From Superman to Aquaman

In 1968, my mother instituted "Saturday Chore Day." My sister and I had a list of chores we had to do to earn our $.25 allowance.?My chore list consisted of cleaning my room, changing my bedding, restocking the bathroom, and vacuuming the hallways.?To this day, 53 years later, I still do that every Saturday before I eat lunch.??

When I got my allowance, I jumped on my bike and went to the 5 and 10 store to get the latest comic book.?I was not a good manager of money; as soon as I got the allowance, I was off to spend it.?The comic books I gravitated to were Superman and Captain America.?At the time, I didn't know why but as time passed, I realized I read those two comics because Superman stood for truth, justice, and the American way, and Captain America stood for liberty and standing up to bullies, virtues that I believed then and I know even more now.

After the events of the Miracle on the Hudson, I was running hard, trying to manage my business in a year that a worldwide recession was taking place, in addition to getting my life back in sync.?I was serving many masters, and at times, I was going to over six cities a week conducting business, speaking, doing interviews, and any other thing that may come up.?Some people called me "Superman" as I was flying all over the place trying to serve the greater good.?But as we know, Superman has one enemy, Kryptonite, and my Kryptonite was not saying "no" to anyone.?

But as my mentor, Bill taught me and Napoleon Hill wrote about, adversity will serve you.?One day during that time, I was asked to speak at an Air Force base for a group of Air Force National Reserves.?I love the military and what they stand for, and I agreed to speak.?I had three other commitments in those two days, but I was going to make it happen.?That one decision opened many opportunities to serve and speak with other Air Force and US Military organizations and meet some outstanding leaders.?One of those was Suzanne Lesko. ?

Suzanne and I met, and she came to see me speak in Sarasota, FL.?We began a dialogue and were there for each other through good and challenging times.?So, when she asked me if I would be open to go back to the Hudson River and face the day that almost took my life, I was not only honored but "all in." She introduced me to her friend, a Navy Seal, Scuba.?I have told people recently that anyone named "Scuba" I had to meet.??Scuba and I met, and he put me to the test immediately.?That was a rough test, but I didn't expect any less.?Fortunately for me, he had a friend, Coach Patty, that went all-in with me to make this run back to the Hudson River and swim with America’s Finest.??

During the early stages of training, Coach Patty told me I needed to be like "Superman" in the water.?When Superman flies, he is fully extended, so I worked hard on that.?But as I worked on being like one of my childhood heroes, one day, Coach Patty told me I needed to work on being "one with the water." Well, I never saw Superman become one with the water, but the older you get, you learn, don't question a world-class coach; just do it.?So, over the past eleven weeks, I have been working on becoming one with the water.?

Two weeks ago, I had the opportunity to swim with my wingman and friend, Suzanne.?When we got in the water and did a warm-up swim, I felt different.??As we were practicing the deep end, she told me, “You have gone from Superman to Aquaman." Coach Patty told me there would be a day that it would all start to make sense and come together, and that may have been the day.?

As we get closer to that day and time that I will be going back into the Hudson River with my wingman, Suzanne, Scuba, the rest of the Seals, and others who want to serve those vets who have given their time and life so we could have liberty and live the American dream, I have been thinking a lot about the power of being a part of something bigger than just myself. I then started to think about that first stroke as I re-enter the Hudson River.?And I immediately thought about the last movie I recently saw, "Black Widow." She had many demons in her life, and the one she couldn't get rid of haunted her for many years.??It wasn't until the end of the movie when she finally got to face her demon, face to face, and ask forgiveness for what she did and give forgiveness to that person, and her life was changed forever as we saw in the movie "Endgame."?

That first stroke in the Hudson River, with my wingman Suzanne next to me and my family, friends, and the team there to support me, will be the moment that I will give forgiveness to the Hudson River and ask forgiveness. Finally, I will leave the Hudson River about 3 hours later as I climb the ladder in New York City and run with the others to the 9/11 Memorial to thank those who gave their lives that fateful day, on my terms, go from Superman to Aquaman, and turn the turmoil of January 15, 2009, into a triumph.

?With all the challenges 2020 presented, a strategy to turn that year of turmoil into 2021 being a year of triumph is to humble yourself, get around people who can help and support you.?Know there are mentors and role models that have swum the swim before. Be strong and face your personal "turmoil" head-on, forgive those who may have caused you strife, and begin your swim to triumph. ??Reach out to them and ask them to support and mentor you, and you will grow out of the turmoil you had in 2020 and on the road to a triumphant 2021,

I went into the waters of the Hudson River on January 15, and when I came out, I had a new purpose in my life.?I aim to help people become the best they can be. To overcome any turmoil, they have experienced in life and turn it into a triumph. To do something for someone who cannot ever repay me.

On August 7, 2021, I'll be going back into the Hudson River, but much like that cold day in January, I won't be alone.?

I've been invited to join some of America's greatest, a group of Navy Seals to commemorate the 20th anniversary of 9/11 and remember the Seal mission Extortion 17.?

It's one thing to swim on your own; it's another to swim with the Navy Seals.?

Remember the value of association.?One way to grow out of the turmoil that 2020 presented is to associate yourself with a group of five that will hold you to a standard and doing something for someone who cannot do anything for you. Like we will be doing on August 7, raising money for the GIGO Fund, helping the homeless and down on their luck veterans who continue to struggle after leaving the service and especially while we recover from COVID 19.?

My mission is simple; help those who may be going through their own turmoil from the past year with a pathway to victory and triumph and understand that you didn't get this far only to go this far!

Treat the TURMOIL of 2020 as your year of preparation and 2021 as your year to TRIUMPH!

If you would like to support my mission to commemorate the 20th anniversary of 9/11 and those who lost their lives during the Extortion 17 mission, please check out my page at Dave Sanderson Seal Swim.?Thank you for your consideration.

LEAD YOURSELF FIRST and CREATE YOUR FLIGHT PLAN FOR YOUR FUTURE!

?Dave Sanderson is the President of his firm, Dave Sanderson Speaks International, based out of Charlotte, NC. On January 15, 2009, Dave was one of the last passengers off the plane that crashed into the Hudson River, best known as?The Miracle on the Hudson, considered the most successful ditching in aviation history. In addition, he has built a career as a motivational speaker, mentor, and author. Recently named one of the top 100 Leadership Speakers in Inc.com. Dave averages over 80 speeches a year for major corporations worldwide.