What would you do after hearing “six months to live” not once, but three times? Our guest, executive leader and resilience coach Tom Lenoble, shares how he navigated life‑threatening illness while climbing through Palm, Walmart, and Facebook—and why he believes risk, resilience, and reinvention are muscles you can train. We dive into his powerful idea of terrible gifts, the hard experiences you would never choose that can still deliver meaning, creativity, and service if you’re willing to look for the seed within the storm.
Tom opens the door on career pivots and purpose, from a friends unexpected call that led to interviewing with 19‑year‑old Mark Zuckerberg to the scale lessons of Walmart where someone can monitor every store refrigerator nationwide. He contrasts the precision of large organizations with the scrappy freedom of startups and argues that the right answer to growth is often “yes.” Along the way, we explore what a philanthropic mindset looks like beyond money—time, talent, and presence—and why a sincere smile can be as transformative as a large check.
Grounded in practical habits, Tom’s approach is accessible: morning gratitude for simply waking up, evening reflections that honor both the good and the tough, daily walks in nature without headphones to reset your senses, and the discipline to be your own advocate when a system says “not possible.” We also talk about parenting resilience through simple rituals, reframing to‑do lists as get‑to‑do lists, and the courage to integrate every part of your story. His new book, My Life in Business Suits, Hospital Gowns, and High Heels, weaves memoir with actionable insights to help you lead, heal, and create from the whole of your life.
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You can find Tom:
Instagram: @lenoble.tom
LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/tomlenoble
Website: www.tomlenoble.com
Book: My Life in Business Suits, Hospital Gowns and High Heels
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