The Real Courage of Writing Online
Stop waiting for perfect
"Don't share it widely," he pleaded with his wife, his finger hovering over the "publish" button for the very first time.
, a seasoned engineer and leadership coach, was about to bare his soul online, an act far more terrifying than anything he'd faced in the corporate world.
Meet
, a former engineer turned Substack writer who traded blueprints for blog posts, and in the process, discovered a courage he never knew he possessed. His journey, forged in the fires of a near-death experience and fueled by a passion for helping others, is a testament to the power of sharing our stories, imperfections and all.In a world obsessed with polished perfection,
embraces the raw and the real. He invites us to join him, not as an expert with all the answers but as a fellow traveler navigating the messy, beautiful terrain of the human experience.This is his story—a story of fear conquered, voices amplified, and the unexpected liberation that comes from hitting "publish" on the truths we hold within.
Q: Tell us a little bit about your background
I have worked in engineering and technology for more than 30 years. I lead teams. I’m passionate about coaching and mentoring people to help them get a vision for what their life could be, not where they currently are. I am passionate about personal growth and leadership development and am certified as a coach/speaker/trainer with Maxwell Leadership. I have been married to Susanna for 33 years. We have two dogs, Charlie and Sadie. We are empty nesters. Our daughter Sarah married her best friend Nate this year.Q: Beyond the act of hitting "publish," what's the most courageous thing you've done as a writer on Substack?
Publishing my personal story of how I almost lost my life to a brain infection. I was hesitant to do so, but ultimately, I hit publish because I believed it might help someone. Here is that post:
Q: Many people dream of writing but fear judgment or failure. What advice would you give to those who are hesitant to share their voice on Substack?
Belief drives behavior.
You must take action to move past that nagging voice in the back of your head. When I published my first post, I asked Susanna not to share it broadly. As I received more encouraging feedback on the impact my weekly post was making, I gained more belief in myself and my message for the world.
Hit publish, especially when it’s imperfect. Even when you have to go back and correct a grammar/spelling issue later, people are more comfortable with imperfect. Feel the fear and do it anyway!
Q: In your opinion, what's the most courageous thing a reader can do after engaging with your work?
Write a comment. Offer a contrary opinion. Engage with the community. Every reader has a story to tell and can add value to others. You never know who you may help.
Q: Vulnerability is often a key component of courage. How do you balance being vulnerable with maintaining healthy boundaries as a writer in such a public space?
Going into too much detail doesn’t serve the audience. Don’t overshare. However, I will share personal struggles I’ve been through. I hope that it makes me more relatable to my readers.
The main thing I want to convey is that I don’t have things figured out. I’m a fellow traveler with you. I’m most often preaching precisely what I need to hear.
Q: Courage often involves taking risks. What's the biggest risk you've taken in sharing your writing or building your Substack community?
Sharing my personal story of near death and sharing my Substack on my LinkedIn page, which is primarily business/company contacts. Both of these have been fruitful and have brought new subscribers!
Q: If you could go back and tell your pre-Substack self one thing about the journey ahead, what would it be?
Feeling fear is normal. Throw away perfection and instead embrace progress!
Remember, it’s always about the audience, not about you. Your readers are asking, what can you do for me?
If I were to capture the essence of
and his courageous voice, I would say:Fear Is A Liar.
It Whispers Doubts When You're On The Verge Of Breakthrough.
Defy It. Share Your Story. Your Voice Matters.
If you enjoyed this article and resonate with the
way of being, too, subscribe and reach out! He’d love to hear from you.
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