Who I Became

Wassim Dabboussi is a business strategist, motivational speaker, and performance and life coach. He was born in Lebanon and his family emigrated to Australia when he was 10. In today’s episode, we talk about how the change in culture affected his personal identity and caused him to develop unhealthy addictions which lead him to a “bigger than me why question” that question changed his mindset to now live a life of fulfillment.   Connect with Simon  Podcast: http://apple.co/3nnvSxm (http://apple.co/3nnvSxm ) Instagram: https://instagram.com/simonosamoh/ (https://instagram.com/simonosamoh/ ) Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WhoIBecame/ (https://www.facebook.com/WhoIBecame/ ) Youtube: http://bit.ly/3d52vKN (http://bit.ly/3d52vKN ) Simon's Books: https://amzn.to/3icJ8D0 (https://amzn.to/3icJ8D0 )  Connect with Wassim Website: https://wassimdabboussi.com/ (https://wassimdabboussi.com/)  Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/wassimdabboussi/ (https://www.linkedin.com/in/wassimdabboussi/ ) Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/theofficialwassimdabboussi/ (https://www.facebook.com/theofficialwassimdabboussi/ ) Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/user/WassimDabboussi (https://www.youtube.com/user/WassimDabboussi  )

2020 was an interesting year, to say the least, but I got to release 23 impactful episodes of my podcast that educated, informed, or inspired others to lead a life of significance. This week I focus on some of the most impactful bits. Learn more about the people I mention Learn More About Simon https://linktr.ee/simonosamoh (https://linktr.ee/simonosamoh) Dan Blevins https://amzn.to/3aW60WJ (https://amzn.to/3aW60WJ) Denise Koster Book https://amzn.to/3hxUW3n (https://amzn.to/3hxUW3n) Dr. Samuel Ekundayo https://amzn.to/38RMsQG (https://amzn.to/38RMsQG) Gary Robinson’s Book https://amzn.to/38Na9cQ (https://amzn.to/38Na9cQ) Lester Young’s Book https://amzn.to/3879vaM (https://amzn.to/3879vaM) Ross Deuchar https://www.mindbreathcoaching.co.uk/ (https://www.mindbreathcoaching.co.uk/) Dr. James Densley https://www.theviolenceproject.org/ (https://www.theviolenceproject.org/) Lt Col Dave Grossman Books https://amzn.to/352vjCK (https://amzn.to/352vjCK) Church Safety Guy’s Books https://amzn.to/3rKrNGP (https://amzn.to/3rKrNGP) Katie the Good Patriot https://www.goodpatriot.com/ (https://www.goodpatriot.com/) --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/who-i-became/support (https://anchor.fm/who-i-became/support)

The power of consistency part 2: I’m joined again by Dr. Samuel Ekundayo from Auckland New Zealand. In part one we discussed the adversity he had to overcome taking on his Ph.D. at just age 23. This week we focus on how to find purpose and the meaning of life. Dr. Samuel Ekundayo is a lecturer, TEDx speaker, performance coach, purpose preacher, and author of https://amzn.to/2JUZOmB (Arise and Succeed), https://amzn.to/340Xi55 (Purpose in Crisis), https://amzn.to/2W2Fdzs (Fired Up) and https://amzn.to/3qMH0GL (30 Reasons to Stay: Say No to Suicide and Give Life Another Try) Follow Dr. Samuel Website: https://www.samuelekundayo.com/ (https://www.samuelekundayo.com/) YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/SAMUELEKUNDAYO/ (https://www.youtube.com/c/SAMUELEKUNDAYO/) Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DrSamuelEkundayo/ (https://www.facebook.com/DrSamuelEkundayo/) Dr. Samuel on amazon: https://amzn.to/3oifn6C (https://amzn.to/3oifn6C ) Follow Simon Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WhoIBecame (https://www.facebook.com/WhoIBecame) Subscribe on Youtube: https://bit.ly/3d52vKN (https://bit.ly/3d52vKN) Simon on Amazon: https://amzn.to/3obOyAO (https://amzn.to/3obOyAO ) --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/who-i-became/support (https://anchor.fm/who-i-became/support)

On today’s episode, I’m excited to be joined by Dr. Samuel Ekundayo, who is a university lecturer, author, TEDx speaker, author of the books https://amzn.to/2JUZOmB (Arise and Succeed), https://amzn.to/340Xi55 (Purpose in Crisis), https://amzn.to/2W2Fdzs (Fired Up), and https://amzn.to/3qMH0GL (30 Reasons to Stay: Say No to Suicide and Give Life Another Try) and performance coach based in New Zealand. This is a two-part conversation in what I have titled “the power of consistency”. I first saw Samuel when one of his posts “the power of consistency” went viral on LinkedIn with close to a million views. It resonated with me as it's simple but true, we do not achieve anything without consistency!    He’s an incredibly powerful and exciting speaker driven by purpose but has had to overcome adversity in his own life. At 23 he was kicked off his Ph.D., program for not being good enough! but of course, the story does not end there. If you want to hear how he overcame this adversity and discovered his calling to help others find their purpose take a listen….!    Follow Dr. Samuel  Website: https://www.samuelekundayo.com/ (https://www.samuelekundayo.com/) YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/SAMUELEKUNDAYO/ (https://www.youtube.com/c/SAMUELEKUNDAYO/) Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DrSamuelEkundayo/ (https://www.facebook.com/DrSamuelEkundayo/) Dr. Samuel on amazon: https://amzn.to/3oifn6C (https://amzn.to/3oifn6C ) Follow Simon  Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WhoIBecame (https://www.facebook.com/WhoIBecame) Subscribe on Youtube: https://bit.ly/3d52vKN (https://bit.ly/3d52vKN) Simon on Amazon: https://amzn.to/3obOyAO (https://amzn.to/3obOyAO ) --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/who-i-became/support (https://anchor.fm/who-i-became/support)

