The Zen you bring

The Zen you bring

One of my favorite quotes is from Robert Pirsig: “The only Zen you find on tops of mountains is the Zen you bring there.” And it couldn’t be more fitting for Cory Richards’ journey.

A mutual friend introduced us, and when Cory joined me on the podcast, his story was every bit as powerful as I expected. He’s a world-class mountaineer and National Geographic photographer, but his life has been just as raw and unfiltered as the moments he captures.

Cory’s story isn’t just about adventure—it’s about survival, reinvention, and the relentless search for meaning. He grew up in a turbulent home, dropped out of high school, and was homeless before climbing gave him a way forward.
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That passion saved his life and took him to some of the most dangerous and breathtaking places on Earth.
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In our conversation, Cory opens up about the avalanche that nearly killed him, how it forced him to confront his past, and the struggles he’s faced with mental health.

We also get into the cost of chasing adventure, the emotional toll of always living on the edge, and what success really looks like beyond the accolades.
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This one is raw, honest, and filled with powerful takeaways about resilience, purpose, and the drive to keep going even when the path is uncertain.

You can check out the episode here, and after you do, I’d love to hear what part of Cory’s story resonated with you most.

Light

P.S. In case you missed my last announcement, I’ve updated my podcast release schedule to the following: The Spiritual Perspective will be published each Monday, The Light Watkins Show will now be released on Thursdays (instead of Wednesdays), and the bite-sized Plot Twist episodes will be published about once a month on a Thursday as well.

My passions include keynote speaking, leading meditation retreats, hosting my podcast, and writing self-help books, like Travel Light, Knowing Where to Look, Bliss More, and The Inner Gym. I’ve also got a thriving online community with fun challenges and masterclasses for becoming the best version of you. You can see more about me at lightwatkins.comor follow my journey on Instagram.