BusinessOutside

WALK: A lesson learned in life I recently spent a day walking the five peaks above Boulder, Colorado - 20 miles of up/down that started before dawn and ended as the sun dipped amidst brilliant yellows of late autumn mountain foliage. The event, hosted by Bart Foster and his BusinessOutside team, brought together 50 founders, builders, and adventurers to share time and headspace beyond their everyday. Why walk? Why outside? - put simply, there’s a deep seated harmony between our mental and physical states that is often suppressed or disconnected in modern workplaces — knowledge work in particular, which is striking. THREE INSIGHTS: ?? Presence: You can’t help but be attuned to what is immediately in front of you when walking. The learned habits of the body bring you back into a zone of attention that is close, real, and vivid as you conciously and sub-conciously navigate a broken trail or busy city park path. That crowds out the immaterial and inconsequential while magically making space for your mind and dialogue to go to the critical few things. ?? Connection: Walking alone is great, but walking in dialogue with others is even more powerful. The physical orientation of moving forward together sets a tone that automatically biases people toward productive collaboration and a felt sense of shared toil (a couple thousand vertical feet accelerates that). Contrast that to the odd arrangement of most meeting rooms with a gaggle of chairs blocking people and tables meant for another purpose sitting between them. ?? Creativity: Everyone can be creative but often people are blocked through training or environmental conditioning to constrain their thinking to executing a pre-designed process. Sometimes you want to be in execution mode, but the best work is iterative - reflect, create, execute in cycles. Physical movement unblocks the mind. Walking WHY THIS MATTERS NOW: We are transitioning into a world where concious management of our own mental state is even more important. We are stepping from a world where humans worked on machines to a world where humans work with machines (human-machine teaming). For any of us to be effective in that pairing, we need to bring the highest human intellience (sub-concious and emotional) alongside the artificial intelligence (strongly analytical and reference based). Bart and his team run an excellent facilitated process for leaders who would like to apply some of this with their teams, and you can also start yourself. I frequently do walk/talks in place of coffee or even longer meet ups — most people are quick to say yes to escape a screen or conference room. Here’s a low stakes prototype — try it with family/friends as your means of catch up next week for Thanksgiving. See where the journey takes you. ??♂? #businessoutside BusinessOutside

How do you take a 116-year-old nonprofit and continue to innovate? For Prevent Blindness, a social services organization fiercely dedicated to saving sight, the answer lies in embracing bold, strategic thinking. Innovation doesn’t come from endless PowerPoints or hierarchical discussions. It emerges when you create a space where trust, authenticity, and alignment toward a shared purpose drive the conversation. This week, I had the honor of facilitating their board meeting and workshop in Chicago. Together, we moved beyond the typical sport-coated financial reports and dove into genuine ideation. We explored the inevitabilities shaping the future of eye health, identified the barriers to overcome, and uncovered the fuel needed to amplify their mission. ?? ? By aligning these insights with their vision and mission, Prevent Blindness is charting a path to ensure a healthier, brighter future for all—a powerful example of how even the most established organizations can continue to innovate and lead. #BusinessOutside #MakeitHappen #AcceleratetheInevitable Jeff Todd, Jim McGrann, Sue Downes James Anderson Sandra Block Mitchell V. Brinks, MD, MPH Jim Brocato R.V. Paul Chan Paul M. Delatore Kim Schuy Greenberg Alan J. Gunner P.J. Huff Matthew MacDonald Jeff McClellan M. Kathleen Murphy Amy Pulles Ruth Shoge, OD, MPH, FAAO Michelle Skinner Jill Thornton Sarah Hecker Nita Sinha Sherry Williams Heather Patrick Amy Pulles Ruth Shoge, OD, MPH, FAAO Jay Tobin Jennifer Talbot Lindsey Loga Shavette Turner John Ferris

Shout-out to Bart Foster and BusinessOutside for facilitating our retreat last week. It was the reset that we all needed.

Toasts of Wisdom.??? ?? Behind every leader’s journey are countless moments of guidance, support, and hard-earned lessons. At Toast of Wisdom, a BusinessOutside experience, we gather to share these stories – a reminder that none of us got here alone. Replacing the usual cocktail hour, Toast of Wisdom invites executive leaders to reflect on the mentors, teammates, and family who shaped us. Together, we celebrate the moments that made us better leaders, spouses, siblings, and friends, recognizing that our paths are paved not just by individual achievements but by the wisdom others have shared. Who would you give a toast too? This experience was part of the YPO?Austin - Waterloo Presidents Retreat – a gathering of leaders committed to connection and growth. Carolyn Betts Michael Brett Eric Engineer Jake Foley Aaron Hammer Rajesh (Raj) Mahajan Craig Mandeville Ben Munoz Jon P. Harbir Singh, MD, MBA Andrew Teoh Holly Turner Drew Bagot waylan brannan Kevin Burns Ross Hudgens Stuart Kagan Pradeep Nalluri David Racino Danny Tomsett Mark Schellinger Kristin Moore Riley F. Miraval Austin Wellness Resort & Spa in Austin, Texas?Miraval Resorts & Spas

