A Weekend of Grit, Community, and Heroic Spirit
Something extraordinary is happening this weekend in Arizona, and we want YOU to be part of it.
From Friday afternoon, October 31st through Sunday afternoon, November 2nd, over 2,200 runners and supporters from across Arizona and the country will descend on McDowell Mountain Regional Park for the Ragnar Trail Relay—and Heroic Arizona will be right in the heart of the action.
Meet Team Antifragile
Our Heroic Arizona team isn't just showing up—we're going ALL IN. Team Antifragile will tackle this epic challenge as a running relay, starting at 8:30 AM Saturday morning and pushing through the night until Sunday, covering 120 total trail miles. That's resilience in action. That's what it means to be antifragile.
More Than a Race—It's a Village
Picture this: 2,200 people living together in a vibrant tent village, united by a shared commitment to challenge themselves and celebrate life. There will be food trucks serving up fuel, campfires bringing people together under the stars, outdoor movies, and a festive beer garden where stories of triumph are shared long into the night.
And right in the middle of it all? The Heroic Arizona tent.
Come Experience the Heroic Hub
We're creating something special—a space where participants can:
This is OUR crowd. These are people who wake up early, push their limits, and choose courage over comfort. They're already living heroically—many just don't know there's a community waiting for them.
We Need Heroes Like YOU
Here's your invitation to be part of something bigger: We need volunteers, especially on Sunday from 7:30 AM to 3:30 PM.
Volunteer for just a 4-hour shift and receive:
Whether you're there to support Team Antifragile, work the Heroic Arizona tent, or simply soak in the energy of this incredible gathering—your presence matters.
This Is Our Moment
How often do we get the chance to stand in front of 2,200 people who embody everything we believe in? People who are choosing adventure over apathy, challenge over comfort, and growth over stagnation?
This weekend, Heroic Arizona isn't just attending an event—we're showing up as a beacon for everyone who's ready to live more heroically.
Ready to join us?
Contact Scott McIntosh at Scott.McIntosh@heroicaz.us to volunteer
Let's make this weekend unforgettable. Let's show Arizona and beyond what a community of heroes looks like when we come together.
See you at the trail,
The Heroic Arizona Team
P.S. - Can't volunteer but want to cheer on Team Antifragile? Come by the tent village anytime throughout the weekend. Look for the Heroic Arizona tent—you can't miss us. We're the ones asking everyone about their superpowers.
Day 1. All in. Let's GO!
What happens when 45 passionate Heroes gather in person while another 15+ tune in virtually from Italy, the Netherlands, and across Arizona and the USA? Pure magic.
The October 24th Heroic Arizona event wasn't just a meeting—it was an experience. No PowerPoint slides. No formal presentations. Just Michael Balchan, on fire with energy and engagement, connecting with a community hungry to hear about the transformative changes coming to Heroic.
Stories That Move Us
Michael kicked things off by inviting audience members to share their personal Heroic journeys. The room came alive as individuals, families, nonprofit leaders, and executives from multibillion-dollar businesses testified to one powerful truth: Heroic is changing lives.
These weren't rehearsed testimonials—they were raw, authentic stories of transformation that reminded everyone why this work matters.
Win or Learn: Always Forward
With characteristic transparency, Michael acknowledged past challenges and shared how Heroic is evolving to create an even better first-time experience for newcomers. It's the Heroic way: win or learn, always moving forward.
Then came the exciting part—a preview of major initiatives that Founder and CEO Brian Johnson would soon detail in upcoming communications.
The Future of Heroic: What's Coming
Heroic has entered a bold new phase of growth and focus, with every touchpoint being redesigned to reflect excellence, simplicity, and soul. Here's what's on the horizon:
Philosopher's Notes Reimagined - Relaunching as a standalone experience, this beautiful modern library distills life-changing books into 20-minute wisdom shots you can apply TODAY. Brian's on a mission to share this wisdom with 1 million+ Heroes as he works toward 1,000+ Notes.
Rock Your Goddess Life (RYGL) - Led by Alexandra Johnson, this 12-week journey for women complements the Hero's Journey with essential feminine wisdom. Discover your Goddess Archetype, watch the Masterclass, and transform from the inside out.
Heroic Coach Expanded - With over 10,000 Heroes from 100+ countries already enrolled, the certification program is adding two powerful new pillars: Coaching Excellence and Coaching Prosperity—helping you master yourself, coach others, and make a living doing what you love.
Heroic Workshop Instructor Training Goes Virtual - Game-changer alert! More than 250 Heroes from nearly 20 countries have completed the in-person training. Now, for the first time ever, you can become a certified Heroic Workshop Instructor virtually at a fraction of the previous cost—just $1,000 (down from $5,000).
Arizona Rising: 10 Workshops Becoming 20
Here's where it gets really exciting for our Arizona community.
Several attendees shared powerful testimonials about the Workshop experience—describing how life-changing Heroic tools wrapped into a transformative 4-hour format created breakthrough moments in their lives.
Mark your calendars: January 10, 2026 - the first-ever Global Heroic Workshop Day, with hundreds of workshops in hundreds of cities worldwide. It will be the largest activation of Heroic energy in our history.
Heroic Arizona is proudly supporting this global initiative. We currently have 10 certified Workshop Instructors across the state—and during the October 24th event, we already secured commitments from two more members to get certified.
Our audacious goal? Add 10 more certified instructors by January 10th, bringing our total to 20. That means 20 workshops across Arizona on a single day—changing lives in service of our mission: 51% of humanity flourishing by 2051.
With virtual training now available and the investment reduced to $1,000, there's never been a better time to step into your calling as a Workshop Instructor.
Are you interested to attend a workshop to learn what it’s all about – check out this link for a workshop being held at MAC6 on Sunday, 9 November, 10 AM to 2:30PM.
The Energy is Palpable
This October evening captured everything that makes Heroic special: authentic connection, powerful storytelling, transparency about growth, and an unwavering commitment to helping humanity flourish.
