Adversity can come in many forms, but child abuse is one of the most devastating experiences a person can go through. It can leave lasting emotional scars and have a profound impact on a person’s life. But those same experiences can also be used as fuel for transformation and purpose-driven lives. By facing the odds despite the trauma of our past, we can find strength within ourselves that many don’t know we possess. By doing this, we can turn our pain into something meaningful that will empower us to rise above the odds.
In this episode, Rachel interviews speaker and author Chad Gaines. Chad knows what it feels like to be abandoned and abused by his family— the very ones that should give him love and security. But he did not let his pain turn him into someone that inflicts pain on others too. Instead, he is on a mission to help others not be so afraid anymore.
Let Chad share more about his story and how he was able to find his purpose despite all the trauma he experienced. As you listen to this episode, see how you too, can cultivate a positive mindset, find your purpose, find closure, display acceptance, love, and forgiveness, and transform your life through the ultimate love that each of us has received from above.
“[God] didn’t say it was going to be easy, but He said it’s going to be worth it.” —Chad Gaines
Episode Highlights:
02:38 Abandoned and Abused
08:34 “Figure It Out”
14:16 Living Your Purpose
20:21 Closure At Last
25:40 Acceptance, Love, and Forgiveness
32:32 How Violence Shapes a Person
38:41 Things Are Not Everything
44:23 The Ultimate Love
51:28 Knowledge is Everything
Resources:
Grab a Signed Copy of Chad’s Books
- Who Am I? https://checkout.square.site/merchant/CVEZ1R3R2ABVZ/checkout/MFB73S2F4JRYSNGYUG5VM3NP
- The Change Book https://square.link/u/MfBAHJRr
Tweet:
Everyone experiences hard times in life, but it’s how we face the odds and come out victorious against adversity that truly defines us. Join in as Rachel and author and speaker @gaineschad share how we can find joy, hope, and forgiveness no… Click To Tweet
Quotes:
14:16 “You can have plan B, Plan C, plan D all the way to Z. And if you’re not doing what you’re called to do and you recognize that, nothing else is gonna work. Everything else is gonna be a failure.” —Chad Gaines
27:38 “When someone says, ‘I can relate to that’ that’s when I know I’m impacting their life. And all I want to do is just help people not be so afraid.” —Chad Gaines
29:54 “[God] didn’t say it was going to be easy, but He said it’s going to be worth it.” —Chad Gaines
36:03 “Life is like football: it’s blocking and tackling—it’s blocking out the distractions and tackling the opportunities.” —Chad Gaines
38:41 “People are everything. The biggest things in life are not things at all.” —Chad Gaines
50:38 “You got to have that humbleness no matter what level you’re on because God says he can humble you down.” —Chad Gaines
Meet Chad:
Chad Richard Gaines was born on June 3, 1973. Author and speaker now, he is widely known for his book, Who Am I, and the details of his horrific child abuse when he was a young boy. He spends much of his time lecturing and coaching on PTSD and its long-term effects. Gaines is now a coach about the concepts of resilience.
In 2001, his mother killed his stepfather, and he writes the details in his book based on his life, “Who Am I” the Chad Gaines story. In 2004, Chad Gaines was honored as one of the Ten Most Outstanding Young Americans (TOYA) in the country. In 2008, Gaines was honored with the Daily Points of Light by President of the United States, George Bush.
In 2020, Hollywood writer Stevie Long wrote the movie script based on Gaines’ life. Filming of the movie, Pocket of Hope (The Chad Gaines story) will take place in San Francisco, California, in the summer of 2023. Additionally, Chad has appeared on many podcasts worldwide, sharing his story and message: Keep Getting Back Up.
- Website: https://www.gaineschad.com/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/teamgainess/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/gaineschad
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gaineschad/
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gaineschad/
- YouTube: https://youtu.be/B42eFBtfwTI