Sam Panitch: Elevation Nation, we have a special guest for you today. Again, one of the most beautiful things about having the podcast in Elevation Nation is we get connected to elevators from other elevators. And that happened here again with A Ton, our former elevator, connecting us to tonight's guest, Griffin Pink O. We are so excited and honored to welcome you to the nation, man. When we chatted a couple months ago. I was just like, this guy's mindset is incredible. Your spirit is incredible. And not to mention, you're only doing just a handful of things on the side, training, writing a book, a new best-selling author, CEO of your nonprofit, amongst
Griffin: Yes.
Sam Panitch: many other things. So I'll pause there. But Griffin, welcome to Elevation Nation, man. We are so excited to have you.
Griffin: Thank you, Sam and Parker. Thanks for having me. I'm excited. It's funny how this all came together. I was so excited. A ton connected us and we just had such an awesome conversation. Love what you guys are doing with Elevation Nation and just excited to join the podcast tonight.
Parker: We are excited too. I love the fact that you you broke some news to us about a bestseller right on Amazon, right when we chopped it up a little bit before the conversation. Talk to us a little about the book. What's it called? What's it about? And how's it feel to be at the top of the charts right off the bat?
Griffin: Well the b the so the book is called Griffin's Vision Quest. It's about my story and journey, overcoming the visual impairment and blindness, dealing with it, starting a foundation to help other visually impaired and blind people, make sure they don't feel left out, and really just show certain people that or anyone really, if you're dealing with a challenge, whatever that challenge might be, you can still have a successful, fruitful, fun life and that anything's possible. So the book was kind of a long time coming and we feel like it's gonna be able to do a lot of different things with education and awareness and just show people what you can do with whatever challenge you're you're going through in life. The sales from the book are all go back to the foundation of helping more kids, young adults and veterans all over the US. So it it just really has kind of come full full circle and it was interesting. I never thought I would write a book and everyone said you should do it and I finally did and and it's it's been going really well. So it's it's been fun and we had success on Amazon. We did an Amazon launch on August 4th and we're just going to keep rolling from there.
Parker: Keep rolling and I can't wait to jump more into your story about, you know, how we even got to the launch of the book. Cause I know Sam filled me in. It's been one journey for you. But we start Ellie every Elevation Asian podcast the exact same way, Griffin. We start with an elevator pitch. We got to hear a little bit more about who
Griffin: Yeah.
Parker: you are. Tell us about yourself.
Griffin: Dang, that that's a tough one. well, okay. I'm a visually impaired and blind athlete. I'm a speaker and author. I guess I love thrill seeking. That's a tough one, guys. This this is interesting. now I know why you start the podcast off with it. Uh-huh. but yeah, I think I would say speaker, author, advocate. Athlete and just just enjoy doing fun, extreme, cool stuff and have the foundation, the founder of Foreseeable Future Foundation, which you know we help so many people through that platform and and the non-profit. So I like doing crazy fun stuff on the side though. I went skydiving in Australia, I went bungee jumping in New Zealand. So that's that's kind of what I enjoy doing, traveling and and just doing some some crazy things.
Sam Panitch: I mean, Griffin, it's incredible that you're doing all those things. In fact, my dream life and the life that I'm trying to live, I think is really aligned with yours. I have this kind of analogy that I like to use. I grew up playing video games. I don't know if anyone else did here, but
Griffin: Mm-hmm. Yeah.
Sam Panitch: when you when you have a character, it's like you have all these skills, you have all these quests, you have all these villages you have to go visit to unlock the map, to unlock more potential, to unlock more skills. And I think so often Many young people think that they only can go down one path, whether that's I'm gonna be a doctor or a lawyer or an accountant or a businessman, whatever it may be. And we think that's the right path for us. And I've taken, and I think you have too, just naming all the different things that you're involved in, I've taken a little bit of a different approach, whereas I wanna just try a bunch of random shit and see what I like and just enjoy it. I mean, Parker
Griffin: Yeah.
Sam Panitch: was laughing at me. It was a rainy Sunday last week in DC. I am not artistic. I am an athlete like you. I decided to make art. I don't even know how to make art, but we made art and
Griffin: no.
Sam Panitch: we just tried. And it's like I think so often we are scared to go outside of our comfort zone, for fear of not being good at it. But I think your entire life has been pushing yourself outside of your comfort zone. Talk to us a little bit about the next challenge and adventure that you really are working towards because you've already conquered a lot, man.
Griffin: Yeah, so and it it's funny, Sam, back to that too. I actually did pottery for a bit because I I was Yeah, I guess the creative side and and working through that
Sam Panitch: Let's go.
Griffin: when I was younger. And you know, everyone said, well, master potters can do it with, you know, no vision. So I did that. It was first, you know, challenging, similar. I'm like, well, I, you know, I'm not that great at it, and then realized it was just fun. But a lot of different challenges going on right now that we're we're we're working on and I'm working on. you know, everyone said that I have to run more marathons, which I don't know if I will or not, but I've I've done that. I did four marathons, New York, Chicago, Philly, and Boston. And then started to get in. what the Parker, you're a marking one?
Sam Panitch: You got Parker beat. I just gotta put it out there, Parker. Talk a little smack to him, Griff, cause Parker always rubs it at me.
Griffin: Yeah. You're your endurance runner there, Parker?
Parker: I mean I I've done two races to Sam's zero, but Sam's never tried, so we can't even compare 'cause we're not playing the same game.
Griffin: see there you go. You need to try now, Sam. If I can do it, you can do it. You need to do it.
Sam Panitch: I listen guys, I did I did a 5k over the weekend. I was proud of myself for that small starting point. And
Griffin: Yeah.
Sam Panitch: Parker made a really good bet with me, Griffin, and you're a boxer as well, so I know you'll like this. Parker's
Griffin: Yeah.
Sam Panitch: been talking smack that I haven't run a marathon. He said if I run a marathon, what was it Parker? In under four hours, that Parker
Griffin: Okay.
Sam Panitch: will let me do a charity boxing match against him.
Griffin: that's a great okay, yeah, that's easy. We could get you under four hours. Yeah. There we go. Just
Sam Panitch: Great bet. We can get me there? Okay. All right. I like it. Let's let's do it, fellas.
Parker: Well, I I just have to put it out there. The re the reason why, you know, he he has to train for it and he has to let me know when he's starting to train because while he's training I gotta train for my boxing match. That's the thing. So
Griffin: There there you go. Yeah. And and and then and then we'll just throw foreseeable as one of the charities you guys box for, so but I'm
Sam Panitch: Done deal. Let's make it happen.
Parker: Easy. Easy.
Griffin: still trying with tandem cycling though too, so you know, pursuing that at a at a high level. So it's it's been a it's been a lot of fun. I never thought I would do, you know, tandem cycling or get into that. 'cause when I was younger I wasn't a runner. I wasn't a cyclist. You know, I was still an athlete. But losing more vision and finding about all these adaptive sports I could do with little to no vision and what I actually enjoyed was completely different compared to what I did when I was I was fully sighted. So it's it's interesting how that works. But yeah, always always always a new challenge and adventure and box boxing's a lot of fun as well and you know I ride horses so I'm not jumping just yet but it's it's just always trying to figure out what the next thing is to to challenge myself with and and just get better at
Parker: I just hear bungee jumping, skydiving, horseback riding, pottery, running,
Griffin: Yeah.
Parker: cycling, writing the book. Dude, you like are grabbing life and really just y eating it up. Everything about it. I love it. It's so
Griffin: Well.
Parker: cool. I would Griffin, I would love for you to share a little bit more about your story. You know, how we got here, you know.
Griffin: Sure sure. Sure. Yeah. It's Sure, so it's it's pretty interesting. When I was younger And we were, you know, I was 11 or 12. I made a travel baseball team out in California. We moved out there as a family. And one day I couldn't track the ball off the bat. I'd be running wet one way, the ball would be going another way. And we realized there was some, you know, instance that something was wrong, what's going on. I got glasses, and they thought glasses could help. Someone who has retinitis pigmentosa, which is the retinal degenerative disease that I have, can see the negative contrast better. So it was a white ball with a black sky. I did fantastic. Fantastic, and then the next day I said I couldn't see anything again on the field. So that was the first instance to realizing something was wrong and went to doctors all over the country, went back to my ophthalmologist, and she said, Well, I think I see some pigment on the retina. We said, What does that mean? And at that point, she said, Well, you're gonna lose your vision. We don't know how much, when. Go get a cane, get a dog, go home. And at that point, my parents had to sit me down and say, You know, your life's gonna change forever. And you know, it was I don't think I even really understood. What that meant and how my life was gonna change, and just always trying to just figure it out. I think that's the message. You know, I I I have five tattoos and I have one on my arm that says always forward, and I think that's just always been the mindset and mentality of you know, just keep moving forward in any way possible.
