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Host: Richard Lowe | Guest: Sascha Gorokhoff
Summary of Transcript
Introduction
Richard Lowe: Hello and welcome to Leaders and Their Stories. I’m Richard Lowe, The Writing King. Today, I’m joined by Sascha Gorokhoff, who has a remarkable story about overcoming challenges and achieving success. Sascha, take it away.
Sascha Gorokhoff: Thank you, Richard. It’s a pleasure to be here.
A little about my backstory. I was born with a disability that, according to doctors, should have left me in a wheelchair and mentally impaired by the age of seven. In the late seventies, there was no real path forward for me. The prognosis was bleak: either I wouldn’t survive, or I’d live with severe disabilities.
But I refused to accept that. From a young age, I was driven by the will to live and thrive, even though the medical community believed otherwise. My parents struggled with my condition. My father, a successful CFO, never understood my different abilities, and my mother was dealing with severe mental health issues. So I had to figure out my own way forward.
I faced bullying at school, and at 11 years old, doctors told me my kidneys were functioning at the level of a 90-year-old man. They predicted dialysis, a transplant, and death before 18. But here I am today, 46 years old and still going strong.
I’ve overcome every obstacle in my path and achieved success in multiple areas. Academically, I earned two bachelor’s degrees in just two and a half years with honors. I also hold a master’s degree equivalent from the Harvard Kennedy School in Europe. I built a successful career in business, helped other entrepreneurs thrive, and even entered politics as a delegate at both city and national levels.
Today, I focus on sharing my journey and life lessons, teaching others how to overcome challenges and unlock their full potential.
Mindset and Overcoming Challenges
Richard Lowe: Your perseverance is inspiring. I’ve known you for a while now, and your story is a powerful reminder that our mindset shapes our reality.
I remember a time when my stepson was complaining that he couldn’t get anything done. I pointed to a kid in a wheelchair playing competitive basketball against fully able-bodied players, and he was winning. I told my stepson, “If he can do it, so can you.”
I take the same approach in my own life. Sure, I have problems, but I don’t live in a war zone or suffer from starvation. I have my health, my home, and my career. When you compare your struggles to the bigger picture, it shifts your perspective.
Sascha Gorokhoff: The key is keeping complaints to a minimum and maintaining a clear vision.
From a young age, my goal was simple: to live. Not just to survive, but to achieve everything I set my mind to. And I never did it to prove anything to anyone. I did it because I wanted to.
A lot of people struggle with long-term vision. I’ve worked with many people who have ADHD, for example, and for them, thinking 25 years ahead is overwhelming. The solution? Focus on small steps, mini-visions, one at a time. Whether it’s a vision for the next week, day, or even the next hour, breaking it down makes success achievable.
Richard Lowe: That’s a great approach, small steps leading to big victories. But I imagine you also had to navigate systems that didn’t always support you?
Sascha Gorokhoff: There were times when the system itself was the obstacle. But instead of giving up, I found alternative ways to move forward. That’s why I prefer the term “differently-abled” instead of “disabled.” I never wanted special treatment. I wanted to prove that there was always a way.
It wasn’t until about 18 months ago that my wife convinced me to finally get a disabled parking placard. Even now, I only use it on days when walking is especially difficult. Otherwise, I leave the spot for someone who might need it more.
At the same time, I recognize that I was lucky to be born in Switzerland, where the system provided some support. There are many people who don’t have that safety net. I’ve always been aware that while I faced challenges, there were still opportunities available to me.
Choosing Your Path in Life
Richard Lowe: That perspective reminds me of John Morrow, a quadriplegic entrepreneur who could only move his mouth. Despite his physical limitations, he became a multimillionaire. His story, like yours, proves that success is about mindset, not just circumstances.
Sascha Gorokhoff: I always say, “I am only as disabled as others perceive me to be.” People project limitations onto me, but I don’t accept them.
From an early age, I refused to internalize negative beliefs, from the medical community, my mother, or anyone else. I assessed their opinions, but I chose my own path.
It’s crucial to question whether the stories we believe about ourselves are true. Are they our reality, or are they projections from others? Too often, people carry unnecessary emotional baggage, things they were told as children, societal expectations, or fears instilled by others. I compare it to an airport. When you land, you don’t pick up every suitcase at baggage claim. But in life, people tend to carry burdens that don’t belong to them.
Richard Lowe: That’s a powerful analogy. Many people become enablers, taking on others’ problems instead of focusing on their own growth.
Sascha Gorokhoff: Yes, enabling is when you support someone’s destructive behavior rather than helping them find solutions. There’s a big difference between supporting someone and doing the work for them. As a leader, mentor, or consultant, your job is to guide people, but they have to make their own choices.
Leadership and Taking Control
Richard Lowe: That ties into leadership. Before you lead others, you need to lead yourself. Too many people wait for direction instead of taking charge of their own lives.
Sascha Gorokhoff: You must reclaim your decision-making power. Your mindset determines whether you see obstacles or opportunities.
A small shift in language can make a huge impact. I once worked with a client who constantly said, “I’m fixing problems.” Unsurprisingly, they kept facing more problems. I encouraged them to reframe it as “I’m bringing solutions.” It took time, but once they made that shift, their business took off.
Richard Lowe: Mindset is everything. The world tends to reflect what you expect from it. If you focus on negativity, you’ll see more of it. But if you focus on opportunities, you’ll attract them.
Sascha Gorokhoff: And that’s why it’s important to practice gratitude. Count your blessings every day. Purposefully focus on the positive. It directly impacts your mental health and overall success.
Final Thoughts and How to Connect
Richard Lowe: That’s a great way to wrap up. Could you summarize your message in a sentence or two?
Sascha Gorokhoff: There’s a fine line between victim and victory, just a couple of letters. The choice is yours.
Richard Lowe: I love that. And how can people reach you?
Sascha Gorokhoff: You can find me at saschagorokhoff.com or on Instagram at @sascha.leadership.
Richard Lowe: Thank you, Sascha. This has been a truly inspiring conversation.
Sascha Gorokhoff: Thank you, Richard. It’s been a pleasure.