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The Adrenaline Zone

By: Sandra Magnus and James "Sandy" Winnefeld
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  • Summary

  • Most people spend their lives avoiding risk. A select few attack it. They dive head first into the zone where physical, intellectual, reputational, and financial risks fuel their actions, test their resolve, and fulfill their dreams. Every week The Adrenaline Zone podcast explores the action-packed lives of people who seek out challenges most wouldn’t consider. Buckle up and hold on as we interview these deep divers, high fliers, and fast drivers to find out how it feels to live life in The Adrenaline Zone.
    Copyright 2022 Sandra Magnus and James "Sandy" Winnefeld
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Episodes
  • Walking the Iron with John Steinmetz

    Walking the Iron with John Steinmetz
    Jan 25 2024
    “Coffee time” is over, so you polish off the rest of your beer, grab your bags of bolts, begin your climb up the column and step out to “walk the iron” 20 stories above the ground - all without a hard hat, a harness, or any means of being “tied off”. The world of high-rise ironwork has evolved considerably over the years, and today’s guest is here to provide his eyewitness account of it all. In today’s exhilarating episode of The Adrenaline Zone, listeners are immersed in the captivating world of high-rise ironwork through the eyes of seasoned veteran, John Steinmetz. Boasting an impressive 40-year career in this daring profession, John shares details of his journey into ironworking, which is rooted in a strong family connection, and which unfolds as a thrilling tale of courage and resilience. The episode delves into a number of fascinating themes, from the challenges and risks of working at dizzying heights to the evolution of safety measures and training, the intricacies of assembling skyscrapers, and the camaraderie shared among ironworkers that resembles a second family. He also shares humorous anecdotes from his long and storied career, highlighting the importance of adaptability and problem-solving in this physically demanding field. As Season 5 of The Adrenaline Zone draws to a close here today, join Sandy, Sandra, and John to discover the awe-inspiring world of ironworking and the relentless dedication it entails. Don't miss this heart-pounding discussion that will definitely take you to new heights! Episode Highlights: John’s road to the construction industry How tall structures are built Getting used to working high up The risks involved and how they are mitigated The training involved Some of John’s close calls over the years Working in a confined space The metal that John has in him Dealing with a variety of weather conditions The family-like nature of working with others in construction The evolution of safety procedures over the years Ensuring quality and timely work Dealing with designers and engineers Some of John’s funnier stories from his career The impact of technology on his work John’s advice for those considering a career like his The highest John has ever walked on a beam His favorite building that he worked on Quotes: "In our business, gravity is your worst enemy." "I'll probably remember my first and my last." "You have to be geared for it. It's not a lazy man's job." "When it looks good on paper, it doesn't always work in real life." "People say that artificial intelligence is going to take away a lot of jobs, but they're white-collar jobs, not your job." "Just close your eyes and wait till the ride stops." "Each general contractor has an outside inspection agency, a third party who comes in behind us and checks to make sure…everything is done in accordance to the specs." "You never want the crane to stop." “I would still do it all over again if I was given the opportunity. I made a good living at it, I've always stayed busy, and the union treated me very well.” Keep the adrenaline rush going at: Homepage: theadrenalinezone.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theadrenalinezone/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/Adrenalinezonep TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@theadrenalinezone
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    35 mins
  • Defection Perfection with Olga Sheymov

