Story & Lesson Highlights with John Dobson

John Dobson shared their story and experiences with us recently and you can find our conversation below.

Hi John, thank you so much for joining us today. We’re thrilled to learn more about your journey, values and what you are currently working on. Let’s start with an ice breaker: What do the first 90 minutes of your day look like?
A microdose of ginseng and beet powder, Make 1 cup of black coffee. Heat up my dog’s morning meal. Feed the cat. Write in my journal what I did the day before. Record the time, temp. weather and describe the current conditions. Try to record all I did the day before. Then I get my daily planner.
List what I want to do today, Then check my email for business and finances and my family and friends. Do a daily crossword. Then check the headlines at The Drudge Report. Read what is timely and what I think is important. Then I “go outside to play”. Feed the pig, yard birds, fish. Look for eggs, ripe produce and check on any guests in the farm house. Weather determines what I get done outside, Any problems (Dragons) I try to slay.

Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
I am now 81 years old and loving my vintage years. Staying active in every way I can, Don’t go to the gym. Prefer to work on some kind of project instead. Producing my own food, firewood and ehgaging when I can with my renters and neighbors. Summer season I grow food and teach kids who want to play outside instead of sit with their devices. Fall I forage for ginseng and fire wood. Winter I can my frozen produce, burn wood and reflect. Love to cook on my wood stove, Two birds…using free wood for heat and cooking, Oh and I am always caring for my 2 dogs, 1 cat, 3 fish ponds, ducks, geese, turkies and mre than 50 chikins, All free range. Usually 1 pig in a pen far from the main house.

Great, so let’s dive into your journey a bit more. What’s a moment that really shaped how you see the world?
It was Target detection exercise in basic training at Fort Jackson SC.
The whole company was lined up side by side behind a long row of telephone poles laying end to end on the ground. We were behind the row of poles. Instructions were to find a semi hidden “enemy” soldier who could be any where from the row of telephone poles were were lined up behind to as far as we could see. We were instructed to step back from the line when we saw the target. After several exercises where the target had to sometimes jump up and dow and wave his hands befiore every one saw him.
There cam a time when no one could be found down range. However as I looked down the line therewas one of us standing just on the other side of the row of telephone poles. He was dress same as all of us and was looking down range with his hand shading his eyes as if trying hard to see the enemy. Recalling the rules of the enemy being any where from the row of poles to as far as we could see it was obvious that the target was that one soldier just on the other side of the line. I moved back and chuckled. What I learned has helped my nulerous times in my life. When you are searching for something, anything at all,,,look under your nose first.
I won a 4 day fishing tournament because of this.

What did suffering teach you that success never could?
You learn more from adversity than smooth sailing.
Hardships make you stronger.
Slaying the Dragon is exhilirating.

Next, maybe we can discuss some of your foundational philosophies and views? What’s a belief or project you’re committed to, no matter how long it takes?
GLOBAL WARMING. Biggest existential threat to us all.

Thank you so much for all of your openness so far. Maybe we can close with a future oriented question. What is the story you hope people tell about you when you’re gone?
Did no harm.
Shared and taught when I could.
Lived a simple life within my means.
Took care of myself so as not to be a burden for my kids.

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Image Credits
JC Dobson

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