Sam Panitch: It's an incredible journey, Griffin. And obviously I can imagine one with a lot of emotions, a lot of mindset challenges. Talk
Griffin: Mm-hmm.
Sam Panitch: to us a little bit about, you know, when you were first diagnosed and and trying to just figure things out. I understand, you know, being around a lot of doctors and getting a lot of answers and confusion is it's difficult. So talk to us about that journey. And then I imagine there was a turning point when Kind of everything got lined up and you accepted this new reality and you said, All right, this is my life, like time to conquer it.
Griffin: Yeah, it was I think You know, not from when I was diagnosed, which could be devastating and not feel really understanding what it was. And my vision is is macular degeneration. So it wasn't rapid. There'd be years to years where I'd say, I can you know, I didn't even realize that I lost vision until I'd go back to the doctor. So around middle school and high school just trying to figure out how to, you know, grow up, but then also with the vision loss getting worse was was challenging and and you know, I always had sports though and that helped me I feel like just ground me and get through things it still Does now. But up until around high school, I, you know, was was struggling with certain things. We went back to Long Island, actually Cold Spring Harbor, where I went to high school, and my guidance counselor, he was pivotal in my education because he said, wait a second, you need adaptive equipment, you need you know certain adaptations to help you because you have the tools and you can be successful and we're gonna help you get there. So that was the first, I think, step to realizing, okay, I can do this, I just need the help and support. So Kevin. my guidance counselor gave that to me and then in college I actually went out for the rugby team my freshman year two weeks into college had a head injury because I didn't really fully tell them what my vision was and after that point I realized all right I I have to be open about it I have to you know tell people what I can and can't see and it gave
Sam Panitch: Totally.
Griffin: me the opportunity to realize wait a second I can bring education and awareness to what other people like myself are going through on a small little campus in Pennsylvania where I went to college and And not just saying, well, you know, this is a challenge, not talking about it, not being open. And kind of that's where the light bulb, if you want to say, went off. Where I knew, okay, I have to face this, I can't fix it, I can do a lot of other things to make it better. And we actually did events on campus at Susquehanna, where I went to college, to raise education, awareness, and money for research for visual impairments and blindness.
Parker: So wal walk us through like what what did some of those events look like? How are you educating people about this?
Griffin: Yeah. So so at at what I did at college I feel like put me on the path to s realizing I really wanted to help people and that I could take my entrepreneurial spirit, even you know, with the visual impairment and blindness, and doing something to help other people like myself. So at Susquehanna, people would ask me what can and can't you see? And I'm like, Well, I don't know. I couldn't explain it at that time. I didn't use a cane until my junior year of college. So we did events on campus, we did a dining in the dark, where we had to eat a meal in the dark and get that perspective and that a Awareness.
Sam Panitch: Wow.
Griffin: So we do that. We would do different cane walks. So, you know, Parker, if you were there with Sam, we'd say, All right, Parker, you're gonna be blindfolded, you have to use a cane. Cam, Sam, this is how you you know become a sighted guide and you're gonna get that experience. So instead of throwing information at everyone, we said, you know, you're gonna try to figure out these real life situations like Griffin has to every day on campus and off campus. And that really resonated with people. And then we also did a walk. Where we we raised education we raised money for an organization trying to find a cure to help people that suffer from the same disorder visual impairment I do. So those were some of the ways that we brought awareness and education. We even during the walk where we were raising money, we would ask people to do a lap around the track blindfolded. And it just from those those programs and events we did at campus made my professional and personal experience at Susquehanna that much better. But it kind of gave me a glimpse into wait a second. I feel like I have something here. And after graduating, two years after graduating from college, I just took the leap and started Foreseeable Future Foundation, my nonprofit, and it's it's worked out from there.
Sam Panitch: I mean, Griffin, I love the fact that you are not just raising money, not just educating people, but allowing people to get a hands-on experience. I think empathy is really important and understanding a day, a moment, a second in your shoes can help bring, you know, issues and problems that we have in society when it comes to visual impairment to life. And just to to to emphasize how close to home this is for Parker and myself, obviously we're friends with you. And so that certainly
Griffin: Mm-hmm. Yeah.
Sam Panitch: is a big factor. but we have a really, really close friend, like a mother to us that has recently become visually impaired. And so understanding her on her journey and how we best can help her and support her has been different and new. And so it just warms my heart knowing that with foreseeable future, you guys are out there helping people that are visually impaired, helping folks that aren't visually impaired feel more empowered to support those around them. And I I think you're just on a wonderful mission. And so I wanna give you the opportunity. That was obviously in college. You were making an impact. Now you're in
Griffin: Yeah.
Sam Panitch: the big leagues, man. We got for Seo Future Foundation. You're doing
Griffin: Yeah.
Sam Panitch: incredible work. Talk to us a little bit about the evolution there and what you guys are up to now.
Griffin: Sure, sure. So Foreseeable Future Foundation, our mission is to help the visually impaired and blind live more fulfilling lives through s sports, recreation, and community events. So we started with just doing a s a few small things here and there in New York City where I was living and I started the organization. And we decided that you know we we want to make a big impact. We have our mission, we have our focus. So we did a a fundraiser, you know, call it a gal, it's not a gal in New York. We were just figuring things out after I brought together Friends and family, and we put together a board, and we you know had all the pieces we needed to. And we did one big event. We we raised over $250,000 at that fundraiser, and that was able to really start helping more and more people. So we have a few different programs that we offer our grant and scholarship program, which is where we started because at the beginning we thought, well, we don't we don't have the infrastructure, we don't know how to run programs, but I want to help people. So we give out grants and scholarships to organizations. And individuals that want to pursue sports at any level who are visually impaired and blind, whether an athlete that wants to make the Paralympics and tandem cycling and needs the cost for a tandem bike, or an individual that's come to us who has who's said, you know, I'm I'm overweight, I, you know, I've gone, I've been through depression, but I want to train and do a marathon will help pay for the coaching and training and for their guide to be able to go do that with them. So that's how we started, and that's really helped thousands of visually impaired and blind people, young adults, investors. We actually I had the experience as we grew to take a group of blind veterans to the Olympic and Paralympic training facility where I used to train and I was for a bit. And just the transformation was huge from day one to day seven. So we started with that, and then we realized after we grew that program and you know we were doing a lot of different, you know, success stories and things there, we started ranch and recreational programs because a lot of people, especially this community, don't have those opportunities from fly fishing, horseback riding, roping, leather making, anything you can think of for this community in the recreation space. So we've grown those as well and we offer that to different individuals, young adults and kids and veterans throughout the U.S. So it's kind of funny, guys, because some of this has just come from my personal experiences of being an athlete and seeing that there, you know, where the need was and where it where it needs to go. We also started an advocacy curriculum. To help young kids and adults advocate for themselves because when I was younger, I didn't know how to advocate for myself and say what I needed in the classroom, let alone on the field for sports or recreation. And, you know, my parents were always very supportive, but you know, they were trying to figure it out as well. So we do a lot of different things with the organization. It's grown from just starting with the grant scholarship program to now doing multiple programs and events. Next weekend I'm going to Rhode Island. We do blind surf clinics around the U.S. That we're growing. We send kids to Colorado to go skiing. So we're small and we're growing, but we make a big impact because you can directly see the people we're helping and how it's their how it's changing their lives. So that's kind of how I guess it all came together and started, and how I've grown it and what we continue to do and keep pushing it forward. Excuse me, all the you know events and fundraisers we do, it's all private donations and you know the book. Griffin's Vision Quest, all the money from that goes back to the foundation, just finding different people that we can bring in to help us expand that piece of the operation as well. But it's been a it's been an incredible journey. I don't think I'd you know do any of the things or know some of the incredible people I I know just from from wanting to start the organization and helping.
Sam Panitch: Dude, just so cool. First off, all the success, all I mean, f two hundred fifty thousand dollars is insane,
Griffin: What?
Sam Panitch: man.
