Joy as a Leadership Advantage: The Strategic Fuel for High-Performing Teams During a recent HR executive cruise, I paused when I saw a ship docked in the harbor with a simple name painted boldly on its side: JOY. Of all the massive vessels in the harbor, that was the one … Read More
Building a Culture of Excellence: Why It’s a Marathon, Not a Sprint What if success wasn’t just about achievement, but about how we show up every day? We live in a world obsessed with overnight wins, viral moments, and rapid results. But building a culture of excellence, in yourself, your … Read More
Building a Healthy Workplace Culture: It Is Not a Poster on the Wall Building a healthy workplace culture is often misunderstood. When people talk about organization dynamics, they frequently point to the mission statement framed in the lobby, their email signatures, the values written on the website, or the inspirational … Read More
Canoeing adventure story – Join our family as we navigate chaos, laughter, and unforgettable moments, turning fails into pure joy on the water.
In this laugh-out-loud true story, Dorice Horenstein takes us on a wild canoeing adventure gone wrong… and incredibly right. From crashing into branches, flipping the canoe, bee attacks, to kids crying and a cooler rescue—everything that could go wrong did.
Subscribe to Dorice Horenstein channel on Youtube.
00:07 Introduction about joy and memories
00:38 Friend’s invitation to go canoeing
01:14 Getting ready for the adventure
02:30 Learning to paddle in unison
03:25 First obstacle: encountering bushes
04:45 Tension rises between couple
06:41 Attempted break leads to trouble
07:12 Canoe flips over into water
07:51 Discovery of dangerous beehive
08:49 Final reflection on choosing joy over difficulties
Identity is more than just a label. Discover how overcoming fear and embracing self-reflection can help you unlock your true identity and transform your life.
In this motivational story, I share how I overcame the fear of letting go and discovered my true identity. Through personal growth and self-discovery, I embarked on a journey of finding my authentic self, which was shaped by overcoming challenges in life. This story includes powerful leadership lessons learned during my time in Israeli military training, which taught me about resilience and the importance of embracing both my cultural identity and leadership journey.
By letting go of limiting beliefs and embracing mindfulness, meditation, and spirituality, I transformed my life and found my true identity. This journey is a testament to the power of overcoming fear—whether it’s through practicing how to let go, or learning how to overcome fear from experiences like Sadhguru meditation.
As I reflect on family traditions and the values that shaped me, I realized that discovering my authentic self was the key to personal transformation. This video is an inspirational journey that shows how you can unlock your true identity by embracing self-improvement and learning to beat fear. Storytelling plays a pivotal role in my experience of growth, and this is not just a motivational speech—it’s an invitation to challenge your own beliefs and unlock the potential within.
Watch this video to find out how letting go can be the first step toward self-discovery and personal empowerment. Discover how to beat fear and start your journey toward finding your true self today.
Subscribe to Dorice Horenstein channel on Youtube.
00:00 Son moves to New York and learns to ski
00:57 Family heritage as desert people
01:22 Introduction to Israeli military officer training
02:00 First round of cuts in officer training
02:26 Challenging decision to select peers for elimination
02:57 Jewish tradition about three types of names
04:03 Personal reflection on authentic identity
04:56 Final results of officer training
05:04 Life lesson about foundational relationships
(0:01) My son moved to New York from this amazing Northwest. (0:06) I don’t know what he was thinking, (0:08) but he wanted to move to the magnificent Manhattan area. (0:11) Yeah, here you go.
(0:12) Some people are here from Manhattan. (0:15) So he was there, and he decided he’s (0:17) going to try new experiences. (0:20) He’s a young man.
(0:22) And one of the new experiences he did, (0:24) he decided to learn how to ski. (0:26) Now this mama here doesn’t ski. (0:29) Don’t.
(0:30) I don’t like the cold. (0:32) I don’t like the layers of clothing on me. (0:35) The best thing I know what to do in the snow, (0:37) have a really great cup of cocoa, sit by a fireplace, (0:40) read a book.
(0:40) That’s me. (0:42) So my son calls me the other day and said, (0:44) Ima, which in Hebrew means mom, why haven’t we (0:48) learned how to ski in our family? (0:50) Because clearly it’s a family tradition not to ski. (0:53) Not only me.
(0:54) So I said, son, we are the desert people. (1:00) We walked in the desert for 40 years. (1:04) And then we got to Israel, and guess what? (1:06) It’s really hot over there.
(1:07) So we did not rest over there. (1:09) We did not like the snow over there either. (1:12) And then it got me thinking about finding (1:14) your authentic self.
