#211 - Breaking Barriers: How One Woman Redefined Resilience in Business

Jan 13

In this special comeback episode of The Alden Report, host Mike Alden welcomes his wife, Dr. Taryn Marie Stejskal—renowned resilience expert and bestselling author. They discuss Dr. Stejskal’s journey from overcoming childhood trauma to executive roles at Nike and Cigna, and her leap into entrepreneurship just as the pandemic hit. The conversation explores resilience, vulnerability, and the challenges women face in business, including navigating inappropriate advances. Dr. Stejskal shares insights on empowerment, burnout, and her upcoming book, offering inspiration and practical wisdom for anyone facing adversity or seeking personal growth.

Empowerment and Self-Worth as a Woman in Business (00:00:00) Dr. Stejskal discusses stepping into her power, knowing her value, and the importance of self-belief for women in business.

Podcast Relaunch & Guest Introduction (00:01:27) Mike Alden reintroduces The Alden Report after three years and introduces Dr. Taryn Marie Stejskal as his guest.

Divine Timing and Book Origins (00:03:09) Discussion about the timing of the podcast, the release of Dr. Stejskal’s book, and her journey to authorship.

The Long Road to Publishing (00:04:38) Dr. Stejskal shares her two-decade journey of research, the challenges of publishing, and encouragement for aspiring authors.

Why Write the Book? Childhood Trauma and Resilience (00:08:38) She recounts her experience with a stalker as a teenager and how it inspired her to seek and share tools for resilience.

The Power of Vulnerability and Not Facing Challenges Alone (00:14:10) Explores the epidemic of loneliness, the importance of sharing struggles, and the book’s purpose to help others feel less alone.

Resilience in Business and Corporate Experience (00:19:37) Mike highlights Dr. Stejskal’s resilience as a businesswoman and her executive roles at Nike and Cigna.

Transition from Corporate to Entrepreneurship (00:20:28) Dr. Stejskal describes her decision to leave Nike, her demanding travel schedule, and the sacrifices made for her career.

Launching a Business During the Pandemic (00:28:32) She details starting her business just before COVID-19, losing contracts, homeschooling her children, and pivoting to meet new demands.

Entrepreneurship: Progress and Persistent Challenges (00:31:57) Reflects on the growth and ongoing difficulties of entrepreneurship, including financial anxiety and the impact of past trauma.

Navigating Sexism and Integrity in Business (00:35:51) Dr. Stejskal discusses the challenges women face with inappropriate advances in business and the difficult choices they must make.

Advice for Women Facing Unwanted Advances (00:41:07) She offers guidance on maintaining integrity, evaluating trade-offs, and seeking business relationships based on respect.

The Emotional Toll and Integrity in Business (00:46:36) Explores the emotional burden of needing business, the temptation to compromise, and the importance of staying true to oneself.

Empowerment and Burnout: A New Chapter (00:57:01) Dr. Stejskal shares her recent empowerment, the value of knowing one’s worth, and her next book’s focus on burnout and overwhelm.

Closing Reflections and Future Plans (01:02:10) Mike and Dr. Stejskal wrap up, discuss upcoming projects, and reflect on the impact of sharing these stories publicly.

About Dr. Taryn Marie:

Dr. Taryn Marie Stejskal, Ph.D., is #1 Wall Street Journal Best-Selling author and an internationally sought-after Keynote & Virtual Keynote speaker. USA Today and NY Weekly Magazine recognize Dr. Taryn Marie is the #1 international expert on resilience, mental health, and wellbeing, after two decades of research on how we effectively face our most important difficult moments in life, The Big 3 C's: Challenge, change, and complexity. Her book, The 5 Practices of Highly Resilient People: Why Some Flourish When Others Fold is a #1 Wall Street Journal (WSJ) Bestseller, endorsed by Arianna Huffington, Daniel Pink, Maria Shriver, Keith Ferrazzi, Kathy Ireland, and more!

Marshall Goldsmith has named Dr. Taryn Marie as a top 100 business coach globally, and she is a finalist for the Tony Hsieh award for innovation in leadership in human capital, along with a Global Gurus Top 30 Leadership Expert.

She is the former Head of Executive Leadership Development at Nike, Global Leadership Development at Cigna, and founded Resilience Leadership Institute (RLI), where she currently serves as the Chief Resilience Officer. She is a sought-after coach for executives, athletes, musicians, and actors who are looking for an edge by way of understanding and harnessing their inherent resilience.

For More Information on Dr. Taryn Marie visit: www.resilience-leadership.com/

For information about the companies that Dr. Taryn Marie has co-founded visit:

https://bodycaremd.com/

https://bioaccesslabs.com/

For Dr. Taryn Marie’s Book the Five Practices of Highly Resilient People visit: https://www.resilience-leadership.com/5-practices-highly-resilient-people-book

Follow Dr. Taryn Marie here:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DrTarynMarie

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drtarynmarie/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/taryn-marie-stejskal/

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@dr.tarynmarie1729

Listen to Dr. Taryn Marie’s Podcast “Flourish: with Dr. Taryn Marie:

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/flourish-with-dr-taryn-marie/id1589306573