We constantly face adversities. But when adversity turns into a full-blown crisis, are you and your organization prepared and confident enough to face it? Whether they admit it or not, most organizations are not crisis-ready. The generic crisis preparation plan most companies have wouldn’t work on the real battlefield. Thus, a clear-cut roadmap to business invincibility with the help of a reputation defender is necessary. In this episode, reputation defender Melissa Agnes is back for the second part of our conversation about crisis readiness. She talks about how she discovered her purpose in educating and holding organizations accountable for crisis readiness. Melissa emphasizes how crucial crisis readiness is in making the world a kinder place. She also shares the lessons from her entrepreneurial journey and how it has shaped her outlook. Tune in to the episode to learn about the impact of crisis readiness in creating a better world from a renowned reputation defender. 3 reasons why you should listen to the full episode: Learn why crisis readiness is more critical than crisis management. Discover the connection between being crisis-ready and creating a kinder world. Find out why you should self-reflect instead of blaming other people. Resources Connect with Melissa: https://melissaagnes.com/ (Website) | https://www.linkedin.com/in/melissaagnes/ (LinkedIn) | https://www.facebook.com/melissaagnes/ (Facebook)  https://www.amazon.com/Crisis-Ready-Building-Invincible-Uncertain/dp/1684014131 (Crisis Ready: Building an Invincible Brand in an Uncertain World) by Melissa Agness https://www.simonosamoh.com/who-i-became-podcast/whatitmeanstobecrisisreadypart1 (Episode 20: What It Means To Be Crisis Ready, Part 1 With Melissa Agnes) About Melissa Melissa Agnes is the brains behind the Crisis Ready® Model. She is also the founder and CEO of the Crisis Ready Institute. She is a recognized thought leader in crisis preparedness, brand protection, and reputation management. Furthermore, Melissa is also the author of Crisis Ready, one of Forbes’ Top 10 Business Books in 2018. In 2019, she founded the Crisis Ready® Community as a space for professionals to hone their crisis-ready skills. Melissa is a sought-out keynote speaker, commentator, strategic advisor, and reputation defender. Throughout her career, she has worked with several well-known institutions. These include NATO, the Pentagon (DoD), US Ministries of Foreign Affairs and Defense, and more. If you want to reach out to Melissa, you can visit her https://melissaagnes.com/ (website), https://www.linkedin.com/in/melissaagnes/ (LinkedIn), https://www.facebook.com/melissaagnes/ (Facebook), and https://www.instagram.com/melissaagnes/ (Instagram). You can also visit Crisis Ready Institute’s https://crisisreadyinstitute.com/ (website). Enjoyed this Episode? If you did, be sure to subscribe and share it with your friends! Post a review and share it! If you enjoyed tuning in, please leave us a review. You can also share this with your friends and family. This episode will inspire them to follow their calling and be crisis-ready. Have any questions? You can connect with me onhttps://www.facebook.com/simonosamoh1 ( Facebook),https://twitter.com/SimonOsamoh ( Twitter), orhttps://www.instagram.com/simonosamoh/ ( Instagram). Thank you for tuning in! For more updates, visit myhttps://www.simonosamoh.com/ ( website) orhttps://mailchi.mp/79a93fb461d9/simonosamoh ( join) the community. You may also tune in onhttps://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/who-i-became/id1514104061 ( Apple Podcasts) orhttps://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLmu-CaQ10DJk7Y1uAfk_f_MJkwt1m2441 ( YouTube).

