Nik Wallenda on Facing Fear

Nik Wallenda has 11 Guinness World Records and has completed a list of never-before-seen death defying feats. He has written his name in history as the king of the highwire. Additionally, Nik has performed live in every state in the US and all over the world. He has garnered the support from tens of millions of viewers on network television specials on ABC, The Discovery Channel, and others. Nik has completed such accomplishments as walking a highwire over both the Grand Canyon and Niagara Falls with no safety net, as well as walking blindfolded across skyscrapers in Chicago.

In this episode, we discuss Nik’s traumatic experience and his vulnerability (6:45), what he does to help people overcome their fear of high-wire walking (8:30), how he makes sure that both he and others are where they need to be before a performance (10:23), how he treats pressure (11:53), if there is ever a part of him that will relinquish his hands-on nature (13:43), the similarities and differences between what he does and selling a product (16:27), how his mindset differs and is similar when he’s doing a team vs. a solo act on the wire (19:39), if he prefers walking with a team or walking by himself (21:31), how his traumatic experience has impacted him (22:16), if he still believes it was the right thing to do to go out and perform the day after the accident (28:48), sweeping trauma under the rug (32:00), what he did to improve as a leader and to handle the shame (34:23), Brene Brown and vulnerability (37:21), the vast breadth of trauma in so many people (39:00), who he is an awe of/who inspires him (44:18), his messages to his kids about their future inspiring and entertaining people (51:01), how kids decide on their futures (55:32), and if there is a downside to always thinking about what’s next, as well as revitalizing the circus (58:02).

Please check out Nik’s book “Facing Fear” as well!

Thanks so much to Nik for coming on the podcast!

I wrote a book called “Shift Your Mind” that was released in October of 2020, and you can order it on Amazon and Barnes and Noble. Additionally, I have launched a company called Strong Skills, and I encourage you to check out our new website https://www.strongskills.co/. If you liked this episode and/or any others, please follow me on Twitter: @brianlevenson or Instagram: @Intentional_Performers.

Thanks for listening.

-Brian