Revenue Builders Podcast: "The Power of Belief with Dean Otto"

Guest: Dean Otto | Host: John Kaplan (Force Management)
Date: November 13, 2025
Main Theme: Harnessing Resilience, Mindset, and Belief to Overcome Life-Altering Adversity

Episode Overview

In this episode, host John Kaplan sits down with Dean Otto—speaker, author, endurance athlete, and seasoned software sales executive—to unpack a story of extraordinary resilience, forgiveness, and the life-changing power of belief. After a devastating cycling accident in 2016 left him with only a 2% chance to walk again, Dean defied the odds through discipline, mindset, and community. From the dark moments in a hospital bed to running a half marathon with his surgeon and the man who hit him, Dean's journey offers powerful lessons for anyone facing adversity—whether in life or in business.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. The Accident That Changed Everything

• Setting the Scene ([02:49]):
  Dean recounts his routine morning, the darkness, and his internal debate about whether or not to go riding following a hamstring injury. The pivotal moment comes as he ignores his initial hesitation—spurred by a voice in his head urging him to “finish the ride,” an early lesson from his father.
• The Crash ([03:43]):
  He describes the accident vividly: “About that time I refocus my mind on the road ahead and I hear the brakes lock up. I feel the impact. I hear my rear tire explode. And then it was lights out for me. ... I’m completely paralyzed.” ([05:37])

2. Immediate Aftermath and Mindset in Crisis

• Surrender and Spirituality ([07:01]):
  Dean shares that upon regaining consciousness, the first thing he did was pray, accepting his new reality and surrendering control:

  “I prayed to accept this as life on life’s terms. And God’s plan is way bigger than mine. I can’t control it.” ([07:13])
  He underscores the importance of “releasing resentment” even toward the person who hit him, drawing from his recovery experience.

• Instant Forgiveness ([07:27]):

  “I prayed for this guy that literally just ran me over in his F150 truck while I'm laying in the street. ... It was the most spiritual experience I’ve ever had in my entire life. All the fear, all the panic, all the anger, it completely left my body.” ([07:58])

3. Dean Before the Accident

• Career and Personality ([09:11]):
  Dean paints a picture of himself as a driven, scrappy overachiever, but also candidly talks about struggles with binge drinking, denial, and an eventual family intervention:

  “…as much of a family guy as I was... I was a weekend binge drinker and I wouldn’t touch any alcohol until after I’d coached my game. And it was like, let’s go, I deserve this.” ([10:55])

4. On Addiction, Openness, and Advice

• The Power of Community ([16:15]):
  Dean emphasizes:

  “Isolation is the biggest enemy… you get over there by yourself, and that’s when your mind starts playing tricks on you. ... Talk to somebody about it. Trust your spouse, trust your best friend…” ([16:15])

• Personal Offer to Help ([17:26]):

  “If anybody's out there that's having trouble with alcohol, you can look me up on LinkedIn ... I'll talk to you and share my experience with you.”

5. The Odds and The Miraculous Recovery

• Chain of Events ([17:49]):
  Dean details the sequential “miracles” that enabled his survival and partial recovery:
  • The driver stopped to help (unlike 70% of similar incidents)
  • Emergency services arrived within minutes due to citywide deployment following unrest
  • The only level-one trauma center was close by
  • The top spinal neurosurgeon happened to be on call
• Defying Prognosis ([20:46]):

  “My back looked like the hunchback in Notre Dame ... The T12 and L1 vertebrae were shattered and the bones were impinging upon my spinal cord...”
  Post-surgery, a tiny toe movement became proof of possibility: “I concentrate super duper hard and I’m trying to get my big toe to move just a tiny bit...and it was like a Disney movie. We’re all crying and hugging...” ([22:40])

• Setting a Bold Goal ([22:40]):
  Even before leaving the hospital, Dean challenged his surgeon to run a half marathon with him.

6. Mindset and Recovery

• Power of Belief ([25:04]):
  Dean attributes his resilience to cultivated positive thinking, daily practices, and discipline:

  “…the second you think of something negative, like, quash it and get out of your brain and start thinking about something positive.”

• Training and Discipline ([26:50]):
  Early lessons from his German-immigrant father—and repeated daily practices—underpinned not only his athleticism but his spiritual and emotional fortitude.

7. Forgiveness, Reconciliation, and Connection

• Meeting Will, the Driver ([27:32]):
  Dean recounts a moving face-to-face with Will (the man who hit him) in the hospital, a meeting that blossomed into an unexpected friendship:

  “It turns into like a two hour conversation ... we built a relationship with them. We had dinner with them several times.”

• Symbolic Comeback ([29:42]):
  A year to the day after the accident, Dean, Will, and Dr. McGirt (the surgeon) ran a half marathon together—an act of reconciliation, healing, and celebration.
• Viral Impact ([30:00]):
  Their inspirational story garnered national attention, including The Ellen Show and The Today Show.

