Suffering is a part of life, and trauma is all too common. Although no one talks about it, leaving many feeling alone, ashamed, and disqualified from living a good life, some cultures believe suffering is actually a right of passage—a way to rise. Stan Bernard, MD, MBA is an internationally recognized, award-winning global competition consultant, keynote speaker, and published author. He is President of Bernard Associates, LLC and the creator of the Transcender System™. He has been featured on television and in leading publications, including the Wall Street Journal, Business 2.0, and Businessweek. Dr. Bernard has published over 75 book chapters, syndicated reports, and articles. For nearly four decades, Dr. Bernard has consulted with over a dozen Fortune 500 firms and 150 other leading companies spanning six continents. He has been involved in more than 300 product launches involving more than 60 countries. Over 15,000 professionals have participated in his firm’s Competitive Simulations (“business war games”), Transcender System Training Workshops, Transcender System Seminars, and speaking engagements. As a Senior Fellow at The Wharton School, Dr. Bernard taught marketing to MBA students for 14 years. He has conducted numerous presentations at executive business meetings, professional societies, government agencies, and academic institutions, including the Stanford Graduate School of Business, Columbia Business School, Harvard University School of Public Health, and the Northwestern University Kellogg Business School. Dr. Bernard received his MBA in marketing and healthcare management from the Wharton School of Business. He received his Medical Degree from Baylor College of Medicine and was previously a licensed general practitioner. He received his BA in the Biological Basis of Behavior from the University of Pennsylvania and completed additional coursework at Edinburgh University in Scotland.