Episode # 41: How Extreme Adventures Help Ben Saunders Build Unstoppable Self-Belief

✍️ EPISODE OVERVIEW:

In this captivating episode of The Five Core Life Podcast, host Will Moore sits down with Ben Saunders, a world record holder for the longest human-powered polar journey in Antarctica. Known as "Polar Bear," Ben shares his extraordinary experiences, including a heart-stopping encounter with an actual polar bear and his journey to breaking world records.

Through his remarkable stories, Ben reveals how extreme adventures shaped his self-belief and perspective on success. He emphasizes that confidence isn't something you wait for – it follows courage and action. This aligns perfectly with the Moore Momentum philosophy that continuous growth and momentum-building actions lead to transformation.

Ben's insights challenge conventional wisdom about success, sharing how his biggest expedition achievement led to an unexpected low point, teaching him that success isn't about reaching a finish line but about continuous growth and evolution. His journey from a bricklayer's son to a world-record holder demonstrates how taking action, even without certainty, can lead to extraordinary achievements.

📖 CHAPTER SUMMARIES:

1. FACING FEARS AND BUILDING SELF-BELIEF (00:00 - 15:45) Ben shares his transformation from a young outdoor enthusiast to a polar explorer, highlighting how early experiences at an outward bound center in Scotland sparked his journey. He reveals how facing extreme challenges, including a close encounter with a polar bear, fundamentally changed his perspective on fear. This section emphasizes how self-belief grows through facing challenges, not avoiding them, demonstrating that confidence follows courage rather than preceding it.

2. THE ENTREPRENEURIAL MINDSET OF EXPLORATION (15:45 - 30:20) The conversation shifts to the business aspect of extreme adventures, with Ben explaining how he unexpectedly became the CEO of his own unique venture. Despite initially resisting the "businessman" label, he learned to embrace entrepreneurship to fund his expeditions. This segment offers valuable insights about adaptability and the importance of developing multiple skill sets, even in pursuing one's passion.

3. SOCIAL MEDIA AND AUTHENTIC SUCCESS (30:20 - 45:10) Ben and Will discuss the impact of social media on personal growth and self-perception. They explore how comparing oneself to others' curated online presence can be detrimental to self-belief. The conversation delves into the importance of focusing on personal progress rather than external validation, with Ben sharing how his expeditions gave him perspective on what truly matters.

4. THE TRUTH ABOUT ACHIEVING GOALS (45:10 - 59:30) A profound discussion about the reality of reaching major goals unfolds as Ben shares his experience after completing his biggest expedition. He reveals how achieving his ultimate goal led to an unexpected void, teaching him that success isn't about crossing a finish line but about continuous growth. This section challenges conventional ideas about goal-setting and happiness.

5. PHYSICAL FITNESS AS A CATALYST FOR GROWTH (59:30 - END) The episode concludes with Ben sharing his top habit: consistent physical training. He explains how this habit, developed in his teens, taught him crucial lessons about discipline, work ethic, and the relationship between effort and results. This segment emphasizes how physical fitness serves as a foundation for building self-belief and momentum in all areas of life.

🔑 KEY TAKEAWAYS:

1. SELF-BELIEF AS A MUSCLE Self-belief operates like a muscle that responds to stimulus and can be strengthened through deliberate action. Ben emphasizes that it grows not through success or failure, but through the act of taking action without certainty. This principle applies to any endeavor, whether it's starting a business, pursuing a passion, or facing personal challenges. The key is to start taking action before feeling completely ready.

2. CONFIDENCE FOLLOWS COURAGE A fundamental principle Ben learned through his expeditions is that waiting to feel confident before taking action is counterproductive. True confidence emerges only after displaying courage and taking action. This insight challenges the common misconception that one needs to feel fully prepared and confident before starting something new. Instead, courage comes first, and confidence naturally follows through experience.

3. SUCCESS AS A JOURNEY Ben's experience of feeling empty after achieving his biggest expedition goal reveals a crucial truth about success: it's not a destination but a continuous journey of growth and evolution. This perspective shift helps overcome the common trap of thinking that achieving specific goals will automatically lead to lasting fulfillment. Instead, focus on the process of continuous improvement and growth.

4. PHYSICAL FITNESS AS A FOUNDATION The importance of maintaining physical fitness extends far beyond physical health. Ben's commitment to consistent exercise taught him invaluable lessons about discipline, persistence, and the direct relationship between effort and results. This habit serves as a tangible way to build self-belief and long term health goals through regular, measurable progress, while also providing mental clarity and emotional stability.

5. ENTREPRENEURIAL MINDSET Success in any field requires adopting an entrepreneurial mindset, even if you don't consider yourself a traditional businessman. Ben's journey from explorer to business owner demonstrates how embracing multiple roles and learning new skills becomes necessary for achieving ambitious goals. This adaptability and willingness to step outside comfort zones is crucial for personal growth.

6. STORIES OVER STATISTICS Ben emphasizes the power of storytelling in creating impact and inspiring change. He notes how humans are narrative beings, not inspired by data but by stories. This insight shapes his current project of taking students to Antarctica, understanding that while statistics about climate change might be overwhelming, personal stories and experiences create lasting impressions and motivate action. The ability to relate complex ideas through storytelling becomes a crucial tool for creating meaningful change.

7. COMPARISON AND SOCIAL MEDIA AWARENESS Ben's extended periods in isolation during expeditions gave him unique insight into the impact of constant social comparison through social media. He observed how being completely disconnected from advertising and social media during his four-month Antarctic expedition eliminated the constant pressure to compare and acquire more. This experience taught him the importance of mindful technology use and the value of focusing on personal growth rather than external validation.

8. THE POWER OF ENVIRONMENTAL DESIGN Through his expeditions, Ben learned the crucial importance of setting up your environment for success. Just as he had to meticulously prepare his equipment and supplies for polar journeys, he emphasizes how creating the right environment in daily life can significantly impact habit formation and goal achievement. This includes both physical environment organization and choosing the right people to surround yourself with for optimal growth and support.

9. EMBRACING UNCERTAINTY AND FAILURE Ben's journey taught him that the most valuable growth comes from embracing uncertainty and being willing to fail. His first expedition in 2001 left him in significant debt, facing criticism from family members. However, this seeming failure became the catalyst for future success, teaching him that setbacks are not endpoints but stepping stones. This mindset shift transforms obstacles from barriers into opportunities for growth and learning. Read More: Why Am I Such a Failure

🥇 GOLDEN HABIT:

Definition: "A 'Golden Habit' is the optimal habit to relieve a pain point/replace a bad habit because it's personalized to your DNA, goals, and lifestyle in order to maximally reduce the friction to form it."

This Episode's Golden Habit: Consistent physical training through running and weight lifting, which Ben discusses at 57:37. This became his golden habit because it naturally aligned with his goals, provided measurable progress, and taught him crucial lessons about the power of discipline and work ethic.

Related Core Area: Physical Health Core - Addressing the pain point of lacking discipline and consistent exercise routine while simultaneously building self-belief and confidence.

🚀 READY PLAYER ONE?

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🫅 BIO:

Polar Ben Saunders is a polar explorer, endurance athlete, and public speaker who holds the record for the longest human-powered polar journey in history, covering 1,795 miles. In 2004, he became the youngest person to ski solo to the North Pole. A TED speaker and accomplished storyteller, Ben has led numerous expeditions to the Arctic and Antarctic, earning recognition with a custom LEGO figure made in his likeness. His achievements in extreme environments have made him a respected voice in leadership, resilience, and human potential. Based in London, Ben combines his expedition experience with public speaking and leadership training through his platform "The Grit Academy."