The 1000 Hours Outside Podcast

Episode: 1KHO 596: Chase Down Your Dreams Today | Shawn Johnson, Kiss the Fire
Date: October 14, 2025
Host: Jenny Urch (That Sounds Fun Network)
Guest: Shawn Johnson (Author, Pastor, "Kiss the Fire")

Overview

This powerful episode features Shawn Johnson discussing his new book, "Kiss the Fire: 7 Ways to Get Back Up When You Want to Give Up." The conversation revolves around resilience, hope in the face of devastating diagnoses, the transformative power of movement and nature, vulnerability, community, and fighting to reclaim dreams and purpose even when life feels overwhelming.

Jenny and Shawn frankly explore what it means to face life-changing news, how to climb out of despair, and why moving your body, forming deep connections, and reevaluating your dreams are crucial for a meaningful, present life—both for kids and adults.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Shawn’s Diagnosis: From Injury to Life-Altering News

• Wake Surfing and Unexpected Discovery

  • Shawn shares that after a wake surfing injury led to a torn bicep, continued hand tremors pushed his physical therapist to refer him to a neurologist.
  • He expected a pinched nerve but was instead diagnosed with "an incurable brain disease" in the Parkinson’s family.
  • Notable Quote:

    “I said, what’s best case scenario? And he goes, that we find lung cancer... But if it’s what I think it is, you can’t do anything about it.” – Shawn, (03:21)

• Initial Shock and Family Impact

  • The diagnosis brought fear for his future as a husband and father, leading to a period of deep despair and questions about legacy and provision for his three sons.

2. Crawling Out of the Pit: Resilience and Support

• Surrender and the Power of Friendship

  • After his diagnosis, Shawn recounts feeling utterly defeated, until a friend and UFC coach called and offered support with a powerful phrase: "We’re gonna kiss this fire and walk away whistling."
  • Notable Quote:

    "I'm not saying it's not gonna be hot... but this is not gonna steal your peace. It's not gonna steal your joy. You're gonna get through this. You're gonna be stronger on the other side." – Coach/Friend, relayed by Shawn (07:28; full story 07:28–10:02)

• Movement as Therapy – Boxing and Cross-Body Exercise

  • Shawn describes how cross-body activities like boxing are recommended for slowing down neurodegeneration.
  • Boxing requires intense physical and mental effort, forcing the brain to build connections and resist degeneration.
  • Jenny links this to children’s brain development through movement and outside play, reinforcing the podcast’s core message.
  • Notable Quote:

    “It’s almost as if with your activity, you push back against the parts of your brain that want to degenerate that day. And you say, you don’t get to degenerate today. You got too much to do.” – Shawn (10:13)

3. Living in the Present and Redefining Dreams

• Day-by-Day Living & Small Finish Lines

  • Rather than letting fear of an uncertain future paralyze him, Shawn intentionally fills his days with purpose—boxing, spending time with family, scheduling “little finish lines” like short trips and quality time.
  • He discusses how his dreams have shifted from long-term to near-term wins and joys, a philosophy rooted in scripture and wise living.
  • Notable Quote:

    “You’re alive today. So go chase down your dreams today because nobody knows what’s going to happen tomorrow.” – Shawn (12:59)

• Advice on Parenting and Presence

  • Shawn talks about not missing opportunities to connect with his sons, even if it means reprioritizing busy schedules.
  • Notable Quotes:

    “I don’t know how long things will be great. ... For me, it’s not even just, I don’t know how long I’ll live. It’s, I don’t know how long I’ll be able to play basketball with my boys.” – Shawn (25:03)
    "It doesn’t change how much time we have. It just changes how we prioritize it." – Shawn (26:17)

4. Vulnerability, Fatherhood, and Healing from Brokenness

• Shawn’s Upbringing: Overcoming a Difficult Past

  • He shares openly about a traumatic background—absent biological father, a mother struggling with addiction, abandonment as a baby, and a stepfather who never showed approval.
  • Despite not having positive models, Shawn sought to become a present, loving father himself, even if it meant learning on the go.

