Open Your Eyes with McKay Christensen

Hosted by McKay Christensen

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280

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Aug 2026

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About the show

What you can’t see, you can’t be. That’s why we all need a clear vision of who we are and what we can become. On Open Your Eyes join author and business leader McKay Christensen to discover the steps to lasting change on your path to personal and business growth. From personal improvement to team leadership, get the insights and tools you need to open your eyes to a happier life.

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August 31, 202632 min

S6E14 - You Always Have a Choice

Today on the podcast, McKay chats about making tough choices, the Endowment Effect, and why great risks can have great rewards. Opening up the episode with a story about two men’s dangerous descent down the face of Peru’s Siula Grande, McKay details the hardest decision of one of their lives and what it’s like to work under pressure. From picking flavors at the ice cream shop to a marriage proposal, choices follow us everywhere, even when we think we don’t have any. Feeling helpless or trapped? There is always a way out, but it isn’t always easy. That’s why this episode is all about forgetting failure, forsaking the status quo, and paying attention to the mood. The most important thing to remember, though, is that nothing changes unless you do. Taking risks can be scary, but you also just might find that your best life may lie on the other side. If McKay’s learned anything in his life, it’s that he’s never regretted making a bold choice, whether it went his way or not. So take a note from the Christiansen book, and listen to what he has to say about decision making and why it’s okay to make the daring one. The Finer Details of This Episode: Mount Huascaran and Yungay’s powerful earthquake Simpson and Yates’ dangerous descent Making tough choices Why life is your greatest instructor Status Quo Bias Focusing on failure Risk and rewards How mood affects decision making Quotes: “They enjoyed the thrill of their success only for a few minutes before the dread of the descent covered their thinking. Why? Because 80 percent of the deaths and accidents on climbs like this happen on the descent.” “If he cut the rope, he knew he would be sending his friend below him to a certain death. But if he didn’t cut the rope he would fall along with Joe and likely die as well. There was no good choice. How do you choose?” “Some of us don’t like to make a choice, because the consequences are hard to live with, and impact us and others.” “We make bad judgments, lack experience, misread, misinterpret, and mistake the wrong thing for the right thing. And life is tough. Life teaches us there are consequences for bad choices. And, as a result, we may shy away from those choices.” “What is often true is: you can’t change the cards you are dealt with, but you can change how you play them.” “When faced with a choice that involves an element of risk, the vast majority of people will choose what they have: the status quo.” “I get feeling helpless or trapped. I have felt this way before, but there is something liberating and energizing about choosing.” “And it may be time to make the bolder choice, to purposefully act against mood and the status quo in your life. If you don’t feel like it, that very mood and feeling may be telling you to choose it anyway. Your best life may be found on the other side of today’s difficult choice.” Links: https://www.mckaychristensen.org/

August 24, 202630 min

S6E13 - Remember Who You Are

Sometimes, in life, we can forget who we are. The way of the world, comparisons, circumstances can rob us of our view of our true value and potential. Often, the world attempts to define who we are or tell us we are something other than who we know we can be. But when we remember who we are, we become empowered. And the same goes for teams, organizations and families. On today’s episode, McKay dives into how we can remember who we are. McKay opens with a moving story about Humboldt Canada and the tragic events of the Humboldt Bronco Hockey Team. He recounts the experience of Scott Thomas after losing his son, Evan, and what the city of Humboldt did to remember who they were as a city and who the players were as a team. McKay reviews why it’s so important to remind yourself of who you are, where you’re going, and why. Too often, failure and others’ opinions prevent us from embracing ourselves. Take the MLB’s Nolan Ryan for example, who nearly let his hall-of-fame professional career slip away, purely because he lacked confidence. McKay also goes on to tackle some techniques that can help you stay authentic, such as journaling, avoiding doubt and dabble, and ultimately feeding your faith. As you will hear today, you’re the only person who knows you best, and it’s important to listen to that. The Finer Details of This Episode: The origins of GoFundMe The Humboldt Bronco’s bus accident Staying true to your choices Nolan Ryan’s journey to the MLB Reminding yourself where you want to go The value of journaling Don’t doubt or dabble Feeding your faith Quotes: “That day when Evan came home from school, he was crying and trying desperately to wipe the birthmark from his cheek. He tried and tried again to wash it away, but wasn't able to do so. And he wondered why God had given him this mark on his cheek.” “And everyone knew it meant that their son, if still at the scene, was gone.” “It was his birthmark, the mark on his cheek that his dad looked for when he came to recognize Evan. It was his birthmark, the mark that he never wanted on his cheek that helped his dad recognize him when it was his dad's time to identify him.” “Always remember, you are braver than you believe, stronger than you seem, smarter than you think, and twice as valuable than you ever imagined. Sometimes the world attempts to define who we are, or tell us we are something other than who we know we can be.” “If it wasn't hard, everyone would do it. The hard is what makes it great. Well, the players embrace the hard of it, and go on to find out who they really are.” “And one house after another had sticks set out hoping that those who had passed away would see that they are loved and that they remembered who they were. So put your sticks out so to speak and remind yourself frequently who you are. Next, write or talk to yourself.” “Likewise, it's easy for us to let the fungus of doubt or discouragement take over our livelihood. That's why we need an injection of faith every day: faith in ourselves, in our team, in the fact that there are good things– great things waiting for you in the future. So make it a point to feed your mind and soul with faith.” Links: Open Your Eyes with McKay Christensen

