John Brink: From War-Torn Holland to Building a Business Empire in Canada
John Brink isn’t just an entrepreneur—he’s living proof that resilience and vision can turn unimaginable hardship into extraordinary success. Born in 1940 in Nazi-occupied Holland, John’s earliest memories involve dodging bombers and foraging for food during the Hunger Winter. At just five years old, he vowed to move to Canada, the land of the soldiers who liberated his village.
Fast forward to today: John is the CEO of 10 successful companies, a competitive bodybuilder at 84, a published author, and the host of the On The Brink podcast. In this episode of Direct Or Detour, he joins Brian Aleksivich for a powerful conversation about survival, entrepreneurship, aging with purpose, and turning ADHD into a superpower.
From $25.47 to a Multi-Company Legacy
In this inspiring episode, John Brink shares the incredible trajectory of his life—from war survivor to business magnate. When he arrived in Canada in 1965 with only $25.47 in his pocket and zero English skills, he had little more than a suitcase, a dream, and relentless determination.
He started at the bottom: a cleanup man in a sawmill. Within a year, he had risen through the ranks, eventually co-owning his own mill. By 1975, he launched Brink Forest Products, which became a leading secondary manufacturer of wood products in North America. But he didn’t stop there—he built a group of companies across lumber, logistics, real estate, and now media.
The Power of Vision, Work Ethic, and ADHD
What makes John’s story stand out isn’t just the scale of his success—it’s the how. He credits his foundational trio: attitude, passion, and work ethic. John also speaks candidly about his lifelong experience with ADHD, which, instead of being a limitation, he now views as his greatest gift. It fuels his creativity, drive, and ability to build long-term visions.
From academic setbacks in his youth (he failed grade 3 and grade 7—three times!) to earning honorary doctorates and launching a top 1% podcast, John Brink’s journey is a masterclass in owning your story and using every detour to your advantage.
Key Takeaways from John Brink’s Journey
- Your Past Doesn’t Define Your Future: Born into war and hardship, John proves that adversity can be fuel for greatness.
- Start Small, Dream Big: From cleanup man to CEO of 10 companies, he built his empire brick by brick.
- ADHD as a Superpower: John uses his ADHD to stay creative, visionary, and energized—an inspiring reframe for anyone who’s ever struggled with focus.
- Fitness Fuels Success: At 84, John is still a competitive bodybuilder, reinforcing the link between physical and mental discipline.
- Stay Hungry (in the Best Way): His passion for learning, building, and growing hasn’t slowed down, even after six books and hundreds of podcast episodes.
Listen to the Full Episode
ohn’s story is more than a tale of triumph—it’s a roadmap for anyone chasing a big dream, starting from nothing, or learning to see their perceived weaknesses as strengths.
🎙 Listen now:
🔗 Episode on Captivate
🔗 Guest Links
Website: http://www.johnabrink.com
Instagram: @john.a.brink
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/johnabrink
YouTube: @JohnABrink
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