Last week Curtis Parry Jr., CFP, CLU, ChFC, CASL, RICP, WMCP joined 49 other CEOs, entrepreneurs and leaders on a hike through Boulder’s Skyline Traverse with Bart Foster and BusinessOutside. It was a grueling 20-mile hike spanning five peaks and nearly 8,000 feet of elevation gain. Through retreats, keynotes, workshops and outdoor experiences, BusinessOutside is a movement to step beyond comfort zones, reimagine connections, and fully embrace the wild. There is a unique vulnerability in tackling a tough challenge, seizing your dreams and living your best life because there is so much to live for. Ready to visualize your financial independence? Let's connect. #businessoutside #Colorado #hiking #challenges #visualization #manifestation #financialfreedom #financialadvisor #wealthmanagement

Yesterday I led an extraordinary group of 50 entrepreneurs and leaders on an epic adventure across Boulder’s Skyline Traverse—a grueling 20-mile hike spanning 5 peaks and nearly 8,000 feet of elevation gain. This wasn’t just a hike; it was a challenge that pushed each of us mentally, physically, and emotionally. Among us were some truly remarkable individuals: entrepreneurs, CEOs, founders, philanthropists, authors, filmmakers, TED speakers, world-record holders, blackbelts, Special Forces, and even a Ninja Warrior. What made the day unforgettable wasn’t just the sweeping views or tough climbs. It was the openness, camaraderie, and raw conversations that emerged on the trail. We explored the peaks and valleys of our lives and businesses. Vulnerability is rarely easy, but in nature, among kindred spirits, it feels natural. Inspired by the BusinessOutside philosophy, this experience was about stepping outside our comfort zones and connecting with each other in a way that’s only possible when you’re miles away from boardrooms and daily pressures. Grateful for every moment and every conversation. #SkylineTraverse #BusinessOutside #Vulnerability #MakeitHappen Craig Annis Meri Antin ethan austin Sara Bates Eric Botsford Ben D. Jon Baker Tom Bates Ian Cairns Lucas Clarke Nick Francis Scott Harrington Jay Hirsh Finnian Kelly Emily McAteer Stephen Neville Kevin O. Curtis Parry Jr., CFP, CLU, ChFC, CASL, RICP, WMCP Jaclyn Freeman Hester Jon Kedrowski Brandon Kuhl Sam M. Bremner Morris Jason Petralia Diana Pfeil Peter Rentschler Ben Russell Chris Schwalbach Niko Skievaski Jonathan Teaford Joshua Weissburg Alex Raymond Kirk Reynolds Martin Skotnicki Ret Taylor Andrew Watson Natty Zola Bob Africa ?? Ali Rogers

Team meetings and corporate offsites are evolving as people seek genuine connections and deeper engagement. Last week, AVL Growth Partners embraced this shift, hosting their first-ever offsite with BusinessOutside in a rustic Colorado barn. Typically connecting virtually, the AVL team made the most of this unique opportunity for in-person interaction. ??? Amidst open, creative spaces, the team engaged in meaningful, authentic conversations, building friendships and trust that extended beyond the usual work setting. ?? A heartfelt thanks to AVL and Chris Schwalbach for trusting BusinessOutside to guide this impactful experience. ?? #AVLOutsiderDay #BusinessOutside #MakeitHappen Jennifer Pearce Rich Frankenheimer Jenny Stroud Susan Sieber, CPA Steffany Ayala, CPA Daniel Aquino Audrey Geisman Kristy Gibbs Bethany Kicz Brian T. Lyle Alison Meadows Brad McKinzie, MBA Mitchell Seurer Taylor Ulrich Riley F. Becca Blay

Yesterday's ?????? ???????????????? Day was an adventure of authenticity, spirit, and commitment. I am in awe of our team and proud to know every single one of them. It was also a dream come true to have my dear friends at BusinessOutside lead this experience! For me, it felt like I was connecting my two best friends for the first time! And it was outstanding! Because our team works remotely almost 100% of the time, our time together is like liquid gold - so precious! And we used it well! We journeyed on a Connection Hike to connect more deeply with one another and focused on true ?????????? ???????????????? (not just "team bonding"). We shared our personal values statements and explored guides to support healthy conflict conversations. So much was accomplished. Thank you Bart Foster, Riley F., and Becca Blay for your guidance and care with our team. Thank you to everyone on the AVL Growth Partners team for your engagement, and enthusiasm. Thank you all for getting ?????????????? your comfort zone. Finally, thank you for your support and commitment to making AVL a very special place to do great work! #AVLGrowth?#fractional #mindfulgrowth #LFGrow #BusinessOutside

When we first partnered with Bart Foster and BusinessOutside we realized something: his approach to business and life is exactly what we needed at Echelon Risk + Cyber. It's counter to the corporate norms, and aligns with our challenger mentality. We aren’t a firm that sticks to the status quo – we’re the firm that wants more cowbell. ???? So, what better way to kick off our all-hands meeting than moving in the sunshine, sharing conversations, and hiking through beautiful scenery? I’ve done this several times with Bart, and every time, I walk away with something new. But the most important lesson isn’t about me – it’s about the people I’m with. These hikes create a space for real, meaningful connections beyond the small talk. We all spend so much time on the surface level – “How was your weekend? What’s the weather like?” – but what about the real stuff? Bart’s guided hikes help us ask the deeper questions: ??What’s really going on in your life? ??Are you facing any challenges? ??How can we help each other grow? These moments open doors to understanding and connection, helping us come together as a stronger, more connected team.