Chad E. Foster’s journey from “victim to visionary” will change the way you see life. After losing his eyesight in his 20s, Foster was the first blind executive to graduate from Harvard Business School’s Program for Leadership Development. In order to do so he created software to aid the visually impaired after being told it was impossible. His keynote speech and book, Blind Ambition, share his life story and serve as a guideline for others to overcome adversity and take control of their own life. His successful career in business, along with his thriving personal life as a husband and father, give him a unique perspective on hard work, perseverance, and mindset.

Foster is more than your average keynote speaker; he’s genuine, and authentic, and pushes the audience to look at themselves. He doesn’t just talk about a resilient mindset, he’s shaped his life around it and he has the experiences to show for it. I was lucky enough to speak with Foster and dive a little deeper into his world.

What was it like growing up, knowing you would lose your eyesight? Do you feel that it shaped your outlook early on?

Despite having an inherited retinal disease growing up, Foster never knew for sure if he would lose his eyesight so he lived hoping he never would. It was always a frightening possibility looming in the background of his young life. He believed he’d be the exception to the rule and did everything he could to not let his differences define him. He lived assertively, all in.

As he got older, the divide between him and his peers grew as his inability to see after dark prevented him from driving late or playing on the football team because the games were at night. He’d constantly get injured because of his inability to see, ending up at the hospital so much as a kid that the staff was worried he was suffering from abuse. He wasn’t of course — he just couldn’t always see what danger was ahead of him. He had to learn his limitations at a young age, and at only 21 he was forced to face the reality that he’d lost his eyesight entirely.

Foster’s early experiences unavoidably shaped his outlook, as he couldn’t avoid the teasing or the physical discomfort that came from the injuries he endured. Later the mental and social discomfort that is unavoidable as a blind person began to take a toll on his mental health as well. These experiences forced him to become comfortable with the uncomfortable. They prepared him for a future where he’d enter every boardroom and job interview with a huge German shepherd by his side.

When your whole life has been a challenge, you overcome fear and face your life head-on.

You’ve always been very driven. What drives you to be successful and how do you define success?

Foster can’t imagine the thought of leaving this earth with a question mark over whether he did the best that he could do. He’s driven by the reality that we can’t control our circumstances, but we can control the effort we put into everything. Foster believes the one thing we can all control is our efforts. If we focus on our contribution and performance, then there are no excuses for what we do or don’t achieve. He’s the product of tough love and it’s pushed him to take accountability for his life. The reality of our impermanence pushes him to have an impact here and now, while he’s alive.

He doesn’t want to be the reason for not reaching his potential. His definition of success has evolved over the years — it’s no longer singular, or about reaching one goal. Similar to happiness, success is a mindset. It’s not about external validation; it’s about how we feel about ourselves. For Foster, that means doing what he loves, all while finding meaning and purpose, and contributing good to the world. Earning a living to support himself and his family is a necessity, of course, and he acknowledges that his lifestyle is important to him, but his overarching drive and focus is on what fills up his cup these days. Inspiring other people to tap into their own potential feels like the biggest success possible.

Foster says “Losing his eyesight really opened up his eyes (no pun intended) to the importance of helping others.”

Why do you think your personal adversity is inspiring to others?

Foster never set out to be inspirational but rather discovered his story of thriving amidst his circumstances lit something up in people. He acknowledges that most people cannot even begin to imagine going through what he’s gone through and coming out on the other end as successful as he is. He’s not boastful about it, he’s just being honest. The fact that he’s emotionally intact, or even better off than before seems unbelievable to most.

He believes his attitude toward the situation is what blows people away, and says, “Blindness is a gift that was given to me disguised in some really ugly wrapping paper.” What keeps him appreciative of his own life is the fact that there are plenty of other people who are far worse off than he is and still strive to have a good day every day. He’s happy to serve as that reminder to individuals who may have it better off or easier than him.

What do you believe individuals take away from hearing you share your story?

He hopes that his story inspires people to believe they are always capable of more. More gratitude, more effort, and more fun! If he can rise above his situation and see what life has to offer, he hopes he pushes those who hear his story to feel the same. It’s all about how you show up in your circumstances. Positivity and drive can change more about your life than you’d believe, and more than that, pushing yourself out of your comfort zone can be what changes everything.

It’s really impressive that you snow ski and do jiu-jitsu. How important is fun and freedom to you? Do you think it aids your success?

Foster believes fun and freedom are synonymous with authenticity. We often feel most like ourselves when we’re letting loose and letting go. He pretended to be able to see for a long time when he was losing his eyesight, so he understands that a lot of people get hung up on trying to be someone they’re not. Losing his eyesight entirely forced him to stop hiding what he had been trying to avoid for so long. He had to own his situation and surrender to the reality of what his life was to become. The ability to literally blindly dive head-first into skiing, or jiu-jitsu felt freeing to Foster. He knows that all work all the time is not sustainable or enjoyable. For him, these hobbies are about enjoying the day-to-day and adding lightness to life. Without these bright spots, he believes he’d feel lost in the monotony of life and work. Success should always mean you have the freedom for fun.

What lessons have you learned from skiing/jiu-jitsu?

If you’re going to train and all you’re going to focus on is the outcome, then it’s not fun or enjoyable. The fun and the enjoyment have to come from being in the moment. Foster says skiing taught him that sometimes he’s lucky he can’t see what’s in front of him because he feels more fearless. Talk about a positive spin! When he’s skiing, he’s focused on taking the next best action, he’s lasered in, and he’s feeling the cold, crisp air brushing past him. Nothing else matters for a minute.

His whole life has been a long list of uncomfortable situations due to his blindness, so engaging in jiu-jitsu on purpose feels like an opportunity to flex one of his strongest muscles. A muscle he may not have had if he hadn’t lost his eyesight: the ability to calm himself in the face of fear, discomfort, and anxiety. Settle into the terror.

Do you think the software you created to help aid the visually impaired earn a living is your greatest career achievement?

Actually, no, probably not. He’s hoping his greatest achievement hasn’t happened yet.

What do you hope your legacy is and is your legacy important to you?

Hearing Foster’s response to this question feels reminiscent of his attitude toward success. His belief that his legacy matters stems from his desire to inspire and help others. He has a strong hope that the legacy he leaves behind will serve as an example for others. Nobody leaves this place alive, so you may as well give it all you got while you’re here. It’s that simple.

If you’re in need of motivation and inspiration, contact Executive Speakers Bureau today to book Chad E. Foster for your next event.