"I met him for the first time a month ago... and I would now trust him with my life. The trust is unparalleled compared to other people I've spent three days with." For Matt and Brian, the mountains aren't just a playground—they are the ultimate classroom for leadership. In this episode, we bridge the gap between the backcountry and the boardroom to explore why the most resilient teams are forged in uncomfortable environments. We move beyond the typical "leadership metaphors" and dive into real, high-stakes stories—including a harrowing climbing accident that taught us more about trust and calmness than any office ever could. In this episode, we cover: The "Puddle of Light" Concept: How to make confident strategic decisions when you can only see ten feet in front of you (and why "getting it wrong" isn't the problem - not having feedback to realize you're mistake is the deeper issue.) The Yerkes-Dodson Law: Why your goal as a leader shouldn't be "zero stress," and how to find the optimal zone of arousal for high performance. The "Chapstick Moment": A masterclass in regulating your team’s emotions during a crisis, even when you are the one carrying the most risk. Rupture and Repair: Why friction in the office lingers for months, but friction in the wild is resolved in minutes—and how to bring that efficiency back to your workplace. Building Trust on the Ledge: Moving beyond "hiring for culture fit" to building "trust of capability." Whether you are scaling a literal mountain or launching a new product, this conversation will change how you view risk, stress, and the people standing next to you.