Sending the Elevator Back Down

Last weekend, I participated in my fourth swim to support our military heroes as they transition from military posts to civilian life.

This journey started via a phone call from my friend and wingman, Suzanne, while I stood at Liberty Airport in Newark, looking out across the Hudson River at New York City four years ago.

Over those four years, I have met and learned so much about our Navy SEALs, Special Op Forces, and military professionals. Most, if not all, have served overseas and have been involved in life-threatening situations.

Meeting them, swimming with them, and learning about their stories have inspired me. Not only to swim and raise money but also the sacrifices they make for their country, branches, and families humble me and help me raise my standards.

Last weekend’s Honor Foundation swim for SOF was different for me.

First, it was my first swim without a swim buddy or wingman. Second, my swim training focused more on improving my speed than endurance. Third, I was swimming specifically for a Special Tactics combat controller, Staff Sergeant Cole Condiff.

I swam three times a week to get used to swimming alone in the elements. That experience gave me the confidence to swim even in open water.

Coach Patty gave me workouts to improve my speed. This was a major challenge for me as I usually am a slow and steady swimmer, not a sprinter, but I did improve my time for 100 yards by over 90 seconds.

When I checked in for the swim at the Hotel Coronado Beach for the SOF Swim, I received my bag with the name of the person I was swimming for. After I read about SSGT Condiff, I was inspired.

SSGT Condiff completed his deployments to Africa and Afghanistan to support special objectives. On November 8,2019, SSGT Cole’s body was pulled out of a C-130 aircraft over the Gulf of Mexico.

At the opening ceremonies on the beach, event coordinator Jason shared his thoughts and thanked all those participating. As I was listening and trying to focus on the game plan I put together for the upcoming swim, pushups, and chin-ups, he said something that hit me as it’s something I speak and teach.

He said an Admiral told him there would be a time to “send the elevator back down,” which is what the Honor Foundation does.

I thought about that statement as I went to Glorietta Beach to get in the water and begin the swim.

In all my talks, I discuss and stress why it’s important for leaders to mentor others. This was the last thing my first mentor told me before he passed away in 1997.

Sending the elevator back down is a way of saying someone else has gifted us with knowledge, wisdom, and experience. It is a gift, as you are not owed it. It’s something that someone wanted you to have to help someone else or the cause.

I have been gifted with much knowledge, wisdom, and experience that helped me not only in my professional career but also in my personal life, which has helped me excel and raise my standard on that fateful day on January 15, 2009.

In my book From Turmoil to Triumph, I detail several of these strategies and lessons I was gifted and how they helped me throughout my life, especially during and after the Miracle on the Hudson.

My goal in writing From Turmoil to Triumph is to help readers reflect on the people who had come into their lives and taught them things when they needed them most, those special lessons, especially when they may have been at their lowest of lows.

I often wondered why I was chosen to receive these life lessons and have certain people come into my life when I needed them.

I asked my first mentor that question. He told me a story about how “instinct” was critical for him when hiring and looking for people. He told me he had an instinct about me.

In 1997, before he passed away, he left me his knowledge, wisdom, experience, and notes on how he did it.

He sent the elevator back down and made me promise to do the same.

And that has been my mission since 2009.

Someone did that for the Captain of US Airways 1549, who helped him execute a fantastic landing that saved 155 people and started a miracle.

As I swam, I occasionally thought about SSGT Condiff and how he didn’t have the chance to “send the elevator back down.” From now on, when I speak, teach, consult, or coach, I will remember SSGT Condiff and share a lesson on his behalf.

I speak and write about how all the moments in your life matter—the moments that led up to the SOF Swim this year all mattered.

I deposited those moments of training, nutrition, game planning, and resilience last weekend so I could cash them in.

And now it’s time to send the elevator back down to the next generation so they may have the knowledge, wisdom, and references to call upon so that when they are asked to serve, like SSGT Cole Condiff, they have the certainty to execute in the most challenging times.

Do not hesitate to contact someone and ask them to mentor or coach you. They have knowledge, wisdom, and experience you don’t have and can help you advance your cause more effectively.

Thank you to the Honor Foundation, Suzanne Lesko, and Bill Brown (head of the Hudson Navy SEAL Swim) for allowing people like me to serve differently to honor our heroes and fallen heroes.

You don’t have to swim to send the elevator back down. Find someone hungry to learn, grow, and contribute, and offer your time.

And make them commit to sending the elevator back down for someone.
If we all do this, the next generation of leaders will be prepared to lead with integrity, as we leave this earth.

When I began this opportunity to return to the Hudson River after my experience on January 15, 2009, there was much uncertainty in 2021. But someone sent the elevator back down to me so I could help those who needed it and show my children and others how to face their fears.

A pathway to having a Limitless Life is to be the servant who sends their elevator back down. Focus on giving first, not expecting anything in return, and be grateful for the opportunity to serve.

Embrace that uncertainty, see the Possibilities, Ignite Opportunity, and watch how your life and others’ lives Transform!

And your journey to a Limitless Life will begin!