About this episode

Nate Burkhalter discusses the importance of taking risks in life and fatherhood, emphasizing that true leadership begins at home.

"Failure is measured in ounces, regret is measured in tons." Nate Burkhalter—seven-time competitor on American Ninja Warrior—joins Ned Schaut for a raw, grounded conversation about identity, risk, and what it actually means to lead as a husband and father. Nate’s story isn’t polished—it’s forged. From a career in oil and gas engineering to chasing a his calling through failure, rejection, injury, and breakthrough, he unpacks a revelation he heard from God, a hard truth most men avoid: playing it safe is the riskiest way to live. But now, as a new father of twins, the game has changed. The arena isn’t just competition—it’s the home. This episode hits the tension every driven man feels: Build something meaningful… without sacrificing your family Take risks… without being reckless Lead spiritually… without hiding behind religion Nate brings clarity: your primary ministry isn’t your platform—it’s your family . And if you get that wrong, nothing else matters. Why fathers should listen: You’re ambitious but don’t want to wake up at 55 with regret You feel the pull between grind and presence You want to raise kids who actually know God—not just perform religion You’ve failed, and you’re…

People in this episode

Host: Ned Schaut

Guest: Nate Burkhalter

Topics covered

• fatherhood
• risk
• identity
• parenting
• spiritual leadership

Keywords

• fatherhood
• risk tolerance
• identity
• regret
• spiritual leadership
• parenting
• discipline
• stewardship

Mentioned in this episode

Books & works: American Ninja Warrior

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