In this episode, we sit down with Susan Purvis to explore leadership through the lens of search and rescue, wilderness medicine, and personal transformation. Susan shares her story of walking away from a career as a gold exploration geologist to pursue a life of saving lives, in the backcountry and in herself.
We discuss how systems thinking simplifies complexity, whether in emergency medicine or leadership. Susan breaks down the critical systems—circulatory, respiratory, and nervous—and shows how understanding breakdowns in these systems helped her make clear, life-or-death decisions. Together, we explore how these lessons apply to life and leadership: knowing when to intervene, when to seek help, and how to recognize early signs that something essential is failing.
Susan opens up about the emotional toll of leadership, the magnetism and conflict of relationships, and the discipline it takes to care for yourself before leading others. From the philosophy of truth to the practice of self-leadership, this conversation is both practical and deeply reflective.
This episode is for leaders navigating complexity, those standing at a personal crossroads, or anyone seeking clarity in the face of uncertainty.
Move Mountains is a leadership development company based in Incline Village, Nevada. They work with individuals and teams to build real self-awareness, emotional intelligence, and communication skills that translate directly into how people show up at work and in life. Using coaching, immersive experiences, and their Mindful Leadership Map—a practical framework grounded in assessment and reflection—they help people take action with greater clarity, intention, and impact.
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Learn more at www.movemountains.com
