Danny Bader is a near-death survivor, keynote speaker, best-selling author, and podcast host. Danny brings a unique perspective and powerful message to his audiences, drawing from his own experiences to support, inspire, and influence them on their life’s journey to greater levels of fulfillment and resilience.
The other day, I was heading up to my office to get some work done. As I left the kitchen, I was balancing a cup of tea, my phone, a plate with a sandwich, and my glasses when I realized I needed to turn off the light.
I quickly ran through my options:
My elbow? Risky, could spill something.
My shoulder? Same issue.
My foot? Not happening. Age and flexibility aren’t on my side.
I know what you’re thinking: Just put something down and flip the switch! I considered it, but then a brilliant idea struck, my nose. So, I leaned in, placed my right nostril on the switch, and pulled down.
Success! Light off.
Now, some of you might be thinking, Ew, gross! But I bet a few of you are laughing because you've done the exact same thing.
This small moment reminded me of something bigger, resilience.
Resilience is the ability to withstand or recover from difficult conditions. It’s about finding a way forward when faced with challenges, struggles, or setbacks. While my turning off the light moment was far from a real struggle, it still required resourcefulness, adaptability, and trust in my ability to find a solution.
Four key principles to building resilience
1. Trust that you are a resilient human being
I talk about this in my book, A Radical Reverence for Your Life, when I share the story of the Arctic explorer Sir Ernest Shackleton. Notice that this principle doesn’t say hope you’re resilient, it says trust.
Hope is wanting something to happen. Trust is a firm belief in your ability to make it happen. I’d rather trust than hope.
Shackleton didn’t just hope he was resilient, he knew he was. That trust fueled his ability to push forward in unimaginable conditions.
How do you build this trust in yourself?
Look back at a time when you overcame a struggle, setback, or challenge.
Observe others who have demonstrated resilience, if they can do it, so can you.
The more you do this, the stronger your trust in your resilience becomes.
Shackleton had been on many expeditions, some of which were considered failures because they didn’t achieve the intended goal. But you know what? He survived. He kept going. That’s resilience.
In my book, I write:
"Shackleton knew he was a resilient human being. He knew he had to take a few men and set out for South Georgia Island, a 720-nautical-mile open sea voyage in a 20-foot lifeboat. When you trust that you’re resilient, you understand the power of taking action. Because there is no resilience without action."
If you don’t trust in your own resilience, you won’t step forward to create an extraordinary life. Big, bold goals come with struggles, but when you trust that you’re resilient, you’ll go for it.
2. See the other side
When you experience struggle or setback, you become aware that you’re not where you want to be. That awareness is valuable, it means you have the power to change your reality.
You’re “here,” and you want to get “there.” Notice that the only difference between “here” and “there” is the letter T, and that T represents your vision.
Years ago, when my kids would complain about a tough situation, they’d say, “Dad, you don’t understand, this sucks.” I’d smile, give them a hug, and respond, “I agree. It does suck.” I never dismissed their struggle, I validated it. Then, I’d ask them a powerful question:
"What’s it going to look like when it doesn’t suck?"
That question shifts the focus from struggle to vision. Resilient people understand the importance of seeing the other side of their struggle and imagining what’s possible.
3. Seek support
Trusting in your resilience doesn’t mean doing everything alone. In fact, no one can do it alone.
One of the most powerful things you can do is surrender to this truth and ask for help. It’s as simple as saying:
"I’m in a tough spot, and I need your help."
There’s strength in recognizing when you need support, and even greater strength in reaching out for it.
4. Be more spirit
For me, this is the most powerful key to resilience.
Your Spirit is what I call the fourth energy. Your heart, brain, and lungs keep your body alive, but your Spirit is what truly makes you alive. I know this because I once died. My Spirit left my body. And when it came back, I lived again.
In my book, I write:
"Spirit is the nonphysical part of you, the seat of emotions, character, and soul. You don’t connect to your Spirit as if it’s something external. You connect with your Spirit because it’s already a part of you."
Sometimes, we’re too much human and not enough Spirit. But when you’ve hit rock bottom, when you feel like life is beating you down, you have two choices:
Let life win.
Tap into your Spirit and move through the struggle.
And let me tell you, you’re not here to let life win. It’s the other way around.
Your Spirit is your most powerful source of resilience. It only wants what’s good for you. So lean into it. Trust it. And let it guide you forward.
Be more Spirit.
Danny Bader, Keynote Speaker, Author
Danny Bader's transformation from a harrowing near-death experience to a source of inspiration is indeed remarkable. His journey highlights the incredible resilience of the human Spirit and serves as a testament to the power of turning adversity into growth and opportunity. As a keynote speaker, best-selling author, and podcast host, Danny uses his experiences to craft a message that touches and resonates deeply with audiences worldwide. His unique perspective allows him to connect with people on a profound level, offering them not just motivation, but tangible strategies for navigating life's challenges to create greater levels of fulfillment and resilience always.