    Defection Perfection with Olga Sheymov
    Jan 18 2024
    Your car comes to a halt at a border checkpoint, guard dogs barking, the guards themselves talking over each other, and now one of them is about to open the car’s trunk, searching for stowaways or anything even remotely suspicious. Will he discover your husband and sleeping daughter carefully hidden behind the seats? Will your painstaking plan to defect from Cold War-era Soviet Union end in unspeakable disaster? Olga Sheymov hails from St. Petersburg, Russia, where, after pursuing an engineering degree, she joined the Central Institute for Information. Post-graduation, she found herself amidst a tense KGB situation during her involvement with a Canadian delegation at the Student Olympic Games in Russia. However, fate intervened as she crossed paths with her future husband, Victor Sheymov, a charismatic young man who played a pivotal role in their eventual escape from the Soviet Union. Since settling in the US, Olga has graduated from the Georgia Institute of Technology-College of Architecture with a Bachelor of Science, Industrial and Product Design, and is currently a versatile artist, engineer, and television producer. Today, she joins Sandy and Sandra to recount the thrilling Cold War saga of her daring escape from the Soviet Union with her husband and daughter. She delves into life behind the Iron Curtain, the relentless pursuit of the KGB, and the meticulously planned escape involving the CIA. From Olga's childhood memories in the Soviet Union to their heart-pounding escape and the challenges of adapting to American life, this story of courage and audacity provides a shining example of the resilience of the human spirit in the face of adversity. Episode Highlights: Growing up in the Soviet Union under the communist regime The KGB’s interest in Olga working with them Olga’s husband Victor What prompted them to leave the Soviet Union The challenge in contacting American officials Keeping their desire to defect secret Creating their escape plan and ensuring its confidentiality The CIA’s involvement in their plan The level of stress involved in planning and executing the plan Olga’s retelling of the actual escape Getting to the United States Victor’s trip to China Going into hiding in the US Olga’s biggest surprise about life in the US How she ended up at Georgia Tech Quotes: "The fact that we were able to get through was a miracle." "We had to look at everything with the mindset of an investigator, and that's what he did." "We rarely make mistakes in analysis. We usually make them in assumptions.” "If you start allowing yourself doubts, you cannot succeed." "We were in a crazy place because we didn't know if someone was watching us. We were constantly trying to see if...maybe this was all a set-up." "It felt surreal after 18 hours of nonstop adrenaline. I was still in a special mode and couldn't fully process what had happened." "Victor did an amazing job navigating us through all the obstacles in Russia. But I also believe it was help from above." Keep the adrenaline rush going at: Homepage: theadrenalinezone.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theadrenalinezone/ Twitter:  https://twitter.com/Adrenalinezonep TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@theadrenalinezone Olga’s LinkedIn Page:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/olga-sheymov-5407203/
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    46 mins
  • Saving Lifetimes with Dr. Mary Brandt

    Saving Lifetimes with Dr. Mary Brandt
    Jan 11 2024
    As the inevitable adrenaline begins to course through your body, you draw upon all your training and skill to channel it, allowing you to steady your hands and make split-second decisions. Throughout it all, you remain acutely aware that distraught parents have placed all of their hope and faith in you and your team to save the life of their precious child who lays on the operating table before you. Welcome to the rollercoaster world of heart-pounding risks and heartwarming victories that define the life of a pediatric surgeon. Dr. Mary Brandt is not only a renowned pediatric surgeon but also a dedicated educator and recipient of numerous awards and honors for service, education, and humanism in medicine. She completed medical school and general surgery residency at Baylor, followed by a fellowship in pediatric surgery at the University of Montreal Sainte-Justine Hospital. Dr. Brandt returned to join the faculty at Baylor College of Medicine where she has a distinguished record of accomplishment, including service as Senior Associate Dean of Student Affairs, Senior Associate Dean of Medical Education, and Program Director for General Surgery. Dr. Brandt has also served as Professor of Surgery with Tulane University School of Medicine, and has an outstanding record of service to the American Academy of Pediatrics, American College of Surgeons, American Board of Surgery, American Pediatric Surgery Association, and the American Association of Medical Colleges. Today, Dr. Brandt discusses pediatric surgery, risk management, and medical training with Sandra and Sandy. Together, they explore emotional involvement in patient care, surgical preparation, and adrenaline challenges, and go on to draw parallels between astronauts and fighter pilots that reveal insights into adrenaline management and competency-driven training. Healthcare shifts, women in surgery, and Dr. Brandt's advice for aspiring medical professionals are included as well in today’s thought provoking and thoroughly entertaining conversation. Episode Highlights: Dr. Brandt’s decision to specialize in pediatrics Pediatric surgery training over the years Managing pediatric surgical risks in real-time Balancing objectivity and emotional involvement with patients Preparing for unfamiliar surgeries The hardest part of performing surgery Explaining the surgical risks to the child’s parents Comparing risk management as a surgeon vs. an astronaut Managing adrenaline in the operating room Technology’s impact on operating room risk management The risks created through traditional surgical training Alternative training approaches The evolution of women’s involvement in surgery over the course of Mary’s career Her advice for those thinking of going into medicine Quotes: "When you're learning how to make a skin incision, that adrenaline is there." "We're kind of the last general surgeons." "You have to lower your shoulders and take three deep breaths and watch what happens." "It's still an incredible profession." "There is not another human being or any policy that can take away my ability to sit in a room with another human being and talk about what I need to do to help heal them." Keep the adrenaline rush going at: Homepage: theadrenalinezone.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theadrenalinezone/ Twitter:  https://twitter.com/Adrenalinezonep TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@theadrenalinezone
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    37 mins
Social Sciences Personal Success
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