Stay tuned for much more in the coming weeks. The momentum is building, the community is growing, and the impact is accelerating.
Day 1. Let's GO. All in.
— Scott McIntosh, Heroic Arizona Co-Founder
October 16, 2025 | 3 Pillars Performance Center, Tucson, AZ
Something extraordinary happened in Tucson on October 16th. More than an event launch. More than a networking evening. It was the ignition of a movement—one rooted in courage, clarity, and the radical belief that ordinary people can live heroic lives.
The inaugural Heroic Tucson Launch brought together business leaders, professionals, and purpose-driven individuals under one powerful theme: Rise Together | Elevating Tucson to Flourish in Life, Leadership & Legacy. And from the moment the first guest walked through the doors of 3 Pillars Performance Center, it was clear this wouldn't be just another community gathering. The energy was palpable. The connection was real. The transformation had begun.
A Movement Built on Timeless Principles
Heroic isn't new to making an impact. Founded on the philosophy that we can all activate our best selves through intentional practice, Heroic has inspired hundreds of thousands worldwide to close the gap between who they are and who they're capable of becoming. With a proven framework grounded in ancient wisdom and modern science, Heroic empowers individuals to optimize their energy, live with courage, and create meaningful legacies.
The Heroic community spans the globe—from online courses reaching seekers in every time zone to thriving local chapters where philosophy becomes practice, theory transforms into action, and strangers become allies in the pursuit of human excellence.
Now, that transformative energy has arrived in Tucson.
The Visionary Behind the Movement
Before we dive into the evening's magic, we must recognize the woman who made it all possible: Angela McIllece, HeroicAZ Tucson Chapter Leader.
Angela's energy and unwavering commitment to bringing Heroic to Tucson and Southern Arizona transformed a vision into reality. This wasn't just an event she organized—it was a dream she believed into existence. Her dedication to elevating her community, her ability to rally diverse voices around a shared mission, and her embodiment of Heroic principles created the foundation for everything that unfolded on October 16th.
Every meaningful connection made that evening, every inspired conversation, every moment of transformation—it all traces back to Angela's courage to say "yes" to this calling and her relentless work to bring it to life. She didn't just plan an event; she ignited a movement.
Thank you, Angela, for your soul force, your leadership, and your belief that Tucson deserves to rise together.
An Evening That Embodied Excellence
The Heroic Tucson Launch was a masterclass in meaningful event design. Every detail—from the intimate venue setup to the carefully curated program—reflected the Heroic ideals of clarity, energy, courage, and community.
Speakers Who Moved Hearts and Minds
Karla Bernal Morales and Oscar Lizardi delivered talks that weren't just heard—they were felt. Both speakers emphasized courage, integrity, and community engagement with an authenticity that left the audience visibly moved. These weren't polished corporate presentations. They were personal Heroic journeys shared vulnerably, powerfully, and with profound impact.
As one attendee reflected: "The speaker stories were everything."
A Workshop That Sparked Transformation
Noé Arroyo Williams facilitated a mini-workshop on Antifragility that brought Heroic philosophy to life. With energy and vulnerability, Noé guided participants through genuine reflection and connection—demonstrating how embracing challenge makes us stronger, not weaker. The session perfectly embodied Heroic's commitment to practical wisdom: not just inspiring people, but equipping them with tools to flourish.
Introductions That Elevated the Evening
Steve Weaver's captivating introductions set the tone beautifully, grounding each speaker in purpose and elevating the collective experience. His words reminded everyone in the room why they were there—not just to attend an event, but to be part of something larger than themselves.
Moments That Reminded Us What Matters
In a particularly touching moment, Scott McIntosh acknowledged a 57-year marriage—a living testament to the legacy and commitment Heroic celebrates. It was one of many micro-moments throughout the evening that reinforced the event's emotional heart: this work isn't abstract; it's about real people living real heroic lives.
The Anthem That United Us All
If there was a single moment that captured the essence of the evening, it was the Heroic Tucson Anthem video that served as the finale. Attendees were visibly moved. Some wiped away tears. Others sat in inspired silence.
"The video brought it all together," one participant shared. "It perfectly summed up the spirit of Heroic Tucson."
It was more than a video—it was a rallying cry. A reminder of why this movement matters. A call to rise together.
The Results Speak for Themselves
The post-event feedback wasn't just positive—it was overwhelming:
The comments poured in:
"Great job with the launch! So glad I came!"
"Thank you for all the work and creativity in pulling this together!"
"The overall flow and energy of the evening was incredible."
What Makes Heroic Different
In a world saturated with self-help programs and leadership seminars, Heroic stands apart. Here's why:
Philosophy Meets Practice. Heroic doesn't just preach principles—it provides a proven framework for living them. Every concept is actionable, every teaching is testable, and every practice is designed to close the gap between knowledge and embodiment.
Ancient Wisdom, Modern Science. Drawing from Stoic philosophy, positive psychology, and peak performance research, Heroic synthesizes timeless truths with cutting-edge insights. The result? A comprehensive system for human optimization that actually works.
Community That Cares. This isn't about individual achievement at the expense of connection. Heroic builds communities of allies—people committed to showing up for themselves and each other. The Tucson launch proved this beautifully, with authentic conversations and connections at every table.
Measurable Impact. Heroic isn't interested in feel-good platitudes. The framework is built on measurable practices that compound over time: daily energy optimization, courage-building micro-actions, and legacy-defining decisions. Small steps. Big transformation.
Global Movement, Local Heart. While Heroic's reach is worldwide, its impact is deeply personal and locally rooted. The Tucson chapter joins a growing network of sub-chapters across Arizona and beyond—each bringing Heroic principles to life in their unique communities.
Looking Forward: A Vision Taking Shape
The Heroic Tucson Launch was just the beginning. Under Angela McIllece's continued leadership, the chapter is building toward something extraordinary. As the team looks ahead to the November 13th gathering and beyond, the vision is crystal clear:
Join the Movement
The question isn't whether Tucson needs this movement. October 16th proved it already does—and the community is ready.
