We caught up with the brilliant and insightful John Miles a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
John , thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Let’s kick things off with your mission – what is it and what’s the story behind why it’s your mission?
Passion Strucks mission emerged from a deeply personal place – the realization that a growing number of people across the globe are grappling with a profound sense of feeling they don’t matter. I saw firsthand the escalation of mental health issues, loneliness, and a pervasive sense of hopelessness, and I knew I had to act.
This trend, as underscored by Cornell University’s 2018 research led by psychologist Tom Gilovich, highlights a stark reality: 76 percent of individuals lament over not living up to their ideal selves. Gilovich’s findings resonate deeply with the narratives in Bronnie Ware’s poignant exploration of end-of-life regrets, where unfulfilled potential and forsaken dreams emerge as haunting specters of a life not fully lived.
The confluence of these insights paints a compelling picture: the heartache of the “unlived life” isn’t just about unachieved ambitions; it’s the sorrow of untapped potential and unexpressed authenticity. This aligns with Ware’s reflections on the regrets of the dying, emphasizing not the missteps we’ve taken but the paths we never dared to tread—the adventures unembarked upon, relationships not nurtured, and truths unspoken.
I believe at the core of human fulfillment lies the need to feel valued, to understand that our lives have purpose, and to know that our contributions to the world are recognized and meaningful. Yet, this core need is often unmet, leaving individuals adrift in a sea of potential that remains untapped. This is a deeply personal for each individual who struggles with these feelings of insignificance.
Passion Struck is a response to this epidemic of unmattering. Our mission is to empower people to live intentionally, to help them discover and harness their passions, and to encourage them to make the deliberate choices that lead to a fulfilled and purpose-driven life. It’s about moving from feeling unnoticed and undervalued to discovering and living out one’s true potential. In essence, it’s about becoming Passion Struck, not just in name but in action and purpose, leading a life that truly matters.
For me, this mission isn’t simply about offering a product or service. It’s a commitment to initiate change, to inspire transformation, and to ignite a sense of mattering in every person we reach. I founded Passion Struck because I believe that when people live with intention and embrace their true selves, they change their lives and contribute to a more hopeful, connected, and compassionate world. This is the meaningful mission at the heart of Passion Struck – to create a ripple effect of positivity that emanates from every individual’s realized potential, spreading to all corners of the globe.
Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.
My time at the Naval Academy instilled in me the values of leadership, teamwork and integrity, which I carried through my military service and into the corporate world. I’ve navigated a diverse professional landscape, from serving as a U.S. Navy officer to holding executive roles at Fortune 50 companies like Dell and Lowe’s and as President and CEO of Genius Central. Each role taught me invaluable lessons about leadership, innovation, and the impact of living a life aligned with one’s values and purpose.
However, beneath the surface of career achievements lay a tumult of unresolved inner conflicts: traumatic brain injuries, the scars of combat, and deeply entrenched personal traumas. For years, I mastered the art of concealing my struggles, maintaining an image of success while grappling with a harsh inner critic and unresolved emotions.
The turning point came in November 2017 when a home burglary incident, where I faced the barrel of a gun, brought my suppressed emotions to the forefront. This confrontation with mortality was the catalyst for a profound personal transformation. It forced me to confront my past, accept my vulnerabilities, and embark on a journey of healing and self-discovery.
Realizing that my experiences and insights could serve a greater purpose, I transitioned from a corporate leader to a catalyst for change. Today, I dedicate my life to empowering others through Passion Struck®, offering a framework to achieve personal growth, success, and fulfillment. My book, podcast, speaking engagements, and YouTube channel are not just platforms but tools for inspiring transformation.
I share my journey, not for sympathy, but to demonstrate the power of vulnerability and the potential for reinvention that lies within us all. Life’s uncertainties are universal, but through shared experiences and open dialogue, we can support each other in our quests to live fully and authentically.
What’s a lesson you had to unlearn and what’s the backstory?
One critical lesson I had to unlearn was the misguided belief that authority always equates to integrity. This realization hit me profoundly during my tenure at the Naval Academy as a Midshipman on the Brigade Honor Board. We were faced with the institution’s largest cheating scandal, a true test of character and integrity not just for the students involved, but for the leadership as well.
The backstory is one of a daunting clash between doing what’s convenient and doing what’s right. As the scandal unfolded, I saw firsthand how the Superintendent attempted to downplay the severity of the breach, prioritizing the Academy’s image over the hard truths that needed to be faced. When the Navy Inspector General stepped in to investigate, there was an unsettling push to redirect blame onto us, the very Midshipmen committed to upholding the honor concept.
This experience taught me a powerful lesson: integrity isn’t about rank, position, or power. It’s about making choices that align with moral and ethical standards, even under pressure. I learned that doing the right thing might mean standing in opposition to authority when it veers off course.
Through this trial, I also unlearned the perception that upholding integrity would be an easy path. It often comes with challenges and opposition, especially when it involves calling out systemic issues or holding powerful figures accountable. Yet, it reinforced my resolve that integrity is non-negotiable, and it’s the cornerstone of genuine leadership—a lesson that has been a guiding principle in my personal and professional life ever since.
What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?
The most rewarding aspect of being a creative, particularly in my role as the founder and visionary behind Passion Struck®, lies in the potential to instigate profound transformation in individuals and society. For me, creativity is a tool, a medium through which I can address the chronic issue of “quiet desperation,” a term Thoreau coined to describe the pervasive discontent in modern life.
The creative process of developing and sharing the principles of Passion Struck® allows me to serve others, aiming to catalyze systematic change. It’s a platform to help the 900 million people worldwide, as reported by Gallup, who feel unfulfilled in their lives, to discover a path toward fulfillment and purpose. The content I create isn’t merely informative; it’s transformative.
Being a creative in the field of personal development means crafting a narrative that resonates with an individual’s core identity and values, encouraging them to undertake the challenging yet rewarding journey of self-actualization. It’s about guiding them through mindset and behavioral shifts, empowering them to turn life’s obstacles into stepping stones and to view challenges as opportunities for growth.
I’m most proud when someone tells me how the principles of Passion Struck® have sparked a new perspective, reigniting their inner flame to pursue a life of intention and purpose. To me, that is the essence of creativity—making an indelible impact on the canvas of people’s lives, inspiring them to paint their masterpieces of existence with bold, authentic strokes. This is the artistry I cherish—the art of elevating human potential and crafting legacies of passion and purpose.
For our clients and the broader community, Passion Struck® signifies a commitment to turning potential into action. Whether you’re an individual seeking personal fulfillment or an organization striving for unparalleled employee engagement, we’re here to provide the guidance and tools necessary for transformation. Join us at Passion Struck® and discover how living and leading with intention can unlock unprecedented potential and success.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://passionstruck.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/john_r_miles/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/milesjohn/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/John_RMiles
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCTLdXATpxf8LP3riC0_mkKw
- Other: www.johnrmiles.com
Image Credits
Barry Lively