Attitude Over Everything: A Raw, Real Conversation with Aaron Davis

🗓️ Episode Summary:

In this unforgettable episode of I'll Say It Anyway, Beth Friesen sits down with powerhouse speaker, author, and national champion Aaron Davis—a man whose life, legacy, and mindset prove that attitude isn’t just a buzzword... it’s a way of life.

From helping his father as a janitor with pride as a child to delivering keynotes to Fortune 500 companies, Aaron shares how his father's legacy and his own journey through loss, grief, cancer, and reinvention forged his core belief: Your attitude is your choice. With candor, humor, and deep wisdom, he shares the generational impact of perspective, the mental toll of unprocessed grief, and the transformative power of choosing how to show up—even in your darkest seasons.

This is more than an interview. It’s a soul-level reminder that what you’ve been through doesn’t define you—how you respond to it does.

🎧 In This Episode, We Cover:

• Why attitude is more than a mindset—it’s a legacy
• The janitor who led with excellence and raised a champion
• Grief, cumulative loss, and learning to go through instead of around
• Aaron’s battle with cancer and the life-saving power of early detection
• Mental health, masculinity, and why vulnerability is strength
• The 4-step Attitude Adjustment Formula (Awareness, Assessment, Advice, Action)
• A personal, powerful take on support, healing, and faith
• And yes—“Bob the Bag” makes an unforgettable appearance

🔥 Quote of the Episode:

"Attitude is not the only thing—but it’s the main thing. And it’s always your choice." – Aaron Davis

🍷 The Final Sip:

• Favorite place traveled: St. Thomas, St. Croix… and Nantucket
• Go-to beverage: A piping hot cup of coffee, just like his dad
• Best advice ever received: “It’s just nice to be nice.”
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💬 Connect with Aaron Davis:

Visit AaronDavis.co

Follow on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/aarondavisattitudeexpert/

Book Aaron to speak: https://www.aarondavis.co/contact

Description:

One minute you're calling your mom for her lasagna recipe. The next? You're on the phone with her cardiologist—and suddenly, you're the adult in the room. Welcome to the messy, heartbreaking, often sacred chapter no one warned you about: parenting your parents.

In this episode, Beth pulls no punches as she unpacks the emotional whiplash, logistical chaos, and deep soul-stretching love that defines this midlife season. From managing medications and Power of Attorney to navigating guilt, boundaries, and senior care decisions—this is the episode every adult child needs to hear.

If you’ve ever asked yourself, “How the hell did I end up here?”—this one’s for you.

What You’ll Hear:

• The gut-punch realization that the roles have reversed
• The grief that comes before they’re gone
• What no one tells you about legal, medical, and care logistics
• Why setting boundaries isn’t selfish—it’s survival
• What aging parents won’t say (but desperately feel)
• Three questions every adult child must ask: Are they safe? Do they have dignity? What’s their quality of life?
• A sacred story from the ER—and the kind of love that shows up when it’s hardest

Mentioned in this episode:

• Power of Attorney & navigating in-home care
• The fact that there is a difference between guardianship & conservatorship
• When to consider assisted living (and how to know it's time)
• Future episodes on dementia and senior placement decisions

Quote to remember:

If you're in the thick of it…

You’re not alone. You’re not crazy. And you’re doing better than you think. Share this episode with a sibling, a friend, or anyone carrying the invisible weight of elder care.

Coming