Meet Dr. Steven Crane | Entrepreneur | Author | Speaker | USMC Veteran

We had the good fortune of connecting with Dr. Steven Crane and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Dr. Steven, we’d love to hear about how you approach risk and risk-taking.
“Risk is opportunity.” This mantra resonates through the tapestry of my life, a refrain that echoes in every daring leap and every cautious step taken. Risk is a ubiquitous companion: as mundane as sitting idly at home, as adrenaline-filled as speeding down the highway at 100 mph, as routine as the daily grind of a 9-5 job, and as bold as investing everything into a fledgling business. Yet, in its essence, risk is not inherently special; it is merely a canvas, waiting for one’s mindset to paint the outcome.

For me, embracing risk has been a profound journey of highs and lows. It was risk that led me to the precipice of homelessness, leaving me adrift in a sea of uncertainty, at rock bottom with no compass to guide me. In these moments, engulfed by the shadows of despair, the very concept of risk seemed like a cruel jest.

However, the same force that once pushed me to the edge also ushered me into realms of unimaginable success. Just five years from the nadir of despair, risk transformed my life, allowing me to retire early and construct a monumental home for my family—a bastion of safety and prosperity built from the bricks of audacity and hope.

Taking risks is not merely a gamble; it is the essence of seizing opportunities. I have yet to encounter a soul who achieved greatness without stepping into the arena of risk. Conversely, I have not known anyone who faced homelessness without also having danced with risk. This duality highlights a universal truth: risk is an impartial arbiter in the game of life, offering both opportunities for triumph and lessons in defeat.

I choose to welcome risk with open arms, embracing it as the universe’s mechanism for presenting grand opportunities—to soar to dizzying heights or to stumble and gather wisdom from the fall. Each venture into the unknown is underpinned by this philosophy, framing risk not as a threat but as an invitation. An invitation to challenge the status quo, to innovate, to live fervently.

Ultimately, how we approach risk defines our trajectory. It molds our experiences, crafts our legacies, and shapes the narratives of our lives. Whether we rise to the challenge or retreat, whether we flourish or falter, it is, without exception, our decision to make. Embrace risk, for in its embrace lies the potential to shape your destiny, to redefine your boundaries, and to truly play the grand, tumultuous, exhilarating game of life.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
My story unfolds not as a saga of triumphs and accolades, but as an odyssey marked by the resilience of the human spirit in the face of life’s relentless adversities. It’s not the gleam of success that defines the essence of my journey, but the somber reflection on the innumerable moments when surrender seemed inevitable, yet was courageously defied.

Picture this: Alone in the quiet of my car, under the cold glow of streetlights, the path of least resistance whispered seductively. At the deepest, darkest troughs of my existence, where despair clawed at my soul and thoughts of ending it all seemed like a solace, I found within me a spark of defiance. As job after job slipped through my fingers, each termination a blow to my dignity, the easy way out beckoned with its siren song. And when my first venture crumbled into dust, the taste of failure so bitter in my mouth, surrender loomed as a sweet escape.

In each of these crucibles, I stood on the precipice of giving in, the chorus of defeat resounding loud and clear. Yet, it is not the fall that captivates but the refusal to yield. Every time I was poised to break, something ineffable steadied my resolve. Call it grit, call it resilience; I call it faith. A profound belief in the unseen, a steadfast hope that beyond the stormy now, there lay a dawn of opportunity.

This unwavering faith whispered to me of ‘one day’—a day not defined by the calendar but by the culmination of persistent courage. It was this elusive ‘one day’ that fueled my perseverance, a beacon through my darkest hours. It’s a notion so powerful, it could very well be the cornerstone of my next book, perhaps aptly titled “One Day.” This title would capture the essence of that ceaseless journey towards a day marked by significant change, a moment of profound impact.

