Don’t be blinded by fear.

That’s just one of the lessons Michael Hingson wants audiences to learn from his story.

On September 11, 2001, Hingson, who’s been blind since birth, escaped the World Trade Center by navigating 78 flights of stairs with his then guide dog Roselle. It was because Hingson had already learned everything he could about the World Trade Center’s layout – including multiple exit locations – that he didn’t lose himself to fear in the moment, allowing both him and Roselle to make it out safely.

“I don’t rely on signs,” Hingson said. “I rely on knowledge.”

After being thrust into the national limelight post-9/11, Hingson now shares his story – and lessons of teamwork, trust, inclusion and facing fear – with audiences across the world. He'll be a speaker at the ASI Power Summit, to be held in San Diego from Oct. 13 through Oct. 15.

In this episode of Promo Insiders, ASI’s Hannah Rosenberger sat down with Hingson to discuss what he’s learned from his relationships with guide dogs, his work as a disability advocate and how those lessons can apply in the business world.