The Executive Edge: Why You Should Believe in Yourself with Stephen Gallagher
When you're at the bottom, there's nowhere to go but up. But going upward from there isn't as easy as it sounds. Rising out of your darkest moments requires a lot more than just grit. It's all about being able to believe in yourself — believing that you can pull yourself up and learning to be vulnerable enough to allow other people to help you rise.
In this episode of The Mindset Mentor Meets, Angela Cox interviews Stephen Gallagher, Executive Director of EF Group. Stephen describes his journey from the lowest point in his life to create the success he enjoys today with his wife and daughter and how he tries to raise the bar on being a better person in both his life and those around him.
From overcoming a debilitating injury that threatened his mobility to achieving remarkable success in both personal and professional realms, Stephen's story is a testament to the power of self-belief and resilience. He shares invaluable insights into how embracing vulnerability and integrity has been pivotal in his journey, offering listeners practical advice on cultivating a mindset geared towards growth and success.
Where are you now? Is it a dark moment in your life, or do you think you’re at the heights of your success? There’s always something you can improve — whether in yourself, your organization, or someone around you. No matter where you are in your life right now, Stephen’s journey is something you can definitely learn from.
Here are three reasons why you should listen to the full episode:
Understand why believing in yourself is the key to overcoming any odds.
Learn how having unshakable integrity empowers your self-belief and helps strip away self-doubt.
Understand how transparency and honesty help get everyone on the same page when it comes to striving for a goal.
Resources
Contact Stephen through LinkedIn
Visit the EF Group Website
Coaching with Angela Cox
Listen to The Mindset Mentor Meets
Read The Mother of All Jobs by Christine Armstrong
Episode Highlights
[03:31] Stephen’s First Proudest Moment: Recovering from the Impossible
In October 2019, Stephen fell and shattered his humerus, then contracted a rare condition that paralyzed his right arm.
It was his first time feeling vulnerable — there was very little he could do on his own, and he was reliant on both medication and his wife.
Although there was a surgery that could fix his arm, his surgeon told him that it was practically impossible that he would use his arm again. His surgeon said that Stephen had better odds of winning the lottery than regaining full mobility in his right arm.
Stephen was undaunted; he devoted himself to doing his exercises and physical therapy until, against all odds, he could do something we take for granted: pick up a bottle.
[10:08] Journeying Out from the Pit of Despair
Recovering from his paralysis was a massive journey. Stephen says he had PTSD and that his wife would wake him up when he had tremors.
At this low point in life, he started questioning the meaning of life: what was his purpose? What could he offer?
Seeing a therapist and taking medication were crucial in helping him on this journey.
Stephen emphasizes the need for greater awareness and open discussions about mental health in his community.
Instead of trying to return to who he was, Stephen aimed to move forward and change for the better.
[13:17] Stephen’s Second Proudest Moment: His Daughter
Stephen’s daughter has moderate hearing loss and now has hearing aids — but she’s adapted to it well and has shown remarkable positivity.
She embodies the values of generosity, thoughtfulness, and kindness, as instilled by Stephen and his wife.
One moment that makes him proud is when his daughter comforted her classmate when they were having a bad day.
Stephen and his wife were told that they wouldn’t be able to conceive naturally. But they defied the odds once again, being able to give birth to their
