Jared Callahan
Jared Callahan tells us that, “My initial inspiration arose during my search to integrate my environmental background as a marine biologist with my love for culture and society (aka people!). This quest led me on a non-linear path as I connected with individuals who integrated environmental science with anthropology, then pursued further education in human physiology and exercise science, to ultimately find myself in my first coaching position working with athletes. My journey as a coach that has led me to where I am today is the result of both experiences as I continue to seek ways to merge my interests in both environmental health and human health, by looking to both ancient wisdom and modern science for direction.”
What were your early years like? Could you share a bit about your life before you began your coaching journey?
This is a BIG question! I am the oldest of three brothers. My mom separated from my dad when I was very young, still a baby, and married my step-dad when I was around 5yo. This is a very interesting and confusing time for me to reflect on as I remember both father figures in my life, as my dad continued to visit me annually while on his routes hauling trucks. My dad is still alive and is a Vietnam veteran. I say all of this because I had a bad temper in my youth and I struggled with anger management and emotional regulation. While I am not a therapist, I understand enough about trauma and human physiology to know that both past trauma and environmental influences on youth have significant impacts on psychological development. Fortunately, I had a stable and loving family on both my mom’s side and my step-dad’s side which no doubt helped me during these challenging times.
Was there any turning point in your life that changed your journey? If so, what was it? Please tell us the backstory behind it.
Reflecting back, there were a few turning points for me. Just a warning, some of these events I am not proud of. The first major turning point for me was in my youth, around 10-11yo, I struck a female student. I can remember this moment quite well, specifically the internal dialogue telling me to ‘control myself’. Sadly, on that day, I lost that battle. That same day, as a result of my guilt, I contemplated harming myself. Fortunately, I did not lose that battle. I knew at this point that I needed to invest significant energy into controlling my anger. That was the last time I allowed myself to lose control and strike another person. The second and more positive turning point was around the same time in my life when my uncle taught me to surf. This sparked a love for nature, particularly the water, that has influenced every action in my life from recreation, to coaching, to the evolution of my own personal philosophy. The last turning point for me was the introduction to philosophy and world religions. My uncle, who taught me to surf, was also a theologian and philosophy professor. I have another uncle who is a catholic missionary. Both introduced me to different cultures and ways of thinking that have had a lasting impact on my worldview and personal philosophy.
Everyone faces unique challenges when starting an entrepreneurial journey. The most valuable lessons often come from understanding how these challenges are managed. Could you share the difficulties you’ve encountered and the strategies you’ve used to cope with them?
I think its accurate to say, for all of us collectively, upon completing formal education (at any level, not just university), we all enter an entrepreneurial path. Even if it is brief, we are all challenged with the question “what do I do next?”, which is not too dissimilar to the question, “what is my purpose?”. The entrepreneurial journey, to me, is ultimately about answering those two questions. One path is towards being an employee and one path is towards being self-employed, however both paths diverge from the same beginning. The first challenge I had upon completing my degree in marine biology was originally to decide where I wanted to apply to graduate school and what thesis I wanted to devote my life to. The uncertainty and lack of formal direction around answering this question, as well as, a deep internal drive to pursue my passions were the sparks that triggered my current coaching practice, although I did not know it at the time. I have been facing my more recent challenges in starting and growing my coaching practice for almost 15yrs now. Initially I faced the challenges as a consultant working for the owner of a sports training facility where I was educated on the business, but also restricted in growth to the owner’s vision of my role. My next challenge came after parting with the sports training facility and beginning my first coaching practice with which my vision was to reconnect my community to its waterfront through paddle sports. I lived in Buffalo NY where three bodies of water converged, Lake Erie, the Buffalo River, and the Niagara River. However, there were real limitations due to Buffalo’s history with the steel industry and pollution of its waters. In an attempt to combat these limitations, I partnered with other businesses in the community to organize an all inclusive paddle event and race for three years. This is when I learned about the power of community and my own power to manifest my dreams into reality. However, I had much more growing as a coach and entrepreneur ahead of me. After three years, I dissolved the business and relocated to Washington DC with my wife. This was another important lesson, the power of change and the power of self-belief. I had become very comfortable with change having moved around quite a bit pursuing marine biology. The influence of philosophy, specifically the Greek philosophy Stoicism, also helped me to embrace change and focus on the things that were within my control, namely my beliefs and attitude. I came to Washington DC to rekindle my passion to merge both environmental health and human health. I found myself ultimately working for a large luxury gym where I continued to expand and grow as a coach in a very positive team environment, which I enjoyed a lot! This reminded me of the importance of community, surrounding yourself with like-minded individuals and keeping open-minded. I was 1 of about 50 coaches. It was a big team. And while I became one of the veteran coaches and earned respect from my peers I knew I wanted to continue to explore areas beyond the typical health and fitness trends. After COVID and experiencing the many challenges we all faced, and becoming a new father I reflected deeply on my vision of the future making the decision to create my current coaching practice. I will not lie, it was the most stressful year of my life, but I do not regret anything! I can only reflect back on the past three years and be thankful for all the challenges I’ve experienced throughout my life as those challenges have ultimately strengthened my self-efficacy which has led me to become the coach and entrepreneur I am today, restricted only by my own limiting beliefs.
What impact do you feel you have been able to create with your work so far and how would you want to grow in the next few years?
The greatest impact I have had is on sharing my personal philosophy and coaching philosophy with hundreds of people. This may sound vague, but it’s intentional. I believe for all entrepreneurs (and coaches), success lies in first discovering and being true to your internal compass and allowing this to radiate outwards from your thoughts and through your words and actions. While I could quote some testimonials about specific results, I believe it’s more impactful and true to understand that my work so far and my future work is and will be successful because I aim to express and live my personal philosophy every day – I don’t always succeed 100%, but the intention is always there. I will share my two personal philosophy statements: “merging modern science with ancient wisdom” and “eudaimonia-ubuntu”
Would you like to share with our aspiring young women entrepreneurs the changes you would like to see in the world if given the opportunity?
Empowerment. I’m a son, husband and father. It is the balance of the masculine and feminine within each of us that brings happiness. Thinking as a father speaking to my daughters, as a husband speaking to my wife, and as an equal human, the power within each of you needs to be expressed to the world. Do not make the mistake of letting anyone limit this. No one truly has that power.
Women are increasingly becoming a powerful presence in workplaces worldwide, breaking through glass ceilings and reaching top leadership positions. What are your thoughts on women’s leadership today?
It’s needed. While I believe in merging modern science with ancient wisdom, I am perfectly happy with cherry picking. Just as some modern advancements have negative outcomes, so to some ancient traditions. Continued growth and evolution of humanity as a whole requires eliminating injustice and allowing opportunity for all to express their talents especially in leadership roles where we still have individuals with selfish and dividing motivations. Women, literally the physical bearers of life, naturally belong in leadership. I believe it is humanity’s duty to embrace the synergistic strengths of both the feminine and masculine beyond perceived limitations between our anatomical sex.
Your grit and determination are making a significant impact, serving as an inspiration for many aspiring entrepreneurs. What message would you like to share with our young women leaders and audience reading this?
I refer back to empowerment. We are all limited by our own self-beliefs. It is your duty to breakdown your self-beliefs and allow your inner power to radiate outwards. No one can take that power from you.