Jim's story
I've been in some tough places myself.
My life hasn't always been easy. I struggled during my teenage years, made some poor choices, and learned firsthand what it feels like to need someone in your corner.
Fortunately, people stepped into my life who listened, challenged me, encouraged me, and helped me find a better direction.
Since then, I've spent more than 30 years working with people, been married to Michelle for 38 years, raised three boys, and coached youth baseball for 18 seasons.
Those experiences have taught me something I believe deeply:
People need to be heard. Really heard.
That's what I want to provide through In Your Corner.
About Jim
The Roots of Listening
I'm Jim. And I've learned a lot about life the hard way.
I've experienced some pretty good chapters in life—and some difficult ones. When I was seven, my parents divorced, and my life changed dramatically. During my teenage years, I struggled, made some poor choices, got into trouble, and found myself needing help.
Fortunately, a few people stepped into my life at the right time. A counselor who finally reached me. A probation officer who held me accountable. A judge who helped get me the right help. And my mother, who showed me some tough love when I needed it.
Those experiences taught me something I've never forgotten:
Sometimes having the right person in your corner can change your life.
Family
Raising three boys taught me another side of life.
Michelle and I raised three sons. Our family life was centered around our kids. We traveled together, watched a lot of baseball, celebrated their successes, dealt with challenges and did our best to raise them to become good men.
All three graduated from college and are doing well as adults. I'm incredibly proud of them.
Being a father taught me that every child is different. What works for one doesn't necessarily work for another. Sometimes kids need encouragement. Sometimes they need accountability. Sometimes they simply need someone to listen.
Career
My career taught me to listen.
I've spent more than 30 years working in the automotive business, where I've had the opportunity to meet and work with thousands of people.
One of my mentors taught me something that has stayed with me:
We get to serve people and love on people while helping them find solutions.
I've taken that seriously throughout my career.
I've learned that one of the most valuable things you can give another person is your attention.
Really listening.
Not just waiting for someone to stop talking so you can tell them what you think.
Listening to understand.
Michelle
Then I met Michelle.
I was 15 when I met Michelle at my new high school. She became one of the most important people in my life. She believed in me, challenged me, and helped me see a different future for myself.
We married soon after high school. Today, we've been married for 38 years, and we're still committed to the same goal: 50 years. And more.
We've had wonderful years together, and we've had difficult ones too. I've made mistakes, especially when fear and insecurity got in my way. Michelle stayed, we worked through the hard seasons, and I've learned a tremendous amount about marriage, trust, communication, forgiveness and commitment.
I'm incredibly grateful for her.
Baseball
Baseball taught me about people.
I coached youth baseball for 18 seasons and served on our league board for about a decade.
I thought I was coaching baseball.
I was really learning about people.
I learned about different personalities, motivation, leadership, teamwork, fairness and communication. I learned how to encourage someone who was struggling and how to challenge someone who needed to be challenged.
Most importantly, I learned how much people can accomplish when someone believes in them.
Why In Your Corner
Why I Created In Your Corner
I've been fortunate to have people in my life who were willing to listen to me, challenge me, encourage me and help me find a better direction.
I know what it feels like to need someone in your corner.
And I know what it feels like to be that person for someone else.
That's why I created In Your Corner.
I'm not here because I have all the answers.
I don't.
I'm here to provide a place where you can talk openly, think through what's happening in your life, consider your options and figure out what your next step might be.
No judgment. No pretending. Just a real conversation.
If what you're dealing with requires a counselor, therapist, medical professional, attorney or another specialist, I'll encourage you to get the right professional help.
But sometimes you don't need someone to tell you what to do.
Sometimes you just need someone to listen.
That's what I'm here for.
I'm Jim. And I'm in your corner.