Why I Started Aware Coaching After Experiencing Devastating Pain and Suffering

When my wife Tracy was diagnosed with glioblastoma, our lives were completely shattered. The pain and suffering we went through were overwhelming, and there were moments when it felt like there was no way forward. But in the midst of that devastation, I found something unexpected: a deeper purpose. I realized that even in the darkest times, there is the potential for growth, transformation, and hope.

It was this realization that led me to start Aware Coaching. I wanted to help others navigate their own difficult journeys, strengthen their relationships, and find meaning in the face of overwhelming pain. Aware Coaching was born from my own experience of suffering and my desire to turn that pain into something that could support and uplift others.

As Ken Coleman said on Mike Rowe’s podcast, The Way I Heard It:

"Passion is all about suffering. The root of the word 'passion' is 'pati,' which means 'to suffer.' And so, when we talk about people who are passionate, we’re really talking about people who are willing to suffer on behalf of what they want to do."

This quote deeply resonates with my journey. Through my own suffering, I discovered a passion for helping others find strength, connection, and meaning in the face of their struggles. Aware Coaching isn’t just about offering support — it’s about transforming pain into purpose.

The Core Principles of Aware Coaching

The following five principles have guided me through my own experience and now form the foundation of Aware Coaching:

1. Suffering as a Tool for Growth

Pain is an inevitable part of life, but it can also be one of the most powerful teachers. At Aware Coaching, we believe that suffering has the potential to lead to profound personal growth. We help our clients turn their pain into opportunities for building resilience, gaining new perspectives, and strengthening their relationships.

2. Rediscovering the Edenic Expectation

Deep inside, we all long for a sense of peace, safety, and joy — a return to the harmony and wholeness that was once found in the Garden of Eden. But in this broken world, that expectation can often feel unattainable. At Aware Coaching, we guide individuals to rediscover hope and meaning, even in the most trying times. We believe that, despite the challenges, it’s still possible to find the life you desire.

3. Finding Strength Through Example

Throughout history, figures like Job and Abraham endured immense suffering yet emerged with renewed strength and resilience. We draw inspiration from these stories to remind our clients that suffering can be transformative. Trusting in the process, leaning into faith, and accepting the journey can lead to profound personal change.

4. Cultural Contrast: Finding Comfort Beyond Circumstance

Modern culture often teaches us to avoid pain at all costs, equating comfort with happiness. But true growth, peace, and fulfillment come from learning how to thrive despite hardship. At Aware Coaching, we provide the tools and strategies to navigate life’s challenges with grace, helping our clients find comfort that goes beyond temporary relief or avoidance.

5. Hope and Redemption Through Suffering

Suffering isn’t the end of the story. At Aware Coaching, we focus on finding hope and redemption in the midst of hardship. We help our clients see that, while pain is part of the journey, it’s also possible to find purpose, transformation, and healing on the other side. There is always hope waiting for those willing to seek it.

Turning Passion and Suffering Into Purpose

Aware Coaching is my way of turning the passion and suffering I experienced into something meaningful for others. It’s about giving people the tools to strengthen their relationships — both with themselves and their loved ones — even in the midst of overwhelming pain. Helping others navigate their own emotional and relational journeys is a way for me to honor the strength that Tracy showed throughout her illness. It’s my way of continuing to serve, just as I did for her.

If you are going through a difficult season and want to build stronger, more resilient relationships, visit Aware Coaching to learn how we can support you. Remember, passion is born from suffering, and together, we can find purpose and healing through it.