Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Jonathan Emery. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Jonathan, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today So let’s jump to your mission – what’s the backstory behind how you developed the mission that drives your brand?
My mission is to serve others to grow in all areas of their life no matter what the circumstances are. With my business, I can expand this mission to serve others by not just my podcast but also by coaching others to start their podcast. My podcast mission is to have others share their journey in life and reach out to that one person at the right time so they know they are not alone. They can listen to the guidance of the guests or mine on how they overcame adversity in life to become so much better on the other side.
As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?
After experiencing a job loss from a company where I worked for 20 years and then receiving the word “divorce” within the same year of almost a 15-year marriage I had to find myself. I had the opportunity to connect with other men through a podcast that helped me prepare if the word “divorce” was to come up although it was not something I wanted. Along my journey, I had to work on myself mentally, emotionally, physically, spiritually, build relationships, and business/finance. After attending an event where I was asked what I wanted to do, I stated I wanted to start a podcast. I was suggested to strip the audio from other previous recordings that have nothing to do with the podcast to start. Out of fear and the unknown I waited another 6 months to do just that. Two years and over 125+ episodes those first few episodes got me started with Life’s Checkmark podcast and finding out what other people in life have gone through and how they came out better on the side. Podcasting has changed my life immensely and it will change yours too by building personal growth, network, money, and a purpose in life creatively to share your knowledge and other knowledge to change the world. I created a coaching program where I will be your coach/accountability partner to get you through all the steps to launch your podcast and get you in the top 1%. I hear time and time again how people have been wanting to start podcasts for months or even years and haven’t done so. 90% of podcasts don’t get passed episode 3 and I don’t want that to be you. I am the one to get you off the ground running. Your podcast needs to get out there to the market to change your life and others. Also, we have a podcast community where you can grow and learn from each other, collaborate, win prizes and so much more. Being a part of this community allows you to learn so much from me and others who bring all different ideas to the community and encourage you to keep going. Another service we have is where we can create video clips for your podcast, podcasts where you were a guest, speaking opportunities, coaching calls, stand-up skits and so much more. Live events are a new opportunity where you can meet me and other podcasters to network with and grow your podcast. You can connect with me at https://www.lifescheckmark.com where you can find information on all of the above services. To listen to the podcast check out your favorite podcast hosting platform. Youtube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@lifescheckmark
Listen to Podcast on Apple:https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/lifes-checkmark-real-journeys-inspiration-motivation/id1655532499
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1RzjiymntY8HvP42EAcdjz?si=a7ccc512bd264ef7
Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?
My journey of collapse began when I had a job for nearly 20 years. Co-workers would tell me there is “writing on the wall” etc as they saw the plant coming too close. I didn’t believe them as I always remained positive during that time. Then the day came when we were told with about a 2-month period left of production that we would be closing. I had mixed emotions as I always wanted to do something different and now this was an opportunity so I felt excited. At the same time, I felt fear as I did not know what I would do, where I would go, and how to support my family. I remained at the facility for about 7 months after production came to a halt and nearly 50 people walked out the door. My stomach turned. I had fear and hope for those leaving feeling the same feelings I had. I was in the shipping/receiving and warehouse area so I was asked to stay to make sure everything was left. Man did that suck! I was one of the three remaining workers there. The facility was huge and I saw machines stripped down and moved to another plant. I saw machines get scrapped because they were so old. I shipped out everything in the plant that needed to go. This went from a running printing factory to an empty shell. It did not feel right at all. It felt like losing your family all at once. Some of those people I was with for the full length of my time there. Just writing this takes me back to having that feeling of loss. I was stuck in that mold.
I worked from 7-3 pm day shift after switching from 2nd shift. I then would rush home to help take care of the children and take care of the house. I constantly cycle believing that I was meant to be in this position. When I say “position” I mean the job. I identified as myself I had to be the one that worked there in my position as I became the best I could be there and I believed for a long time that was who I was to be. I had a weird feeling along the way before losing the job of becoming better. I dug into self-improvement through podcasts and books. I did some real estate deals where I held properties as rentals. I tried selling some items on eBay. I did small stuff but never really stuck with it. Why? Because, I felt like my priorities were to take care of the house, the kids, and their mother with the only way I knew with the job and not taking too much risk by leaving and exploring other opportunities. Knowing now that it was my place to do those things, I still lost focus of me. I lost focus on who I was meant to be and how to show up to make a difference.
