I first met Bart Foster through our mutual friend, speaker and author of Hunting Discomfort, Sterling Hawkins. Not long after, I had the opportunity to hike and plunge with Bart out in Boulder, Colorado, alongside my son Auden.
I love it when good people connect good people. I’ve met and developed some great friendships over the last few years; and really from 47 to today at 52. These are guys all over the country, inspiring me, sharing personal and professional values and I always look forward to when we have the opportunity to get together in person.
I was particularly intrigued by Bart’s background, achievements; in business and in life and what he’s building with his latest venture Business Outside.
Bart is one of those guys who embodies the full package: husband, father, athlete, provider, and leader. After a prolific career as an entrepreneur and executive, he’s taken everything he’s learned and poured it into Business Outside—a groundbreaking program that gets leaders and teams out of the boardroom and into nature. He talks about shifting perspective, building connection, and rediscovering clarity and purpose in the outdoors.
He’s also just a very likeable guy.
You meet people where they are. And when I texted Bart about getting together in Boulder his immediate response was “I’ll pick you up at 6:30 and we can hike and jump in the river after”. These are the guys I respond best to. These are the generous invitations I’m grateful for; because I’m physically able to say yes, because I’m able to bring my son along and introduce him to men like Bart, because you don’t have to get ready when you stay prepared.
We talked about having a “People who give us energy list”. If you don’t have one, make one. Bart’s on mine. Creating your personal value statement. What living a life by design really means and how too often men have a personal “you” and a “business you”; and the truth is that there really is only one YOU.
I’m thrilled to share this How I See It with you.
Watch the full HISI Interview here
Bart Foster on Business Outside, Personal Freedom & Your Zone of Genius:
On Personal Freedom:
“One of my top values is personal freedom, and for me that means being able to do the things I want, when I want, with the people I want. That was a big learning for me and a major shift. Now I have the fortune to create a more intentional life and optimize my hours for performance.”
On Life by Design:
“If we can get clear about what we want, we can create a life that happens by us, not to us. I used to wait for things to happen, always on the defensive. Now I try to play offense and design my life intentionally.”
On Identity and Loss:
“So much of my personal identity was tied up in my company that it was a real eye opener when I was forced out. I was embarrassed and lost, but I learned that without the CEO title, I was still the same person. Sometimes the best thing that happens to you doesn’t feel like it at the time.”
On Values:
“I did an exercise with friends to create a personal value statement, and it became my North Star. Now it’s one of the leading exercises I do with teams and executives. If we get clear on what we value, we can make decisions that align with who we really are.”
On Vulnerability:
“It’s okay to be vulnerable. The more vulnerable I was, the more authentic I became, and the more real connections I made. People respond to honesty and openness.”
On Connection:
“Motion creates emotion. When you’re walking shoulder to shoulder and not making direct eye contact, you’re more authentic and vulnerable. That’s how you build real connection. It’s not about networking, it’s about connection.”
On Business Outside:
“People are tired of being cooped up in conference rooms with no windows. You go to amazing destinations for sales conferences, but you don’t really see much because you’re looking at PowerPoint slides. I realized there’s a better way.”
On Energy:
“Look at the past year and ask what gave you energy and what drained it. These can be people, places, or things. Try to have more of what gives you energy and less of what zaps it.”
On Zone of Genius:
“Your zone of genius is the intersection of what you love and what you’re great at. If you can create a life aligned with your values and your zone of genius, you’ll be happier, healthier, and more productive. That’s where you want to spend your time.”
On Relationships:
“Our time is one of our most valuable assets. I want to be around people I like or want to be like. Usually, that happens naturally when you’re intentional about it.”
On Readiness:
“I just want to be off-the-couch ready. If any of you call [about and event], I might not win, but I’ll show up and do it. You don’t have to get ready if you stay prepared.”
On Gratitude:
“I made a list of all the people who give me energy. When I go through a funk, I pull out that list and send them gratitude. It’s hard to be grateful and down at the same time.”
On Generational Shifts:
“The younger generation is much more in touch with their feelings and what they want. The world of work is shifting, and there’s no longer a personal you and a business you, there’s just one you. The more we bring our full selves, the more successful we’ll be.”
On Saying Yes:
“If someone is generous enough to give you their time, you take it or you don’t. If you take it, there may be an opportunity. You miss 100% of the shots you don’t take.”
On Family and Role Modeling:
“They’re always watching and listening. The best example we can give our kids is to surround ourselves with people we love and want to be like, and to live by our values. Show me your friends, and I’ll show you your future.”
On Reflection:
“Start by looking at the past year: what gave you energy, what drained you, and who you were with. Then look at your present and put together a plan for the future. It’s about being intentional and designing your life.”
On Adventure and Challenge:
“A misogi is a Japanese term for picking one big, life-defining challenge each year that you have a 50% chance of failing. I thought I would finish my swim in six hours, but it took me over seven. The process matters as much as the outcome.”
On Community:
“The higher up we get and the older we get, the fewer people we have to talk to about this stuff. We need to create communities where we can share openly and be vulnerable, because we’re all figuring it out together.”
On Legacy:
“Eulogize the living. Don’t wait until someone is gone to tell them the impact they’ve had on your life. Take the time to connect, share gratitude, and build meaningful relationships now.”
In health,
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Greg Scheinman
Founder, Midlife Male
52. Husband. Father. Entrepreneur. Coach.
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