Episode 20: Warrior Mindset Unplugged with Jessica Fisher
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In this month's Warrior Mindset Unplugged, I interview Cadet Third Class Jessica "Fish" Fisher, a Filipino-American whose inspiring story shows us that we are never too young to take charge of our lives and never too small to make a difference in the lives of others! Jess shares lessons learned from overcoming a learning disability, becoming a blackbelt in Tae Kwon Do, embracing her uniqueness and talents, which include the art of origami, and adopting a life of selfless service to others. With wisdom beyond her years, she speaks to youth and young adults trying to find their passions and purpose and make the world a better place!

          From a young age, Jess learned to fight for her education in a system that largely overlooked and ignored her to overcome a learning disability.  She shares the importance of listening to our hearts and having a team and support structure early on. She gives a gracious shoutout to her 2nd grade teacher Ms. Shields for being a transformational educator!

          Jessica's message highlights the importance of embracing your worth and identity!  You are awesome, you are amazing, and you are absolutely essential in this world! Through lessons learned from Tae Kwon Do, including resilience, humility, and commitment, Jess embodies the self-discipline and concerted effort that is one of Sunzi’s Five Essential Attributes for Great Leaders. She encourages us to focus on our “why” because our why is our way forward.  Working backward with that vision in mind, everything else in life becomes simple because everything falls into it proper place or falls out altogether because it either moves us closer to our dreams or farther away.

She shares how her maternal grandfather, or Lolo, who came from nothing in the Philippines to becoming a respected business owner, inspired her to want to be a better person and make the world a better place.  In 2014, she raised a bunch of money through folding origami for a rural fishing village in the Philippines impacted by Typhoon Haiyan (Super Typhoon Yolanda), the most devastating and deadly tropical storm to ever hit the Philippines.

Her life demonstrates the power of giving from the kindness of our hearts. She reminds us that although we may not be able to change the world or solve all of its problems, we can help the people in front of us – no matter where we are. We never know the impact that a small act of service can have on the lives of those around us. She encourages us that it’s okay to be scared but understand that someone out there is listening.  You are worth learning from.  You have an experience and insight that you can provide that can help make someone better. The growth mindset comes from learning from other people.  Go have a conversation with someone.  Listen to what they are doing.  Share what you’re doing and why.  There’s a lot to learn.  The opportunities are endless. By understanding ourselves and each other, we become unbreakable as a society.

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