In this powerful episode of Living Boldly with Purpose, we sit down with coach, podcaster, and “Dark Horse Entrepreneur” Tracy Brinkman for a raw, funny, and deeply honest conversation about identity, reinvention, and what it really takes to live on purpose.
Tracy walks us through his journey as a military brat living across the U.S. and Germany, his wild years in Southern California, and the two-year meth-fueled detour that nearly cost him everything. He shares the moment a walk home from the police station and the thought of his three-month-old daughter snapped him out of his spiral and into a new identity: dad first, everything else second.
From rebuilding his life in corporate America with brands like Coca-Cola and Victoria’s Secret, to losing a daughter, resisting old addictions, and throwing himself into personal development, Tracy shows how every “dark season” can become a training ground. Now, through his podcasts and coaching, he helps others combine mindset and action to build lives they’re proud of—not just lives that look good on paper.
In this episode, you’ll discover:
- How identity shifts (addict, dad, employee, entrepreneur, mentor) shape the way you live and lead
- Why thinking successfully isn’t enough without bold, aligned action
- The real meaning of “fill your own cup first” without becoming selfish
- How to outgrow environments, friendships, and jobs without hating them
- Why your purpose will move through seasons—and how to know when it’s time to pivot
- A simple life mantra: “Absorb what’s useful, discard the rest, and add what’s uniquely you.”
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