(1:16) Find the identity which you have, which everyone has. (1:20) And it reminded me of this story that I (1:21) would like to share with you. (1:22) I was 18 years old, drafted into the Israeli military (1:26) like everybody else in Israel.
(1:28) I finished my boot camp, and then I (1:30) moved on to officer training because I (1:32) wanted to be an officer in the Israeli army. (1:36) 60 young 18-year-old Israelis joined to be in this training. (1:40) And we were told on the first day of training (1:43) that only 20 will graduate.
(1:47) 40 will be let go. (1:48) We did not know who will be let go. (1:53) Would it be me, them? (1:54) I don’t know.
(1:56) The next month, it got a little clearer (1:58) because the lieutenant and the sergeants came to the room (2:01) and gave us a list of the first 20 to be cut. (2:05) I wasn’t cut. (2:07) I was part of the 40.
(2:08) In the next month, I worked so hard, so intense (2:12) like all the other 40 women. (2:13) We exerted ourselves to the place we did not know existed. (2:18) And we did not know, will they cut me out? (2:21) Will they cut my friend out? (2:22) We were not sure.
(2:24) Well, two months into it, the lieutenant and the sergeants (2:27) came into the room and said, this time, each one of you, (2:32) officer in training, is going to choose five women (2:35) that you are going to let go. (2:39) I thought to myself, what will I do? (2:42) Who will I choose to leave? (2:44) They’re all my friends. (2:45) They became my sisters.
(2:46) Who is going to let me out? (2:48) This was a pure choice. (2:51) Oh my gosh. (2:52) If there was a night that I did not sleep, it was that night.
(2:56) Who will I let go? (2:57) And then I remembered a saying from my Jewish tradition (3:02) that is true today as it was then. (3:06) There are three names by which a person is called. (3:10) The name their parents called them, (3:12) the name people call them, and the name they call themselves.
(3:17) And then the verse continues. (3:20) And the most important thing is the name you make for yourself. (3:27) I thought to myself, the name my parents call me, my roots, (3:32) that’s not going to define who I am.
(3:35) How much money my parents have, what jobs they held, (3:39) what status they have, does not matter right here and now. (3:41) Here in this officer training course. (3:45) Have you ever been called by names (3:46) that people did not like you? (3:48) Or names that maybe like you? (3:50) Some names are full of tenderness and love, (3:53) but other names may put us down.
(3:55) They’re not names that we agree to be called. (3:59) Guess what? (3:59) This did not matter either. (4:02) But the name you make for yourself by your actions, (4:06) that’s the name that will be everlasting forever.
(4:10) So when I thought about this sentence, (4:12) in that 24 hours of no sleeping, can we make a new friendship? (4:17) Can I make a new apology? (4:20) Can I be who I’m not? (4:21) Just so I can make it to the very end, (4:24) so I can be one of the 20 to finish this officer training (4:28) course. (4:30) The next morning, each one of us brought (4:34) a list of five people we believe should not (4:37) continue in this course. (4:40) The officers and the lieutenant took it, put it in a basket, (4:44) went away, and a few hours later, (4:46) they came back with the result of the remaining 20.
(4:50) I was one of the remaining 20 in the very end. (4:54) If there was one time that I thought of the actions (4:57) and the implications of my action, (4:59) that was truly that day. (5:03) What I realized and learned is that the foundational block (5:06) of the relationship that we have in this world (5:09) starts with ourselves, that that is the number one.
(5:14) So I want you, and I challenge you, (5:16) and I invite you to talk to me during our breakout sessions.
What if fear, doubt, or self-criticism are the only things standing between you and your goals? At the Nike Headquarters, motivational speaker Dorice Horenstein reveals her simple yet powerful system — RELOC — to help you overcome fear, strengthen self-belief, and turn your goals into reality. Through personal stories, humor, and wisdom, Dorice shows you how to reframe your mindset, reconnect with your purpose, and build the confidence to take action. If you’re ready to shift from hesitation to empowerment, this talk is for you.
Subscribe to Dorice Horenstein channel on Youtube.
