In 2023, Mike faced a life-altering event that would challenge even the strongest among us. Yet by 2024, inspired by the resilience of his hero, Antarctic explorer Ernest Shackleton, he emerged not bitter — but better. In this unforgettable talk, Mike shares a powerful journey. It’s a story that will make you laugh, make you cry, and stay with you long after the final word. On February 13, 1985, my wife Angela fell 150 feet off a mountain in Durango, Colorado, breaking nearly every bone in her body. 38 years later, all the compounding medical problems came to a crescendo, as she passed away on December 28, 2023.How I managed to LET GO of her and rebuild my life after a wonderful 35 years with the first and only girlfriend of my entire life is based on the 1914 story of the Endurance expedition, where Ernest Shackleton led 27 others home safely after being shipwrecked and stranded in Antarctica for 2 years.I literally learned from Shackleton how to LET GO, see difficulty differently and how to choose better over bitter in bad moments. This story is one that will make you laugh and cry. Most important, it’s one you’ll never forget as you too live through your own Antarctic moments. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx