Chad Bruckner shared their story and experiences with us recently and you can find our conversation below.
Good morning Chad, we’re so happy to have you here with us and we’d love to explore your story and how you think about life and legacy and so much more. So let’s start with a question we often ask: What is a normal day like for you right now?
As a university police detective, I’m afforded daily opportunities to make a difference in the lives of students on campus. I investigate issues that occur on campus and they’re not all criminal. A large aspect of my role as a university detective is to coach and mentor students. I was a young solider in the military once upon a time and I remember what it’s like to be impulsive. I’m able to share my experiences with others on campus to help them grow by adding additional perspectives to their thought-processes. The university I work for is progressive and focuses on wellness. We are encouraged to balance our work with home and afforded the opportunities to work out on-duty. I take advantage of that and I can be found in the gym on most days working out alongside students. I used to be a detective in a local police department where law enforcement was priority. Now, I’m serving in an institution that embraces mentoring first. The shift in approach has been a great reward. In the evening I work on my business, Motivate Change, LLC, and speak a couple times a month at various organizations on issues that affect the human spirit, such as resilience, leadership and wellness.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
My life started in a whirlwind. I was born in Philadelphia to loving parents. My dad was successful in business and we moved to a big house in the suburbs. Not long after that, we lost the money to bankruptcy and had to move again. The yo-yo ride was stressful on me as the oldest child of three. But we had a close family and my childhood was defined by resiliency which would be a vital aspect of my life later on. At 17, I graduated high school and enlisted in the U.S. Army infantry. I served for 8 years in a very formative time in my development. I was fortunate to get many opportunities to do hard things which only built me more. I led young men in combat in the Middle East and all of those experiences would later come at a cost. When I came home from war I was lost and searched for purpose. It was at this time I would meet my wife, Kristen. She is a schoolteacher and calm. She’s the ying to my yang. Shortly after getting married, I enlisted to be a police officer in a department near my hometown in PA. I served there for 13 years and was provided many opportunities to serve people at a granular level. If the military taught me how to fight for people, policing taught me how to love people. I got promoted in 4 years to detective and was in the community buying narcotics and arresting drug dealers. I had a front row seat to watching the town evolve to a safe community. It was the highlight of my professional life. I became the first Bruckner to graduate from college. I earned two degrees, bachelor and masters, while working as a detective. I never thought college was for me, turns out I just needed to believe I could do it. All of this happened as all three of my children were born while I served in the police department. I always say that the 13 years I spent at the P.D. turned me boy into a man. When I turned 40, the problems lurking on the perimeter came for me. I experienced emotional and mental decline from not addressing the traumatic experienced I was apart of in the military. At the same time, our agency leadership changed and the culture took a nosedive. I was once the golden boy and now being targeted by the new administration. I was battling on two fronts and I burned out. I abruptly left policing with little notice or planning to enter the world of entrepreneurship. I believed I could outwork my problems but that would only exacerbate them. I’m honestly not a great businessman. I wish I could say I am, but I want to give things away too often to help others. For 4 years I floundered in the private sector, determined to be my own boss, so I wouldn’t have to deal with toxic leadership again. The reality was I needed to heal and confront my demons. I had no purpose and got into therapy. I fell in love with the growth process and attacked healing with passion and vigor. During this time, I wrote and published a feature book dedicated to helping first responders and veterans live a better life. I started a podcast and founded Motivate Change LLC. I always loved helping people and now I had a business aimed at doing that. It was almost perfect, except I still had a large hole in my heart. I missed policing and did not the department the way I wanted to. God has a way of creating opportunities when we give up control. Business was not good and I was taking odd jobs to provide for my family, I prayed and prayed, often crying myself to sleep. One day, I woke up and decided I have to go back to policing – I just didn’t know how or where. I felt washing up, being out for 4 years, and now more self-aware of my humanity. I applied to Lehigh University in the summer of 2024 and almost a year later I got a response from the Chief. I’ve been here for 6 months, promoted to detective after five. I’m showing up in a way that is even more present than before. My skills and training did not go away, and my personal growth has created a new version of me that is much wiser than before. My story is my brand, my life is my mission. A story of resilience, fortitude and unwavering positivity in the face of adversity.
Appreciate your sharing that. Let’s talk about your life, growing up and some of topics and learnings around that. Who were you before the world told you who you had to be?
I was a nervous kid with lots of anxiety. I was always a deep thinker and was curious how the world worked. Yet, very naive and believed that everyone was decent and good. The turbulent times in my childhood forged me into a people pleaser seeking acceptance. I was an athlete but not the best one. I wanted to be a pro ballplayer more than anything. I dreamt of being the lead singer of a band. I dreamed about a lot of things. I was raised to be polite and helpful and hide in the middle of the pack. “Don’t be first and don’t be last” was a common lesson as a kid. It wasn’t until I was 40 that I decided I have much more to give the world and it was time to do it unapologetically.
Was there ever a time you almost gave up?
Right before my 40th birthday, I had ideations of driving my car off a bridge. I felt powerless and worthless. I had been demoted shortly before for calling out what I perceived to be an injustice inside the police department I was working in. Going from golden boy status to a target of administration was a situation I never found myself in previously. A large part of my identity was through my work, even though being a father and husband was much more important. I needed help. I needed an intervention to remind me who I was and to remind me of the good I’ve done in the world. I never wanted to end my life but I recall the power I felt in deciding just how fast and at which angle to drive off the bridge. It was a start! I told my wife and I vividly remember her sadness for me. But we made a plan and I cold called therapists leaving crying messages of my pain. I got into one and started dumping my pain out for the first time. I went from feeling hopeless to feeling empowered. I almost gave up but I was saved.
Next, maybe we can discuss some of your foundational philosophies and views? Is the public version of you the real you?
It is, very much so. That’s been the equally the most challenging and rewarding part. I am me and I share that selflessly and openly with others. It’s created deep bonds with strangers. They see me and I give them (metaphorically) permission to look inward and see themselves with grace and not judgment. We all carry burdens and pain, and finally shedding the fear and shame of being judged has birthed me into the person I believe I was born to be. Of course, this approach also brings hardships. Many of my old relationships changed. My interests even changed. I do things that are authentic to me, like driving a far distance to give an hour-long keynote at no cost, because I feel it’s the right thing to do-even when those in my life suggest otherwise. I’ve missed out on earning opportunities from former clients because I probably appeared different to them and that can generate discomfort. But, I’ve also made new relationships that are full of wonder and kindness. The more real I live, the more impactful I can help others which is the essence of my life.
Before we go, we’d love to hear your thoughts on some longer-run, legacy type questions. What do you think people will most misunderstand about your legacy?
I’m not sure I’m leaving a legacy, but what I feel most misunderstood at times is how much I care about people. I want others to live happy lives, even strangers. I routinely do things to help others without fanfare or money because it makes me feel like I’m making up for past mistakes. I’ve hurt people in past, who hasn’t? Now, I want to give love and joy every minute of everyday. Like the sun. To honor my buddies who are no longer alive. I feel like sometimes that other misinterpret my intentions. I want nothing more than to see someone else smile and realize life is not that bad. It can be encouraging when those around us lift us up. That’s my aim every day, from strangers to family. I hope when my light finally extinguishes, that’s the legacy left behind in my footsteps.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://Motivate-Change.com
- Instagram: None
- Linkedin: @chadbmotivates
- Twitter: None
- Facebook: None
- Yelp: None
- Youtube: @chadbmotivates
- Soundcloud: None
Image Credits
N/A All rights owned by Chad Bruckner
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