Lisa Besserman: Scaling New Heights

In this episode of Gratitude Through Hard Times, we're thrilled to welcome Lisa Besserman, a luminary in both the technology and venture capital worlds. Lisa, the Founder of Startup Buenos Aires—which was successfully acquired—has made remarkable strides in the tech industry, earning her a spot among Business Insider's "Top 100 Most Influential Women in Tech," alongside notable figures like Sheryl Sandberg and Arianna Huffington. It's worth noting, with a humble chuckle, that she ranked #94 on this illustrious list.

Currently, Lisa serves as the Head of Innovation at JP Morgan Chase Operations. In her role, she collaborates with startups and leverages emerging technologies to address complex challenges within the world's leading financial institution. Before this, she was the Managing Director at Expa VC, a venture fund and startup studio with a $350M investment focus ranging from pre-seed to series A startups.

Lisa's entrepreneurial spirit was sparked as the Founder and CEO of Startup Buenos Aires, an accelerator program designed to nurture and connect startups across Latin America. Her influence and insights have been recognized by NBC, Bloomberg TV, Reuters, Entrepreneur Magazine, Forbes, and CNN, and she's shared her knowledge through guest lectures at prestigious institutions like NYU, MIT, Northwestern, Harvard, Berkeley, and the University of Pennsylvania.

Aside from her professional accolades, Lisa shares her personal journey to Everest Base Camp in this episode. She delves into the essence of mountaineering versus hiking, the value of setting finite goals, and the emotional rollercoaster of nights spent on the mountain. Lisa's story is a testament to the power of living in the moment, embracing challenges, and the profound impact of pursuing meaningful goals.

Takeaways

• Mountaineering offers a unique sense of completion and achievement, unlike many other pursuits.
• Embracing the present and the journey itself is key to personal fulfillment and happiness.
• Success in reaching challenging goals demands perseverance, effort, and an open mindset.
• The investment in meaningful experiences yields lasting benefits.

Chapters

00:00 The Dream of Everest

03:20 Mountaineering as a Finite Goal

05:22 Atelic Activities

06:22 Finding Calm in the Midst of a Daunting Goal

08:57 The Moving Goalpost of Success

11:21 The Challenges of Nights on the Mountain

13:41 Type 1 Fun vs Type 2 Fun

15:42 The Desire to Achieve

17:04 Living in the Present

19:44 Stepping Out of the Future and into the Present

22:02 The Positive Benefits of Bucket List Achievements

23:23 The Impatience of the Impulsive World

27:14 Investing Time for Energy

33:16 Feeling Nothing at the Destination

39:48 The Trainer Who Took a Chance

42:07 Closing Remarks

Lisa's multifaceted life—from her accolades in tech to her adventures in the great outdoors—inspires us to pursue our passions, tackle formidable goals, and cherish the moments of tranquility along the way.