Spotify🌐 SummitAfterStorm.comKeep climbing. Pole pole.#leadership#mindset#faith#personaldevelopment#success#innovation #growthmindset #trust #purpose #motivation

“24 hours… and we’ll be up there.”That’s what I said… pointing at the summit behind me.Confident. Focused. Ready.And then our guide said something I’ll never forget:“I hope your friend tells you this is difficult… but doable.”At the time, that word sounded reassuring.Doable.But I had no idea what “doable” actually looked like.Because just hours later…doable looked like exhaustion.It looked like struggle.It looked like pushing when everything in your body says stop.And then the storm came.The wind didn’t just hit us…it moved us.Our tent… anchored with rocks…started rolling toward the edge of a cliff.In that moment, this wasn’t about summiting anymore.It was about surviving.This episode is the real story behind that moment.The one you don’t see in the summit photos.The one that strips away pride, exposes truth, and forces you to face who you really are.Because sometimes the mountain doesn’t test you…It reveals you.👉 https://summitafterstorm.com📘 Get the Book: Summit After the Storm👉 Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Summit-After-Storm-Strength-Turbulent/dp/B0GVX7ZM1L👉 Barnes & Noble: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/summit-after-the-storm-bart-a-wilbanks/1149826187?ean=9798895740583🎯 What You’ll Experience in This Episode• The moment before the storm changed everything• What “doable” really looks like under pressure• The reality behind the Kilimanjaro summit push• Leadership, fear, and faith in the middle of chaos• Why the storm became the turning pointIf this resonates, follow Summit After the Storm and share it with someone who’s in their own storm.Because the summit may be the goal…But the storm is where the transformation happens.🔁 Follow the Journey#SummitAfterTheStorm #Kilimanjaro #Storm #Resilience #Leadership #Mindset #Survival #Faith #Transformation #PersonalGrowth #Motivation #KeepClimbing #PolePole #Doable #RealStory

We lost 9–3 tonight.But that’s not the story.Because in the middle of that loss…a young pitcher stepped up…threw heat…and showed growth you can’t measure on a scoreboard.And it reminded me of something deeper.This weekend, I’m taking my 17-year-old daughter on a college visit.And as I think about that moment…I don’t just see who she is today.I see the valley she came through before she was ever born.Three miscarriages.Seasons of loss.Moments where we almost gave up.And then…a miracle.In this episode of Summit After the Storm, we talk about:• Why the valley doesn’t mean you’re losing• How God works in seasons you don’t understand• What parenting teaches you about time, faith, and letting go• And why some of the greatest blessings in your life come from the hardest moments📖 Psalm 126:5 — “Those who sow with tears will reap with songs of joy.”If you’re a parent…a leader…or walking through a season that doesn’t make sense yet—this episode is for you.🎙️ Follow on Spotify🌐 SummitAfterStorm.comKeep climbing. Pole pole.#parenting#faith#leadership#mindset#personaldevelopment

We’ve got a game tonight.And yeah… I hope the boys do well.But not for the reason you think.Because the scoreboard isn’t the real test.The valley is.In this episode of Summit After the Storm, we talk about what actually matters when life isn’t a highlight reel. When it’s just practice, pressure, mistakes, and moments no one sees.From youth baseball…to leadership…to lessons learned on Kilimanjaro…this episode will challenge how you define success.Because character isn’t built when you’re winning.It’s built in the valley:When you’re tired but still give effort.When you mess up but stay engaged.When no one is watching… but you still show up right.📖 Psalm 23:4 reminds us we walk through the valley—not get stuck in it.And how you move in that valley…determines who you become when your moment comes.If you’re a parent, coach, leader, or just someone trying to do life the right way—this one is for you.🎙️ Follow Summit After the Storm on Spotify🌐 Learn more at SummitAfterStorm.comKeep climbing. Pole pole.#leadership#mindset#personaldevelopment#success#motivation