The real question is: Will you answer the call?
Whether you're a business leader seeking to elevate your impact, a professional hungry for deeper meaning, or simply someone who knows there's more to life than going through the motions—Heroic Tucson has a place for you.
What happens when you put 2,000 people in the Arizona wilderness for 48 hours, ask them to run 120 miles as a team, and invite them to live in tents with bonfires and beer?
You get Ragnar Trail Relay McDowell Mountain—and this Halloween weekend, Heroic Arizona is diving in headfirst.
The Challenge
Our eight-person team, Team Antifragile, will be out there from Friday afternoon through Sunday, taking turns running three different trail courses through day and night. Eight people. 120 miles total. One unforgettable test of what we're made of.
If you've never experienced a Ragnar event, picture this: a temporary village complete with food trucks, campfires crackling under the stars, exhausted runners cheering each other on at 3 AM, and a community of people who've chosen to do something hard together.
It's messy. It's uncomfortable. It's exactly the kind of challenge that reveals who we are and who we're becoming.
The Opportunity (And the Question)
Here's where it gets interesting.
Ragnar invited us to partner with them by co-sponsoring the event's beer garden—a race tradition where runners celebrate their achievements and refuel between shifts. It's a fundraising opportunity that would put us in front of over 2,000 like-minded people who are literally living out the values we teach: pushing themselves, supporting their teammates, and choosing growth over comfort.
But there's an obvious tension here. At Heroic, we're all about optimal health. We don't promote alcohol—not because we judge anyone who drinks, but because it simply doesn't align with peak performance and wellbeing.
So what do we do with an opportunity that's perfectly aligned with our values in every way except one?
The Solution: Partnership Over Purity
We said yes. But we did it thoughtfully.
We've partnered with Rodney Smith and Grow Space Kitchen, a local startup focused on providing nutritious school lunches to kids who need them. All proceeds from the beer garden will support their school lunch program.
We're also partnering with The Shop Beer Co, a Tempe craft brewer who's created custom cans celebrating this collaboration—souvenir items for participants that mark this weekend's achievement.
Here's the setup: Two side-by-side tents at the race village.
Tent One (Grow Space Kitchen / Beer Garden): Craft beer and non-alcoholic beverages, fundraising for children's nutrition.
Tent Two (Heroic Arizona): Our home base for connecting with runners, sharing our mission, and inviting people into the work we're doing.
Are we going to keep these completely separate? Of course not. We're going to celebrate every single person at that event—because that's who we are.
Why This Matters
Here's what we believe: Connection over separation. Showing up over staying pure. Meeting people where they are while inviting them toward something more.
These 2,000 runners? They're our people. They've chosen to do hard things. They're supporting each other through the night. They're proving what's possible when you commit fully to a goal.
Yes, some of them will celebrate with a beer. And yes, we'll be right there—supporting a cause we believe in while sharing a vision of what optimal living looks like.
How You Can Be Part of This
We need volunteers for both tents—and here's what's in it for you:
You'll get a special Team Antifragile shirt (check out the design below—it's fantastic).
You'll be part of an incredible community gathering with over 2,000 people who are choosing challenge over comfort.
You'll help support a school lunch program that's getting nutritious food to kids who need it.
You'll represent Heroic Arizona to a whole new audience of people who might be ready for what we offer.
Volunteer Shifts Needed:
Whether you want to work the beer garden (supporting Grow Space Garden's cause), staff the Heroic Arizona tent (sharing our mission), or just show up to cheer on Team Antifragile—we'd love to have you.
The Bottom Line
This weekend isn't about alcohol. It's not even really about running.
It's about a community of people who understand that growth happens outside our comfort zones. It's about showing up, supporting each other, and proving what's possible when we commit.
And it's about Heroic Arizona being willing to step into new spaces, meet new people, and trust that our values are strong enough to stand on their own—even next to a beer tent.
Want to volunteer? Reply to this post or contact us at [contact information]. Let us know which shifts work for you and which tent you'd prefer.
Want to follow along? Watch for updates on [social media channels] throughout the weekend. We'll be sharing the highs, the lows, and everything in between as Team Antifragile takes on 120 miles together.
Let's see what we're made of.
In energy, work, and love, The Heroic Arizona Team
We live in an age of fracture. Political divides have deepened into chasms that separate not just strangers on social media, but friends across dinner tables and family members at holiday gatherings. Too often, we've witnessed—or experienced firsthand—relationships strained or even severed because we've collectively decided that certain topics are simply "off limits."
This past weekend, I found myself at a new neighbor's home where politics inevitably surfaced in conversation. As passion rose in one participant's voice, the rest of us began an awkward dance—stepping carefully around land mines, retreating from engagement, protecting ourselves from potential conflict. We escaped unscathed, but also unchanged and, perhaps, a little more distant.
This epidemic of conversational avoidance represents more than mere social discomfort. It signals a failure of one of humanity's most essential skills: the ability to navigate disagreement without destroying connection.
At Heroic Arizona, our primary focus is building local community—but not community defined by political alignment or religious uniformity. We're gathering people who are like-minded in a deeper sense: individuals committed to being the best they can be in life, work, and relationships, while helping others in their circles of influence do the same.
This commitment to human flourishing inevitably creates beautiful diversity. When you gather people around the shared pursuit of optimal living—integrating ancient wisdom, modern positive psychology, and practical tools for thriving—you attract people from vastly different backgrounds, with different political perspectives, varied religious beliefs, and diverse life experiences.
That's not a bug in our system; it's a feature.
As we exchange ideas and learn from each other, we focus primarily on best practices: What's working? How are you implementing these principles? What have you discovered? But here's the reality we can't ignore: if we're serious about our vision of a world where 51 percent of humanity is flourishing, we cannot sidestep the difficult conversations about the challenges that divide us.
