Episode Summary:

What does it take to lead when you feel like you're falling apart? In this raw and unfiltered conversation, Jim sits down with Richard Kaufman—The Comeback Coach, a veteran, and a Christian leader who has navigated a 36-year recovery journey, bipolar disorder, and a past suicide attempt to build a life of profound impact.

This episode is a masterclass in resilience for any leader who feels broken, burnt out, or alone. Richard shares his powerful story of how a moment of crisis became the catalyst for his calling, how he manages his mental health moment-by-moment, and why true coaching comes from scars, not just certifications. Discover the practical strategies he uses to avoid burnout while working 18-hour days, the power of honest conversations in healing, and how to find God in the middle of your deepest pain.

Key Takeaways:

• Lead From Your Scars: A true "Comeback Coach" is someone who has been through the fire and can guide others through it, not someone who has only read the map.
• Manage Mental Health Moment-by-Moment: Your diagnosis doesn't have to be your identity. Learn to accept what you have, but rule it—don't let it rule you.
• The Power of Honest Conversation: The key to navigating mental health is having people in your life who can call you out on your patterns and hold you until the demons go away.
• The Myth of "Hustle": You can work intensely without burning out by building intentional seasons of deep rest and learning to pour from a full cup.
• Faith in the Anguish: Sometimes the most powerful prayer is simply "Help." Jesus wept, and understanding His pain gives us permission to be honest with our own.

Favorite Quotes:

• "It's hard for me to, for somebody to call themselves a coach if they've never done it before... If you've never been through the hard times and had to come back from it, don't tell me that you're a life coach."
• "It's okay to slow down as long as you don't quit."
• "You cannot pour from an empty cup."
• "I know what I have, but I rule it, it doesn't rule me."
• "If you're unbreakable, then He can't help you."

Scripture References:

• John 11:35 ("Jesus wept.")
• The Serenity Prayer
• Matthew 6:8 (He knows what you need before you ask.)
• Jeremiah 18 (The Potter and the Clay)

Action Steps & Reflection Questions:

• Who is the person in your life you can have a truly honest conversation with about your mental health?
• Are you trying to pour from an empty cup? What is one way you can intentionally rest and refill this week?
• In what area of your life do you need to pray the simple, honest prayer: "Help"?

Resources

• Richard's Podcast: Vertical Momentum Podcast
• Join the Newsletter: www.leadwithjim.com/nl
• Full Episode Show Notes & Transcript: www.leadwithjim.com/podcast

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