Tell us about yourself. - I live in Charlotte, NC with my beautiful wife Deb, our four kiddos and fur baby. I grew up in Northwest Indiana, and love all things Chicago - especially the Cubs!
How did you get to be where you are today? With a lot of love and luck. As a young adult, I originally worked in Human Resources for a large hotel in Indianapolis, Indiana. I added a degree in Elementary Education, which is what brought me to Charlotte. Ending up back in the Corporate world, I worked on the Tech side of HR. I never imagined I’d end up as a Health Coach, or step out and fulfill the dream of writing children’s books!
Have you ever been fired? - Yes! I was laid off from a company where I was working in HR Tech. I remember the drive home wondering what I was going to tell my family. I allowed myself to be a bit shaken by the experience. But in hindsight, it was a critical part of my growth and development.
What are your real passions? My family, helping people, health and wellness, travel, music, and Chicago sports.
If you won the lottery, what would you do? I would try to help as many people as possible. Working to assist homelessness and hunger.
What do you do to help others be their best? I think empathetic listening is critical. We all want to be the best version of ourselves. And for many of us, life and circumstances can get in the way. Deep down we know what lights us up, and I try to help people uncover how to find their way to being the healthiest, wealthiest version of themselves.
How do you help yourself be the best you can be? Coaching, reading, and following thought leaders I admire are huge for me. I read self development books, and I try to ground myself each day with a mindfulness practice that includes meditation, gratitude and visualization.
What do you like to do in your personal life? Spending time with family, read, spending time in nature and travel - especially to see a Chicago sports team!
What do you hope to accomplish in the future? - Caring for my friends and family, and helping as many people as I can. I’d like to open a foundation that supports homelessness and hunger.
What is a book or two that you recommend? I’d highly recommend Know Your Truth by Gordana Biernat. Finding the book, and having the opportunity to coach with Gordana has been truly life changing. For personal reading, one of my favorite authors is Umberto Eco. So anything by Eco, and I enjoy Russian literature.
Please give us one or two shameless plugs. Well, I’m always available to help people on their way to being their healthiest selves. And I’m grateful to have just had two Readers released, Rugby Bugby’s First Day of School, and Rugby Bugby’s First Dentist Visit. My first picture book, A Turkey Named Spaghetti is out in November. All with Waldorf Publishing.
What are some of your favorites? (books, websites, etc..) Well Know the Truth. I mentioned. Untethered Soul is another one of my go to’s for personal development. I loved Focault’s Pendulum by Eco, I’m reading Crime and Punishment again, and Wrong Place Wrong Time by David Perlmutter.
Why do you do what you do? I try to do more and more each day that brings me joy. I find joy in helping others, and that’s what I try to bring to each day. If I can help even one person, it’s been a good day.
What are a few of your goals? To create a legacy for my family. To help as many people be their healthiest and happiest selves. And I am looking to begin a foundation, we hoped this year, but it may be 2021.
What do the words "Best Ever You" mean to you? I love this, and thank you for building such a beautiful supportive community. To me it means stepping more and more into our truth each day. Working to be the best version of ourselves, and being excited to make mistakes and gather wins, learning from both along the way.
Follow Dave Strauss on Twitter @strauss51
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