Griffin: Well well and that was yeah that was in our year of like not really knowing what we were doing. year year to year, you know, we've we've done you know over eight hundred thousand dollars at our one big
Sam Panitch: my gosh.
Griffin: fundraising gal in New York City. So yeah, we've it it's all
Parker: Good for you guys. Wow.
Griffin: just kind of worked it's all kinda just worked out. So and we already have our date and locked in for next year at Tribecker Rooftop. So it's a fun location, fun time and it's just a fun community event. It's really Different, it's not, it's not just another gala. So we're yeah, we're making little and big impacts everywhere, and we continue to grow.
Sam Panitch: Just remarkable, man. And I think one of the things that just resonates, I know, with Parker and myself as well is all the hands-on, different, unique experiences you are giving people. Parker and I have an obsession with camp, Griffin. We love
Griffin: Yeah.
Sam Panitch: camp. We think being out in nature, getting your hands dirty and trying new things, although I've never done fly fishing. It's on the list, but horse, my
Griffin: that's an easy one. We can do that.
Sam Panitch: we can do that. All right, fine. Deal. We're gonna go fly fishing together, man. I can't wait. And
Griffin: Okay. Yeah.
Sam Panitch: Just going outside your comfort zone, trying new things, getting in nature. It's so therapeutic for the soul, for the human soul and for the human mindset. And I think in a world where we are filled with constant overstimulation from TVs, radio, podcasts, ironically, our phones, right? Like everywhere
Griffin: Yeah.
Sam Panitch: we look, we have someone throwing information at our faces. And when you go out in nature, you get an opportunity to pause. And I think that is so powerful for all types of people from all walks of life. And so I'm so glad that that is incorporated into part of your foundation's efforts.
Griffin: Yeah, and it it's interesting because we we've realized how big it is for any individual. But we've had a young boy that came to the camp and you know one of our ranch programs and you know he wasn't really talking, he didn't really want to interact. And he was the only one who caught a fish on the fly. You know, we were fly fishing and he had a smile ear to ear and then he wouldn't he wouldn't stop talking. And
Sam Panitch: Hmm.
Griffin: you know, some of the other people from our team were like, he never talks. Like what happened? You know, we just did a ranch program with my friend at her therapeutic writing center. Similar sort of thing. This young girl came comes from a rough background, doesn't really smile, doesn't really talk to many people. She got on the horse similar situation of smiling, just having the best time. So we we truly get to see the impact we're making and how we're helping this community. And even for you know, with the people from Elevation Nation or in general, you know, realizing that you can do something and you can start something, and you know, if you have the entrepreneurial spirit and drive that it can work, even if a lot of people People tell you it it it might not or you shouldn't do it. you should you know explore that and see what happens because you know if if it works, great. If not, there's a lot of lessons that you can pull out of that to take onto your next project or adventure that I've I've I've learned through this whole process.
Sam Panitch: Griff, I think that makes perfect sense,
Griffin: Yeah, yeah.
Sam Panitch: right? And and you get the opportunity
Griffin: Yeah.
Sam Panitch: to see people grow when they go outside their comfort zone. And for us at Elevation Nation, that's just something that we preach all the time. And you know. Parker was if I had to read his mind, which I've done over the years, is he was probably going to talk about something along the lines of the comfort zone is certainly nice and warm and safe. But when we grow and lean into all the beauty of humanity, it's when we go outside our comfort zone. And so whether that's you running four marathons, training for cycling now, writing your own book, hosting all these events, or you taking me fly fishing, because I'm gonna be honest, man, I don't even I don't have even have any clue how to put a fly on a hook. Maybe it's less complicated than I think, but we're gonna have to try it together and I'm excited.
Griffin: It i it's fun catching a fish on a fly reel. It is yeah. We'll we'll make that happen and any other adventures we want to do we could we could we could get on on the book, especially knowing how much camp is important for both of you. Same, we've realized that because we we work with a a lot of different adaptive sports camps, clubs and and clinics, how vital that is for the the you know the growth of these you know kids and young adults because through our own programs or things that we support, we've realized it's it's the mobility skills. It's you know all the things. Being
Sam Panitch: Mm-hmm.
Griffin: part of, you know, in a space where you could talk openly with your peers of like, hey Walked into a wall, so did I, instead of you know, feeling kind of like an alien and and being in that environment. So you know, k camp I can see, you know, growing up to when I was younger, we do the sports camp and do all that, and and now on the other side of doing these adaptive camps for this community, how and how important that is.
Sam Panitch: Absolutely. In in fact, you know, po I am headed to a camp next week. By the time this comes out it will already have happened. But it's a week long camp grief camp for children that have lost a parent or a sibling. And we have the magic and the power of being outdoors together and and like you said, trying new things with, you know, grief and therapy and and just trying to process some of those emotions. And so I love that you all are doing something very similar. I want to move us now, Griffin, into our next segment here. If that is cool for you,
Griffin: Yeah, yeah. Let's do it.
Sam Panitch: let's do it. So we have obviously heard a little bit about your foundation, foreseeable future foundation. Obviously
Griffin: Yeah.
Sam Panitch: you guys are incredible at raising money. We will link to your website so if folks are feeling inspired by your mission that they can donate as well or try to get involved. But what I'd like to know, Griff, is what's next for you guys? What's kind of s on the on the radar for the next year? And what are some of those big plans? I know you mentioned the gala that's gonna be happening at Tribeco Rooftop. Did I get that right?
Griffin: Yeah, Tribecal Rooftop on June fifth, Tuesday, June fifteenth, twenty twenty seven. So that's our you know, any anyone wants to come party with us, you know, and and and get to celebrate. to your point, you know, it's the the donations are great and that helps, but it's you know wanting to educate and share the mission, share the organization with people and you know, even people that want to volunteer or help. you know, there's a lot lot w more ways that people can get involved. one thing that we're working on next year or growing some of the programs that we have you know even further doing more with our ranch programs with our advocacy curriculum offering more surf clinics and ski trips and just just giving people more opportunities throughout the year because you know we've realized that some of the things they'll have a great experience for a day or a week or a weekend but then when they go back home what happens you know not it's not the same experience so just offering more throughout the year and growing more of our programs next year We're working on growing partnerships as well with different groups and organizations. We actually did a really cool and awesome collaboration with WWE Pro Wrestling in July back in New York City. So we're, you know, hope hopefully going to be doing more with them and some other groups similar. So we're going to be, I think, doing some things, some partnerships in Louisville and that area with the Muhammad Ali Center. You know, we met with them last week or two weeks ago when I was there for a conference. And we're just, you know, continuing to grow the book, so just trying to get that out there more and blast that out because it goes back to helping the foundation, which is fantastic. And as well, just trying to get the word out there and get more people educated and aware and see what else we can we can do from here and just continue continue to grow.
Sam Panitch: And it's a little bit of fate. You've been doing stuff with the WWE and I believe you said one of the other gentlemen that's up there on a bestseller list with you is John Cena. So it seems like wrestling seems it's to find its way to you wherever you go, Griffin. That is that is so funny.
Griffin: Yeah. Yeah, which is which is fine 'cause I'm I I'll be a pro wrestling fan my whole life. I don't care that it's violent theater. So yeah. Yeah.
Sam Panitch: Listen, nothing wrong with that. I grew up on it. It's incredible. so I want to just emphasize Parker has bad Wi-Fi elevation nations. So you might be thinking and hearing, wow, Sam's doing all the talking today. What an asshole. He's not
Griffin: Yeah.
Sam Panitch: letting Parker get in any words. We are messaging each other on the side, so I'm able to ask questions on behalf of Parker. He can hear everything we're saying. He is loving everything, Griff. the ghosts at his haunted house.
Griffin: Yeah. Later over.
Sam Panitch: vacation homer just taking the Wi-Fi over. So every time he goes off mute, he sounds horrible. So I'm gonna speak on behalf of Parker. He's getting more and more frustrated by the minute, but that is friendship at its finest. And we love you, Parker. So don't stress. Griff, I'm gonna move us into our next section here. We obviously heard about you and
Griffin: Yeah. Yeah.
Sam Panitch: your story, which we love. your foundation, which is doing incredible work and we'll link to it. We like to ask what we call our rapid fire questions, which are a couple quick hitting questions. We didn't prep you on We want to know the first thing that comes to your mind. So, Griff, you ready, man?
Griffin: I don't know, let's see. Let's do it. Yeah. Yeah.
