Meet Andrew Buerger

We recently connected with Andrew Buerger and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Andrew, appreciate you sitting with us today to share your wisdom with our readers. So, let’s start with resilience – where do you get your resilience from?

Resilience has been woven into my life since I was just a year old when I lost my mother. Growing up without her set the stage for facing challenges early on, and though I couldn’t comprehend it at that age, it left a lasting imprint on me. Then, at 31, I lost my father—a loss that reopened old wounds and forced me to confront the fragility of life once again. These two defining events, spaced three decades apart, shaped my understanding of resilience as something that isn’t built in a moment, but through life’s toughest experiences.

Losing both parents at different stages of my life taught me that resilience is about learning how to keep moving forward, even when you’re not sure how. It’s about finding strength in the face of loss and turning that into motivation. When my sister was diagnosed with breast cancer, it reminded me of that feeling of uncertainty and helplessness, but this time, I had the tools to do something about it. I founded Jodi’s Climb for Hope as a way to channel the pain of losing loved ones into a mission of purpose—transforming personal tragedy into something that could inspire and help others.

Later, when my wife was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis, I drew on that same inner resilience I had been forced to develop through my parents’ deaths and my sister’s battle. Each challenge reminded me that, while I couldn’t control the circumstances, I could control my response. That’s the essence of resilience—choosing to keep climbing, even when the summit seems unreachable.

In every climb, both literal and metaphorical, I’ve learned that resilience is like climbing mountains – you keep putting one foot in front of the other until you back safely at base camp. You’re allowed to rest along the way. Stopping, lying down in the snow, and dying isn’t an option. The lessons I’ve learned from loss, combined with the grit I’ve gained from my personal and professional journeys, continue to push me forward, no matter how tough the challenge ahead.

Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?

Currently, my main focus is on my work as a motivational speaker, where I help individuals and organizations overcome obstacles to reach their summits—both literally and figuratively. Drawing from my experiences in mountaineering, business, and personal challenges, I teach the importance of resilience, grit, and staying committed to your goals, no matter how tough the climb gets. Whether I’m speaking to leadership teams, at corporate retreats, or large conferences, my goal is to inspire people to push past their limits and achieve what they thought was impossible.

One of the most rewarding aspects of this journey is that I get to combine my passion for climbing mountains with raising money for Jodi’s Climb for Hope, the nonprofit I founded in honor of my sister, Jodi, who battled breast cancer. To date, we’ve raised over $1 million for cancer and multiple sclerosis research through climbing expeditions, and it’s been incredibly fulfilling to see the impact that both the funds and the symbolic nature of these climbs have on those battling these diseases.

In addition to speaking, I continue to lead groups of climbers, many of them first-timers, on challenging expeditions across the world. Each climb is not just a personal achievement, but a way to give back and raise awareness for these important causes. It’s deeply rewarding to see people—both on the mountain and in the audience—realize that they’re capable of more than they ever imagined. I believe that the lessons from the mountains, like perseverance, preparation, and staying the course, are directly applicable to overcoming challenges in life and business.

If there’s one thing I want people to take away from my work, it’s that no summit is out of reach if you’re willing to take the steps, no matter how difficult the path may seem.

There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?

Looking back on my journey, the three qualities that have had the biggest impact on my success are resilience, adaptability, and purpose-driven leadership.

1. Resilience — Life and business are full of ups and downs, and resilience is what gets you through the hardest parts. Whether it was losing my parents, starting a business from scratch, or dealing with personal family health challenges, resilience was the key to continuing forward. My advice for developing resilience is to embrace discomfort—whether that’s physical, emotional, or professional. Pushing through hard moments builds the muscle you’ll need when real adversity comes. Start by setting small, uncomfortable goals and gradually expand your comfort zone.

2. Adaptability — There are no straight lines to the summit. Things rarely go according to plan, whether in business or personal life, so being able to adapt is crucial. For me, this meant pivoting my career from corporate America to entrepreneurship when I discovered skyr yogurt in Iceland and launched B’More Organic. And again, it meant adjusting to unforeseen challenges in both my family and business life. My advice is to keep an open mind and be willing to change course when necessary. Stay flexible and understand that success often comes in ways you didn’t expect.

3. Purpose-driven leadership — Having a clear purpose behind what you do makes the journey so much more meaningful. Whether it’s through my work with Jodi’s Climb for Hope or at Taharka Brothers, I’ve always been driven by a larger mission—to make a difference in people’s lives. My advice to others is to figure out what truly motivates you, beyond financial success. Identify the “why” behind your journey and let that be your guiding light. Purpose will sustain you when the road gets tough.

For those early in their journey, focus on building resilience by taking on small challenges and learn to thrive in the face of uncertainty. Stay adaptable, because plans will change, and always remember your purpose—it’ll guide you through the toughest times.

Thanks so much for sharing all these insights with us today. Before we go, is there a book that’s played in important role in your development?

*Man’s Search for Meaning* by Viktor Frankl has had a profound impact on my development, both personally and professionally. Frankl’s message that we cannot always control what happens to us, but we can control how we respond, is a guiding principle I’ve carried with me through life’s challenges. His concept that finding purpose in suffering allows us to transcend hardship is something I’ve experienced firsthand, especially through my work with Jodi’s Climb for Hope and my own personal losses.

One of the most impactful lessons from the book is Frankl’s idea that “those who have a ‘why’ to live can bear almost any ‘how.’” This resonates deeply with me because, whether I’m climbing a mountain, building a business, or helping raise funds for cancer and MS research, having a purpose behind the struggle gives the effort meaning. It’s a reminder that even in the toughest times, having a reason to push forward can give us the strength to endure.

Another powerful nugget from the book is the idea that we can find meaning in our actions, in our experiences, and in the attitude we choose when faced with suffering. This has shaped the way I approach both business and life. It’s about owning the narrative, even when circumstances seem out of your control. In climbing mountains or facing adversity in my personal life, I’ve learned that while I may not be able to change the situation, I can always change my mindset.

Frankl’s insights remind me that resilience and purpose are closely linked, and that the most important thing isn’t what happens to us, but how we choose to respond and find meaning in it. That lesson has shaped everything I do.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.AndrewBuerger.com
• Instagram: @buergerandrew
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrew-buerger-6226832/