2020 has undoubtedly been one of the most challenging years of our lives. It felt as if the world was gleefully throwing curveball after curveball. Everything that has transpired this year has put many organizations in a difficult position. This is particularly true when it comes to handling crises. Thus, 2020 showed us how crucial crisis readiness is with someone like a reputation defender. Reputation defender Melissa Agnes joins us to talk about what it means to be crisis-ready. She shares the term’s coinage and how it has honed their mission at the Crisis Ready Institute. She also imparts the process behind delivering a complex message through a compelling TEDx Talk. Finally, Melissa shares how her personal journey and relationship with her sister helped her find her calling. Discover the Importance of adopting a crisis-ready culture and being a reputation defender! Tune in to the episode to learn more. 3 reasons why you should listen to the full episode: Find out what it means to be crisis-ready. Learn the most critical aspect that makes up a successful business. Discover the importance of mindfulness and being a reputation defender in crisis readiness. Resources Connect with Melissa: https://melissaagnes.com/ (Website) | https://www.linkedin.com/in/melissaagnes/ (LinkedIn) | https://www.facebook.com/melissaagnes/ (Facebook) | https://www.instagram.com/melissaagnes/ (Instagram) https://crisisreadyinstitute.com/ (Crisis Ready Institute) https://youtu.be/VQGEPEaEWtg (TEDx Talk: The Secret to Successful Crisis Management in the 21st Century - Melissa Agnes) https://www.amazon.com/Crisis-Ready-Building-Invincible-Uncertain/dp/1684014131 (Crisis Ready: Building an Invincible Brand in an Uncertain World) by Melissa Agnes https://www.simonosamoh.com/who-i-became-podcast/whatitmeanstobecrisisready (Episode 21: What It Means To Be Crisis Ready, Part 2 With Melissa Agnes ) https://www.theviolenceproject.org/ (The Violence Project) https://youtu.be/UyaYMOCt_Ug (TEDx Talk: Violence in the Age of Social Media - James Densley) About Melissa Melissa Agnes is the brains behind the Crisis Ready® Model. She is also the founder and CEO of the Crisis Ready Institute. She is a recognized thought leader in crisis preparedness, brand protection, and reputation management. Furthermore, Melissa is also the author of Crisis Ready, one of Forbes’ Top 10 Business Books in 2018. In 2019, she founded the Crisis Ready® Community as a space for professionals to hone their crisis-ready skills. Melissa is a sought-out keynote speaker, commentator, strategic advisor, and reputation defender. Throughout her career, she has worked with several well-known institutions. These include NATO, the Pentagon (DoD), US Ministries of Foreign Affairs and Defense, and more. If you want to reach out to Melissa, you can visit her https://melissaagnes.com/ (website), https://www.linkedin.com/in/melissaagnes/ (LinkedIn), https://www.facebook.com/melissaagnes/ (Facebook), and https://www.instagram.com/melissaagnes/ (Instagram). You can also visit Crisis Ready Institute’s https://crisisreadyinstitute.com/ (website). Enjoyed this Episode? If you did, be sure to subscribe and share it with your friends! Post a review and share it! If you enjoyed tuning in, please leave us a review. You can also share this with your friends and family. This episode will inspire them to follow their calling and be crisis-ready. Have any questions? You can connect with me onhttps://www.facebook.com/simonosamoh1 ( Facebook),https://twitter.com/SimonOsamoh ( Twitter), orhttps://www.instagram.com/simonosamoh/ ( Instagram). Thank you for tuning in! For more updates, visit myhttps://www.simonosamoh.com/ ( website) orhttps://mailchi.mp/79a93fb461d9/simonosamoh ( join) the community. You may also tune in onhttps://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/who-i-became/id1514104061 ( Apple Podcasts) orhttps://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLmu-CaQ10DJk7Y1uAfk_f_MJkwt1m2441 ( YouTube).

Gary Robinson has a unique story of transformation. When he was 11, his mother committed murder, and with an absent father and his mom’s poor life choices, there were few people in the family willing to take him in. At 13 years old, Gary considered himself dependent on alcohol and his life really spiraled out of control when at 15 he tried to commit suicide. He ended up living on the streets and selling drugs. At 19 an encounter led him to kidnap and rob two men and he received a 15-year prison sentence. When in prison, he saw a Bible and wondered what he could become if he followed God’s word. This revelation went on to not only change his thinking but change his life!  Show Notes and Links  Connect With Gary: https://bit.ly/3jZlWs7  Gary’s Book on Amazon: https://amzn.to/32aeTqv  Simon's Books on Amazon: https://amzn.to/3et1u08  Who I Became Facebook: https://bit.ly/3eD90pa  Who I Became YouTube: https://bit.ly/3elrZo5

Lester Young was just 19 years old when he took someone’s life. Sentenced to serve a minimum of 20 years, Lester started to deal with his pain and reflect on the actions which led to his incarceration. With less than a 3% chance of parole, Lester started to transform himself to become a better person. Now released, Lester is the Executive Director and Founder of Path2Redemption and author of the highly acclaimed book The 5 Stages of Incarceration. Show Notes and Links Learn More About Lester: https://path2redemption.org/ (https://path2redemption.org/) Lester’s Book on Amazon: https://amzn.to/3iZdDMA (https://amzn.to/3iZdDMA) Simon's Books on Amazon: https://amzn.to/3et1u08 (https://amzn.to/3et1u08 ) Who I Became Facebook: https://bit.ly/3eD90pa (https://bit.ly/3eD90pa) Who I Became YouTube: https://bit.ly/3elrZo5 (https://bit.ly/3elrZo5) --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/who-i-became/support (https://anchor.fm/who-i-became/support)

Kevin Haggerty describes himself as a patriot, single dad, entrepreneur, teacher, and pastor at a church in Florida.  After battling addiction in his late teens, Kevin went on to become a successful entrepreneur running his own business but found his financial success gave him more problems. He looked around one day and realized that he had let money become his master and had few real friends.  Show Notes and Links  More About Kevin: https://www.godlogicproject.com/  GodLogic Project Facebook: https://bit.ly/3c5GqNv  GodLogic Project YouTube: https://bit.ly/2FOTpa4  Simon on Amazon: https://amzn.to/3jwwtLW  Who I Became Facebook: https://bit.ly/3eD90pa  Who I Became YouTube: https://bit.ly/3elrZo5