Sam Panitch: Okay. All right. No pressure. No right or wrong answers. All right. First rapid fire. If you've already run four of but you have a dream marathon that you want to participate in someday.
Griffin: I'd say one in Ireland or Australia. Gold the Gold Coast Marathon in Australia. That's supposed to be flat and fun.
Sam Panitch: Listen, I maybe I need to start there because I don't need I don't want to do hills. I don't even want to do bumps. The flat actually, is there a downhill one that I can do? Maybe I'll do that.
Griffin: Well the the Chicago's pretty flat. I spent my best time in Chicago, so we'll work towards
Sam Panitch: Okay.
Griffin: that with Parker.
Sam Panitch: All right. I like it. That's a good that's a good goal right there. all right, Griffin, next question. we are superhero guys. We love some of the old Marvel and those those movies. So we want to ask you if you could have
Griffin: Okay. Yeah.
Sam Panitch: any superpower, what would it be?
Griffin: I pro probably wanna be like super strength definitely. Like the Hulk. Like the you know, that that that would be it totally.
Sam Panitch: I love it. All right. Good answer. and our last one for you. You obviously wrote your own book, so you can't cheat and say this as your answer. But is there a we are we already plug in your book? We we love your book. Everyone needs to buy
Griffin: I was gonna say I I knew where you go. Yeah.
Sam Panitch: Griffin's Vision Quest. so buy the book. But do you have a book or podcast or movie or even song recommendation? We love all types of art. Is there something that you're like, salmon Parker, you guys gotta check this
Griffin: I love music, so that's usually where my head goes. checking out music. I'm not sh I I I stay in my vein of music. you know, it depends on what mood I'm I'm in. there was a really good song I was just listening to when I did my strength workout earlier. I I I don't remember the artist's name, but it was it was really good. So that that doesn't really help you here, but if I had to go
Sam Panitch: What genre are you in? Is that your what vibe you got?
Griffin: it's more like nineties alternative punk rock. That's my go-to. So like well All
Sam Panitch: Okay. That is up Parker's alley right there, I'll tell ya.
Griffin: right, cool. We'll we'll we'll we'll nerd out on some Link 182. That's my that's like my all time favorite band, so
Sam Panitch: So I'll tell a quick side story on behalf of Parker. When Parker used to live in DC and I used to live in New York, I would come and visit him and there used to be this bar in DC, what was it called, Parker? I think Codfathers or something like that, that only
Griffin: Yeah.
Sam Panitch: played like nineties
Parker: Cod mother.
Sam Panitch: alternative punk rock music. And we would go
Griffin: that's awesome.
Sam Panitch: and have the absolute best time. And so that is right up our alley.
Griffin: Is that still is it still open in DC?
Sam Panitch: It's not, but I have another alternative for you, Griff. When you come and visit me in DC, there is a
Griffin: Yeah. Yeah.
Sam Panitch: band. It is a DC local band called Whiteford Bronco. And they play
Griffin: Okay.
Sam Panitch: all like nineties, two thousands punk rock cover band music, and
Griffin: that's it.
Sam Panitch: they they rock and roll, man. So we'll go to that together.
Griffin: Yeah, I'll have to go do that. We'll go we'll go rock our face off to that. That's what I I I love I love
Sam Panitch: Deal, I'm in. I'm in.
Griffin: music. I'm not musically gifted. I wish I was, but I I love going to concerts and just having fun. I'm going to one the end of next month in actually in Tennessee, it's stained, that that old band. so they're they're
Sam Panitch: Sweet.
Griffin: touring again, but it should be fun. So yeah, music is definitely up there for me.
Sam Panitch: That's incredible. Yeah, Parker and I, we were just at MSG together for our favorite band, Goose Rock Jam band, that's
Griffin: Good, yeah, yeah.
Sam Panitch: our thing. Parker, Parker has helped me grow in that world. They he really put me onto them and they are fantastic. So we love music
Griffin: Yeah. All right.
Sam Panitch: as well. We will have to do a show all three of us together at some point.
Griffin: W w w we'll have to. One other band actually that I am vibing with that that you guys might like or or it's Wet Leg is the name of the band. They're a British like like alternative punk rock band. They're really good. The lead
Sam Panitch: Wait.
Griffin: singer, she's awesome. it's just very it's like very catchy but very good. So I got to see them live last year. There you go.
Sam Panitch: Add it to the list. That's sick. Parker makes all my playlists for me. He doesn't know it, but his profile on Spotify is public and I just download them. So yeah, I just mooch off of him. That's essentially it. all right,
Griffin: You just yeah, you you just be like his playlist, yeah. Yeah, nice.
Sam Panitch: Griffin. We are at our final question of the podcast. We
Griffin: Sure.
Sam Panitch: have united thousands and thousands of young people across the globe with something that we call a mental motto. It's a phrase,
Griffin: Okay.
Sam Panitch: a quote, a slogan. That embodies
Griffin: Yeah.
Sam Panitch: your mindset and who you are at your core and whether, you know, you've come on the podcast or if we've spoken to you around the country, we help people develop their mental motto. And so, Griff, we wanna know what is your mental motto?
Griffin: Sam, I that's a really good question. I I I think I mentioned it before a little bit and and I like I said I have five tattoos. Two of them kind of symbolize s symbolize the same sort of thing where the one on my arm says always forward and then I have a
Sam Panitch: Mm-hmm.
Griffin: kangaroo on my back because kangaroos don't go backwards and neither do I. So I think
Sam Panitch: Let's go.
Griffin: that would be my mental motto of just always moving forward, never looking back and keep pushing in whatever I'm doing. you know, whether it's it's you know, good, bad or indifferent on how the day the the day before went it's just get that out and and move forward and and and you know focus on the next day ahead and or the goal or what whatever I'm working on or doing so I I think that would be 100% my my mental motto because even when I was younger dealing with a challenge that was it and I didn't really know that was what I was doing really I was just you know I was just like okay this is it we're just gonna keep going and now overcoming it knowing what I've done and and what I would can continue to do that would definitely be it Yeah.
Sam Panitch: It's a beautiful mental motto that having now known you for a little bit makes absolute perfect sense to you and
Griffin: Yeah.
Sam Panitch: your mindset. I you know, obviously, and I know you hear this all the time, Griff, you're an incredible person. Your story's incredible, your mindset is incredible. so that to me is like table stakes. You know all that stuff. What I want to emphasize is you're a cool freaking dude, man. And I just love
Griffin: Thanks.
Sam Panitch: The things that you're into, the fact that you're trying to help make the world a better place, that obviously resonates so much with what Parker and I are trying to do as well. And, you know, for different
Griffin: Yes.
Sam Panitch: types of folks. But I think the more and more people out there that are selfless like you trying to give back to the community and make the world a better place, it's only gonna go up from here. And so I'm just so grateful that we got a chance to connect with you. I'm grateful that you shared your story and your mission with Elevation Nation and I can't wait to have you as my marathon training coach and to rock our faces
Griffin: Yeah.
Sam Panitch: off at a concert together here soon. So Griffin, thank you for joining us, man.
Griffin: Awesome. Thanks Sam and Parker. And yeah, Sam we'll have to add going skydiving with some blind veterans that we support and work with in Virginia. If you're not afraid of heights, we'll go do that next summer with you me and Parker.
Sam Panitch: Listen, done deal. Well, now I get to tell another story and Parker can't defend himself because his wifi's not working. Let's go. This
Griffin: no.
Sam Panitch: is such a good story. All right. I this is great. And Parker you can't say anything. this is about five
Griffin: Ha ha.
Sam Panitch: years ago. my little brother is a skydive instructor and he was begging me to
Griffin: What?
Sam Panitch: go and he was out in Ocean City, Maryland, and Parker had a little condo out there. So Parker and I were gonna go with my brother. And, you know, I'm nervous, of course, leading up to it. Things are fine. Parker's like dude, my like nose is kind of stuffy. Like I kinda got a stuffy nose. And I was like, You're fine, bro. You're fine. Day of we wake up. Parker's like, No, bro, like my sinus is really hurt. Like I can't like go up in that altitude. I'm gonna hurt myself. So Parker chickened out and I jumped out of a plane with my brother. And to this day, I get to hold that over Parker's head. So
Griffin: Well then we have to get Parker Scott Iving, so now now you guys are on the same plane.
Sam Panitch: There we go. Parker, can I get a thumbs up? Are you in? Maybe. We're we're getting a maybe. We're getting a maybe. We'll take a maybe.