0:02 – Standing at Nike HQ — a full-circle moment
0:21 – We can’t change yesterday, but we can inspire tomorrow
0:31 – The tree of your childhood and the tree you nurture today
0:48 – A joyful story about Elvis and finding laughter
1:00 – Introduction to RELOC: Dorice’s system for achieving goals
1:11 – Why RELOC isn’t in the dictionary
1:23 – The power of emotion and love behind your goals
1:42 – How self-talk shapes your success 2:15 – The importance of loving your goal
2:24 – Challenges that get in the way — and how to name them
2:43 – Common struggles: fear, doubt, communication issues
3:14 – The real “F” word: Fear and how it paralyzes progress
3:37 – Learning about yourself — internal knowledge
3:52 – Funny story: “We are desert people”
4:03 – The foundation of self-relationship and awareness
4:23 – Acts of kindness as lasting legacy
4:39 – Becoming your own legacy
4:44 – “We are the champions!” group affirmation
5:04 – Daily affirmation: “Day by day, I get better and better”
5:28 – Closing message: “I believe in you. You can do this.”
(0:02) How interesting it is that four decades later, I’m standing here at the Nike headquarters (0:09) wearing not my usual speaking attire, but Levi’s and a pair of Nike shoes. (0:21) What I learned that day is that while we cannot change our yesterday, we can inspire our tomorrow. (0:31) And today, I invite you to think about the tree of your childhood and the tree that you want to (0:41) nurture today.
And, you know, I remember growing up, she would say to my dad, she says, (0:48) if Elvis walked through these doors, don’t get offended, but I’m going with him. I’m just leaving. (0:55) Never mind, he never showed up, you know, so tell and share with everybody something joyful (1:00) they’re doing this weekend.
One person, yes. My system for achieving your goal, it’s called (1:07) RELOC. It’s an acronym, don’t look at the dictionary, you will not find what it is.
(1:11) And some people said to me, oh, Doris, you spelled it wrong. And I was like, no, I spelled it right. (1:16) And it’s just a simple question.
You have your goal, you don’t have your goal. What is it for you? (1:23) You know, love is a great word. It’s not only a noun and a verb, but it’s also emotion, (1:29) value, attribute.
What is the emotions that you put into this? Do you get up in the morning and (1:36) say, yeah, got to do this thing, right? Or you get up in the morning, I get to do this thing, (1:42) to penetrate into your psyche and say, oh, you know, fill your mind with self-criticism, (1:48) self-doubt, you know, you can’t do this goal, you might as well quit now. Or do you say to yourself, (1:55) no, I want to do this. This is important to me.
And that, of course, is connected to how you talk (2:02) to yourself. How do you talk? Look at this man. He loves whatever he’s going to do.
You can see it. (2:09) You can see it. You can feel the energy in his body.
So we talked about reason for your goal. (2:15) We talked about love for your goal. And then sometimes other things happen.
(2:24) With all of our intentions, something happens, challenges happen. (2:29) This vendor didn’t produce the product in time. This team did not do the timeline.
You tell me, (2:37) what other challenges you think you would be facing with your goal? What would it be? Fear (2:43) and doubt. Yes. Yes.
You say to yourself, oh, my God, what did you say? Communication challenges. (2:52) I can’t really explain or I don’t or you are not explaining the other person. And then you get to (2:58) be overwhelmed.
You say, what about if I don’t succeed? I don’t have the money. I have the fear (3:06) and the doubt. I’m not communicating.
What am I going to do? And then the four letter F word (3:14) comes into mind. And I don’t know what you guys are thinking of. (3:20) But I am thinking of fear.
Fear comes up. And that fear paralyzes you. That fear (3:30) doesn’t allow you to move forward.
And then the other part is the internal knowledge. (3:37) It’s who you are. What do you need to learn about yourself so that you make your goal a reality? (3:45) So he comes to me and he says, Ima, which means mom, why haven’t we learned how to ski in our (3:52) family? So I say, son, we are the desert people.
What I learned is that the foundational block of (4:03) the relationship we have in this world starts with the relationship we have with ourselves. (4:09) Do we have that self-awareness of what we bring to every interaction? (4:15) Oh, my gosh. Give yourself a clap, everybody.
Look at these words. Look at these words. (4:23) Yes.
Yes. Kindness in a way is leaving a legacy. What’s the legacy that you want to leave behind (4:32) to the people that you love and the people that appreciate you? What’s the legacy? (4:39) And whatever that legacy is, become it now.
We are champions. Are we ready? But loud. (4:44) Really loud.
Ready? We are the champions. (4:52) So here we go. Are we ready? I know I have the ability to achieve my goal.
(5:04) I have my reason. I know my why. (5:12) Day by day and in every way, I get better and better.
Oh, yeah. (5:17) Day by day. Excellent.
(5:25) That maybe next time I see you, wherever it is, (5:28) that you’ll tell me, Doris, I did my re-lock. I believe in you. I know you can.