When life wants to break you, do you let it define you, or find the strength to keep climbing and choose what comes next?
Today, I sit down with Chad Thompson—a devoted family man, coach, entrepreneur and founder of the Forever Everest Foundation—to talk about how loss, love, and purpose have shaped every part of his journey.
From coaching on the soccer fields to a quiet, life-altering moment, Chad shares a powerful story about resilience, fatherhood, and turning unimaginable grief into a mission to help others heal.
This is a story about finding strength in heartbreak—and building something meaningful in the name of the people we carry with us, here on Navigating No.
It is one of the most powerful we’ve ever released. I sat down with Chad Thompson — a phenomenal soccer coach, leader, and father — who opens up about the life-shaping lessons he’s learned through sports, setbacks, and the heartbreaking loss of his one-day-old son, Everest.
We talked about:
⚽ Coaching with heart over wins
💔 Grieving and honoring the life of a child
🧠 How mindset and story shape your reality
🚫 Learning to say no to what’s good to say yes to what’s best
🙏 Gratitude and growth after devastation
🔥 The launch of the ForeveRest Foundation — born from pain, built for purpose
This isn’t just an episode about coaching. It’s a masterclass in character, compassion, and conscious leadership. 00:00 Game Day Highlights and Mindset Shift
Show Flow:
00:55 Introduction to Chad Thompson
01:41 Chad’s Coaching Journey and Philosophy
03:56 Overcoming Challenges and Building Resilience
05:57 The Importance of Team Culture
08:39 Mentorship and Personal Growth
12:07 Handling Defeat and Finding Wins
21:15 Perspective and Life Lessons
42:11 The Impact of Losing and Winning
42:31 Adopting a Playful Mindset in Business
43:10 Life as a Video Game 44:16 Gratitude and Perspective
45:53 Character Development Through Sports
47:47 Parenting and Leadership 49:08 The Importance of Clarity and Vision
52:17 Overcoming Setbacks and Knowing When to Let Go
01:01:47 A Personal Story of Loss and Resilience
01:18:19 Creating a Legacy Through the ForeveRest Foundation
01:21:38 Final Thoughts