We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Louise McEvoy a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Alright, Louise thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. One of our favorite things to brainstorm about with friends who’ve built something entrepreneurial is what they would do differently if they were to start over today. Surely, there are things you’ve learned that would allow you to do it over faster, more efficiently. We’d love to hear how you would go about setting things up if you were starting over today, knowing everything that you already know.
If we were to start over today, we’d take a much simpler, more focused approach. When we first started, we had big ideas, but we realized that trying to do everything at once can be overwhelming and inefficient. We would focus on keeping the core of the business tight—laser-focused on the message and value that we want to bring to our audience—without getting distracted by all the bells and whistles that often come with entrepreneurship.
We learned the hard way that you don’t need to invest in an expensive logo, a flashy website, or elaborate marketing campaigns as soon as we launched. Instead, we would focus on building a strong, authentic personal brand and delivering consistent value to our audience. Word-of-mouth and referrals have been so much more powerful than any advertising we could’ve done in the early days.
Another lesson we’d apply is not trying to scale too quickly. It’s tempting to want to grow fast, but we learned that letting things grow organically, building strong relationships one event at a time, and refining the speaking style and approach along the way has been much more effective than rushing into expansion before the foundation is solid.
In short, we’d focus on simplicity, authenticity, and organic growth—taking it step by step, not trying to do everything all at once. That would have saved us time, money, and a lot of stress!
Louise, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?
We’re passionate about helping others unlock their full potential. We got into motivational speaking because we believe in the power of words to inspire change. Louise’s personal journey started with a personal challenge, where she realized how much mindset and perspective can shape our lives. From there, she knew she wanted to be someone who could help others shift their mindset, overcome obstacles, and pursue their dreams with confidence.
In my work as a motivational speaker, I focus on empowering individuals and organizations to break through any limiting beliefs and take actionable steps toward personal and professional growth. I speak on topics like resilience, overcoming self-doubt, finding purpose, and creating lasting positive change. What sets me apart is my ability to connect deeply with my audience through real-life stories, practical strategies and really interesting lessons I’ve learned from high-altitude mountaineering!
What I’m most proud of is the impact I’ve been able to have on individuals—whether it’s someone who shares with me how my speech helped them push through a tough time or how a company’s team walked away feeling more aligned and motivated. Those personal stories of transformation are what drive me every day. I also enjoy when they come away laughing from the incredible stories on the mountain.
If there’s one thing I’d like potential clients and followers to know, it’s that I’m here to help them create lasting, positive change. My brand is about authenticity, connection, motivation, and inspiration. I don’t just talk at people—I engage with them. I meet my audience where they are and speak to them in a way that resonates with their real experiences and challenges.
We often hear about learning lessons – but just as important is unlearning lessons. Have you ever had to unlearn a lesson?
One of the biggest lessons I had to unlearn was the idea that you have to push through every challenge alone. For a long time, I believed that success—whether in business or life—was about doing everything yourself, pushing through adversity without asking for help. I thought it was a sign of strength to go it alone, especially when tackling something as monumental as when I summitted Mount Everest.
But as I prepared for Everest, I learned that real strength often comes from collaboration, humility, and recognizing when you need help. The climb was a brutal reminder that no one can take on such an enormous challenge alone—physically, mentally, or emotionally. The journey required me to lean on my team, listen to my guides, and accept that there were things outside my control. It was about trusting the process, trusting others, and knowing that asking for help is not a weakness but a strategic choice.
This lesson applies directly to the work I do now as a motivational speaker. I help individuals and teams realize that it’s okay to seek support, whether it’s from others or from the tools and strategies that can guide them. In business, as in climbing a mountain, it’s not about stubbornly doing everything yourself—it’s about recognizing the value of collaboration, learning from others, and knowing when to let go of that solo mentality.
Unlearning that lesson of “doing it all alone” has not only made me a better speaker, but has also made me more resilient in my personal and professional life.
We’d love to hear a story of resilience from your journey.
One of the most defining moments of my journey, and an example of resilience, happened while I was climbing Mount Everest. At one point, I got sick—a chest cold and the Khumbu cough, and pulled two ribs from coughing; I also injured my knee. It was a combination of physical pain and exhaustion that could have easily stopped me.. I found myself at a crossroads: I could either give up, accept the pain and setbacks, and turn back, or I could choose to shift my mindset and push through.
The turning point for me was when I realized that my progress wasn’t just about physical strength, but about mental strength. I made the decision to accept the pain, to stop resisting it, and to keep moving upward, step by step. I wasn’t going to let my body’s limitations hold me back, but I also wasn’t ignoring them. Instead, I focused on my resilience—on my ability to keep going despite everything telling me to stop.
That moment on Everest taught me a profound lesson about resilience: it’s not about being invincible or never feeling pain; it’s about acknowledging the struggle and deciding to move forward anyway. Resilience is about choosing to keep going, even when it feels impossible. It’s a shift in mindset, a decision to embrace discomfort and use it as fuel to push forward.
In my motivational speaking, I help others see that this mindset shift is available to anyone, in any situation. We all face challenges—big or small—but the ability to rise above them is within us. It’s about accepting the pain, acknowledging the hardship, and deciding that moving forward is the only option. Resilience can work in brilliant ways!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.theclimbingexecutive.com
- Instagram: theclimbingexecutive
Image Credits
This is a personal photo.