Experiencing discrimination is never pleasant. But, you can control how you respond to negative experiences. This week’s guest shows us that negative experiences don’t need to dictate your life’s trajectory. Instead, they can serve as springboards to bigger and better opportunities.  In this episode, Michael Rozin joins us to share his life’s journey and what led him to become an expert in security solutions. There was no shortage to the discrimination and hardships he experienced as he moved from one country to another. However, he didn't let that stop him. Michael shares how he, a Jewish child in Belarus, became a behavior detection and security solutions expert. Finally, he details how Rozin Technologies impacts government and private institutions across the globe. Join us to hear about a life of adapting to changes instead of fearing them.  3 reasons why you should listen to the full episode:Absorb the lessons that Michael learned as he moved from one country to another.  Discover what contributed to Michael’s expertise in security solutions, behavior detection, and threat mitigation. Understand what it means to be adaptable to change and open to new possibilities. About Michael Michael Rozin is a teacher, speaker, and expert in security solutions and behavior detection. He served as a security agent when he was living in Israel and received an excellence award in the agency he was working for at the time. In 2010, he became a Special Operations Security Captain in the Mall of America. He developed various programs and managed a behavior detection unit. Many institutions have since studied and implemented Michael's initiatives to this day.  He founded Rozin Security along with his wife, Kathryn Rozin. They advocate and teach expert strategies on security solutions, threat mitigation, and behavior detection.  If you want to connect with Michael, you can visit https://rozinsecurity.com/ (Rozin Security) and https://rozintechnologies.com (Rozin Technologies). Enjoyed this Episode?If you did, be sure to subscribe and share it with your friends! Post a review and share it! If you enjoyed tuning in, then leave us a review. You can also share this with your friends and family. This episode will inspire them to follow their calling and use what they have to do good in the world. Have any questions? You can connect with me onhttps://www.facebook.com/simonosamoh1 ( Facebook),https://twitter.com/SimonOsamoh ( Twitter), orhttps://www.instagram.com/simonosamoh/ ( Instagram). Thank you for tuning in! For more updates, visit myhttps://www.simonosamoh.com/ ( website) orhttps://mailchi.mp/79a93fb461d9/simonosamoh ( join the community). You may also tune in onhttps://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/who-i-became/id1514104061 ( Apple Podcasts) orhttps://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLmu-CaQ10DJk7Y1uAfk_f_MJkwt1m2441 ( YouTube).

Ross Deuchar is an internationally renowned Criminologist and Professor of Criminology and former Fulbright Scholar working in the UK and America with a Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) from the University of Strathclyde, Scotland. He is the author of several highly acclaimed Criminology books. His most recent book Gangs and Spirituality (Palgrave MacMillan) examines the role of religion and spirituality (including meditation) in desistance from crime and disengagement from gangs from a global perspective. Ross is also a Dynamic Life, Performance & certified Meditation Coach.  Learn More About:  Ross: https://www.rossdeuchar.me.uk/  Life Coaching by Ross: https://www.mindbreathcoaching.co.uk/  Ross’s Books on Amazon: https://amzn.to/3ivi69f  Simon's Books on Amazon: https://amzn.to/3cUwx5z  Who I Became Facebook: https://bit.ly/3eD90pa

Denise Koster has spent the last 30 years focused on violence prevention and is a graduate of the Gavin de Becker threat assessment academy. In today's episode, Denise shares her experiences working in the security field and how the death of one of her patients at the hand of domestic abuse changed her life trajectory.  Show Notes and Links  Learn More About Denise: https://kosterconsultingassociates.com/  Denise’s book on Amazon: https://amzn.to/3mtYyFx  Simon's Books on Amazon: https://amzn.to/3jwwtLW  Who I Became Facebook: https://bit.ly/3eD90pa  Who I Became YouTube: https://bit.ly/3d52vKN --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/who-i-became/support (https://anchor.fm/who-i-became/support)

America is often known as the land of the free. It is the country where many seek opportunities and build a better life despite their circumstances. That is one of the reasons why its people love their home country and remain good patriots. Many wars and battles were fought to attain this freedom. Today, many continue to advocate for it. Amidst the many controversies and issues that have come up in the past years, many feel restricted. Katie is one of those people who continue to fight and advocate for what freedom is. She boldly tackles controversial topics and speaks up in the name of justice and patriotism. In this episode, she shares her story on how she started her journey to becoming the Good Patriot. Find out why Katie is so passionate about what freedom is and how she advocates for it in the land of the free. 3 reasons why you should listen to the full episode: Learn how to face being female in a male-dominated industry. Learn to take the bad news with a little bit of humor and light-heartedness. Find solidarity with Katie as she stands for America and her opinion on what freedom is. About KatieKatie is known as the Good Patriot and owns social media accounts and businesses under the same name. As the Good Patriot, she celebrates and advocates for all that she loves about America, her home country. Katie is passionate about her faith, freedom, and guns and is not afraid to share her passion with her large following. She shares items aligned to her love for her country, freedom, and guns through her business. Her social media accounts are well known for her comedic skits and her vocal stance on the Second Amendment and related issues. She aims to provide an outlet for her audience for all things American: faith, family, and freedom. If you want to learn more about Katie and her work as the Good Patriot, you can sign up for email subscriptions on her https://www.goodpatriot.com/ (website) or connect with her on https://m.facebook.com/goodpatriot/ (Facebook), https://twitter.com/_goodpatriot?lang=en (Twitter), https://www.instagram.com/goodpatriot/?hl=en (Instagram), and https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCCMT6ioHQ0S3m1fefQHfVjA (YouTube). Enjoyed this Episode? If you did, be sure to subscribe and share it with your friends! Post a review and share it! If you enjoyed tuning in, then leave us a review. You can also share this with your friends and family. This episode will inspire them to think about what freedom is and to speak up about many important topics today. Have any questions? You can connect with me on https://www.facebook.com/simonosamoh1 (Facebook),https://twitter.com/SimonOsamoh ( Twitter), or https://www.instagram.com/simonosamoh/ (Instagram). Thank you for tuning in! For more updates, visit my https://www.simonosamoh.com/ (website) orhttps://mailchi.mp/79a93fb461d9/simonosamoh ( join the community). You may also tune in onhttps://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/who-i-became/id1514104061 ( Apple Podcasts) orhttps://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLmu-CaQ10DJk7Y1uAfk_f_MJkwt1m2441 ( YouTube).

