During difficult periods in history, the world relies on those who are fully alive, fully vibrant. Not only is this part of our collective pathway to breakthrough, it’s part of our individual pathway to renewed joy, fulfillment, and success.
What makes you feel alive? What makes you feel vibrant?
What is it that leads to fulfillment, contentment, laughter, and joy? Maybe 2026 will be the year you lean into those things a little bit more than you did in 2025.
One aspect might be “getting the right peeps in the Jeep” — a core part of our Epic Adventure of life, work, and leadership. For me, this means more and more moving toward those who are vibrant and fully alive. It is their energy that fuels mine. It is their positivity that gives me hope, and it is their wisdom that activates mine.
I would love to hear about those random things you have that give you life and lead to vibrancy. Care to share?
Audiobook is Live!
The audiobook version of my book just went live!
Now you can listen to me reading the stories in my voice to give you the full feel!
The book is available at Audible or through Amazon.
Speaking Adventures
January kicked off with a powerful session for Menttium, where I brought “The Safari Way Roadmap” to life via webinar. Alongside Adam Dill and Susan Barber, we explored how to use safari stories and practical insights to cultivate courage, clarity, and connection within professional relationships.
Soon after, I found myself in an unexpected place for inspiration: a naturalization ceremony in downtown Minneapolis. I was there simply to support a friend who was becoming a citizen… I didn’t expect to be inspired. But the judge shared his perspectives on what America is and what it’s not, what an American is, and what that means. They were non-partisan comments I wish everyone could hear. They gave me hope that maybe there are more voices than I realized, grounded in our shared history, that have the potential to unite rather than divide.
The week after, I braved a -38° windchill and traveled to Perham, MN to spend a day with the team at United Community Bank. Having met them previously through the Minnesota Bankers Association, it was an honor to be invited into to help empower their mission of serving the community. I spent the entire day with them, hearing their stories, learning about what they are doing, and adding more acronyms to my brain!
Next, I traveled to the Minnesota Ag Expo in Mankato, where I spoke to nearly 700 attendees from the corn and soybean industries. After a surprise visit from a US Senator, who I’m now joking “opened for me”, I closed the conference by sharing how farmers and influencers can embrace the “Epic Adventure of Agriculture,” and how farmers, legislators, and influencers can embrace the adventure in a way that not only leads to breakthrough success in their work, but greater personal fulfillment along the way.
The following week, on January 30, I was invited to do something similar for the Wisconsin Ag Expo in Wisconsin Dells; there is no better place for the Safari Dude to present than at the Kalahari Resort!
To follow more of my speaking journey, let’s connect on social media! Follow me on LinkedIn or YouTube, or join the conversation on Facebook or TikTok.
As you navigate the weeks ahead, I hope you find the courage to lean into whatever makes you feel most vibrant. Here’s to a 2026 filled with clarity, connection, and the kind of “peeps in your Jeep” that make every mile of the adventure worthwhile.
Until next time,
Maisha ni safari
(Swahili… Life is a Safari)
Sincerely,
Steve Fredlund
The Courage Advantage™ | Speaker | Author | Humanitarian | Recovering Actuary
651.587.5435 | SteveFredlund.com | LinkedIn | Promo Video | Scheduling Link
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.