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"No Barriers" life experience shared at GPFS 2025 second general session
Blind adventurer Erik Weihenmayer was the inspirational speaker of the second general cession of the Global Produce and Floral Show last Friday 17th in Anaheim. He shared how individuals and teams can turn adversity into advantage, build strong support systems, and reach for seemingly impossible goals.
Despite losing his vision at age 14, Erik Weihenmayer has summited Mt. Everest and kayaked the Grand Canyon. Pushing the limits of what man is capable of, he seeks out adventure and shares the powerful lessons behind living a “No Barriers Life.” Friday morning at the Anaheim Convention Center, attendees heard him outline how he turned adversity into everyday greatness. “It’s fun to talk about accomplishments,” Erik began, “but it’s a struggle to discuss how we get there.” He compared growth to a volcano, spewing lava, spreading to the soil, resurfacing, and exploding. Growth, change, and transformation all pose barriers to how we attempt to move our lives forward and achieve our goals.
Staying positive despite rocky conditions
Sharing his experiences in whitewater kayaking the Grand Canyon, the river’s obstacles posed several fundamental questions: “Do I have what it takes to do this again and again?” Staying positive amidst currents and rocky conditions, and focusing on what he learned grounded him and helped him “break out of these prisons” that we lock ourselves in. His adventures have opened up new experiences and perspectives on just how much he could achieve.
The adversity advantage
His book, The Adversity Advantage, delves into three personalities: Quitters, campers, and climbers. People move through life taking chances, or embrace the everyday grind, which can lead to stagnancy. He knew he didn’t want to live a life at home with his blindness. After losing his mother to a car accident, his father would read him motivational poems. “Don’t you quit!” said a video clip of Ed Weihenmayer, who inspired a sense of adventure in his son, and helped build Erik’s confidence. It was the first time he realized what a “no barriers life” could mean, and what the future might hold.
Rebirth: life a never ending process
He didn’t want to build walls around himself, and found that while using his hands and feet as his eyes could occasionally bring pain and injuries, it was also exhilarating and served as a rebirth for hi. Once he moved past his fears, he realized that life was a never-ending process of reaching out into the darkness, not sure of what he would find. “And it’s led to some great adventures around the world!”. Erik doesn’t see himself as a blind man: he sees himself as a problem-solver and innovator. He wants to discover ways to become faster and more efficient.
“Keep climbing, everyone!”
It can be a daunting task to see ourselves as a pioneer. We’re not rocket scientists or curing cancer, but we’re discovering ways to get through the blurry lines of life. What’s the catch? When we aim higher, we risk bringing adversity upon ourselves. He connects the amount of adversity we experience with how far we reach. We might feel helpless, but committing to attacking it exposes great energy and potential.
He credits his team for helping and inspiring him to reach the summit. Erik has put his life in their hands, and they’ve put their lives in his. It boils down to trust, and when you are tied to each other, moving up a mountain (in his case, literally!), trust goes a long way. Individuals and teams can turn adversity into advantage, build strong support systems, and reach for some seemingly impossible goals. Using Erik’s mindset needed to shatter barriers, embrace innovation, and lead with purpose, you too can make your way to the top. “Keep climbing, everyone!” he concluded.
If yyou want to learn more about Erik incredible advanture you can write here.