In the years that we live our lives, we take on different missions and touch the lives of many. We meet people who encourage us to keep going and help us succeed. But we also face difficulties and meet people who can cross our boundaries. That is what John Correia also experienced in his journey to becoming who he is now—a nationally known expert on self-defense and founder of Active Self Protection. In this episode, John shares his story of how he went from being a naval officer to a pastor. From there, he grew in his faith and wisdom with God before realizing his calling to teach self-defense. John talks about the challenges he encountered in his journey: from controversy, mental health challenges, and staying humble. We also learn about John’s impact on the world and how he intends to serve his audience moving forward. Listen to this episode to learn more about John’s stories in life. Discover what helped him make his decisions and be happy where he is now, teaching self-defense. 3 reasons why you should listen to the full episode:Get inspiration from John’s insights on faith, self-defense, and finding your calling. Find out how being a Christ-follower can transform you. Learn to accept your past and celebrate who you are now. Resources  Connect with John: https://www.instagram.com/ministermalice/?hl=en (Instagram)   Visit Active Self Protection’s YouTube channels:https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCsE_m2z1NrvF2ImeNWh84mw ( Active Self Protection) and https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC-i64EAeVzk7gxlLDvWQb3w (Active Self Protection Extra) ASP: https://activeselfprotection.com/ (website) | https://twitter.com/get_asp (Twitter)| https://www.facebook.com/activeselfprotection (Facebook) Episode Highlights[03:13] Cover Your ASP● ASP stands for the name of John Correia’s company, Active Self Protection. ● It also represents their approach to self-defense. This involves having the right attitude, developing skills, and making plans for protection from criminal violence. ● ASP started in 2011 as John’s side hustle. It now has two channels with over 1.94 million subscribers in its main channel. ●  Viewers can send real-life surveillance videos of defensive encounters and criminal activities. ● John’s content ranges from after-action reports of real-life defensive encounters, teaching handgun skills, moral and legal self-defense, and much more. [06:14] John’s Journey to Becoming a Pastor● John grew up away from faith and was on track to becoming a naval officer. After moving to Oregon for a commissioning program, he realized he had to become a better person. ● He formed relationships and developed an interest in reading the Bible when his wife started bringing him with her to Church. ● In a worship session, John realized that God loves him unconditionally. Whether or not John could be better, God will love him. ● His life started changing from then on. After an accident, John chose to resign his commission and follow Jesus. ●John quit getting a paycheck from the Church on February 1, 2018, to focus on his self-defense business. John: “Okay, Lord. This isn't like a ‘make John better program’ where if I'm good enough, You'll love me. This isn’t a moral crusade. But this is a ‘You love me in the big pile of crap I am.’” [14:01] Facing Controversy● Carrying firearms and teaching self-defense can be controversial depending on the background of the Church. ● Some families in John’s church left because they didn’t think a pastor should carry a gun. ● Most understood that the Church was only about the worship of Christ. In the event of danger, they knew that John would protect them with his expertise in self-defense. ● As John’s social media presence grew, people disrupted the place of worship. ● John’s resignation as a senior pastor sparked a controversy that John chose worldly possessions. However, to John, he was simply following Jesus’ instructions. [18:20] John on...

CAUTION: Contains minor swearing. John “Weapon Snatcher” Carughi shot to fame during the civil unrest protests in Seattle following the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis. Footage of him went viral when he was protecting a news crew during the riots. He saw a protester steal an AR15 from a nearby police car, so John took action, and his nickname “Weapon Snatcher” was born. In this episode, we look at who John was before the incident, discuss how his childhood shaped him and his journey to becoming a protector.  Learn more Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/_shooter_rughi_/  Connect with Simon  Facebook: https://bit.ly/3eD90pa  Youtube Channel: https://bit.ly/3d52vKN Simon's Books on Amazon: https://amzn.to/3jwwtLW --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/who-i-became/support (https://anchor.fm/who-i-became/support)

Mike Scully was diagnosed with a growth hormone deficiency as a young child predicted by doctors to not grow past 5 feet. He overcame this adversity through prayer and a revolutionary new drug. Mike tackled adversity again two weeks after his wedding when he was diagnosed with a life-threatening brain tumor. Doctors said he might not survive the surgery and Mike was forced to re-evaluate his life.  Mike Scully is 1/3 of the successful Facebook Podcast The Church Safety Guys.    Where to find us:   Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WhoIBecame/   Podcast: https://anchor.fm/who-i-became   Books: https://amzn.to/3jwwtLW  YouTube Channel: https://bit.ly/3d52vKN  Church Safety Guys: https://www.facebook.com/churchsafetyguys/  Books from Safety Guys:  The Gratitude Challenge: https://amzn.to/33nYsb8 31 Day Devotional For Church Safety & Security Teams Strengthening the Body, Mind, & Spirit: https://amzn.to/3l6piKT The Road Less Traveled: Devotional and Group Study Guide for Church Safety & Security Volunteers: https://amzn.to/3l6piKT To Protect and Serve: Daily Readings for Law Enforcement, First Responders, and Church Security Teams: https://amzn.to/33r56xm --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/who-i-became/support (https://anchor.fm/who-i-became/support)