Losing the job I would say was my rock bottom but I had no idea what was to come next. Losing the job after 20 years allowed me to slowly but surely look at it as an opportunity. I ventured into selling life insurance. A completely different kind of job where I got paid by commission and not hourly pay. It was new. I had to learn all of the legal information, take a test, and get my license. I was very excited as someone I know who I consider a role model/mentor was willing to take me on. I learned a lot. The knowledge I learned I turned it into some YouTube videos and I started posting on Facebook etc. I learned so much not just from all about insurance but also from creating videos. I learned how to edit videos to make them more appealing to the audience watching and listening. I had fun doing this. Eventually, over time I did make a sale to a client. It took a while but it got me to a point where I learned that I only had to sell a few of them just to be making what I made working 40 hr plus weeks at my old job. It was going to be a game-changer. I was happy, having fun, and learning as I went. I felt like i was me that never had the opportunity to become. I admit we were struggling financially but I believed and visioned the possibilities of going to see how my mentor did it and get in that position. Then things changed quickly.
My marriage of almost 15 years was falling apart and I didn’t even know it till about January/February of the same year I lost my job. Where I once felt like I was becoming me other things were deteriorating. Words were exchanged in a way where they were calm and emotions stirred. Then it hit me. Something I never once in mind would have considered to happen to me. Most of my family members were divorced and I told myself that would never happen to me. I felt like I was there through everything and did all I could then when it came to where I lost it all and headed in a different direction I was not the person someone “wanted” me to be. To make things work I stopped the insurance opportunity. I got another 9-5 job with insurance etc. That didn’t do anything. Other things were going on that I would never have thought to happen. I was going crazy in my head! Lost 20 lbs! I couldn’t sleep! My mind took me in every direction possible.
I found help in a weird but good way. A podcast I listened to “Dad’s Edge” about two years prior showed up on my phone again. In the past I listened to it about becoming a better father, now i started listening to it about becoming a better husband and/or see how to fix things. I joined a membership where I could talk to other men about all things in life. While they had all of these Zoom calls I may have attended one or so because I wanted to have that time to enjoy with my kids just in case something bad was to happen. I had the opportunity to connect with a few good men. Some of who I still talk to today. It was like a lifeline. They would answer whenever I called or texted. If one didn’t then I would go to the next. They would listen share their thoughts and would tell me their situation and I would respond as well. I needed this for sure and I didn’t know it. Strangers from the beginning to life savers. I don’t know where I would be today if I, again, hadn’t taken this leap of faith to join this group and see how it could help me. I wound up connecting with a coach to help me. His course was about masculinity which I did not understand much until going through the program and changes that took place in my life. I learned a lot in the four weeks of coaching and wish I could say I remember it all, but we are all a work in progress. He reported to me come the third week of the program I was in a different state of mind. I was more relaxed, understanding, and at ease. I felt that too! Thankfully connecting with this group of men and taking the course little did I know it was going to help me immensely. This was the beginning of my journey to find resilience and growth in the five areas of life; mentally/emotionally, physically, spiritually, relationships, and business/finance
What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?
The most rewarding aspect of being creative is you have the freedom to try new things. You may not know at first if they will work or not but you have the opportunity to try. You can use new tools like AI and see how it can benefit you as a creative and get things out quicker. You may be able to get that book written quicker than you would do it yourself. Being creative you have the opportunity not to have to listen to society and what is “normal”. Take life into your hands to do what feels right to see if it will be right.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.lifescheckmark.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jonathan.emery.167/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jonathan.emery.167
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jon-emery-9b9b156a/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@lifescheckmark
- Other: Listen to Podcast on Apple:https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/lifes-checkmark-real-journeys-inspiration-motivation/id1655532499
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1RzjiymntY8HvP42EAcdjz?si=a7ccc512bd264ef7