August 17, 202625 min

S6E12 - Be the Light

McKay delves into the transformative power of being an "illuminator" in a world often focused on the "spotlight." By choosing to see the "need" rather than just the "devastation," we find our true calling and the opportunity to create a lasting impact. Our host uses Drew Brees’s "wrong turn" in New Orleans to show that interruptions are often revelations, and shares stories of a baby-holding teacher and a community pizza shop that highlight how goodness is contagious. He goes on to challenge us all to bring light to our homes and workplaces by listening deeply and offering hope rather than demanding attention. Ending with a sobering survival story, McKay urges us to live so our "auras" shine bright when needed most. Main Themes: How Drew Brees found his purpose in the devastation of New Orleans. Understanding that the spotlight is about attention, while the light is about helping others see. How Veronika Scott’s "Empowerment Plan" began by hearing what a person actually needed. The "pay it forward" legacy of Rosa’s Fresh Pizza in Philadelphia. The story of Jim O’Connor, the tough math teacher who also volunteered to hold babies at a local hospital. The perspective that we don’t need to become the light, but rather decide where to put the light we already possess. Why it is more important to be light to our families than it is to be impressive to strangers. How to change the emotional temperature of an organization by bringing solutions instead of criticism. Why sharing your light with others never diminishes your own flame. Lessons on living a significant life from the survivors of Singapore Airlines Flight 006. Top 10 Quotes: "Wrong turns are not just simply interruptions; sometimes they’re revelations." "Light is most noticeable precisely where it is darkest." "Listening long enough to discover what someone actually needs... may be one of the most underrated forms of light." "Real light doesn’t need an audience." "A candle doesn’t become weaker because it lights another candle. The first flame remains, but now there are two." "I want to live my life so my aura, when it leaves, is very bright." Show Links: Open Your Eyes with McKay Christensen

August 10, 202624 min

S6E11 - Enjoy the Ride

McKay explores the profound impact of perspective on our daily struggles and long-term goals as he makes the case that deciding to "enjoy the ride" is the essential shift needed to turn average days into extraordinary ones. By looking at the creative hurdles behind the film Gravity and the real-life endurance of elite athletes, he illustrates how a mindset of abundance and gratitude allows us to navigate life’s "gravity" without being crushed by it. McKay draws a powerful parallel between an astronaut’s survival and our own pursuits, urging listeners to jettison the "junk" of fear and doubt that creates a drag on our momentum. He shares the story of a realtor named Lee, whose seventeen-year odyssey to conquer the Oceans Seven and the world’s highest peaks proves that while we cannot control the weather or our circumstances, we can control our gratitude for the opportunity. Through the five most important decisions we must make and the simple wisdom of a schoolgirl’s "seven wonders," this episode invites us to stop living for tomorrow and start "dancing" in the life we have today. Main Themes: The philosophy of "Enjoy the Ride" as a catalyst for better results and a healthier mindset How George Clooney helped solve a narrative block with a message of resolve Leaving excuses, fears, and worries in the "unknown" to start anew Lessons in rescheduling and accepting uncontrollable circumstances Learning to enjoy the "commute" of life rather than just the destination A roller coaster video as a lesson in choosing our experience How noticing more options and resources opens new doors The Five Most Important Decisions: Setting values, friends, environment, career, and spouse once to guide the rest of the journey Why stepping out of comfort zones is required to build a "new you" How gaining experience along the way removes the need for excuses Top 10 Quotes: "If you decide to go back to Earth, then you gotta get on with it, sit back, and enjoy the ride." "Too often we get stressed or anxious at our goals rather than enjoying the things we learn along the way." "Abundance is really your ability to see more in your life - more options, more choices, more resources." "Do not follow where the path may lead. Go instead where there is no path and leave a trail." "When you enjoy the ride, you don’t blame as much." "Good people give you happiness. Bad people give you experience. Worst people give you a lesson. Best people give you memories." "Your life right now may not be the party you had hoped for, but while you’re here, you might as well dance." Show Links: Open Your Eyes with McKay Christensen