8. Return to Work and Life Integration

• Resuming Sales Under New Circumstances ([31:02]):
  Dean details juggling recovery with closing deals (even from his hospital bed), adapting his habits, and the ongoing impact of a severe concussion.

9. Turning Adversity into Mission

• Second Setback ([38:39]):
  Dean experiences another health scare—successive seizures—again witnessing the importance of support and preparedness.
• Redefining Purpose ([42:25]):
  Encouraged by others and after a life-changing moment, he transitions from sales to full-time inspirational speaking, focusing on helping others transform adversity into strength.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Mindset and Agency:

  “If you drop a hula hoop over your head ... the only things you can really control in your life are that space between your chest and the inside of that hula hoop. ... You’re in charge of your attitude, you’re in charge of the action, but you’re not in charge of the outcome as much as we’d like to think we are.” ([05:39])

• On Forgiveness:

  “I prayed for this guy that literally just ran me over ... It was the most spiritual experience I’ve ever had in my entire life. ... My heart filled with just love and peace.” ([07:58])

• On Isolation and Recovery:

  “Isolation is the biggest enemy...It goes into the herd and it cuts you out and you get over there by yourself, and that’s when your mind starts playing tricks on you. ... Talk to somebody about it.” ([16:15])

• On Recovery and Attitude:

  “I’m not an outcome guy, I’m an input guy. ... If I’ve got a great attitude and I take the next right action, chances are the outcome is going to be pretty great.” ([59:13])

• On Courage:

  “Courage means showing up. That’s the most important thing for anything, man. We have to show up. That’s when the magic starts.” ([51:23])

• On Seeking Growth:

  “None of it happens unless we’re always seeking. ... It’s not necessarily about the destination. The destination can change.” ([59:03])

Important Segments & Timestamps

• Dean describes accident and immediate aftermath ([02:49]–[08:19])
• Dean discusses pre-accident self and intervention ([09:11]–[13:14])
• Advice on addiction/mental health: power of community ([15:55]–[17:26])
• Miracles enabling recovery ([17:49]–[22:40])
• Deciding to see accident as spiritual test; mindset ([23:03]–[25:04])
• Forgiveness and friendship with Will ([27:05]–[30:33])
• National attention and symbolic marathon ([29:42]–[30:33])
• Returning to sales and juggling recovery ([31:02]–[32:03])
• Second health crisis (seizures) and response ([38:39]–[42:15])
• Embracing mission as speaker, author, and advocate ([42:25]–[46:27])
• Core framework: courage, conditioning, commitment ([50:59]–[55:27])
• Powerful lesson: “Finish the Ride” parable from Dean’s father ([46:27]–[50:51])
• Philosophy: input-focus, continual growth, seeking ([59:03]–[59:19])
• How to connect with Dean / his charity ([61:14]–[63:56])

Frameworks, Lessons & Takeaways

Dean’s Leadership Philosophy ("Leadership Through Belief")

• Three Pillars:
  • Courage: Show up even when afraid ([51:23])
  • Conditioning: Four dimensions—physical, emotional/community, intellectual, spiritual ([53:46])
  • Commitment: Consistently finish what you start (inspired by his father’s “Finish the Ride” lesson, [47:36])

Actionable Takeaways

• Seek Community: Don’t isolate in struggle; reach out for help.
• Practice Daily Mindset Hygiene: Monitor thoughts, cultivate positivity, invest in resilient routines.
• Redefine Setbacks: See adversity as a catalyst for deeper purpose or new missions.
• Value Forgiveness: Letting go of resentment frees energy for healing and leadership.
• Invest in All Four Fitnesses: Physical, emotional/community, intellectual, and spiritual.

How to Learn More / Engage with Dean Otto

• Website: deanottospeaking.com
• LinkedIn: Dean Otto; also “Dean Otto Speaking”
• Book: 2% Chance – available on Amazon
• Charity Ride & Fundraising: Annual “Cycle to the Sea” for adaptive sports (see LinkedIn for links)
• Speaking/Workshops: Contact details on website and direct outreach encouraged

Tone & Impact

The conversation is candid, inspiring, and practical—equal parts humility, authenticity, and actionable wisdom. Dean’s lived experience bridges personal adversity, team achievement, and leadership mindset—delivering a blueprint for turning setbacks into strengths in both sales and life.

“We don’t realize the things that we learn throughout our lifetime that make such a huge impression upon us. And we also don’t know when we speak the people that it really lands with, that it really affects them personally.” ([50:42])

This episode is for anyone seeking more purpose in their work, resilience in their hardships, and belief in what’s possible—no matter the odds.