Dan Blevins is the creator and host of the successful podcast Church Security Through Prevention. In this episode of Who I Became he shares how a defining moment of transformation in his marriage changed him in a positive way as a husband, father, and Christian.     Who I Became Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WhoIBecame/   Youtube Channel: https://bit.ly/3d52vKN  Simon's books on Amazon: https://amzn.to/3jwwtLW  Dan's Podcast: https://www.cv-ministries.com/podcast.html  Books on Church Safety  31 Day Devotional For Church Safety & Security Teams Strengthening the Body, Mind, & Spirit: https://amzn.to/3l6piKT The Road Less Traveled: Devotional and Group Study Guide for Church Safety & Security Volunteers: https://amzn.to/3l6piKT To Protect and Serve: Daily Readings for Law Enforcement, First Responders, and Church Security Teams: https://amzn.to/33r56xm --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/who-i-became/support (https://anchor.fm/who-i-became/support)

Jimmy Meeks is a minister, former police officer, and the founder of Sheepdog Seminars. Since 2009 Meeks and his associates, Lt Col Dave Grossman, Carl Chinn, and others have presented to over 40,000 people in over 45 States on safety and security in churches.   In today’s episode of “Who I Became”  Meeks shares some of his personal journey, including receiving a call when a police officer to a dumpster where he found a 4-year-old murdered, an event that still haunts him to this day. He talks about how a chance encounter with Lt Col Dave Grossman opened the door to Sheepdog Seminars.    Show Notes & Links   Who I Became on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WhoIBecame/  Watch on Youtube: https://bit.ly/3d52vKN Simon's Books on Amazon: https://amzn.to/3jwwtLW  Learn more about Jimmy Meeks: https://www.sheepdogsafetytraining.com/  Books on Church Safety  31 Day Devotional For Church Safety & Security Teams Strengthening the Body, Mind, & Spirit: https://amzn.to/3l6piKT The Road Less Traveled: Devotional and Group Study Guide for Church Safety & Security Volunteers: https://amzn.to/3l6piKT To Protect and Serve: Daily Readings for Law Enforcement, First Responders, and Church Security Teams: https://amzn.to/33r56xm The Gratitude Challenge: https://amzn.to/33nYsb8   --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/who-i-became/support (https://anchor.fm/who-i-became/support)

Two major events have shaped Jim Howard's life. In 1970, when he was just 16, his father shot and killed the Deacon of their church who was helping his family because of domestic violence issues. Then at 18 years old, Jim was carjacked and when asked to identify the suspect who had hidden out on a bus, he knew it was his calling to join the police.   Jim Howard is the Executive Director of Trinity Security Allies that provides education and safety training to houses of worship, schools, and non-profits. He served 26 years in law enforcement in a variety of roles including Vice and Narcotics Investigator, Crisis Negotiation Trainer, and Supervisor, Y2K compliant Project Manager. Jim spent time doing worldwide security options analysis and executive protection at the World Bank in Washington D.C. In this episode of Who I Became, Jim Howard shares his journey as to how these two experiences shaped his life and continue to shape the person he is today.     Show Notes & Links   Follow Who I Became on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WhoIBecame/   Watch Who I Became on YouTube: https://bit.ly/3d52vKN  Simon's Books on Amazon: https://amzn.to/3jwwtLW  Learn more about Jim Howard: https://www.trinitysecurityallies.com/  Books on Church Safety and Spirituality 31 Day Devotional For Church Safety & Security Teams Strengthening the Body, Mind, & Spirit: https://amzn.to/3l6piKT The Road Less Traveled: Devotional and Group Study Guide for Church Safety & Security Volunteers: https://amzn.to/3l6piKT To Protect and Serve: Daily Readings for Law Enforcement, First Responders, and Church Security Teams: https://amzn.to/33r56xm The Gratitude Challenge: https://amzn.to/33nYsb8   --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/who-i-became/support (https://anchor.fm/who-i-became/support)

Jim McGuffey is the House of Worship Committee Chair for the American Society for Industrial Security (ASIS) which is the largest organization for security professionals worldwide and has more than 47 years of law enforcement experience. He has been interviewed on security events by CNN, ABC, New York Times, and other Canadian and US news media and publications. Jim is considered a global expert in the security risk assessment process and is VP of the Charleston Region and Board Member for South Carolina InfraGard, an FBI sponsored organization where critical infrastructure private sectors share best practices to protect against terrorist and criminal attacks. He spent 26 years in the armored security industry working for companies such as Brink’s and Loomis before retiring in 2008. During a 26-year tenure in the security/logistics/transportation industry, Jim was responsible for managing and protecting assets at 50 high-risk facilities, several thousand-armed guards, and 1,000 armored vehicles. He holds a B.A. Degree in Criminal Justice, a Master’s Degree in Management and is one of 200 security professionals globally to hold all three ASIS International Board Certifications in Security Management. In this episode of Who I Became, Jim shares his personal journey and the four things that he learned from being a VP at a large organization. In the balance of risk and profit, complacency is the enemy of security and as a leader, you must make tough decisions.  Show Notes and Links  Follow Who I Became on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WhoIBecame/   Watch Who I Became on YouTube: https://bit.ly/3d52vKN  Simon's Books on Amazon: https://amzn.to/3jwwtLW  More about Jim McGuffey: http://churchsecurityconsultant.com/ and http://acesecurityconsultants.com/     --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/who-i-became/support (https://anchor.fm/who-i-became/support)