August 3, 202631 min

S6E10 - Fall Seven, Rise Eight

You probably know one of the greatest Japanese proverbs of all time that teaches us about the power of resilience - ‘Fall down seven times, rise eight.’ In this week’s episode, McKay talks about the importance of dusting yourself off after a crisis and getting back up. He kicks off the episode by telling us a powerful story about Florence Rogers and how a seemingly normal day turned out to be an enormous test of her resilience. Just like Rocky Balboa, she decided to keep moving forward after life hit her hard. Next, McKay shares a few other compelling examples of keeping faith during a crisis and rising from the ashes every single time. There’s so much wisdom to unpack from this episode, as McKay shares the most effective tips for surviving tough times and picking yourself back up after you’re down. So if you want to build resilience and learn to endure life’s hardships, make sure you tune into this week’s episode to hear what McKay has to say. The Finer Details of This Episode: The power of rising again Example from the Book of Isaiah Keeping faith in hard times Helpful tools for picking yourself back up Doing the next best thing Changing your mindset Asking for help Quotes: “When you're knocked down, you're left with two choices - stay there or get up. And people asked me, ‘How did you overcome the loss?’ My answer - I got up. No matter what life throws at you, you get up. Even if you need help, you get up.” “Even though it may seem like it's too hard to get up, try again, I promise you can. It is worth one more try.” “It ain't about how hard you hit. It's about how hard you can get hit and keep moving forward, how much you can take and keep moving forward.” “Mistakes or a fall or a pause or a failing doesn't need to define you. You are able to mount up with wings of eagles and rise to the person you can and should become.” “There's great power in a new paradigm.” “I promise, the moment you reach out to the right person for help, you will begin to see a way out of your situation.” Links: McKay Christensen Homepage

July 27, 202627 min

S6E9 - The Best in You

Too often in life, we get to thinking that we are less than capable of doing what we set out to do. But the truth is: we are better than we think. So, how do you find the best within you? In this week’s episode, McKay shares some valuable tips for finding the best within you and discovering your own potential. He talks about the dangers of making excuses, why it’s important to take calculated risks in life, and how to rise to your true self. As he nicely puts it, you are way better than you think, even though you might not see it at the moment. However, you’re not alone in this; most people get so caught up in the chaos of everyday life that they miss the beauty of it all. That’s precisely why it is so important for you to tune in today, and learn how you, too, can turn things around and find the best within you. The Finer Details of This Episode: Enjoying the beauty of the moment Recognizing your own potential Dangers of making excuses Taking calculated risks Fulfilling your dreams Risk-taking for a better life Believing in your true value Quotes: “Because people are so busy and focused on their day, they miss the beauty and rarity of the moment.” “In life, there are so many things around us that are, in fact, better than we think. People are better than we think. Circumstances, our life, kids, job, our own potential, often are much better than we think. ” “You are better than you think.” “Over time, it becomes more of a habit to talk than to walk.” “Most of us have ideas or dreams of what we'd love to do. And we make an assessment and the impossibility of the thing takes over. And soon we place the idea on the shelf hoping that someday we can dust it off, open it up and dream a bit more.” “To find the best in us, we must risk a bit of ourselves - our pride, our time, our effort. It's the risk that teaches us to value the outcome.” “It's in the risk of it that we learn to bring out the best in us.” Links: McKay Christensen Homepage

July 20, 202630 min

S6E8 - Isn’t It Time?

