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We speak with Hiro Iwamoto (world-renowned as “The Blind Sailor”) about making courageous decisions even when the path ahead isn’t clear.
These days, it can seem like the winds of change are constantly shifting in all directions. This can especially be the case when you’re under pressure and leading for transformational business growth. With so much at stake and at risk, decisions can be gut-wrenching. This is when it can help to look at the challenge from an entirely different perspective.
Our guest, Hiro Iwamoto is an inspirational keynote speaker and the first totally blind sailor to complete a nonstop crossing of the Pacific Ocean. After losing his sight at age 16, Hiro chose to redefine what was possible, eventually sailing 8,700 miles from San Diego, California to Fukushima, Japan. Through his extraordinary journey, he offers powerful insights on leadership, trust, and making courageous decisions in uncertainty.
Today, Hiro speaks to business leaders and organizations worldwide (most recently the 2026 World Economic Forum in Davos), helping them navigate change and move forward even when the path ahead cannot be fully seen.
During our conversation, Hiro shares the turning point in his life that inspired him to become “The Blind Sailor.” We also discuss what keeps him coming back for additional challenges. This includes his upcoming 2027 solo voyage across the Pacific, which has been featured in global media.
Hiro also shares what’s behind the message of his speech to world leaders at the 2026 World Economic Forum in Davos: “Leadership is not about controlling circumstances. It is about choosing your response when control is gone.” He also tells why he believes “Progress doesn’t come from waiting for fear or uncertainty to disappear—it comes from choosing to move forward in the darkness.” We also discuss three immediately useful ideas for managing mindset, emotional steadiness, and the key to boldly moving in a seemingly impossible new direction, even when the path ahead isn’t clear.
I want to show that if we believe it, it’s possible. Let’s make the impossible possible. – Hiro Iwamoto
This week on Growth Igniters® Radio:
- What inspired Hiro to become “The Blind Sailor” and keeps him coming back for additional challenges
- What’s behind the message of Hiro’s speech at Davos
- Why Hiro believes that “Progress doesn’t come from waiting for fear or uncertainty to disappear. It comes from choosing to move forward in the darkness.”
- Three immediately useful ideas for making courageous choices when the path is unclear
Resources for This Episode
- Learn more about Hiro Iwamoto and connect with him on LinkedIn
- Read about “Arigatofulness” / The Global Arigato Project (Gratitude Practice Initiative)
- Learn about / Support Hiro’s 2027 Solo Pacific Crossing – “Hiro’s Choice”
- Find out more about Pam’s keynote “Break Orbit: Achieving Long-Term Growth in a Short-Term World”
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