Author: Jim Lunsford

Jim Lunsford is a peer recovery coach in training, certified life coach, resilience advocate, and seasoned professional in personal empowerment and criminal justice. With a history marked by overcoming personal struggles, including addiction and trauma, Jim draws from his life's challenges to guide others. His dedication to service is evident in his roles in law enforcement and corrections, where he actively contributes to community safety while fostering positive relationships. As a devoted family man and community servant, Jim's mission is to inspire and nurture resilience within others, encouraging them to overcome obstacles and achieve personal growth.

Trump vs Harris: Why America Needs a Change in Leadership in 2024

First, let me say I hate politics. I truly do. I don’t participate in elections, and I’ve got my reasons for that, which I might dive into at some point in the future. But for now, let’s just say that as much as I try to steer clear of the political circus, it feels impossible to escape the noise. It’s everywhere, from the moment you open social media to when you turn on the TV. And, with the presidential election around the corner, it’s even more suffocating. So, in the spirit of adding to the growing chatter, I thought I’d throw in my two cents.

From Solo Runs to Competition: My First Official Race Story

Today, I ran in the Jackson Township Fire Department’s 9/11 Memorial Run in Brown County, Indiana. Now, if you know me, you know I’ve been running for years—it’s been more than just exercise; it’s been part of my recovery journey from addiction. Running has always had a therapeutic quality for me, a place where my mind can clear and I can focus on something positive. But despite all the miles I’ve logged, this run was special because it was my first organized event.

United We Stand: America’s Resilience After September 11

America has always prided itself on being exceptional, a country born out of the pursuit of freedom and built on the ideals of resilience and unity. But never in recent history were these qualities tested more intensely than on September 11, 2001. It was a day that would change the United States and the entire world. Yet, what emerged from the ashes of destruction was a powerful testament to what truly makes America exceptional.

Stay Disciplined, Stay Resilient: Keys to Overcoming Life’s Challenges

Discipline and resilience. These two words carry a lot of weight for me. They aren’t just concepts I talk about or principles I coach others through—they are my lifelines. They are the compass points that guide me through every decision, every obstacle, and every triumph. In life, we often find ourselves looking for some sort of map, a set of directions to help us make sense of the chaos around us. For me, discipline and resilience have become those directions. They’re the foundation on which I built my life and continue to shape who I am today.

Resilience Unleashed Still on Pause: My Mission to Help Continues

It’s been a couple of months since I last posted on Resilience Unleashed Empowerment Services. Life got overwhelming, and with everything on my plate, something had to give. If you’ve been following along, you might remember that I decided to take a step back. Not from the work I do but from the constant grind of daily posts. Balancing everything — my full-time job, training, and personal commitments — became too much. The truth is, while I might not be posting there daily, it doesn’t mean I’ve stopped doing the work that really matters. Behind the scenes, I’m still fully engaged and still dedicated to the mission of helping others.

Why I Speak About Addiction: Offering Hope to Those Still Struggling

I hope people don’t misunderstand my intentions when I talk about my struggle with addiction. Lately, I’ve been sharing a lot about that journey, and I can’t help but wonder if some might think it’s about seeking attention or being overly proud of my recovery. But let me clarify that: what I share isn’t for praise or recognition. Sure, I’m proud of what I’ve accomplished, but the real reason I talk about it so much is simple: I want others to learn from my experience.

Learning to Be Human Again: My Transformation After Addiction

Addiction has a way of stripping you down, taking everything that makes you feel human and leaving you with nothing but the barest shell of who you once were. At my lowest, I was barely recognizable to myself and those who loved me. I was 305 pounds, unable to walk down the street without losing my breath and consumed by habits that kept me spiraling further and further away from the life I wanted to live. My body was a mess—high blood pressure, constant fatigue, and a complete disregard for my health. But perhaps even more disturbing was how I had let every other aspect of my life fall into disrepair. I didn’t shower regularly, if at all. My diet was a disaster, more about keeping the alcohol flowing than nourishing my body. My home? It was a wreck, neglected, and left to deteriorate just like I had.

Take Control of Your Day: Don’t Let The World Decide How It Goes

Look, life is full of challenges. Some days, it feels like people, circumstances, or just plain bad luck are out to derail everything you had planned. We’ve all been there, right? A random comment from someone, a situation beyond your control, or even a string of unfortunate events can throw a wrench in your day, leaving you frustrated and ready to throw in the towel.

Rediscovering Life: How the Sky Helped Me Heal After Addiction

There’s a certain numbness that comes with addiction, a dulling of the senses that seeps into every corner of your life. I lived in that fog for a long time, disconnected from the world around me, barely aware of the passing days. It’s hard to admit, but there was a time when I was so deep in addiction that I only left the house four times in an entire year. Four times. And each of those times was driven by one desperate need: to get more narcotics from my doctor, the very substances that were destroying me from the inside out.

The Hard Path to Sobriety: How Losing Kelly Helped Me Find Myself

There was a time in my life when I was completely broken-hearted when everything I held dear seemed to slip through my fingers. That time came when Kelly, the love of my life, left me because of my addiction issues. It was the kind of heartbreak that shook me to my core, that made me question every choice, every path, and every mistake that led me to that moment. For so long, I had clung to the belief that I could control my demons, that I could keep my addiction in check, but the truth was, it had taken control of me. And in the process, I was losing everything, including the woman I loved more than anything in this world.