304. Living Life in Crescendo: Lessons from Matt Gutman's Journey (Part 1)

The Greg McKeown Podcast

About the Guest:

Matt Gutman is the ABC News Chief National Correspondent whose career and personal journey have captivated millions. With a coverage history spanning nearly 50 countries, Matt has reported from the battlefields of the Middle East and Eastern Europe to natural disasters and key events in the US. He is the author of "No Time to Panic: How I Curbed My Anxiety and Conquered a Lifetime of Panic Attacks," a candid memoir about his battle with panic attacks. He also authored "The Boys in the Cave," detailing the rescue of the Thai soccer team from a flooded cave. Matt currently resides in Los Angeles with his wife and two children.

Episode Summary:

Greg dives deep with ABC News Chief National Correspondent Matt Gutman. Matt shares his enthralling journey reporting from hotspots around the globe and delves into his struggle with anxiety and panic attacks, revealing a facet of his life seldom seen on TV. With a career spanning wars, natural disasters, and pivotal events, Matt's life and career are marked by resilience and remarkable bravery.

Matt discloses the profound impact of early traumas, including the loss of his father in a plane crash and his mother's battle with Hodgkin's disease, on his career choices. He also speaks about his tenure at the Jerusalem Post, the burden of perfectionism, and the eventual on-air panic attack that drastically altered his path. The discussion intricately weaves through themes of mental health, high-stakes journalism, and personal growth, making it a compelling listen for anyone interested in human resilience and storytelling.

Key Takeaways:

• The Effect of Early Trauma: Matt shares how the loss of his father and his mother's illness shaped his life and career.
• Journalism Adventures: His time at the Jerusalem Post and the intense experiences that characterized his early journalism years.
• The Burden of Titles: How the prestigious title of ABC's Chief National Correspondent brought an unexpected pressure that contributed to his panic attacks.
• Panic Attack Live on Air: Details of the on-air panic attack during the reporting of Kobe Bryant's helicopter crash and its aftermath.
• Mental Health Journey: Insights into how Matt confronted and managed his anxiety and panic attacks through various means, including writing his book.

Notable Quotes:

• "With great negligence comes great opportunity."
• "My greatest characteristic was grit and pluck. It was chutzpah."
• "I felt like I had to achieve to a higher standard, and that put more pressure on me."

Resources:

Books:

• "No Time to Panic: How I Curbed My Anxiety and Conquered a Lifetime of Panic Attacks" by Matt Gutman
• "The Boys in the Cave" by Matt Gutman

Contact:

• Matt Gutman Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn

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