• The Power & Paradox of Brokenness

  • He explains how vulnerability and honesty with his children and congregation—admitting struggle and anxiety—built deeper, more authentic relationships.
  • Notable Quote:

    “God only uses broken people because what other kinds are there?” – Shawn’s counselor (34:26)

5. Community and Friendship: A Lifeline

• The Fight for Real Connection
  • Shawn credits his small group of six men with saving him during his hardest times.
  • Their group, formed intentionally at a “midlife” moment (triggered by a friend’s realization of having no one who truly knew him at age 40), prioritizes honesty about marriage, doubts, spirituality, and life’s hardest realities.
  • Notable Quote:

    “You do have to fight for it. It doesn’t happen accidentally.” – Shawn (48:01)

6. The Cycles of Giving Up and Not Quitting

• Modeling Perseverance
  • Even as a pastor, Shawn struggled with feelings of unworthiness due to his mental health battles and considered quitting.
  • Sticking with faith and community led to significant positive outcomes for his children, who now serve in their church community.
  • Notable Quotes:

    “All you have to do is get good at not quitting.” – Marathon runner quoted by Shawn (57:01)
    “At the proper time, you’ll reap a harvest if you don’t give up.” – Galatians 6:9, discussed by Shawn (56:05)

7. Humor, Humanity, and Everyday Joy

• Levity Amid Hardship
  • The conversation ends with laughter about lifted trucks and phobias, as well as touching, ordinary memories from childhood (spending time outside playing baseball with his stepdad), reminding listeners of the healing and grounding power of simple, shared moments outdoors.

Memorable Quotes & Moments

• On Resilience:

  “We’re gonna kiss this fire and walk away whistling.” – Coach/Friend via Shawn (07:28)

• On the Role of Movement:

  “Boxing… You’re worried about your footwork and your defense… It’s almost as if with your activity, you push back against the parts of your brain that want to degenerate that day.” – Shawn (10:13)

• On Brokenness and Leadership:

  “God only uses broken people because what other kinds are there?” – Shawn’s counselor (34:26)

• On Friendship and Community:

  “You do have to fight for it. It doesn’t happen accidentally.” – Shawn (48:01)
  “At my 40th birthday… I have a lot of people in my life and nobody knows me.” – Shawn’s friend (50:27)

• On Not Quitting:

  “All you have to do is get good at not quitting.” – Quoted by Shawn (57:01)

Important Timestamps

• 00:48–03:13 — Shawn’s injury, misdiagnosis, and life-changing news
• 06:47–10:35 — Physically, mentally crawling out of despair; “Kiss the fire” mentality and the science of movement
• 13:18–14:40 — Telling his children about his diagnosis
• 23:19–26:17 — Time with family and prioritizing presence after diagnosis
• 28:28–33:37 — On re-finding hope, smaller dreams, and the wisdom of “finish lines”
• 34:25–40:51 — Brokenness, shame, and how vulnerability helps others
• 48:01–51:36 — Building and sustaining deep, meaningful friendships
• 53:01–56:21 — Perseverance, parenting through adversity, and the impact on Shawn’s sons
• 59:15–59:56 — Childhood memory: playing baseball outside with stepdad

Takeaways for Listeners

• Movement matters—for kids and adults, cross-body movement (like boxing or play) strengthens the brain and supports emotional health.
• You can re-dream at any moment; sometimes, small finish lines are enough to sustain hope.
• Vulnerability is contagious and builds resilient relationships, both in families and in communities.
• Community doesn’t happen by accident—someone must take initiative, and real connection requires honesty.
• Brokenness is not a disqualification; it’s where real relationship and deep growth happen.
• Present-moment living isn’t just for those with big challenges; it’s wisdom for everyone.

This episode is a vivid, moving conversation about clinging to hope, moving your body, loving boldly, staying present, and letting your brokenness connect you to others. Shawn’s story—of learning not just to survive, but to thrive and lead with vulnerability—is a timely encouragement for anyone facing hard “what ifs,” busy seasons, or the everyday challenges of parenting and being human.