We don't seek conflict for its own sake. But we refuse to let discomfort prevent us from engaging with the very real issues that affect human flourishing. And so, in that spirit, Heroic Arizona offers these suggestions—not as abstract theory, but as practical tools to help each of us lean into, rather than run from, the sometimes difficult conversations we actually need.
For decades, I've followed the work of Dr. Chester L. Karrass, a master teacher of negotiation. Most people don't think of a heart-to-heart conversation with a friend or family member as a "negotiation," but that's precisely what it is when viewpoints differ. You're not negotiating a contract or a salary—you're negotiating understanding, respect, and the possibility of changed minds or, at minimum, preserved relationships.
The art of negotiation isn't about winning; it's about navigating complexity with skill, patience, and strategic grace. And from a heroic perspective, these are tools we desperately need in our heroic toolkit.
Dr. Karrass offers eight principles for persuading someone to accept your viewpoint. I'd like to share them here, framed through our heroic lens—because the courage to engage authentically with those who disagree with us may be one of the most heroic acts available to us today.
1. Talk less, listen more.
The heroic impulse might be to speak truth boldly, but true courage often lies in the discipline of silence. When you give someone the space to be fully heard, you gain insights into not just their position, but the experiences and values that shaped it. Listening is an act of respect that invites reciprocity. The other person will be far more attentive to your perspective once they feel you've genuinely received theirs.
In our Heroic Arizona community, this principle is foundational. We're not trying to create echo chambers where everyone already agrees. We're creating spaces where diverse perspectives can be genuinely heard—because that's where real learning happens.
2. Don't interrupt.
Interruption is a form of dismissal. It says, "What I have to say matters more than what you're saying." It triggers defensiveness and closes doors to understanding. The heroic conversationalist exercises the self-control to let ideas land completely before responding—even when every fiber wants to correct, clarify, or counter.
3. Don't be belligerent.
When we feel strongly about something—and these days, who doesn't?—harshness comes more naturally than gentleness. But an aggressive tone produces defensive reactions, not open minds. A soft-spoken approach, delivered with conviction rather than aggression, invites the same in return. Remember: you're trying to change someone's mind, not bludgeon them into submission.
If our goal is truly human flourishing, we must model the very qualities we hope to cultivate: strength tempered with grace, conviction paired with humility.
4. Don't hurry to bring up your own points.
Patience is heroic. There's tremendous power in fully receiving someone's complete viewpoint before offering your own. This isn't weakness or capitulation—it's strategic wisdom. You can't effectively respond to what you haven't fully understood, and premature presentation of your position often means the other person stops listening, already formulating their rebuttal.
5. Restate the other person's position and objectives as soon as you understand them.
"What I hear you saying is..." This simple practice is transformative. It demonstrates that you've truly listened, forces you to understand their perspective accurately, and creates a foundation of good faith. People don't need you to agree with them to feel respected—they need to know they've been heard. This costs you nothing and opens everything.
This practice aligns perfectly with the Heroic Arizona approach. We're here to understand best practices and learn from each other—and you can't learn from someone whose position you haven't accurately understood.
6. Identify the key issue and stick to it.
Difficult conversations often sprawl into tangential arguments that obscure the central disagreement. The heroic conversationalist identifies the core issue and returns to it repeatedly. Cover one point at a time. Don't attempt to overwhelm with a barrage of arguments. Depth trumps breadth in changing minds.
7. Don't digress and try to keep the other person from digressing.
Three tactics help here: temporarily agree on nonessential points to move forward, agree to discuss some issues later, and gently identify when something isn't relevant to the central question. This requires both clarity of purpose and diplomatic skill—heroic qualities both.
8. Be "for" a point of view, not "against" one.
Framing matters enormously. When you position yourself as advocating FOR something rather than AGAINST your conversation partner's position, you reduce defensiveness and create space for alignment. You're inviting them toward something compelling, not attacking what they already hold dear.
At Heroic Arizona, we're FOR human flourishing. We're FOR optimal living. We're FOR helping each person become the best version of themselves. This positive framing creates space for people with vastly different political or religious views to find common ground in shared aspirations.
Perhaps the most crucial insight Karrass offers is this: changing someone's mind takes time.
You're asking someone to exchange your new ideas for their old ones—to discard what has become familiar, comfortable, perhaps even part of their identity. Right or wrong, people grow attached to their viewpoints the way they grow attached to old friends. Expecting someone to make an immediate shift is unrealistic and unfair.
Give people time to assimilate what you've shared. Let your ideas marinate. The conversation that matters most is often the one that continues in someone's mind after you've parted ways.
This is why building ongoing community matters so much. A single conversation rarely transforms anyone. But sustained relationships, where diverse perspectives engage repeatedly over time, create the conditions for genuine growth and understanding.
The heroic path isn't to avoid difficult conversations or to wage them like battles where only one side can win. The heroic path is to engage with skill, patience, and genuine respect for the humanity of the person across from you.
We have a choice: we can continue to retreat into ideological bunkers, surrounding ourselves only with those who already agree with us, or we can develop the tools and courage to bridge the divides that threaten our relationships and our communities.
The stakes are high. When we lose the ability to talk with those who see the world differently, we don't just lose conversations—we lose relationships, we lose community, and we lose our capacity to solve problems together. And we certainly can't build a world where 51 percent of humanity is flourishing if we can't even talk to half of humanity.
These principles from Karrass aren't just negotiation tactics. They're heroic tools for an age that desperately needs bridge-builders. At Heroic Arizona, we're committed to building community that can hold these difficult conversations—not because we enjoy conflict, but because we're serious about human flourishing, and that requires us to engage with the real challenges that divide us.
Add these tools to your heroic toolkit. Practice them at neighborhood gatherings, family dinners, and in those charged moments when politics inevitably surfaces. Practice them in our Heroic Arizona community as we learn from people whose backgrounds and beliefs differ from our own.
The world needs fewer people who know they're right and more people who know how to talk with those who disagree. That's the heroic conversation our moment demands.
