The Klimb with Adrian Branch

What happens when you achieve every goal in life and still feel lost? Jesse Heisler did exactly what he was taught: chase the biggest house, the biggest car, the biggest bank account and call it “the good life.” By 32, he had the toys, the status, and the wins. Sitting alone with all of it, one word cut through the noise: purpose.   We walk through Jesse’s winding path from Southern California to...

In this episode, we’re speaking with UCF men’s basketball head coach Johnny Dawkins, and his story hits every part of what The Klimb is about: resilience, faith, character, and turning setbacks into a better way forward.  The former Duke standout shares insightful lessons from his career in basketball including recovery from a freak injury as a younger player to the Kobe Bryant workout that nearly...

He was an eighth grader testing at a third to fourth grade level in key subjects, getting laughed at when he read out loud, and hearing adults warn him not to bet on athletics. Coach Mike Morrison didn’t deny the struggle, he learned how to climb through it. We talk about dyslexia and learning differences in a real, practical way: what it feels like, why it happens, and the specific tools that hel...

Some stories challenge your definition of success. This one begins with humble origins and big dreams, then winds through boardrooms, hospital wards, and a quiet moment where a young man heard the words that changed everything: you’ve never enjoyed the harvest . Adrian sits down with longtime friend and corporate consultant leader Jonathan Paul to trace how early lessons in sowing and stewardship...

What if the thing that sets you apart isn’t your stat line but your courage to choose a role and master it? That’s the heartbeat of our conversation with basketball Hall of Famer Michael Cooper—5x NBA champion, 1987 Defensive Player of the Year, and title-winning coach in the WNBA, G League, and Big 3—who turned blunt advice into a blueprint for winning on and off the court. We trace Coop’s path f...

From standing tall as a successful businessman to being completely paralyzed overnight, Barry Shore's life took a dramatic turn that would seem unfathomable for most people. Instead, it awakened an extraordinary mission that's inspired countless lives worldwide. Before becoming the "Ambassador of Joy," Shore's resilience was being forged through early life lessons. At just...

What defines your true legacy? For former NC State standout Dereck Whittenburg, it's how many people you've helped along the way—not the trophies, accolades, or championships you've won. As a young boy driving with his father past the White House, Whittenburg wondered what it would be like to meet the president someday. That childhood dream became reality not once but twice, as his...

Ever questioned if you're truly meant for greatness? In this soul-stirring episode, Adrian Branch welcomes two-time Olympic gold medalist Ruthie Bolton for a profound conversation about resilience, faith, and finding purpose through life's toughest challenges. Ruthie takes us back to her humble beginnings as the 16th child in a family of 20 in McLain, Mississippi, where her minister fath...

When Dr. Joel Freeman left home at 17 with just $24 in his pocket, nobody could have predicted his extraordinary journey from self-described "long-haired, hippie, dope-smoking fool" to becoming a respected NBA chaplain, author of 24 books, historian, and mentor to countless individuals including Klimb host Adrian Branch. This powerful conversation reveals the pivotal moments that transfo...

Seth Franco's remarkable journey from basketball prodigy to physical rehabilitation warrior captivates in this deeply moving episode of The Klimb. Touring around the world as a member of the iconic Harlem Globetrotters, Seth's meteoric rise in professional basketball came to an abrupt halt when doctors discovered he had been born with hip dysplasia. By age 23, this undiagnosed condition...

Three-time Olympic gold medalist Leah Amico reveals the surprising turning point that transformed her softball career and life trajectory. What looked like a demotion—being moved from pitcher to outfield during her sophomore year at the University of Arizona—became the very opportunity that unlocked her Olympic dreams. With remarkable candor, Leah shares how she approached this pivotal moment with...

What does it take to rise from sleeping on a chair in the Bridgeport, CT projects to becoming a three-time All-American, professional athlete, author, entrepreneur, and pastor? Chuck Hatchett's transformative journey reveals the power of resilience in the face of seemingly insurmountable obstacles. Born to a teenage mother and raised in crowded project housing where drug dealers told him &quo...

What happens when life's unexpected disasters become the very training ground that prepares you for championship glory? Nate Burkhalter's remarkable journey reveals exactly that transformative possibility. One moment, Nate was a college student with athletic dreams; the next, he was plunging into a concealed pit of boiling water, suffering second and third-degree burns from his thighs to...

What happens when you grow up believing lies about yourself, only to discover you have the potential for extraordinary leadership? Dr. Brian Williamson's compelling story reveals the transformative power of having someone believe in you when you don't believe in yourself. From navigating through college struggles to becoming a United States Marine, Dr. Williamson's journey began whe...

Jack Easterby's remarkable journey from small-college dual-sport athlete to NFL executive unveils powerful truths about resilience in the face of both extraordinary success and heartbreaking setbacks. With disarming honesty, Jack shares how his early foundation at Newberry College—where he balanced academic excellence with athletic achievement—prepared him for increasingly visible leadership...