My Journey

"I don't think he can do it."

I heard these words as a young, inexperienced Youth Pastor in the Spring of 2009 - my first real Leadership experience. 

It was the words of my Leadership Coach. A man who would both wreck and restore me.

He and my Senior Pastor were evaluating my Leadership (or lack thereof) based on what they saw. I took this position with a 3 month "feel it out and see" kind of commitment. There were no strings attached.

If it was a fit? Great! 

If not? Devastating...... 

As I heard my coach's words - as much as they stung - I knew the writing was on the wall - it was time to embrace reality.

As I faced my Pastor, the darts of truth lodged a little deeper as I saw written on a white board, a picture of a tree with roots running deep below the soil. However, the tree wasn't bearing any fruit.

Enter: The kill shot

"Jake, just like this picture shows. We believe you have everything it takes. All the right seeds are planted deep, in great soil. Your root system is strong. However, we're just not seeing anything being brought forth above the surface. We're not seeing any fruit and we don't know what it will take for that to happen."

It's what I had always known - so much potential, yet so little to show for. But facing the truth - seeing reality - I knew I was done. I had lasted 3 months in the first real test of my Leadership. I had failed. 

In the ensuing years, I would avoid any and all hints of Leadership. Never again. Never will I face and endure such humiliation. 

However, by God's grace - in September of 2010 I found the sport of ultra-running. 

From 2010 - 2015 I became an elite, sponsored, ultramarathon runner. God used the sport of ultra-running to not only restore my confidence, but it taught me how to suffer, endure, develop mental toughness, resilience, grit, and persevere in the face of trials. All the key mental attributes I was lacking as a young Leader. 

Although, in the Summer of 2013, another tremendous failure would lead to a dramatic breakthrough. 

I had earned an entry into the 2013 Western States 100 Mile Endurance Run by nearly beating the defending champion, Timothy Olson, at the Waldo 100k. By finishing 2nd at Waldo in August of 2012, I was guaranteed a spot in this hard-to-get-into, iconic 100-mile race from Olympic Valley to Auburn, CA. 

I put everything I had into preparing for this race - dreams of finishing well and continuing to pursue a career in ultra-running. But God had other plans.

I would overtrain in the months leading up. Being mentally and physically compromised on a 102 degree day - I pushed through countless perceived physical and mental limits - wanting to drop out, but pressed on. 

That is, until after having walked for 15 miles - I dropped out of the race at mile 85 at the Auburn Lake Trails aid-station. 

That event was another turning point in my development. I had put so much time and effort into myself and what did I have to show for? Again, the roots were deep, seeds were planted, but no fruit. But in my humility, God coached me: "What if you put all that time and effort into other peoples lives, what would that look like?"

Boom. Insight.

It only takes 1 insight and everything can shift. The Holy Spirit can coach and He coaches deep.

From that point on, I made it a focus and goal to learn how to unlock potential in others as I was finally learning the potential that had been unlocked in me. 

That coach who didn't think I could do it?

I reached out to him and hired him. 

I wouldn't be the Leader I am today without his Coaching and God's grace. It is the reason I Coach and desire to see others who have that potential they've known they've always had - that others have told them they have - but for some reason they haven't seen the fruit.

As you can tell, my passion is to help you SEE THE FRUIT - to nourish and be nourished.

That's why I am on this planet. To use this gift God has given me to partner together with you and explore together where the areas of potential are in your personal and professional life. To help draw out that deeper sense of purpose and learn new skills, develop new awareness, new insights, and new actions that will help you develop the agility and endurance needed to keep moving forward. 

Reach out today!

530.701.2323

Experience and Certifications:

-- Pursuing an ACC Coaching Accreditation from the International Coaching Federation (ICF)

-- MS in Sport Psychology - PennWest University (2016)

-- Certificate in Transformational Coaching - Western Seminary (2023)

-- Multi-Unit Executive Leader & Coach at Chick-fil-A (2018-Present)

-- Tahoe 215 Mile Finisher (2023)

-- I currently have a coach (same Coach as 2009!)

-- Trained in Working Genius, 5 Dysfunctions of a Team, Ideal Team Player, Leadership Agility, Inner Game, and receiving insight from the Holy Spirit in Coaching