Navigating through life’s trials is a universal challenge, a journey that is seldom easy or straightforward for anyone. The most precious piece of wisdom I’ve gleaned—and which I ardently impart—is encapsulated in the simple, yet profound mantra: ‘Just keep going.’ Grant life just ‘One More Day.’ Each day carries the potential for transformation, a chance to turn the tide and redefine one’s destiny. It’s this belief, this commitment to the possibility of tomorrow, that can illuminate the darkest paths and guide us towards a future wrought with purpose and hope.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
That indeed is a compelling inquiry, reflecting the paradox that even as a globe-trotter by profession, the allure of distant lands often overshadows the charm of one’s own vicinity. While I proclaim that I travel for a living, the irony is that I rarely explore the familiar nooks of my own locale. Home, for me, is less about geographical exploration and more a sanctuary for repose and reflection.

However, should a visitor cross my threshold, the ambiance shifts from solitude to one of warm hospitality. I would welcome them into my abode, perhaps offering a cozy seat where we could unwind with fine drinks in hand. Here, amidst the relaxed setting of my living space, the conversation would gently unfurl.

A tour of my library would be inevitable, where rows of books stand as silent testaments to the vast realms of knowledge and thought that have shaped my worldview. It’s within this literary haven that I’d invite my guest to dive into a deeper discourse, probing the essence of their beliefs and perceptions.

My intrinsic fascination has always been with the roots of belief—what drives a person to hold certain views and how they navigate the complexities of their experiences. This curiosity unfolds as I engage in what some might consider an informal interview, querying their philosophies and observing the mechanics of their thought processes. It’s in these moments that the human spirit reveals itself most candidly. Watching the gears turn in their mind, hearing the nuanced articulation of their responses, I glean insights into their personal trials and triumphs.

Such interactions, while perhaps lacking conventional excitement, are profoundly exhilarating to me. There’s an unparalleled thrill in dissecting cognitive processes, in understanding how another’s mind maneuvers through the labyrinth of life’s challenges. For someone like me, who thrives on intellectual engagement, these moments of shared vulnerability and insight are the pinnacle of entertainment.

Thus, while it might not entail adventurous escapades or sightseeing within my own backyard, the true thrill lies in these intimate gatherings—sharing a drink, exchanging ideas, and delving into the intricate dance of dialogue. This, in its essence, is what truly invigorates me and makes my time at home uniquely fascinating and immensely fulfilling.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
In the intricate mosaic of my life, each person is a tile—vibrantly unique, each contributing a hue, a texture to the overarching image of my existence. In this vast assembly, categorizing every individual distinctly as either a student or a teacher simplifies the profound influence each has had on my journey. I have indeed been fortunate, for my path has been aligned with many teachers, each bestowing wisdom and shaping my perspective.

Among this illustrious assembly, one figure stands paramount, a beacon whose impact is immeasurable: Dr. Elizabeth Lynne Barrett. In the narrative of my life, her role is so pivotal that it transcends mere acknowledgment. Her presence in my story is not just notable; it is foundational.

Dr. Barrett is not merely a character in the backdrop of my life’s stage; she is a key protagonist. In 2017, during a period when shadows loomed and the light of hope was but a faint glimmer, she was the architect of my resurgence. To say that she saved my life is no hyperbole. It is a stark reality, underscored by gratitude profound and unyielding.

Her wisdom, her guidance, her unwavering belief in my potential during my most vulnerable moments—these are gifts of immeasurable value. In my book, her name is etched with reverence, and here too, I echo that sentiment with heartfelt sincerity. Without Dr. Barrett, the narrative of my life would have been starkly different, marred perhaps by chapters too painful to recount.

In honoring her, I not only acknowledge the life she helped salvage but also the countless opportunities her intervention has since unfurled before me. Every step I take forward, every success I enjoy, is a testament to her influence—a tribute to the profound act of saving a life and nurturing it to blossom. Her role in my story underscores a powerful truth: sometimes, the most significant teachers are those who teach us how to survive, how to fight, how to thrive, and fundamentally, how to transform despair into a life worth living.

Website: https://stevencrane.com

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/steven-b-crane/