What difficult conversation have you been avoiding? What would become possible if you approached it with these tools? And how might you help build the kind of community where such conversations can happen with respect, curiosity, and genuine care for human flourishing?
Learn more about Heroic Arizona and join our community of diverse individuals committed to optimal living at HeroicAZ.us.
This isn’t just another event. This is a beginning.
On October 16, 2025, we will gather in Tucson for the Heroic Tucson Launch—not simply to attend, but to rise. To step into who we are truly capable of being. To declare, together, that we will no longer settle for half-lived lives or half-hearted efforts.
Heroic exists for a single, audacious mission: a world where 51% of humanity is flourishing by 2051. That’s not just a dream. It’s a call to action. And it starts here.
Every one of us has a role to play. In our homes. In our workplaces. In our communities. To lead with more clarity. To live with more energy. To love with more courage. To commit, moment to moment, to being the best version of ourselves—not someday, but today.
Flourishing isn’t for the few. It’s for all of us. And when we choose to rise, we create ripples that change the world around us. This is what Heroic Tucson is about: a community of people committed to showing up differently. Boldly. Heroically.
The launch is not about sitting back and consuming inspiration. It’s about activation. It’s about locking arms with others who refuse to live passively. It’s about standing together as a new kind of community—one that strives, serves, and lifts.
The world doesn’t need more bystanders. It needs more builders. More creators. More everyday heroes who decide, again and again, to rise to the challenge of life.
And that’s what we’re inviting you into.
If your soul stirs at the thought of becoming more—if you’re ready to bring out the best in yourself, your colleagues, your family, your community—then this is your moment.
On October 16th, Heroic Tucson begins. Together, we’ll light a fire that doesn’t stop in Tucson—it spreads across Arizona and beyond.
This is your invitation. Your challenge. Your call to rise.
Will you take your place?
Register
Join us Thursday, September 18th, 5-7 PM for the Heroic Arizona September Member + Guest Meeting
What Is Heroic? Let's Answer This Together
If you've ever struggled to explain what Heroic is to a friend or family member, you're not alone. How do you succinctly capture something that weaves together ancient stoic wisdom, modern positive psychology, and practical behavioral tools? How do you describe a movement that's both deeply personal and globally ambitious—working toward 51% of humanity flourishing by 2051?
The truth is, Heroic isn't just one thing. It's a comprehensive approach to human potential that combines:
But here's what we've discovered: the most powerful way to understand Heroic isn't through explanation—it's through story.
A Different Kind of Meeting: Your Stories Matter
This September gathering marks a pivotal shift in how we build community together. In past meetings, we've focused heavily on teaching and presenting. While education matters, we've realized something crucial: real community engagement happens when we learn from each other's lived experiences.
As we prepare to expand Heroic throughout Arizona—from our established Phoenix community to our historic Tucson launch in October—we need to model what authentic local community looks like. That means moving beyond one-way teaching to genuine two-way sharing.
The Roundtable Magic We're Bringing to You
Our weekly Heroic Arizona roundtables have become something special. While we always include a brief teaching moment, the real transformation happens when participants share their heroic journeys with each other. We're bringing this proven format to our September meeting.
Come prepared to share:
Your Hero Bar
What's something significant you accomplished or overcame this past week? This could be:
Your Micro Moment of Awesome ✨
What small action did you take that made someone smile or changed a life in some tiny way? Remember:
Why Your Story Matters
When you share your hero bar, you're not just celebrating your growth—you're giving others permission to see what's possible. When you describe your micro moment of awesome, you're demonstrating how Heroic principles show up in daily life.
This is how we answer "What is Heroic?"—not through abstract concepts, but through concrete examples of real people living with greater purpose, vitality, and joy.
Our Mission in Action
At Heroic, we're on a mission to help people and teams express their full potential and live with greater purpose, vitality and joy, so together we can help 51% of humanity flourish by 2051. Our vision is to make personal development accessible to everyone.
But missions aren't fulfilled through corporate strategies alone. They're fulfilled when individuals like you discover their heroic potential and share it with their community. They're fulfilled when local gatherings become laboratories for human flourishing.
The Bigger Picture: Building Arizona's Foundation
This September meeting launches our most ambitious fall season yet:
Each event builds on the last, and it all starts with the authentic community connections we'll forge on September 19th.
Ready to Share Your Heroic Journey?
Whether you're new to Heroic or a longtime community member, come prepared to:
This isn't just another meeting—it's a chance to be part of something historic. As we build the Heroic movement across Arizona, your story becomes part of the larger narrative of human potential and community transformation.
When: Thursday, September 18th, 5-7 PM Register: heroicaz.us/event-6242847
Come as you are. Bring your stories. Let's discover together what it truly means to be Heroic.
Ready to be part of Arizona's growing community of heroes? Your story matters, your journey inspires others, and your presence makes our mission stronger. We can't wait to celebrate your hero bars and micro moments of awesome with you.
#HeroicAZ #CommunityStories #ArizonaHeroes #BeHeroic
This has been a profound week for me personally. Jim Redpath, the mentor whose philosophy shaped my approach to leadership and life, passed away. As I've reflected on his incredible legacy, I felt called to celebrate his life through the lens of everything I believe about heroism, culture-building, and creating positive change.
Jim Redpath embodied what it truly means to be a hero throughout his remarkable life. At its core, heroism is about having the strength to care deeply, to act with integrity, and to make sacrifices for the greater good. As the founder of what became The Redpath Group, a billion-dollar global mining contracting business, he didn't just build a company—he created a philosophy that continues to ripple through countless lives more than six decades later. My story is just a very small part of Jim's legacy, but it illustrates the transformative power of a leader who understood that true success comes from touching lives, not just building businesses.
The Unconventional Beginning
In 1962, most underground mining contractors followed the same path: work your way up from laborer to supervisor to manager, then after a decade or two, strike out on your own. Jim Redpath rewrote that script. At just 26 years old, armed with a mining engineering degree and a revolutionary vision, he started J.S. Redpath Limited with an audacious belief: engineering expertise could transform how vertical shaft construction was done.