Griffin: Maybe. He's we're getting we'll we'll move that maybe. We'll take we'll take the maybe for now. We'll move it to a yes soon.
Sam Panitch: That's exactly right. I love it. I love it. Griffin, thank you for joining us. Elevation Nation. We love you all. Until next week. Peace.
Griffin: Yes.
Sam Panitch: many other things. So I'll pause there. But Griffin, welcome to Elevation Nation, man. We are so excited to have you.
Griffin: Thank you, Sam and Parker. Thanks for having me. I'm excited. It's funny how this all came together. I was so excited. A ton connected us and we just had such an awesome conversation. Love what you guys are doing with Elevation Nation and just excited to join the podcast tonight.
Parker: We are excited too. I love the fact that you you broke some news to us about a bestseller right on Amazon, right when we chopped it up a little bit before the conversation. Talk to us a little about the book. What's it called? What's it about? And how's it feel to be at the top of the charts right off the bat?
Griffin: Well the b the so the book is called Griffin's Vision Quest. It's about my story and journey, overcoming the visual impairment and blindness, dealing with it, starting a foundation to help other visually impaired and blind people, make sure they don't feel left out, and really just show certain people that or anyone really, if you're dealing with a challenge, whatever that challenge might be, you can still have a successful, fruitful, fun life and that anything's possible. So the book was kind of a long time coming and we feel like it's gonna be able to do a lot of different things with education and awareness and just show people what you can do with whatever challenge you're you're going through in life. The sales from the book are all go back to the foundation of helping more kids, young adults and veterans all over the US. So it it just really has kind of come full full circle and it was interesting. I never thought I would write a book and everyone said you should do it and I finally did and and it's it's been going really well. So it's it's been fun and we had success on Amazon. We did an Amazon launch on August 4th and we're just going to keep rolling from there.
Parker: Keep rolling and I can't wait to jump more into your story about, you know, how we even got to the launch of the book. Cause I know Sam filled me in. It's been one journey for you. But we start Ellie every Elevation Asian podcast the exact same way, Griffin. We start with an elevator pitch. We got to hear a little bit more about who
Griffin: Yeah.
Parker: you are. Tell us about yourself.
Griffin: Dang, that that's a tough one. well, okay. I'm a visually impaired and blind athlete. I'm a speaker and author. I guess I love thrill seeking. That's a tough one, guys. This this is interesting. now I know why you start the podcast off with it. Uh-huh. but yeah, I think I would say speaker, author, advocate. Athlete and just just enjoy doing fun, extreme, cool stuff and have the foundation, the founder of Foreseeable Future Foundation, which you know we help so many people through that platform and and the non-profit. So I like doing crazy fun stuff on the side though. I went skydiving in Australia, I went bungee jumping in New Zealand. So that's that's kind of what I enjoy doing, traveling and and just doing some some crazy things.
Sam Panitch: I mean, Griffin, it's incredible that you're doing all those things. In fact, my dream life and the life that I'm trying to live, I think is really aligned with yours. I have this kind of analogy that I like to use. I grew up playing video games. I don't know if anyone else did here, but
Griffin: Mm-hmm. Yeah.
Sam Panitch: when you when you have a character, it's like you have all these skills, you have all these quests, you have all these villages you have to go visit to unlock the map, to unlock more potential, to unlock more skills. And I think so often Many young people think that they only can go down one path, whether that's I'm gonna be a doctor or a lawyer or an accountant or a businessman, whatever it may be. And we think that's the right path for us. And I've taken, and I think you have too, just naming all the different things that you're involved in, I've taken a little bit of a different approach, whereas I wanna just try a bunch of random shit and see what I like and just enjoy it. I mean, Parker
Griffin: Yeah.
Sam Panitch: was laughing at me. It was a rainy Sunday last week in DC. I am not artistic. I am an athlete like you. I decided to make art. I don't even know how to make art, but we made art and
Griffin: no.
Sam Panitch: we just tried. And it's like I think so often we are scared to go outside of our comfort zone, for fear of not being good at it. But I think your entire life has been pushing yourself outside of your comfort zone. Talk to us a little bit about the next challenge and adventure that you really are working towards because you've already conquered a lot, man.
Griffin: Yeah, so and it it's funny, Sam, back to that too. I actually did pottery for a bit because I I was Yeah, I guess the creative side and and working through that
Sam Panitch: Let's go.
Griffin: when I was younger. And you know, everyone said, well, master potters can do it with, you know, no vision. So I did that. It was first, you know, challenging, similar. I'm like, well, I, you know, I'm not that great at it, and then realized it was just fun. But a lot of different challenges going on right now that we're we're we're working on and I'm working on. you know, everyone said that I have to run more marathons, which I don't know if I will or not, but I've I've done that. I did four marathons, New York, Chicago, Philly, and Boston. And then started to get in. what the Parker, you're a marking one?
Sam Panitch: You got Parker beat. I just gotta put it out there, Parker. Talk a little smack to him, Griff, cause Parker always rubs it at me.
Griffin: Yeah. You're your endurance runner there, Parker?
Parker: I mean I I've done two races to Sam's zero, but Sam's never tried, so we can't even compare 'cause we're not playing the same game.
Griffin: see there you go. You need to try now, Sam. If I can do it, you can do it. You need to do it.
Sam Panitch: I listen guys, I did I did a 5k over the weekend. I was proud of myself for that small starting point. And
Griffin: Yeah.
Sam Panitch: Parker made a really good bet with me, Griffin, and you're a boxer as well, so I know you'll like this. Parker's
Griffin: Yeah.
Sam Panitch: been talking smack that I haven't run a marathon. He said if I run a marathon, what was it Parker? In under four hours, that Parker
Griffin: Okay.
Sam Panitch: will let me do a charity boxing match against him.
Griffin: that's a great okay, yeah, that's easy. We could get you under four hours. Yeah. There we go. Just
Sam Panitch: Great bet. We can get me there? Okay. All right. I like it. Let's let's do it, fellas.
Parker: Well, I I just have to put it out there. The re the reason why, you know, he he has to train for it and he has to let me know when he's starting to train because while he's training I gotta train for my boxing match. That's the thing. So
Griffin: There there you go. Yeah. And and and then and then we'll just throw foreseeable as one of the charities you guys box for, so but I'm
Sam Panitch: Done deal. Let's make it happen.
Parker: Easy. Easy.
Griffin: still trying with tandem cycling though too, so you know, pursuing that at a at a high level. So it's it's been a it's been a lot of fun. I never thought I would do, you know, tandem cycling or get into that. 'cause when I was younger I wasn't a runner. I wasn't a cyclist. You know, I was still an athlete. But losing more vision and finding about all these adaptive sports I could do with little to no vision and what I actually enjoyed was completely different compared to what I did when I was I was fully sighted. So it's it's interesting how that works. But yeah, always always always a new challenge and adventure and box boxing's a lot of fun as well and you know I ride horses so I'm not jumping just yet but it's it's just always trying to figure out what the next thing is to to challenge myself with and and just get better at
Parker: I just hear bungee jumping, skydiving, horseback riding, pottery, running,
Griffin: Yeah.
Parker: cycling, writing the book. Dude, you like are grabbing life and really just y eating it up. Everything about it. I love it. It's so
Griffin: Well.
Parker: cool. I would Griffin, I would love for you to share a little bit more about your story. You know, how we got here, you know.
Griffin: Sure sure. Sure. Yeah. It's Sure, so it's it's pretty interesting. When I was younger And we were, you know, I was 11 or 12. I made a travel baseball team out in California. We moved out there as a family. And one day I couldn't track the ball off the bat. I'd be running wet one way, the ball would be going another way. And we realized there was some, you know, instance that something was wrong, what's going on. I got glasses, and they thought glasses could help. Someone who has retinitis pigmentosa, which is the retinal degenerative disease that I have, can see the negative contrast better. So it was a white ball with a black sky. I did fantastic. Fantastic, and then the next day I said I couldn't see anything again on the field. So that was the first instance to realizing something was wrong and went to doctors all over the country, went back to my ophthalmologist, and she said, Well, I think I see some pigment on the retina. We said, What does that mean? And at that point, she said, Well, you're gonna lose your vision. We don't know how much, when. Go get a cane, get a dog, go home. And at that point, my parents had to sit me down and say, You know, your life's gonna change forever. And you know, it was I don't think I even really understood. What that meant and how my life was gonna change, and just always trying to just figure it out. I think that's the message. You know, I I I have five tattoos and I have one on my arm that says always forward, and I think that's just always been the mindset and mentality of you know, just keep moving forward in any way possible.
