Jim Lunsford turned his life around with relentless discipline and resilience—his raw journey shows what it takes to overcome life’s toughest challenges.
My name is Jim Lunsford. I’m a Certified Peer Recovery Coach and Recovery Specialist, but before any title, I’m someone who’s fought hard to reclaim his own life. I don’t speak from theory—I speak from experience. I’ve been there. I’ve been through addiction, failure, loss, and trauma, and I’ve faced truths that most people spend their lives running from.
On August 2, 2015, at exactly 2:33 a.m., I reached the darkest moment of my life. My wife, Kelly, had enough. She left a few months prior. I can’t blame her—I was 305 pounds, addicted, broken, and living without purpose. I realized the destruction I had caused and decided to get clean. That night broke me wide open. It hurt more than anything, but it also gave me clarity. I had two choices: stay in that darkness or fight my way out.
I chose to fight.
After that night, I got sober—no rehab, no excuses, just discipline and sheer will. Getting sober was the hardest thing I ever did—until the next hardest thing: facing myself. Every day became a battle to rebuild. Every decision required discipline, and I learned fast that discipline is freedom. Discipline is strength. Discipline saved my life.
Through consistent effort, I shed 135 pounds of excuses, pain, and weakness. I rebuilt trust with Kelly, and through resilience and relentless accountability, we eventually remarried. Today, we’re stronger together because our bond was forged by struggle, honesty, and the courage to face hard truths.
After I found my way back from addiction, I knew I had to serve others. That’s when I put on a badge and stepped into law enforcement. I wanted to protect, serve, and make a difference, but life had other lessons in store. While working as a Police Officer, Special Deputy, and Jail Officer, I saw firsthand the flaws of the system, especially in how it handled mental health and addiction. Eventually, I realized the uniform wasn’t my best tool to help others. My real power came from my lived experience, from having walked through fire and come out the other side stronger.
So, I made another tough choice: I walked away from law enforcement entirely to dedicate myself completely to helping people rebuild their lives from trauma, addiction, and hopelessness. Now, as a Recovery Specialist, I get up every morning knowing exactly who I am and why I’m here—to help people find their own path back to strength, resilience, and freedom.
I live by five principles that I call PRIDE:
- Purpose: Without purpose, you’re lost. Find your “why” and use it to guide everything you do.
- Resilience: Life will knock you down. Get back up—every single time.
- Integrity: Do what’s right, always, especially when no one’s watching.
- Discipline: Discipline isn’t optional. Discipline doesn’t take a day off.
- Empowerment: Lift others up. Show them the strength they already have inside.
My life isn’t just coaching—it’s practicing what I preach. Every day, rain or shine, tired or hurt, I run, bike, box, or lift. My mantra is “ignore and override.” Pain isn’t permission to quit; it’s a reminder to push harder, become stronger, and find out exactly what you’re made of.
Outside of coaching, I’m a husband, father, and grandfather who believes the greatest form of leadership is setting an example. I write openly about what I’ve learned, the mistakes I’ve made, and the truths I’ve discovered. I’m inspired by leaders like Jocko Willink, who remind me daily that discipline and leadership mean owning every decision you make. I find motivation in music—from Eminem and 2Pac to Five Finger Death Punch—because real life isn’t sugar-coated. It’s raw, tough, and real.
I’m not perfect. I don’t have all the answers. I still struggle, I still fight, and I still face my demons. But that’s the point: authority isn’t earned by pretending you’re perfect. It’s earned by showing up honestly every single day, owning your past, embracing your present, and relentlessly building your future.
My name is Jim Lunsford, and if you’ve lost your way, I know exactly how you feel. I’ve been there. But more importantly, I know exactly what it takes to find your way back.
And I’m here to help you do just that.
Stay disciplined. Stay resilient.
Jim Lunsford
If Jim Lunsford’s story resonates with you, there are several ways to stay connected and support his mission. Check out Jim Lunsford’s resume to explore his professional journey and skills. Subscribe to Jim Lunsford’s newsletter for powerful insights, strategies, and personal stories about resilience and growth. Hit Jim Lunsford’s social links to follow his journey, engage with his community, and stay inspired. Finally, you can make an impact by donating to Jim Lunsford’s mission, helping him continue empowering others to overcome challenges and transform their lives. Every connection and contribution makes a difference.
Follow – The mission continues on Facebook.
I don’t offer easy answers. I offer real ones.
Addiction. Mental health. Personal growth.
Follow me here → facebook.com/jlunleashed
Disclaimers:
Use of Artificial Intelligence: Jim Lunsford is committed to sharing authentic and meaningful content. To enhance the clarity and effectiveness of his writing, Jim utilizes Artificial Intelligence (AI) as a tool in the content creation process. While AI assists in organizing and refining his ideas, every thought, insight, and story shared on this website is genuinely his own. The use of AI does not alter the authenticity of his work; rather, it helps Jim communicate more effectively with you, his audience. Jim's goal remains to inspire, motivate, and connect, and AI is simply a tool that supports that mission.
Use of Affiliate Links: Some links on this website may be affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, Jim Lunsford earns from qualifying purchases.