Tag: getting unstuck

“Don’t ask what the world needs. Ask what makes you come alive, and go do it. Because what the world needs is people who have come alive.” – Howard Thurman

When my daughter was two-and-a-half, I installed a seat on the back of my bike. I strapped her in and we pedaled around our neighborhood. She yelled, “this is fantastic!”

A pure jolt of energy and vitality shot threw me. For me, it was such a good example of the fullness of life that surges when we embrace the freedom that comes with getting out on two wheels. As a bonus, it reminded me of how easy it is to get stuck in the humdrum of life. And the cure is just an adventure (big or small) away.

So in this episode of The Life of Try podcast, I talk with tech entrepreneur and author Michael Yang about his memoir Coming Alive on the Ride and the way motorcycle travel became both a literal journey and a powerful metaphor for personal growth. Michael shares how stepping outside your familiar environment can help you hear “life’s invitation” to dream, venture, and rediscover what makes you feel fully awake.

Together we explore resilience through the Korean concept of han—the accumulated weight of difficult circumstances—and how setbacks can become fuel for perseverance. Michael reflects on immigrating from Korea at 14, building a life through gratitude and hard work, and learning (again and again) that rejection doesn’t have to be the end of the story.

From riding thousands of miles with a lifelong friend to a memorable run-in with Steve Jobs at Macy’s in 1982, Michael’s stories remind us that courage grows through companionship and curiosity. We also discuss the Korean guiding philosophy of Hongik—living in a way that benefits all humankind—and how our bravest tries can ripple outward in ways we may not expect.

In this episode, we cover:

• Why “accepting the invitation” is simple—but the road rarely runs straight
• Han, perseverance, and turning setbacks into strength
• The immigrant mindset: gratitude, effort, and going for opportunity
• Friendship as a confidence builder—on the road and in life
• Curiosity, rejection, and holding onto a vision (plus the Steve Jobs story)
• Hongik: living for the wider benefit and making a positive dent in the world

Here’s a small taste of Michael’s brave and bold reminder that saying “yes” to adventure often brings out our best selves:

Whether you’re craving a literal road trip or a fresh start at home, this conversation will nudge you toward your next brave yes.

Here are some ways you can listen and watch this motivating episode:

• The podcast player embedded below
• Click this link to watch in a browser: How to Get Unstuck: Michael Yang on Saying Yes, Resilience, and Coming Alive
• Subscribe to The Life of Try on Spotify, Amazon Music, or Apple Podcasts
• Subscribing to the YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@thelifeoftry

Why Second Place Might Be Preparation, Not Failure – The Life of Try: Personal growth, one try at a time.

What if second place is not failure, but preparation? In this motivational episode of The Life of Try, Wynne Leon explores the hidden power of effort, persistence, and staying ready when life does not put you out front. Through a business lesson about losing a big opportunity, Nathan Martin’s dramatic 2026 LA Marathon finish, and the long-build success story of Dutch Bros Coffee, this episode is a reminder that effort keeps you eligible for the opening when it appears. In this episode, you'll learn: → Second place is not always failure; sometimes it is the place where patience, preparation, and readiness are built. → Effort keeps you eligible for opportunity, even when you are not out front or visible to everyone else → Staying in the race matters because the opening often appears after most people have already slowed down or stopped trying → A disappointing loss can still position you for a future win if you keep showing up with humility and persistence → Nathan Martin’s dramatic LA Marathon finish is a reminder that you do not have to be in the picture early to have a meaningful finish → Long-term success, like the Dutch Bros story, is often built through years of unseen work, reinvention, and consistent effort → The better question may not be, “Am I winning right now?” but “Am I still in position?If you are learning how to keep going, build resilience, try again after disappointment, or trust the unseen work behind personal growth, this episode will encourage you to stay in position, keep showing up, and keep trying.🔔 Subscribe to The Life of Try YouTube channel for more conversations about resilience, courage, creativity, reinvention, mindset, and living with intention.ABOUT MEHi, I’m Wynne Leon — host of The Life of Try, a personal growth and self-improvement podcast exploring resilience, reinvention, uncertainty, and the courage to keep trying.Through thoughtful interviews, reflective conversations, and real-life stories, I share insights to help you navigate change, get unstuck, and move forward with more intention.🌍 Website: https://wynneleon.com➡️Brian Hannon's post It's a Sprint to the Finish and the Winner Is… 🎥 Watch Next➡️ Encourage Effort, Not Results | How to Build Resilience and Confidence➡️ The Courage to Try Something New with Lindsey Goldstein➡️ How to Write the Book You’ve Been Dreaming About with Dr. Vicki Atkinson🔗 CONNECT WITH ME:• Website:→ https://wynneleon.com/• Instagram:→ https://www.instagram.com/wynneleon/• Facebook:→ https://www.facebook.com/wynne.leon/ • Amazon: → https://www.amazon.com/stores/author/B002IKWX14

1. Why Second Place Might Be Preparation, Not Failure 08:01
2. When Your Plan Falls Apart | How to Stay Resilient and Keep Trying 10:03
3. Barbara Nickless on A Voice In The Dark, Online Gaming and The Power of Story 29:40
4. Embracing What Makes You Different | Kym Gordon Moore 27:53
5. Motive + Means = Opportunity: A Life of Try Story 12:14

Links for this episode:

48-How to Get Unstuck: Michael Yang on Saying Yes, Resilience, and Coming Alive transcript

Michael Yang’s website

Coming Alive on the Ride at Barnes & Noble and Amazon

The Life of Try is a personal growth and self‑help podcast about getting unstuck, navigating uncertainty, and choosing to try—even when it’s uncomfortable, inconvenient, or not your idea.

Hosted by Wynne Leon, the show explores how real growth, reinvention, and discovery often begin not with confidence or clarity—but with a single attempt. Through thoughtful interviews, reflective conversations, and real‑world case studies, each episode examines what it looks like to keep going when doubt shows up, plans fall apart, or life forces a change you didn’t ask for.

This podcast is for anyone who:

• Feels stuck or uncertain about what’s next
• Is navigating change, burnout, or reinvention
• Wants to live more intentionally without pretending growth is easy
• Believes progress starts by trying—again and again

The Life of Try isn’t about hustle or perfection. It’s about learning as you go, surfacing what matters, and sharing what you discover along the way.

If you’re ready to surf the uncertainty, outlast the doubts, and step into your own try‑cycle, you’re in the right place.

(featured photo from Michael Yang — more incredible photos in his book and on his website!)