Sam Panitch: It's an incredible journey, Griffin. And obviously I can imagine one with a lot of emotions, a lot of mindset challenges. Talk
Griffin: Mm-hmm.
Sam Panitch: to us a little bit about, you know, when you were first diagnosed and and trying to just figure things out. I understand, you know, being around a lot of doctors and getting a lot of answers and confusion is it's difficult. So talk to us about that journey. And then I imagine there was a turning point when Kind of everything got lined up and you accepted this new reality and you said, All right, this is my life, like time to conquer it.
Griffin: Yeah, it was I think You know, not from when I was diagnosed, which could be devastating and not feel really understanding what it was. And my vision is is macular degeneration. So it wasn't rapid. There'd be years to years where I'd say, I can you know, I didn't even realize that I lost vision until I'd go back to the doctor. So around middle school and high school just trying to figure out how to, you know, grow up, but then also with the vision loss getting worse was was challenging and and you know, I always had sports though and that helped me I feel like just ground me and get through things it still Does now. But up until around high school, I, you know, was was struggling with certain things. We went back to Long Island, actually Cold Spring Harbor, where I went to high school, and my guidance counselor, he was pivotal in my education because he said, wait a second, you need adaptive equipment, you need you know certain adaptations to help you because you have the tools and you can be successful and we're gonna help you get there. So that was the first, I think, step to realizing, okay, I can do this, I just need the help and support. So Kevin. my guidance counselor gave that to me and then in college I actually went out for the rugby team my freshman year two weeks into college had a head injury because I didn't really fully tell them what my vision was and after that point I realized all right I I have to be open about it I have to you know tell people what I can and can't see and it gave
Sam Panitch: Totally.
Griffin: me the opportunity to realize wait a second I can bring education and awareness to what other people like myself are going through on a small little campus in Pennsylvania where I went to college and And not just saying, well, you know, this is a challenge, not talking about it, not being open. And kind of that's where the light bulb, if you want to say, went off. Where I knew, okay, I have to face this, I can't fix it, I can do a lot of other things to make it better. And we actually did events on campus at Susquehanna, where I went to college, to raise education, awareness, and money for research for visual impairments and blindness.
Parker: So wal walk us through like what what did some of those events look like? How are you educating people about this?
Griffin: Yeah. So so at at what I did at college I feel like put me on the path to s realizing I really wanted to help people and that I could take my entrepreneurial spirit, even you know, with the visual impairment and blindness, and doing something to help other people like myself. So at Susquehanna, people would ask me what can and can't you see? And I'm like, Well, I don't know. I couldn't explain it at that time. I didn't use a cane until my junior year of college. So we did events on campus, we did a dining in the dark, where we had to eat a meal in the dark and get that perspective and that a Awareness.
Sam Panitch: Wow.
Griffin: So we do that. We would do different cane walks. So, you know, Parker, if you were there with Sam, we'd say, All right, Parker, you're gonna be blindfolded, you have to use a cane. Cam, Sam, this is how you you know become a sighted guide and you're gonna get that experience. So instead of throwing information at everyone, we said, you know, you're gonna try to figure out these real life situations like Griffin has to every day on campus and off campus. And that really resonated with people. And then we also did a walk. Where we we raised education we raised money for an organization trying to find a cure to help people that suffer from the same disorder visual impairment I do. So those were some of the ways that we brought awareness and education. We even during the walk where we were raising money, we would ask people to do a lap around the track blindfolded. And it just from those those programs and events we did at campus made my professional and personal experience at Susquehanna that much better. But it kind of gave me a glimpse into wait a second. I feel like I have something here. And after graduating, two years after graduating from college, I just took the leap and started Foreseeable Future Foundation, my nonprofit, and it's it's worked out from there.
Sam Panitch: I mean, Griffin, I love the fact that you are not just raising money, not just educating people, but allowing people to get a hands-on experience. I think empathy is really important and understanding a day, a moment, a second in your shoes can help bring, you know, issues and problems that we have in society when it comes to visual impairment to life. And just to to to emphasize how close to home this is for Parker and myself, obviously we're friends with you. And so that certainly
Griffin: Mm-hmm. Yeah.
Sam Panitch: is a big factor. but we have a really, really close friend, like a mother to us that has recently become visually impaired. And so understanding her on her journey and how we best can help her and support her has been different and new. And so it just warms my heart knowing that with foreseeable future, you guys are out there helping people that are visually impaired, helping folks that aren't visually impaired feel more empowered to support those around them. And I I think you're just on a wonderful mission. And so I wanna give you the opportunity. That was obviously in college. You were making an impact. Now you're in
Griffin: Yeah.
Sam Panitch: the big leagues, man. We got for Seo Future Foundation. You're doing
Griffin: Yeah.
Sam Panitch: incredible work. Talk to us a little bit about the evolution there and what you guys are up to now.
Griffin: Sure, sure. So Foreseeable Future Foundation, our mission is to help the visually impaired and blind live more fulfilling lives through s sports, recreation, and community events. So we started with just doing a s a few small things here and there in New York City where I was living and I started the organization. And we decided that you know we we want to make a big impact. We have our mission, we have our focus. So we did a a fundraiser, you know, call it a gal, it's not a gal in New York. We were just figuring things out after I brought together Friends and family, and we put together a board, and we you know had all the pieces we needed to. And we did one big event. We we raised over $250,000 at that fundraiser, and that was able to really start helping more and more people. So we have a few different programs that we offer our grant and scholarship program, which is where we started because at the beginning we thought, well, we don't we don't have the infrastructure, we don't know how to run programs, but I want to help people. So we give out grants and scholarships to organizations. And individuals that want to pursue sports at any level who are visually impaired and blind, whether an athlete that wants to make the Paralympics and tandem cycling and needs the cost for a tandem bike, or an individual that's come to us who has who's said, you know, I'm I'm overweight, I, you know, I've gone, I've been through depression, but I want to train and do a marathon will help pay for the coaching and training and for their guide to be able to go do that with them. So that's how we started, and that's really helped thousands of visually impaired and blind people, young adults, investors. We actually I had the experience as we grew to take a group of blind veterans to the Olympic and Paralympic training facility where I used to train and I was for a bit. And just the transformation was huge from day one to day seven. So we started with that, and then we realized after we grew that program and you know we were doing a lot of different, you know, success stories and things there, we started ranch and recreational programs because a lot of people, especially this community, don't have those opportunities from fly fishing, horseback riding, roping, leather making, anything you can think of for this community in the recreation space. So we've grown those as well and we offer that to different individuals, young adults and kids and veterans throughout the U.S. So it's kind of funny, guys, because some of this has just come from my personal experiences of being an athlete and seeing that there, you know, where the need was and where it where it needs to go. We also started an advocacy curriculum. To help young kids and adults advocate for themselves because when I was younger, I didn't know how to advocate for myself and say what I needed in the classroom, let alone on the field for sports or recreation. And, you know, my parents were always very supportive, but you know, they were trying to figure it out as well. So we do a lot of different things with the organization. It's grown from just starting with the grant scholarship program to now doing multiple programs and events. Next weekend I'm going to Rhode Island. We do blind surf clinics around the U.S. That we're growing. We send kids to Colorado to go skiing. So we're small and we're growing, but we make a big impact because you can directly see the people we're helping and how it's their how it's changing their lives. So that's kind of how I guess it all came together and started, and how I've grown it and what we continue to do and keep pushing it forward. Excuse me, all the you know events and fundraisers we do, it's all private donations and you know the book. Griffin's Vision Quest, all the money from that goes back to the foundation, just finding different people that we can bring in to help us expand that piece of the operation as well. But it's been a it's been an incredible journey. I don't think I'd you know do any of the things or know some of the incredible people I I know just from from wanting to start the organization and helping.
Sam Panitch: Dude, just so cool. First off, all the success, all I mean, f two hundred fifty thousand dollars is insane,
Griffin: What?
Sam Panitch: man.
Griffin: Well well and that was yeah that was in our year of like not really knowing what we were doing. year year to year, you know, we've we've done you know over eight hundred thousand dollars at our one big
Sam Panitch: my gosh.
Griffin: fundraising gal in New York City. So yeah, we've it it's all
Parker: Good for you guys. Wow.
