Why Not? The Key to Unlocking Your Potential
with Ryan Lavarnway · hosted by Chris Sund
From a record-setting Major League catcher and World Series champion to a leadership speaker — why resilience, embracing failure, and the simple question “Why not?” are the keys to unlocking your potential.
Episode Summary
Host Chris Sund sits down with Ryan Lavarnway to trace his journey from a Major League Baseball catcher to a sought-after leadership speaker. A World Series champion and Olympian, Ryan shares how resilience, embracing failure, and the power of asking “Why not?” carried him through a record-setting career — and how those same lessons help teams and individuals unlock their own potential.
Key Takeaways
- 01Ryan’s journey from record-setting MLB catcher and World Series champion to leadership speaker.
- 02Why failure is a necessary step on the path to success — and how to learn from the hard moments.
- 03The “Why not?” mindset for overcoming self-doubt and opening doors to new possibilities.
- 04How taking action creates the evidence that builds real, lasting confidence.
- 05Leadership lessons from baseball and business: focus on your strengths and build them strong.
Standout Quotes
Action is what creates evidence to give you confidence.
Never let the fear of striking out stop you from playing the game.
Why not gives you permission to explore possibility.
Episode Chapters
Tap any chapter to jump straight to that moment on YouTube.
02:16Transitioning from Player to CoachPLAY ›
05:04Lessons Learned from AdversityPLAY ›
08:28Navigating Change and SetbacksPLAY ›
12:50Embracing Failure as a Stepping StonePLAY ›
15:10The Power of Action and MindsetPLAY ›
19:55Discovering a New Path in SpeakingPLAY ›
22:01Overcoming Self-Doubt and FearPLAY ›
24:17The Importance of Small WinsPLAY ›
29:30The ‘Why Not’ MindsetPLAY ›
32:35Conclusion and Call to ActionPLAY ›
About Ryan Lavarnway
Ryan Lavarnway is proof that resilience, adaptability, and determination can lead to remarkable success — no matter the odds. Added to and removed from Major League Baseball rosters more than anyone else in history, he overcame every obstacle to build a 10-year MLB career as a catcher, become a World Series champion, and compete as an Olympian.
His journey began at Yale, where he was an NCAA Batting Champion and All-American. On the international stage, Ryan proudly represented Israel as the first captain of Team Israel’s National Team, earning MVP honors at the World Baseball Classic and competing in the 2021 Olympics.
Today, Ryan brings his winning mindset beyond the diamond — helping corporate teams, sales professionals, and aspiring athletes embrace challenges, stay adaptable, and build an unshakable belief in themselves.
Why This Episode Matters
Most people treat failure as something to avoid. Ryan Lavarnway makes the opposite case — that failure is a necessary step on the journey to success, and that the hard moments are exactly where growth happens. Cut and sent back to the minors more times than any player in history, he kept showing up, kept adapting, and kept asking a single question: “Why not me? Why not now?”
At the center of this conversation is the “Why not?” mindset — the permission to explore possibility instead of being stopped by self-doubt and fear. Ryan breaks down why action, not confidence, comes first: it’s the evidence you create through small wins that builds the belief to keep going.
If you lead a team, sell for a living, or are chasing a goal that feels just out of reach, this episode is a reminder that resilience is built, not born — and that the next door opens the moment you ask, “Why not?”
Connect with Ryan Lavarnway
Explore More Episodes
Looking for a speaker like Ryan Lavarnway?
Amplify Speakers connects organizations with world-class keynote speakers on leadership, resilience, peak performance, and building teams that perform under pressure.
Find the Right Speaker