In this episode of Open Your Eyes , McKay delves into the theme of taking control of one's life and reaching one's potential, and he does this through the lens of the Boston Marathon. The stories of some Marathon runners, as discussed by McKay, offer insight and encouragement to do the hard things in order to achieve success. The rigorous process of qualifying for the marathon, the dedication and hard work required to be considered as a participant, the emotions and experiences of race day, and the camaraderie and support of the spectators and fellow runners are all explored. Our host also shares the power of determination and perseverance, and introduces listeners to the "Scream Tunnel" - a powerful reminder of the impact that support and encouragement can have in an individual's journey towards their goals. During the episode, McKay also recounts the remarkable story of Katherine Switzer, and emphasizes the importance of proving our abilities and the price we must pay to truly run the race of life. As you listen in today, you will gain insight into how to take your life back and do the things necessary to grow your business and achieve success - including losing things such as idle time and the willingness to procrastinate so that you can gain energy, satisfaction, and a sense of being remarkable. Inspirational and motivational, today’s episode answers that most crucial of questions: Isn’t it time to do the hard things necessary to take your life back? The Finer Details of This Episode: Overview of the Boston Marathon and its significance The power of determination and perseverance The "Scream Tunnel" Doing the hard things in order to achieve success The story of Katherine Switzer Taking your life back and doing the necessary things Losing a few things The importance of training and working hard, even when no one is watching Proving yourself yourself Making the effort to be remarkable Quotes: "500,000 spectators line the route and gather at the finish line to cheer on a brother, a sister, a friend, or to just watch runners reaching their goals." "Race day is an experience all by itself." "One magical place on the course is called ‘Scream Tunnel.’" "Isn't it time to take your life back, do the hard things when it's time?” "And soon you'll be in the habit and your life, yourself, your self worth, will return." "It also means you may gain a few things - energy, satisfaction, and a sense of you being remarkable." "She trained and worked and finally ran a marathon plus an extra 5 miles to prove to her coach that she could run the distance." "And in Katherine's case, she proved her ability in training by herself with no one watching.” "The other runners were happy to see her and supportive of her.” Links: https://www.mckaychristensen.org/

July 13, 202625 min

S6E7 - What’s in Your Heart?

Delving into the transformative power of internal resolve, McKay argues that what we carry in our hearts determines our success far more than external conditions or resources. By examining historical turning points and personal anecdotes, he illustrates how acting with conviction before proof exists is the key to overcoming fear and achieving the impossible. McKay uses the "Trenton moment" of George Washington’s icy Delaware crossing to show how a single act of resolve can shift the momentum of an entire revolution. He explains the "law of diminishing intent," warning that delay erodes confidence while action, much like regenerative braking in a hybrid car, actually recharges our faith through resistance. Through the lenses of Peter’s walk on water and Jim Morris’ mid-life Major League debut, we see that potential is limitless when we remove distractions and commit to our choices. Ultimately, this episode serves as a call to stop reacting to past setbacks and start feeding a vision of who we are becoming through consistent, heart-led effort. Main Themes: How internal resolve outweighs external resources and conditions The Battle of Trenton as a psychological turning point for the American Revolution Understanding the "law of diminishing intent" and the cost of delay Susan Jeffers’ five truths about pushing through fear Peter’s walk on the water as a source of lifelong faith Regenerative faith: How resistance builds belief through action Why faith is a "sales job" we must perform for ourselves every day Identifying and removing distractions to avoid a vicious cycle of decline The story of Jim Morris and the power of a heart-led dream at age 35 The definition of faith as a commitment to choices rather than a matter of chance Top 10 Quotes: "What you resolve in your heart will have more impact on what you’re doing than just about anything else." "The longer we delay doing something, the less likely it is that we will do it." "Faith is a sales job. Each day we are selling to ourselves the thing in which we are placing our faith." "Pushing through fear is less frightening than living with the underlying fear that comes out of helplessness." "Feed your faith and your doubts will starve to death." "Faith is to believe what you do not see; the reward of faith is to see what you have believed." "It is against resistance that faith grows." "Courage doesn’t always roar. Sometimes courage is a quiet voice at the end of the day saying, 'I will try again tomorrow better.'" Show Links: Open Your Eyes with McKay Christensen

July 6, 202627 min

S6E6 - What Glasses Are You Wearing?