Griffin: just kind of worked it's all kinda just worked out. So and we already have our date and locked in for next year at Tribecker Rooftop. So it's a fun location, fun time and it's just a fun community event. It's really Different, it's not, it's not just another gala. So we're yeah, we're making little and big impacts everywhere, and we continue to grow.
Sam Panitch: Just remarkable, man. And I think one of the things that just resonates, I know, with Parker and myself as well is all the hands-on, different, unique experiences you are giving people. Parker and I have an obsession with camp, Griffin. We love
Griffin: Yeah.
Sam Panitch: camp. We think being out in nature, getting your hands dirty and trying new things, although I've never done fly fishing. It's on the list, but horse, my
Griffin: that's an easy one. We can do that.
Sam Panitch: we can do that. All right, fine. Deal. We're gonna go fly fishing together, man. I can't wait. And
Griffin: Okay. Yeah.
Sam Panitch: Just going outside your comfort zone, trying new things, getting in nature. It's so therapeutic for the soul, for the human soul and for the human mindset. And I think in a world where we are filled with constant overstimulation from TVs, radio, podcasts, ironically, our phones, right? Like everywhere
Griffin: Yeah.
Sam Panitch: we look, we have someone throwing information at our faces. And when you go out in nature, you get an opportunity to pause. And I think that is so powerful for all types of people from all walks of life. And so I'm so glad that that is incorporated into part of your foundation's efforts.
Griffin: Yeah, and it it's interesting because we we've realized how big it is for any individual. But we've had a young boy that came to the camp and you know one of our ranch programs and you know he wasn't really talking, he didn't really want to interact. And he was the only one who caught a fish on the fly. You know, we were fly fishing and he had a smile ear to ear and then he wouldn't he wouldn't stop talking. And
Sam Panitch: Hmm.
Griffin: you know, some of the other people from our team were like, he never talks. Like what happened? You know, we just did a ranch program with my friend at her therapeutic writing center. Similar sort of thing. This young girl came comes from a rough background, doesn't really smile, doesn't really talk to many people. She got on the horse similar situation of smiling, just having the best time. So we we truly get to see the impact we're making and how we're helping this community. And even for you know, with the people from Elevation Nation or in general, you know, realizing that you can do something and you can start something, and you know, if you have the entrepreneurial spirit and drive that it can work, even if a lot of people People tell you it it it might not or you shouldn't do it. you should you know explore that and see what happens because you know if if it works, great. If not, there's a lot of lessons that you can pull out of that to take onto your next project or adventure that I've I've I've learned through this whole process.
Sam Panitch: Griff, I think that makes perfect sense,
Griffin: Yeah, yeah.
Sam Panitch: right? And and you get the opportunity
Griffin: Yeah.
Sam Panitch: to see people grow when they go outside their comfort zone. And for us at Elevation Nation, that's just something that we preach all the time. And you know. Parker was if I had to read his mind, which I've done over the years, is he was probably going to talk about something along the lines of the comfort zone is certainly nice and warm and safe. But when we grow and lean into all the beauty of humanity, it's when we go outside our comfort zone. And so whether that's you running four marathons, training for cycling now, writing your own book, hosting all these events, or you taking me fly fishing, because I'm gonna be honest, man, I don't even I don't have even have any clue how to put a fly on a hook. Maybe it's less complicated than I think, but we're gonna have to try it together and I'm excited.
Griffin: It i it's fun catching a fish on a fly reel. It is yeah. We'll we'll make that happen and any other adventures we want to do we could we could we could get on on the book, especially knowing how much camp is important for both of you. Same, we've realized that because we we work with a a lot of different adaptive sports camps, clubs and and clinics, how vital that is for the the you know the growth of these you know kids and young adults because through our own programs or things that we support, we've realized it's it's the mobility skills. It's you know all the things. Being
Sam Panitch: Mm-hmm.
Griffin: part of, you know, in a space where you could talk openly with your peers of like, hey Walked into a wall, so did I, instead of you know, feeling kind of like an alien and and being in that environment. So you know, k camp I can see, you know, growing up to when I was younger, we do the sports camp and do all that, and and now on the other side of doing these adaptive camps for this community, how and how important that is.
Sam Panitch: Absolutely. In in fact, you know, po I am headed to a camp next week. By the time this comes out it will already have happened. But it's a week long camp grief camp for children that have lost a parent or a sibling. And we have the magic and the power of being outdoors together and and like you said, trying new things with, you know, grief and therapy and and just trying to process some of those emotions. And so I love that you all are doing something very similar. I want to move us now, Griffin, into our next segment here. If that is cool for you,
Griffin: Yeah, yeah. Let's do it.
Sam Panitch: let's do it. So we have obviously heard a little bit about your foundation, foreseeable future foundation. Obviously
Griffin: Yeah.
Sam Panitch: you guys are incredible at raising money. We will link to your website so if folks are feeling inspired by your mission that they can donate as well or try to get involved. But what I'd like to know, Griff, is what's next for you guys? What's kind of s on the on the radar for the next year? And what are some of those big plans? I know you mentioned the gala that's gonna be happening at Tribeco Rooftop. Did I get that right?
Griffin: Yeah, Tribecal Rooftop on June fifth, Tuesday, June fifteenth, twenty twenty seven. So that's our you know, any anyone wants to come party with us, you know, and and and get to celebrate. to your point, you know, it's the the donations are great and that helps, but it's you know wanting to educate and share the mission, share the organization with people and you know, even people that want to volunteer or help. you know, there's a lot lot w more ways that people can get involved. one thing that we're working on next year or growing some of the programs that we have you know even further doing more with our ranch programs with our advocacy curriculum offering more surf clinics and ski trips and just just giving people more opportunities throughout the year because you know we've realized that some of the things they'll have a great experience for a day or a week or a weekend but then when they go back home what happens you know not it's not the same experience so just offering more throughout the year and growing more of our programs next year We're working on growing partnerships as well with different groups and organizations. We actually did a really cool and awesome collaboration with WWE Pro Wrestling in July back in New York City. So we're, you know, hope hopefully going to be doing more with them and some other groups similar. So we're going to be, I think, doing some things, some partnerships in Louisville and that area with the Muhammad Ali Center. You know, we met with them last week or two weeks ago when I was there for a conference. And we're just, you know, continuing to grow the book, so just trying to get that out there more and blast that out because it goes back to helping the foundation, which is fantastic. And as well, just trying to get the word out there and get more people educated and aware and see what else we can we can do from here and just continue continue to grow.
Sam Panitch: And it's a little bit of fate. You've been doing stuff with the WWE and I believe you said one of the other gentlemen that's up there on a bestseller list with you is John Cena. So it seems like wrestling seems it's to find its way to you wherever you go, Griffin. That is that is so funny.
Griffin: Yeah. Yeah, which is which is fine 'cause I'm I I'll be a pro wrestling fan my whole life. I don't care that it's violent theater. So yeah. Yeah.
Sam Panitch: Listen, nothing wrong with that. I grew up on it. It's incredible. so I want to just emphasize Parker has bad Wi-Fi elevation nations. So you might be thinking and hearing, wow, Sam's doing all the talking today. What an asshole. He's not
Griffin: Yeah.
Sam Panitch: letting Parker get in any words. We are messaging each other on the side, so I'm able to ask questions on behalf of Parker. He can hear everything we're saying. He is loving everything, Griff. the ghosts at his haunted house.
Griffin: Yeah. Later over.
Sam Panitch: vacation homer just taking the Wi-Fi over. So every time he goes off mute, he sounds horrible. So I'm gonna speak on behalf of Parker. He's getting more and more frustrated by the minute, but that is friendship at its finest. And we love you, Parker. So don't stress. Griff, I'm gonna move us into our next section here. We obviously heard about you and
Griffin: Yeah. Yeah.
Sam Panitch: your story, which we love. your foundation, which is doing incredible work and we'll link to it. We like to ask what we call our rapid fire questions, which are a couple quick hitting questions. We didn't prep you on We want to know the first thing that comes to your mind. So, Griff, you ready, man?
Griffin: I don't know, let's see. Let's do it. Yeah. Yeah.
Sam Panitch: Okay. All right. No pressure. No right or wrong answers. All right. First rapid fire. If you've already run four of but you have a dream marathon that you want to participate in someday.
Griffin: I'd say one in Ireland or Australia. Gold the Gold Coast Marathon in Australia. That's supposed to be flat and fun.
