by Mark M Brown, HahnX Co-founder and author of Outward Bound Lessons To Live A Life of Leadership

Attention Outward Bound alumni, current and former staff, and all those who care about people and the planet:

 You may know the creation story of Outward Bound--of young merchant sailors perishing after their ships were sunk in the North Sea during World War II.  You may know the qualities Kurt Hahn extolled: "an enterprising curiosity, an indefatigable spirit, tenacity in pursuit, readiness for sensible self-denial, and above all, compassion."  

You may know the stories, but do you understand WHY? Why were you trained to put aside discomfort to embrace the challenges of an expedition? What did you learn about supporting your crew, serving on watch, reflecting during solo, and overcoming whatever adversity the circumstances of your expedition threw at you? And how did you--and how will you continue--to apply what you learned in service to others? That is, after...

By Mark M Brown, HahnX co-founder and Author of Outward Bound Lessons To Live A Life of Leadership

After an amazing national book launch I was back in Hawaii preparing for a whole series of presentations when Covid hit. And George Floyd was murdered. And fires and floods and drought. And the attacks on our citizens as they marched for their rights, and the attack on our capital as we again attempted to keep this experiment called American Democracy alive. It can feel overwhelming to think about how much upheaval came at us in such a short time--and how much is still upon us.

I had a lot of time to reflect--on my life, and all of the challenges that our world seems to be facing. 

I've also thought about all of the amazing people I got to meet while traveling the country promoting Outward Bound Lessons, and a common theme that seemed to transpire from all those who had experienced Outward Bound-- particularly with those who had been instructors. We all so deeply miss...