Where to start! I'll keep it brief.

In 2020 I worked with a therapist / life coach on several areas in my life I was really struggling with (my family dynamics, football challenges, wanting to transfer, COVID pressures / dynamics, friendships, my relationship). After getting to know one another, she said, "Chris, I think you could be really successful working in this [mental health] space. The fact that you are a man, you played football, and your ability to connect with others is unique." That stuck with me.

Fast forward to 2023. I'm no longer playing football. I'm not super fulfilled with corporate work in general. I am not using my gifts / talents / strengths / uniqueness as much as I want. I am looking for something different. I want to have a new big dream to run after. So, I prayed, and prayed, and prayed about this.

One afternoon the message from my therapist in 2020 snuck back into my head. I thought, "Maybe I could be good at that. Maybe it'd be an opportunity for me to use my uniqueness and serve others. Maybe this is what I'm meant to do." I then called a close family friend who runs a very successful coaching business. We talked about entrepreneurship, coaching, various programs, how I might be able to work with athletes, and more. That was one of the most exciting and energizing phone calls I've ever had (thank you Addie!). A few weeks later, I invested in the IPEC training program, and began my journey.

I am here now, trusting God, and enjoying every second of it.

I want to make a lasting impact on people. I want to inspire others to be their authentic selves and challenge status quos. I want to inspire excitement in life after sports. I love deeply connecting with others. I love building relationships. I want to foster confidence in others. I want to be able to fully utilize my God-given gifts in a way that aligns with my values and serves others.

I want to share the benefits I’ve experienced (and continue to experience) through coaching:

• I now know what I want, and what I don’t want; I’ve clarified my values.

• I am extremely excited about where I’m at in life. The most exciting part of my life is now!

• I am more confident in myself than ever before.

• I am eager to continue growing and learning.

• I am connecting with so many people, building real relationships... not just deal relationships.

• I am more creative than I’ve ever been.

• I celebrate much more often, and build off the momentum I’ve created.

• I take more risks.

• My faith has strengthened.

• I am more optimistic.

• I feel empowered to choose how I am going to show up in life.

It's easy to think that life would be different "if only." If only I had a better job, or a different job. If only I had more time. If only... then I would / could [fill in the blank]. I went through this during my transition away from sports. I felt I was limited and restricted from using my God-given gifts and talents in the world. If only I didn't have to do [XYZ]... then I could be happy, fulfilled, excited, energized, etc...

After stepping out of all my own judgements, and really starting to just appreciate what I had, I then got curious. I asked around at my company to see what other roles I might be able to switch to. I asked what our strategy team did, what our sales operations team did. My curiosity and shift away from judgement led me down a path that could not have been more ideal. After a 6-month trial period on the strategy team, I was asked to create my own job description (as a 24 year old!). I was more efficient in getting my work done. I was more effective. I was way more bought in. And, I was using more of my gifts.

Once I was able to choose how I wanted to show up, appreciate what I had versus stressing over what I didn't have, and choose to not judge things as good/bad, I was then able to see that life really does only give us opportunities. Every experience is just that, an opportunity to learn and grow. This was a success. Look what happens when we remove judgement from situations and just get curious. Look what can happen when problems and challenges are viewed as opportunities. The more I can do this in life, the more I grow... and the more success I experience.

I am on a journey. I have not "arrived." I don't know everything. I am very much still playing the game of life. What's different now is that I am creating my life. I am not at the effect of things. I am the cause. What I mean by this is I am choosing how I want to show up, respond, and continue forward regardless of what happens. Regardless of any uncontrollables.

I myself continue to utilize coaching for a multitude of reasons. If I'm not willing to pay for it, how could I expect anyone else to spend money working with me! I continue to be amazed by the impact it is having on my life. Life really is about the process, the journey; it's not about achieving some end state... it's about the ride.

And, let's talk about sports. This was my childhood dream! Playing Division 1 football. It was an unbelievable time in my life; living out a childhood dream! I am so grateful for the opportunities football gave me, and continues to give me.

Lastly, I include this section because I want to start all my partnerships with 100% authenticity. It's important to me that people know who I really am. I know one thing that is absolutely TRUE for me is that I am only going to find success, growth, accomplishment, fulfillment, and joy by being 100% myself. There is no way around it. I expect the same from everyone I work with.