His early brochures captured the adventurous spirit that would define Redpath. One showed Jim swimming next to an iceberg while his company supported a far northern mine with a cable car system extending high to a cliff, where Redpath employees—true mountaineers—created access for miners to excavate into the side of the cliff. That photo changed my life. As a young civil engineer working at Climax Molybdenum Company in Colorado in 1974, I saw that image and said to myself: "I need to figure out how to work for this company."
The Philosophy That Changed Everything
What made Jim different wasn't just his engineering background or entrepreneurial spirit—it was his philosophy. From the beginning, he established that "the focus of every employee must be on doing a good job for the client" with guidelines built on being "honest, fair and responsible" and "safety first, last and always."
When I finally joined Redpath in 1979 at their new US headquarters in Tempe, Arizona, I was immediately exposed to what we called the Redpath Philosophy and Guidelines for Success. These weren't just words on a wall—they were living principles that guided every decision, every project, every interaction.
The Master of Questions
Jim possessed a remarkable gift: the art of asking questions. During project reviews, his questions seemed unending. You had better be prepared when you participated in a meeting with Jim. But here's what made him extraordinary—his questions were never meant to put anyone to shame. His curiosity and methodology always led individuals to become better people and engineers.
This questioning approach became part of who I am. Like Jim, I became deeply curious about people and ideas. Some might wonder how long these questions can go on, but Jim taught me that curiosity is the gateway to growth. His deep caring came through in every interaction, never making people feel diminished, but always challenging them to rise higher.
The University of Redpath
Perhaps the most remarkable testament to Jim's impact was something we called "The University of Redpath"—not a university in the traditional sense, but a place where everyone learned and grew. The curious fact was that most of our competition had come through Redpath. Our best competitors had grown up in our organization first.
But here's the beautiful paradox: we loved our competition because they shared our same values and did mine contracting the right way—caring about customers and employees. We were fierce competitors, but competitors with whom we could always share a beer at the end of the day. Jim hadn't just built a company; he had launched an entire movement of ethical, innovative mining contractors around the world.
The Mentorship That Transformed My Life
In 1993, during a major industry downturn, Jim faced a difficult decision: sell or shut down the engineering division that was losing money. The entrepreneur in me rose to the occasion. Between Jim and me, an idea emerged—I would buy two-thirds of the failing engineering business.
The rules were simple: I had put cash into the business, but Redpath wouldn't put in another cent. If I failed, I would lose my investment. But the real treasure wasn't the business opportunity—it was that Jim became my mentor.
Jim had pursued his passion for art and had an office on Main Street in North Bay, filled with amazing high-end art. I would bring sub sandwiches to meet with him, and he would ask questions in the way he always did—challenging me constantly. What a gift.
Jim met with me regularly during those early months, bringing submarine sandwiches to his art-filled office on Main Street in North Bay. He would ask his characteristic penetrating questions, challenging me to think differently about every aspect of the business. When I was running the engineering business while trying to do everything myself—including the accounting—Jim saw I was spread too thin. He told me I had to hire an accountant. When I said I couldn't afford to, he said, "You can't afford not to."
Jim understood something I was too close to see: I could do the accounting, but that didn't mean I should be doing the accounting. With a desperate need to generate revenue, I had much better things to focus on. His lesson wasn't really about accounting—it was about learning to build a team and recognizing that trying to do everything yourself is a recipe for failure.
He was right, of course. That lesson about building teams and focusing on what only I could do has governed every business decision I've made since.
The Steward of a Legacy
Throughout my entrepreneurial journey, I never felt like just a business owner. I felt like a steward of the legacy Jim had built. Even as we evolved from Redpath McIntosh to McIntosh Redpath to ultimately McIntosh Engineering, we maintained Jim's philosophy and guidelines for success firmly in place.
When we created our own mission and vision statement, we developed what we called the "McIntosh Engineering Commitments Statement"—a unique blend of purpose, values, and safety commitments. It embodied Jim's original philosophy while adapting to our specific mission. Our commitment statement became our culture, and I didn't realize the power of a strong culture until many years later.
When Stantec acquired McIntosh Engineering in 2008, something remarkable happened. Our commitments statement was on every employee's desk, and Stantec employees who integrated with our business wanted their own copy. Jim's influence had expanded to touch even more lives.
High-Performing Teams: Jim's Living Legacy
The lessons I learned from Jim continue to guide my work with MAC6 and Heroic Arizona, particularly in developing high-performing teams:
Trust: Jim built a culture that created deep trust. His focus on what was in the best interest of the customer long-term solved nearly every people issue we faced.
Productive Conflict: At Redpath, we had strong personalities who shared their opinions forcefully in meetings, sometimes with colorful field construction language. But it rarely got personal because we cared about each other and our customers. This productive conflict, grounded in shared values and trust, made us stronger.
Commitment: We were all committed to Jim and the culture he had built. We were going to compete and win, together.
Mutual Accountability: Everything was done as a team. We were accountable to each other, and with that philosophy, we couldn't fail.
Focus on Results: Behind all the caring and culture was a fierce focus on outcomes. The northern Canadian wilderness environment that shaped Jim taught us that obstacles make us stronger, and bottom-line results were necessary for survival and success.
The Ripple Effect Continues
My story is just one thread in the vast tapestry of lives Jim touched. Each member of the Redpath family has their own story of how Jim influenced their life, their career, their understanding of what it means to lead with integrity. Hundreds, if not thousands, of individuals—customers, employees, competitors who learned from him—carry forward his philosophy into their own lives and organizations.
Even though I separated from Redpath when engineering split off, I have always felt and been welcomed by many as part of the Redpath family. The values Jim instilled, the philosophy he created, the culture he built—these became part of who I am, regardless of where my career path led me. And I know I'm not alone in this feeling. Jim had a unique ability to make people feel they belonged to something bigger than themselves, something that transcended any single project or employment relationship.
