In the Arete Coach Podcast episode 1160 titled, "Les is More: Exploring Cancers Gifts," host Severin Sorensen interviews Les Whitney, an executive coach, Vistage Chair, Master Chair, and author of the book Cancer's Gift.

In this episode Les Whitney shares his profound insights on resilience and growth, detailing his journey from corporate leadership to coaching and his life-altering experience with stage 4 lung cancer. He discusses the transformative power of coaching and the lessons learned from his personal struggles. Whitney's story is a testament to finding purpose and joy in life's most challenging moments, offering inspiration to listeners facing their own adversities. The conversation delves into the importance of coaching and mentorship, facing life's challenges, including cancer, and finding joy and purpose in adversity. Les's story is one of perseverance, change, and the power of positive thinking, even in the most daunting circumstances.

Les Whitney is an accomplished Vistage Chair executive coach and author of "Cancer's Gift." With over 21 years in Vistage, he has been recognized with awards like Rookie of the Year and Chair Excellence. Les's corporate background includes CEO and COO roles in several companies. His life took a profound turn when diagnosed with stage 4 lung cancer, leading to his book and motivational speaking. His journey embodies resilience and a commitment to inspiring others in business and personal challenges.

10 Significant Topics Explored:

1. The transformational power of coaching and mentorship.
2. Overcoming personal and professional adversities.
3. The journey from business leadership to executive coaching.
4. Insights from leading Vistage groups and training coaches.
5. Navigating a cancer diagnosis and treatment.
6. Writing and the therapeutic power of storytelling.
7. The impact of sharing personal struggles with a broader audience.
8. Embracing life's perfect moments and staying present.
9. The role of love and relationships in personal growth.
10. The philosophy of living a full life despite serious illness.

10 Quotes by Les Whitney:

1. "Once I realized I had left so much on the table, I knew I needed to become a coach."
2. "I knew the direction I wanted to go in life was to help others achieve greatness within them."
3. "Success came when I stopped caring about the result."
4. "Asking questions that no one else would dare to ask was key in my coaching."
5. "If I think it, I have to ask about it, to make visible what others aren't willing to."
6. "I don't fear death, I just want to live joyfully and gracefully until the end."
7. "Writing about my cancer journey changed my view on life."
8. "Every challenge has thousands of answers and possibilities."
9. "You get what you tolerate."
10. "Helping others isn't about the right answer; it's about exploring possibilities."

The Arete Coach Podcast seeks to explore the art and science of executive coaching. You can find out more about this podcast at aretecoach.io.

This episode was produced on December 22, 2023.

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