James McGarvey is co-host of the Church Safety Guys, one of the largest groups on Facebook dedicated to church safety and security. In this episode of Who I Became James shares a serious accident that happened to his grandma when he was 11 years old, which shaped his 20-year volunteer career as a firefighter, EMS, and volunteer with the San Bernardino Sheriff's Department. This sparked a passion to dedicate his life to protecting others.  Links and Show Notes   Follow Who I Became on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WhoIBecame/   Watch Who I Became on YouTube: https://bit.ly/3d52vKN  Simon's Books on Amazon: https://amzn.to/3jwwtLW  Learn more about the Church Safety Guys: https://bit.ly/2ZHYlFf Books by Church Safety Guys 31 Day Devotional For Church Safety & Security Teams Strengthening the Body, Mind, & Spirit: https://amzn.to/3l6piKT The Road Less Traveled: Devotional and Group Study Guide for Church Safety & Security Volunteers: https://amzn.to/3l6piKT To Protect and Serve: Daily Readings for Law Enforcement, First Responders, and Church Security Teams: https://amzn.to/33r56xm The Gratitude Challenge: https://amzn.to/33nYsb8 --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/who-i-became/support (https://anchor.fm/who-i-became/support)

Paul Buckner is one of the co-hosts of the Church Safety Guys, one of the largest Facebook groups dedicated to church safety and security with thousands of followers. In this episode of Who I Became, Paul shares his journey from his humble beginnings of being raised in a small cabin in Missouri to becoming a police chaplain, company owner, and developing a desire to give back to others through leadership.  Links and Show Notes  Follow Who I Became on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WhoIBecame/   Watch Who I Became on YouTube: https://bit.ly/3d52vKN  Simon's Books on Amazon: https://amzn.to/3jwwtLW  Learn more about the Church Safety Guys: https://bit.ly/2ZHYlFf  Books by Church Safety Guys 31 Day Devotional For Church Safety & Security Teams Strengthening the Body, Mind, & Spirit: https://amzn.to/3l6piKT The Road Less Traveled: Devotional and Group Study Guide for Church Safety & Security Volunteers: https://amzn.to/3l6piKT To Protect and Serve: Daily Readings for Law Enforcement, First Responders, and Church Security Teams: https://amzn.to/33r56xm The Gratitude Challenge: https://amzn.to/33nYsb8

Violence and crime, war and murder—there are many evils in the world. These can have physiological and psychological effects on those engaged in combat. This week’s guest sought to understand this in the early part of his career, resulting in a body of knowledge now known as killology but in the face of all this, he encourages us to believe in forces of good. Motivated by love, we are surrounded by heroes who choose to live a life of sacrifice. This episode dives into the life and learnings of Lt. Col. Dave Grossman. He is a man who looks deeper and now shares his wisdom with the world. We discuss the beginnings of killology, and how his work has evolved over time. Lt. Col. Dave also emphasizes the need to shield our kids from violent video games. Lastly, he shares his love of God and his choice to live the path of a sheepdog. If you’re interested in the psychology of killing and spiritual combat, tune in to the full episode! 3 reasons why you should listen to the full episode: Know the roots of killology and its importance in society today. Learn more about how violent video games negatively impact children. Be inspired to live a life of sacrifice. Resources Join the tribe and subscribe to Simon’s https://www.simonosamoh.com/podcaster (newsletter)! Connect with Lt. Col. Dave:  https://www.killology.com/ (Website) | https://www.linkedin.com/in/lt-col-dave-grossman-55a3304/ (LinkedIn) | https://www.facebook.com/LtColDaveGrossman (Facebook) Lt. Col. Dave’s books: https://www.amazon.com/Killing-Psychological-Cost-Learning-Society/dp/0316040932/ref=sr_1_1?crid=18P0N90EJSZ5T&dchild=1&keywords=on+killing+by+dave+grossman&qid=1628764817&sprefix=on+killin%2Caps%2C374&sr=8-1 (On Killing) https://www.amazon.com/On-Combat-audiobook/dp/B00FJWP7MK/ref=sr_1_1?crid=1WE0O9VHP3RI4&dchild=1&keywords=on+combat+dave+grossman&qid=1628764835&sprefix=on+combat%2Caps%2C352&sr=8-1 (On Combat) with Loren W. Christensen https://www.amazon.com/Spiritual-Combat-Missions-Victorious-Warfare/dp/B087YFVBZ1/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=on+spiritual+combat&qid=1628764854&s=audible&sr=1-1 (On Spiritual Combat) with Adam Davis https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/28118517-assassination-generation (Assassination Generation) with Kristine Paulsen and Katie Miserany https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/41174496-bulletproof-marriage (Bulletproof Marriage) with Adam Davis https://www.amazon.com/Sheepdogs-Meet-Our-Nations-Warriors/dp/061579517X (Sheepdogs: Meet Our Nations Warriors) with Stephanie Rogish https://www.sheepdogknifeandgun.com/ (SheepDog Knife & Gun) About Lt. Col. Dave Lt. Col. Dave Grossman is a US Army Ranger and former West Point psychology professor. He is the director of the Killology Research Group and coined the term killology as the study of the destructive act of killing. He is a scholar and author of multiple books including On Killing, which has sold over half a million copies. His research and expertise have led him around the country. For almost 300 days a year, he trains law enforcement and military personnel. He has brought his knowledge to the U.S. government to improve the nation’s public defense. If you want to learn more about Lt. Col. Dave, you can find him on his https://www.linkedin.com/in/lt-col-dave-grossman-55a3304/ (LinkedIn) or https://www.facebook.com/LtColDaveGrossman (Facebook). You can also check out his https://www.killology.com/ (website) for more information on his research on killing and combat.   Enjoyed this Episode? If you did, be sure to subscribe and share it with your friends! Post a review and share it! If you enjoyed tuning in, then leave us a review. You can also share this with your friends and family. This episode will give them a background on killology and how we can be a force of good against violence. Have any questions? You can connect with me onhttps://www.facebook.com/simonosamoh1 (...