This is the true power of heroism: the ripple effect of small actions, multiplied through hundreds of lives. Jim understood something profound about leadership—that our micro moments, those brief interactions where we touch another person's life with a thoughtful question, genuine care, or unwavering integrity, create waves that extend far beyond what we can see.
All of us who were shaped by Jim's leadership—whether we stayed with Redpath our entire careers or went on to start our own companies—became carriers of his philosophy. We learned to ask better questions, to put the customer first, to prioritize safety above all else, to be honest and fair and responsible. We took these lessons and applied them in boardrooms and underground construction sites, in our own businesses and in our relationships with our own employees and families.
Our Call to Continue the Legacy
We've seen how Jim's approach to business created not just successful projects but successful people. We've witnessed how his commitment to asking the right questions, caring deeply about outcomes, and never compromising on values created a culture that transcended any individual location or project. Many of us have taken these principles to other companies, other industries, other parts of the world—but we remain connected by the common foundation Jim gave us.
The mining industry today is better because Jim Redpath showed us all a different way to do business. The hundreds of people who learned from him directly, and the thousands more who learned from us, carry forward a tradition of excellence, integrity, and genuine care that extends far beyond any single company's success.
Jim's life teaches us that true leadership isn't about the size of your company or the scope of your influence—it's about how deeply you care, how consistently you live by your principles, and how many lives you touch with integrity and service. Whether someone spent two years or twenty years with Redpath, whether they're still there today or moved on decades ago, whether they're part of the Redpath family or simply aspire to create something similar—Jim's influence shows us what's possible when we lead with purpose.
We all have opportunities each and every day to touch the lives of others. Let's all think like Jim, act with curiosity and genuine care, and remember that our small actions can create massive ripple effects in the lives we encounter.
We honor Jim Redpath by continuing to live the philosophy he taught us. We celebrate his life by staying committed to the guidelines for success he established. In doing so, we ensure that his ripples continue to spread through our own careers, our own teams, our own families—creating waves of positive change that will touch generations to come.
The University of Redpath never really closed. It just spread to wherever each of us landed. And that's exactly how Jim would have wanted it.
In memory of Jim Redpath - Founder, mentor, and inspiration to countless lives. His legacy lives on in every person who chooses to lead with integrity, serve customers first, and build others up along the way.
Some cities have a heartbeat you can feel before you see their skyline. Tucson is one of them. It’s a city defined not by towering skyscrapers but by something far more enduring—its people, its resilience, and the sense of connection that weaves through every neighborhood, from the foothills of the Catalinas to the murals of South Tucson. It’s a place where cultures, histories, and ideas intersect in ways that create a richness few places can match.
The desert itself teaches us what it means to thrive in the face of challenge. Here, life survives—and even flourishes—amid extremes. It adapts, endures, and evolves. Tucsonans know this instinctively. We’ve seen our city meet adversity with grit and ingenuity, whether it’s confronting economic shifts, navigating public health crises, or responding to the growing complexities of our world.
But resilience alone isn’t enough. In a time marked by polarization, burnout, and uncertainty, we need more than the ability to get through—we need the tools and the vision to rise. That’s where Heroic Tucson comes in.
Heroic is a global movement with an audacious goal: to help create a world in which 51% of humanity is flourishing by 2051. Flourishing is not a vague feel-good idea—it’s a measurable state of living in alignment with our highest values, building strong relationships, maintaining physical and mental vitality, and contributing meaningfully to something larger than ourselves. Heroic blends ancient wisdom with modern science to help individuals, leaders, and communities cultivate the virtues that make this kind of life possible—Wisdom, Discipline, Courage, Love, Hope, Gratitude, Curiosity, and Zest.
Heroic Tucson is the Southern Arizona chapter of this movement, serving not just the city of Tucson but communities throughout the region. Our principal endeavor is simple but profound: educate, connect, and inspire individuals and enterprises to live and lead heroically—together.
Tucson is a natural choice for this work. It’s a university city brimming with curiosity and research. It’s a military city where service, leadership, and sacrifice are lived realities. It’s an arts city that understands the power of beauty to shape how we see ourselves and one another. And perhaps most importantly, it’s a city rich in cultural heritage—especially the deep influence of Native American and Hispanic traditions—which gives Tucson its own distinct identity and soul.
Even though I’ve only lived here for just over a year, I’ve been struck by how deeply people are rooted to this place. Again and again, I’ve met Tucsonans who tell me they grew up here, left for college or a job, and couldn’t wait to return. Others came for work, fell in love with the city, and are determined never to leave.
Unlike many places that are a patchwork of transplants, Tucson’s culture runs deep—born of generations who have built their lives here, shaped by a blended heritage, and enriched by those who choose it as their forever home. In this way, Tucson stands in contrast to greater Phoenix, which—though vibrant in its own way—has a more transient, less cohesive cultural identity. Tucson’s cultural roots give it both stability and a sense of belonging that’s rare in today’s mobile world.
Heroic principles thrive in environments like this—where diversity of thought and experience are valued, where community is not just an abstract ideal but a daily practice. By bringing Heroic to Southern Arizona, we’re tapping into a region that already knows the importance of both individual excellence and collective well-being.
Because the challenges we face aren’t waiting. The pace of change is accelerating. Mental health challenges are on the rise. Trust in institutions is wavering. Many people feel disconnected—from themselves, from one another, and from a sense of purpose. In Southern Arizona, as in communities everywhere, there’s a hunger for something that can anchor us in turbulent times and remind us of what’s possible when we act with clarity and conviction.
Heroic offers more than inspiration—it offers a framework. Through practical tools, intentional community, and the shared pursuit of virtue, we can transform that hunger into action. We can equip people not just to survive the challenges of today, but to meet them with strength, optimism, and a willingness to lead.
The launch of Heroic Tucson is not the creation of just another networking group or professional association. It’s the beginning of a movement in Southern Arizona—a gathering of people who are ready to commit to living and leading at their highest potential, and to helping others do the same. Business leaders, educators, military veterans, nonprofit advocates, parents, students, creatives—every voice and every perspective adds to the strength of this work.
