What do these pics from July have in common?
They are signals of living the life I want. Even with 80-hour workweeks as an entrepreneur, I find escapes to do the things I truly love.
1) Chatting on the airwaves with The Happy Trucker, laughing like crazy through the discussions and the songs
2) Disc golf with my buddy Jeff Fluguear
3) Speaking with groups who are so fun and full of life
4) Enjoying my wife’s flowers 💐
Life is busy. Life is full.
We mourn and we celebrate.
Ups and downs. Health and illness.
At this stage in the journey I still love working hard, but the extra times are more intentionally focused on what brings me fulfillment rather than the stuff (or people) I am SUPPOSED to enjoy.
How about you? Are you living the Safari Way? Choosing your experience, getting the right peeps in the Jeep, and having the courage to do the unright thing?
Speaking Adventures
In mid-July, I spent some time with the members of Western Healthcare Alliance, and I was truly blown away by their commitment to collaboration. The challenges in rural healthcare are well-known, but these members are finding solutions by working together to provide affordable, quality medical care. They could easily see each other as competitors, but instead, they embody “The Safari Way to breakthrough,” showing how doing “the unright thing” with the “right peeps in the Jeep” can fulfill their mission. Kudos to them for their incredible momentum and a fantastic event!
It was also wonderful to spend four days at #Influence2025, catching up with many of my favorite “Peeps in the Jeep.” It was inspiring to see my speaking friends Jack, Jan, and Tim receive their CSP awards – a well-deserved recognition of their hard work and dedication.
I also had the pleasure of chatting with speaking legends like Greg Coleman (former Viking punter), Walter Bond (former Gopher basketball player), Mark LeBlanc, Ty Bennett, and Rob Shanahan, among many others. These connections are what truly make these events special!
Connecting with the Community
The “Peeps” I want in my “Jeep” for my speaking business are kind, smart, transparent, and ambitious — which is why I started the Ambitious Speaker Collective… to find these rare folks. Members join from all across the country, gathering monthly (or more) over Zoom – but rarely do I get to meet members in real life.
Thanks to Karen Laos, who was visiting Minneapolis from San Francisco, we gathered a few members for some food, great conversation, and a little shop talk.
It was wonderful to hang out with Karen and several other members of the ASC — thanks for letting me be a peep in your Jeep and for inspiring me with your stories and impact!
If any of my upcoming speaking events are in your neck of the woods, maybe we can get together! Or if you want to be part of my presentation or have someone who needs to hear it, feel free to ask and I’ll see if I can get you in.
If you’re not already following me on LinkedIn, let’s connect. You might also enjoy subscribing to my YouTube channel, becoming friends on Facebook, or connecting on TikTok or Instagram. Join the conversation, and let’s keep this adventure going together.
As you move through the days ahead, remember to seek out those signals of the life you truly want. Whether it’s carving out time for a beloved hobby, connecting with your “right peeps in the Jeep,” or having the courage to do “the unright thing,” intentionally focus on what brings you genuine fulfillment.
Embrace your own Safari Way!
Until next time,
Maisha ni safari
(Swahili… Life is a Safari)
Sincerely,
Steve Fredlund,
The Safari Dude
Life is an adventure. Make it epic.
About The Author
Steve Fredlund is an award-winning keynote speaker, two-time TEDx presenter, and bestselling author of Do the Unright Thing: Memoir of a People Pleaser. After decades as an actuary, executive, entrepreneur, and nonprofit founder—including leading humanitarian efforts in East Africa—Steve discovered that doing everything “right” doesn’t always lead to fulfillment or impact.
Drawing from that journey, he developed The Courage Advantage™ philosophy—centered on the everyday courage to move beyond expectation, lead with authenticity, and live in alignment with what truly matters. Through his engaging stories, humor, and practical insights, Steve inspires audiences to find greater clarity, connection, and fulfillment in both life and leadership.