Most of us don't think of a church as a dangerous place. However, no place is immune to outside threats; stores get robbed, and even schools deal with shooters. A church will face its share of attackers as well. To ensure our community's well-being, we all need to reevaluate our security systems and prepare for any attack. In today's episode, Carl Chinn explains how he left working in agriculture to lead a church security organization. He details how he decided to dedicate his life to God after the birth of his sons. Carl also recalls the bomb threats and security breaches he faced in his lifetime. Most importantly, he shares some practical advice to budding church security ministers. Find out why Carl advocates so strongly about church security in the full episode! 3 reasons why you should listen to the full episode Get inspiration from Carl’s transformation from a rebellious teen to a family man of faith. Hear about Carl’s gripping tales of security breaches. Understand why church security systems are crucial to the safety of churchgoers. About CarlCarl Chinn is a security and safety systems expert who initially started as a building manager for Focus on the Family Ministry. He is part of an association for church security ministers known as the Faith Based Security Network. Carl is a devoted member of the New Life Church and conducts church security training for other ministers. He has also written a book titled https://www.amazon.com/Evil-Invades-Sanctuary-Carl-Chinn/dp/0615657885 (Evil Invades Sanctuary). If you want to know more about Carl, you may visit his http://www.carlchinn.com/home.html (website). Enjoyed this Episode?If you did, be sure to subscribe and share it with your friends! Post a review and share it! If you enjoyed tuning in, then leave us a review. You can also share this with your friends and family. This episode will inspire them to improve their church security. Have any questions? You can connect with me onhttps://www.facebook.com/simonosamoh1 ( Facebook),https://twitter.com/SimonOsamoh ( Twitter), or https://www.instagram.com/simonosamoh/ (Instagram). Thank you for tuning in! For more updates, visit my https://www.simonosamoh.com/ (website) orhttps://mailchi.mp/79a93fb461d9/simonosamoh ( join the community). You may also tune in onhttps://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/who-i-became/id1514104061 ( Apple Podcasts) orhttps://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLmu-CaQ10DJk7Y1uAfk_f_MJkwt1m2441 ( YouTube).

In 2017, a gunman claimed the lives of 26 people and injured 20 at the First Baptist Church in Sutherland Springs. Every second that passed at this moment was critical, and the good guy with a gun didn’t waste any time taking action. God called him to put a stop to this tragic event, and he obliged. In this episode, the “good guy with a gun,” Stephen Willeford, shares what led him to confront an armed gunman. He talks about the specific life experiences that prepared him for that one fateful day. Stephen imparts the lessons he learned from the tests God put him in and how he overcame them. He feels blessed to use what he has as the good guy with a gun to serve God’s purpose for him. Tune in to the episode to be inspired by a story of faith, purpose, and bravery. 3 reasons why you should listen to the full episode: Discover the meaning behind the phrase “God chases those that he loves.” Learn how the church offers a source of strength to its community. Find out our crucial role as God’s sheepdogs and how Stephen fulfilled the role of the good guy with a gun. Resources Connect with Stephen: https://www.stephenwilleford.com/ (Website) https://home.nra.org/ (National Rifle Association) About Stephen Stephen Willeford has become known across the country as the “good guy with a gun” after the deadliest church shooting in US history. He started practicing shooting at a young age, which led him to participate in shooting competitions. Later, he became a member and a certified instructor at the National Rifle Association. Stephen believes that his faith and preparedness led him to step in during the critical incident that Sunday morning in 2017. Shortly after, Stephen began speaking publicly about his experience. He delivered an acclaimed speech in 2018 at the National Rifle Association Convention. He also was appointed to serve on the Texas Private Security Board in that same year. If you want to reach out to Stephen, you can visit hishttps://twitter.com/FigenMurray ( )https://www.stephenwilleford.com/ (website). Enjoyed this Episode? If you did, be sure to subscribe and share it with your friends! Post a review and share it! If you enjoyed tuning in, please leave us a review. You can also share this with your friends and family. This episode will inspire them to follow their calling and use what they know to do good in the world. Have any questions? You can connect with me onhttps://www.facebook.com/simonosamoh1 ( Facebook),https://twitter.com/SimonOsamoh ( Twitter), orhttps://www.instagram.com/simonosamoh/ ( Instagram). Thank you for tuning in! For more updates, visit myhttps://www.simonosamoh.com/ ( website) orhttps://mailchi.mp/79a93fb461d9/simonosamoh ( join) the community. You may also tune in onhttps://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/who-i-became/id1514104061 ( Apple Podcasts) orhttps://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLmu-CaQ10DJk7Y1uAfk_f_MJkwt1m2441 ( YouTube).