The "belief window" - the invisible lenses that shape how we interpret every life event - comes under McKay’s learned scrutiny today as he explains that, while we assume we see objective reality, our brains actually construct our experiences based on past conditioning. He then demonstrates that questioning these default settings moves us from being constrained by old perspectives to being empowered by new ones. Referencing the Northern Thailand cave rescue and the Mann Gulch fire, McKay shows how mental models can save us or become blind spots. He highlights NVIDIA’s AI vision and Boyan Slat’s Ocean Cleanup to illustrate how "future glasses" overcome skepticism. Through Daryl Davis’s conversations and behavioral science, we learn that transformation begins with perception, not just behavior. Throughout this episode, McKay encourages us all to stop reacting to the world through the lenses of your past and start constructing a new reality through the vision of who we are becoming. Main Themes: How the "belief window" shapes our constructed reality Identifying default lenses formed by childhood and past setbacks The Tham Luang cave rescue and the power of "What if?" questions Why old "safety" habits become dangerous blind spots in new crises How "today glasses" favor immediate comfort over long-term goals Using a "five-year lens" to reduce emotional distress and gain perspective NVIDIA’s AI journey as a model for choosing future vision over current views Viewing failure as information instead of evidence of impossibility Why perception must shift before lasting behavioral change can occur The impact of environmental lenses and expectations on our decisions Top 10 Quotes: "Your brain isn’t simply observing reality, it’s actively constructing your experience of reality." "The world begins to look like the glasses that you’re wearing." "Our greatest strengths quietly become our greatest blind spots." "When you view a problem from the future, it loses some of its emotional grip." "Today’s glasses constantly ask, 'How do I feel?' Five-year glasses ask, 'Who am I becoming?'" "People wearing future glasses are willing to change strategies without abandoning the goal." "To construct a new reality or way of living, we have to first put on a new view." Show Links: Open Your Eyes with McKay Christensen

June 29, 202627 min

S6E5 - Go the Distance

McKay demonstrates that life's greatest victories are achieved through steady, everyday efforts rather than sudden breakthroughs through his exploration of the "go the distance" mindset. While our world celebrates quick finishes, real resilience is forged in the quiet, ongoing dedication that persists long after the initial excitement fades. Alongside his friend Austin's adaptation to a paralyzing injury, McKay shares stories of deep perseverance. He explores Stallone's true vision for Rocky and W.P. Kinsella's pursuit of redemption in Shoeless Joe . He then traces Katalin Karikó's long mRNA research and José Hernández's twelve attempts to join NASA. These examples, including Jessica Long's Paralympic path, show that success lies in the quiet, daily struggle. Main Themes: Why the "go the distance" mindset serves as the foundation of long-term success and personal transformation How Austin redefined his daily reality and found purpose through handcycling after a life-altering accident Realizing that extraordinary results come from continuing to make ordinary efforts long after excitement fades Rocky Balboa's definition of going the distance as a quest to discover identity rather than simply winning a championship W.P. Kinsella's Shoeless Joe and the journey of reconciliation and healing at the heart of Field of Dreams Why the greatest rewards in life arrive when we choose to push past the point where quitting would be reasonable José Hernández's journey from migrant farmworker to NASA astronaut through twelve years of persistent applications How Katalin Karikó and Drew Weissman's decades of unrecognized mRNA research paved the way for the rapid COVID-19 vaccine response Understanding the industrial history of "losing steam" and the vital importance of refueling our minds and emotions daily Jessica Long's athletic legacy and how true greatness is forged in the invisible, uncelebrated moments of practice Top 10 Quotes: "Real life is not built around breakthroughs; it is built around continuation." "Real wins in life happen to those who stay the course, who go the distance." "Often, the greatest victory is becoming the kind of person who can stay in the arena long enough to get there." "The greatest rewards in life often come only after we continue beyond the point where quitting would have been reasonable, when we go the distance." "The question is never whether discouragement will arrive; it is rather what will happen after it arrives." "We don't know when the breakthrough will arrive... What we do know is that continuing creates possibilities that quitting never can." Show Links: Open Your Eyes with McKay Christensen