Through workshops, community gatherings, and collaborative action, we’ll translate the Heroic mission into tangible local impact. We’ll create spaces where people can challenge themselves and each other, share wisdom, and find ways to contribute to the flourishing of our region—not someday, but now.
We stand at a unique point in time. The old ways of working, leading, and living are no longer enough. The problems we face are complex, but so is our capacity for ingenuity and compassion. In Southern Arizona, we have the diversity, creativity, and resilience to be a model for what flourishing can look like—if we choose to build it together.
The desert teaches us that growth is possible in even the harshest conditions, but only if we work with intention. Heroic Tucson is here to help us do exactly that.
Tucson is ready. Southern Arizona is ready. The time is now. Let’s build something heroic—together.
Angela McIllece is a Heroic Coach, certified Heroic Workshop Instructor, and founder of Soul Force Strategies, and Chapter Leader for Heroic Tucson. A military spouse of 30 years, she has moved 19 times to different places across the country and the world—including India and Colombia—bringing a lifetime of adaptability, community building, and leadership experience to her work. Since moving to Tucson in 2024, Angela has embraced the city’s rich culture and community spirit, and is committed to helping Southern Arizona flourish—one heroic day at a time.
From local chapter to global movement: scaling the teach-the-teacher model one community at a time
In our previous blog, we explored the beautiful paradox of human flourishing—how we can experience deep meaning and growth even while navigating pain, anxiety, and sadness. Understanding this intellectually is one thing. Living it sustainably? That almost always requires community.
The transformation from seeing emotions as problems to seeing them as information happens best in relationship with others who are on the same journey. This is where Heroic Arizona comes in—not just as a local community, but as a pioneering model for how the broader Heroic mission can scale globally.
Heroic's audacious goal is to help 51% of humanity flourish by 2051. The strategy isn't top-down programs—it's the patient work of building local communities where people can embody these principles and naturally teach them to others. One person becoming a teacher at a time. One local community at a time.
Heroic Arizona serves as both a thriving regional network and a crucial testing ground for this global vision. As one of the first formalized regional entities, we're developing the blueprint that informal Heroic meetups worldwide can use to evolve into sustainable local communities.
From Local Paradox to Regional Strategy
Heroic Arizona represents something unique: a regional entity designed to support multiple local communities rather than being a single local community itself. We began with our own paradox—calling ourselves "Heroic Arizona" while hosting primarily in-person events in Tempe, in the East Valley of Greater Phoenix.
As we've evolved, we've discovered our real function is serving as backbone infrastructure for true local communities wherever they naturally form: in Tempe, Central Phoenix, Tucson, at Arizona State University, or any other location where groups gather around shared geography or interests.
Hybrid Model, Global Learning
Our weekly roundtables and monthly meetings operate in hybrid format—both in-person and virtual. People from Tucson regularly participate virtually in our Phoenix-area gatherings. Individuals from other states and countries join our sessions to experience what we're building and consider adapting these approaches to their own contexts. Our quarterly workshops provide deeper structured learning environments.
This hybrid model creates a learning laboratory where emerging communities worldwide can witness our experiments in real-time and adapt our lessons to their unique circumstances.
This October, we're expanding our regional support to include Tucson and Southern Arizona. This represents our evolution from a single local community to regional infrastructure that can support multiple local communities across Arizona.
The most powerful transformation happens in genuine local communities—groups small enough for real relationships, geographically close enough for consistent connection, and culturally coherent enough for deep trust. Our role becomes supporting these communities: providing facilitator training, sharing curricula, creating connections between communities, and maintaining the larger vision.
This expansion lets us test crucial questions: How do we support the birth of new local communities? How do we maintain connection between Tempe, Central Phoenix, Tucson, and future communities without losing the intimacy that makes local community powerful?
Every person who learns to navigate life's paradoxes becomes a teacher for others. Heroic Arizona members are showing up differently in their workplaces, families, and broader communities, creating ripple effects that extend far beyond our formal programming.
The parent who learns to hold space for their teenager's anxiety without rushing to fix it. The manager who creates psychological safety for their team to discuss challenges without shame. These are the multiplier effects that make community-based transformation so powerful.
Meanwhile, virtual participants from around the world witness these transformations and consider how to build similar local communities in their own regions. Every challenge we navigate in supporting multiple local communities becomes part of the playbook for other regional entities worldwide.
What we're building in Arizona is infrastructure for supporting local community transformation at scale. We're developing systems for:
Our evolution from single-location community to regional support infrastructure becomes a crucial model for the global network, directly informing how other regional entities develop worldwide.
As we expand our support to Tucson and Southern Arizona, we're looking for pioneers who want to help build local communities within our growing regional network. This is an opportunity to be part of foundational work: building local community infrastructure that connects to regional support and global mission.
Whether you're in Greater Phoenix, Tucson, or anywhere else in Arizona (or joining virtually from around the world), there are ways to engage: attending our hybrid programming, helping launch new local communities, or learning from our model as you consider what might be possible in your own region.
Heroic Arizona's role extends far beyond state boundaries. As one of the first regional entities in the Heroic network, we're pioneering sustainable infrastructure for local community support. When we reach the goal of 51% of humanity flourishing by 2051, it will be because we learned to build local communities where people can embody life's paradoxes and teach others to do the same—supported by regional infrastructure that provides training, resources, and connection.
And it starts with what we're building together right here in Arizona—one local community at a time.
Ready to be part of pioneering community-based flourishing? Join us for our weekly roundtables or monthly meetings in Phoenix, help us launch our Tucson expansion this October, or connect virtually to learn from our model. Because changing the world happens one local community at a time, and every great movement needs its pioneers.
Visit [link to Tucson expansion info] to learn more about getting involved in Southern Arizona, or reach out to discover how you can help develop the model that's scaling globally.