Sam Panitch: Listen, I maybe I need to start there because I don't need I don't want to do hills. I don't even want to do bumps. The flat actually, is there a downhill one that I can do? Maybe I'll do that.
Griffin: Well the the Chicago's pretty flat. I spent my best time in Chicago, so we'll work towards
Sam Panitch: Okay.
Griffin: that with Parker.
Sam Panitch: All right. I like it. That's a good that's a good goal right there. all right, Griffin, next question. we are superhero guys. We love some of the old Marvel and those those movies. So we want to ask you if you could have
Griffin: Okay. Yeah.
Sam Panitch: any superpower, what would it be?
Griffin: I pro probably wanna be like super strength definitely. Like the Hulk. Like the you know, that that that would be it totally.
Sam Panitch: I love it. All right. Good answer. and our last one for you. You obviously wrote your own book, so you can't cheat and say this as your answer. But is there a we are we already plug in your book? We we love your book. Everyone needs to buy
Griffin: I was gonna say I I knew where you go. Yeah.
Sam Panitch: Griffin's Vision Quest. so buy the book. But do you have a book or podcast or movie or even song recommendation? We love all types of art. Is there something that you're like, salmon Parker, you guys gotta check this
Griffin: I love music, so that's usually where my head goes. checking out music. I'm not sh I I I stay in my vein of music. you know, it depends on what mood I'm I'm in. there was a really good song I was just listening to when I did my strength workout earlier. I I I don't remember the artist's name, but it was it was really good. So that that doesn't really help you here, but if I had to go
Sam Panitch: What genre are you in? Is that your what vibe you got?
Griffin: it's more like nineties alternative punk rock. That's my go-to. So like well All
Sam Panitch: Okay. That is up Parker's alley right there, I'll tell ya.
Griffin: right, cool. We'll we'll we'll we'll nerd out on some Link 182. That's my that's like my all time favorite band, so
Sam Panitch: So I'll tell a quick side story on behalf of Parker. When Parker used to live in DC and I used to live in New York, I would come and visit him and there used to be this bar in DC, what was it called, Parker? I think Codfathers or something like that, that only
Griffin: Yeah.
Sam Panitch: played like nineties
Parker: Cod mother.
Sam Panitch: alternative punk rock music. And we would go
Griffin: that's awesome.
Sam Panitch: and have the absolute best time. And so that is right up our alley.
Griffin: Is that still is it still open in DC?
Sam Panitch: It's not, but I have another alternative for you, Griff. When you come and visit me in DC, there is a
Griffin: Yeah. Yeah.
Sam Panitch: band. It is a DC local band called Whiteford Bronco. And they play
Griffin: Okay.
Sam Panitch: all like nineties, two thousands punk rock cover band music, and
Griffin: that's it.
Sam Panitch: they they rock and roll, man. So we'll go to that together.
Griffin: Yeah, I'll have to go do that. We'll go we'll go rock our face off to that. That's what I I I love I love
Sam Panitch: Deal, I'm in. I'm in.
Griffin: music. I'm not musically gifted. I wish I was, but I I love going to concerts and just having fun. I'm going to one the end of next month in actually in Tennessee, it's stained, that that old band. so they're they're
Sam Panitch: Sweet.
Griffin: touring again, but it should be fun. So yeah, music is definitely up there for me.
Sam Panitch: That's incredible. Yeah, Parker and I, we were just at MSG together for our favorite band, Goose Rock Jam band, that's
Griffin: Good, yeah, yeah.
Sam Panitch: our thing. Parker, Parker has helped me grow in that world. They he really put me onto them and they are fantastic. So we love music
Griffin: Yeah. All right.
Sam Panitch: as well. We will have to do a show all three of us together at some point.
Griffin: W w w we'll have to. One other band actually that I am vibing with that that you guys might like or or it's Wet Leg is the name of the band. They're a British like like alternative punk rock band. They're really good. The lead
Sam Panitch: Wait.
Griffin: singer, she's awesome. it's just very it's like very catchy but very good. So I got to see them live last year. There you go.
Sam Panitch: Add it to the list. That's sick. Parker makes all my playlists for me. He doesn't know it, but his profile on Spotify is public and I just download them. So yeah, I just mooch off of him. That's essentially it. all right,
Griffin: You just yeah, you you just be like his playlist, yeah. Yeah, nice.
Sam Panitch: Griffin. We are at our final question of the podcast. We
Griffin: Sure.
Sam Panitch: have united thousands and thousands of young people across the globe with something that we call a mental motto. It's a phrase,
Griffin: Okay.
Sam Panitch: a quote, a slogan. That embodies
Griffin: Yeah.
Sam Panitch: your mindset and who you are at your core and whether, you know, you've come on the podcast or if we've spoken to you around the country, we help people develop their mental motto. And so, Griff, we wanna know what is your mental motto?
Griffin: Sam, I that's a really good question. I I I think I mentioned it before a little bit and and I like I said I have five tattoos. Two of them kind of symbolize s symbolize the same sort of thing where the one on my arm says always forward and then I have a
Sam Panitch: Mm-hmm.
Griffin: kangaroo on my back because kangaroos don't go backwards and neither do I. So I think
Sam Panitch: Let's go.
Griffin: that would be my mental motto of just always moving forward, never looking back and keep pushing in whatever I'm doing. you know, whether it's it's you know, good, bad or indifferent on how the day the the day before went it's just get that out and and move forward and and and you know focus on the next day ahead and or the goal or what whatever I'm working on or doing so I I think that would be 100% my my mental motto because even when I was younger dealing with a challenge that was it and I didn't really know that was what I was doing really I was just you know I was just like okay this is it we're just gonna keep going and now overcoming it knowing what I've done and and what I would can continue to do that would definitely be it Yeah.
Sam Panitch: It's a beautiful mental motto that having now known you for a little bit makes absolute perfect sense to you and
Griffin: Yeah.
Sam Panitch: your mindset. I you know, obviously, and I know you hear this all the time, Griff, you're an incredible person. Your story's incredible, your mindset is incredible. so that to me is like table stakes. You know all that stuff. What I want to emphasize is you're a cool freaking dude, man. And I just love
Griffin: Thanks.
Sam Panitch: The things that you're into, the fact that you're trying to help make the world a better place, that obviously resonates so much with what Parker and I are trying to do as well. And, you know, for different
Griffin: Yes.
Sam Panitch: types of folks. But I think the more and more people out there that are selfless like you trying to give back to the community and make the world a better place, it's only gonna go up from here. And so I'm just so grateful that we got a chance to connect with you. I'm grateful that you shared your story and your mission with Elevation Nation and I can't wait to have you as my marathon training coach and to rock our faces
Griffin: Yeah.
Sam Panitch: off at a concert together here soon. So Griffin, thank you for joining us, man.
Griffin: Awesome. Thanks Sam and Parker. And yeah, Sam we'll have to add going skydiving with some blind veterans that we support and work with in Virginia. If you're not afraid of heights, we'll go do that next summer with you me and Parker.
Sam Panitch: Listen, done deal. Well, now I get to tell another story and Parker can't defend himself because his wifi's not working. Let's go. This
Griffin: no.
Sam Panitch: is such a good story. All right. I this is great. And Parker you can't say anything. this is about five
Griffin: Ha ha.
Sam Panitch: years ago. my little brother is a skydive instructor and he was begging me to
Griffin: What?
Sam Panitch: go and he was out in Ocean City, Maryland, and Parker had a little condo out there. So Parker and I were gonna go with my brother. And, you know, I'm nervous, of course, leading up to it. Things are fine. Parker's like dude, my like nose is kind of stuffy. Like I kinda got a stuffy nose. And I was like, You're fine, bro. You're fine. Day of we wake up. Parker's like, No, bro, like my sinus is really hurt. Like I can't like go up in that altitude. I'm gonna hurt myself. So Parker chickened out and I jumped out of a plane with my brother. And to this day, I get to hold that over Parker's head. So
Griffin: Well then we have to get Parker Scott Iving, so now now you guys are on the same plane.
Sam Panitch: There we go. Parker, can I get a thumbs up? Are you in? Maybe. We're we're getting a maybe. We're getting a maybe. We'll take a maybe.
Griffin: Maybe. He's we're getting we'll we'll move that maybe. We'll take we'll take the maybe for now. We'll move it to a yes soon.
Sam Panitch: That's exactly right. I love it. I love it. Griffin, thank you for joining us. Elevation Nation. We love you all. Until next week. Peace.
