Acta Non Verba

This week on Acta Non Verba, we explore the world of music, art, and Adversity with Luis Guerra and Adrián Terrazas-González. Luis, a musician diagnosed with multiple sclerosis, shares his journey of integrating therapies and his creation, 'Breathe Into Life,' dedicated to holistic well-being. Grammy-winning musician Adrián Terrazas-González, who also battled cancer, discusses their transformative friendship and mutual growth. The show delves into their stories of Adversity, resilience, and the philosophies they adopt to turn challenges into victories. Emphasizing the power of breath and the mind, the conversation highlights the importance of adapting one’s skills under adverse conditions and inspiring others through authentic stories and music. Episode Highlights: 02:04 Luis’ Journey and Collaboration 06:12 Adrián's Perspective and Musical Journey 20:45 Challenges and Inspirations in Music 36:53 Performing with Legends and Learning from Them 41:50 The Impact of Audience Size on Performances 46:32 Balancing Stress and Creativity 47:14 Coping Mechanisms for Soldiers and Law Enforcement 53:05 The Healing Power of Breath 01:03:06 The Role of Gratitude in Recovery 01:25:00 Impact of Adversity on Creativity Luis Guerra is a Los Angeles-based music composer, arranger, and producer. He has worked extensively as a film composer and is an award-winning podcast composer. His credits include writing theme music for popular TV shows such as Ring City, film scores including Bernard and Huey and 18 ½, and podcasts such as Freakonomics Radio, Malcolm Gladwell’s Revisionist History, Happy Forgetting, and No Stupid Questions. Currently, he is composing music for the Breathe Into Life podcast—stay tuned for more. Connect with Luis here: https://www.luisguerramusic.com/ Adrián Terrazas-González, born in Chihuahua, México, grew up immersed in the traditional music of Central America, discovering his passion for jazz and classical music at age 11. Inspired by Hubert Laws, he mastered the flute, tenor saxophone, and clarinet. In 2002, he overcame cancer and joined The Mars Volta in 2004, earning a GRAMMY in 2008. Now based in Los Angeles, he leads T.R.A.M. and collaborates with international musicians, touring extensively while teaching workshops worldwide. Terrazas-González’s career reflects a deep commitment to innovation and sharing music across cultures. Connect with Adrián here: https://www.instagram.com/adrianterrazasofficial/ Learn more about the gift of Adversity and my mission to help my fellow humans create a better world by heading to www.marcusaureliusanderson.com. There you can take action by joining my ANV inner circle to get exclusive content and information.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week on Acta Non Verba, I’m discussing the common practice of making New Year's resolutions, citing that 80% of people fail within two weeks. Rather than repeating the cycle, I have four transformational questions to help leaders align their goals with their vision and purpose. This episode provides an insight into the philosophies, tactics, and strategies used by successful leaders to overcome adversity and lead extraordinary lives. Learn more about the gift of Adversity and my mission to help my fellow humans create a better world by heading to www.marcusaureliusanderson.com. There you can take action by joining my ANV inner circle to get exclusive content and information.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode Dr. Megan McElheran, a clinical psychologist with over 20 years of experience working with uniformed service personnel delves into Dr. McElheran's development of upstream training programs aimed at preparing military and public safety professionals to manage stress before it becomes overwhelming. Marcus and Dr. McElheran explore the concepts of post-traumatic growth, the importance of action-oriented stoic philosophy, and practical steps for emotional regulation. Dr. McElheran shares her journey into psychology, the creation of the Before Operational Stress (BOS) program, and data-backed evidence of its effectiveness. Episode Highlights: 12:45 The Role of Stoicism in Uniformed Services 24:28 The Importance of De-escalation and Self-Care 25:26 Training Gaps and Operational Stress 26:15 The Duality of Tactical Skills and Trauma 32:43 Facing Fear and Taking Action Dr. Megan McElheran is a dedicated trauma therapist specializing in helping first responders, active-duty members of the Canadian Forces, and community members navigate the aftermath of traumatic events. With expertise in evidence-based practices such as Prolonged Exposure, EMDR, and Accelerated Resolution Therapy, Megan provides a safe, structured environment for clients to process and heal. Her work emphasizes resilience and the profound capacity for change, as shared in her 2011 TEDx talk, Trauma, Change, and Resilience. Megan’s compassionate approach empowers individuals to rebuild their lives, transforming the impact of trauma into growth and strength. You can learn more about Dr. McElheran here: https://www.wayfound.ca/dr-megan-mcelheran Take the course with discount code BOSPOD: https://education.beforeoperationalstress.com/pages/our-courses Learn more about the gift of Adversity and my mission to help my fellow humans create a better world by heading to www.marcusaureliusanderson.com. There you can take action by joining my ANV inner circle to get exclusive content and information.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode Marcus Aurelius Anderson delves into the theme of endurance, drawing lessons from historical and contemporary figures. He discusses the incredible resilience of Sir Ernest Shackleton and his crew during the Trans Antarctic Expedition, and highlights how modern-day warriors like Juan Pablo Quiñonez and Dean Stott overcame extreme challenges through endurance. Marcus outlines two key steps to building real-world endurance: setting a huge goal with a compelling why and training harder than ever before. Episode Highlights: 03:24 Lessons from Sir Ernest Shackleton 06:52 Juan Pablo's Unconventional Strategies 09:09 Dean Stott's Record-Breaking Journey 09:51 Steps to Building Real-World Endurance Learn more about the gift of Adversity and my mission to help my fellow humans create a better world by heading to www.marcusaureliusanderson.com. There you can take action by joining my ANV inner circle to get exclusive content and information.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.