From Pain to Purpose w/ Jeff Knapp

Jeff is the owner of Deep Waters Coaching where he helps christian men rediscover hope and purpose after trauma, addiction, or loss so they can overcome shame and reclaim their true identity.

He is a writer, speaker and coach who’s committed to helping others turn their suffering into a superpower. He can regularly be found sharing his story of trauma, addiction, and recovery in classrooms, on stages, and in coffee shops to inspire and empower others. Jeff is a Husband, Father, and Storyteller, as well as a talented voice actor and content creator who just so happens to be a highly-skilled handyman too. Jeff lives with his wife and two kids in Peachtree Corners, GA.

In this episode, Jeff shares his powerful journey of addiction, recovery, and finding purpose.He talks about the moment he woke up in a psych ward, filled with shame and confusion, not knowing how he had ended up there or what had happened. He shares how he struggled with a covert resentment towards God, medicating his feelings with addiction instead of dealing with them head on.

But through the support of treatment and his community, he was able to overcome his addiction and rebuild his life. He learned to trust in God's plan for him and discovered a deeper sense of purpose and meaning. Now, he is sober and committed to helping others who are struggling with addiction.

We chatted with Jeff about his journey, his work as a coach, and his passion for storytelling. We also discuss the importance of listening and how it's more than just hearing words, it's about showing up fully and being present. We also dive deep with Jeff and get to know more about his journey and the work he does. We believe that by listening authentically and organically, we can truly understand the heart and soul of the person on the other side. Communication is a crucial part of any relationship, and it's important to not just hear what someone is saying, but to truly listen and understand their perspective.

Jeff discusses his journey with faith and how it has shaped their career and life. How he started volunteering at a youth center and eventually became a pastor and started a nonprofit focused on helping young men between the ages of 15 and 25. Jeff had a traumatic accident during a father-son retreat and experienced a severe opioid addiction and PTSD as a result. Despite this, he was able to continue their ministry work and eventually overcome their addiction through the support of their community and therapy.

He also reflects on his experiences with regret and how he has come to embrace and cherish even the most painful and difficult moments in his life. Jeff believes that we are often limited in our understanding and perspective due to our own expectations and desires, and encourages everyone to let go of these limitations in order to see more clearly.

Jeff shares his own personal journey of struggling with mental health, feeling outside of acceptance and experiencing the consequences of their choices. He eventually found himself working as a handyman and feeling a deep ache for something more, but also carrying a backpack full of shame. He was eventually invited to a retreat with a Christian entrepreneur, where he had a life-changing experience and realized that his purpose was to help other men navigate their own experiences of brokenness and find the good within it, reframing it as a new assignment and alignment to a greater purpose.

We hope you enjoy this conversation with Jeff and take away valuable insights and inspiration. Remember, you have the power within you to turn your suffering into a superpower. This is a raw and honest conversation about the struggles of addiction and the power of recovery. We hope that it will inspire and encourage anyone who is facing similar challenges in their own lives. Thank you for listening!

Enjoying the show? Subscribe and leave a review on your favorite podcast pl