Meet Dr. Lawrence Brumfield

We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Dr. Lawrence Brumfield. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Dr. Lawrence below.

Dr. Lawrence, so good to have you with us today. We’ve always been impressed with folks who have a very clear sense of purpose and so maybe we can jump right in and talk about how you found your purpose?

At my lowest point, I discovered my purpose. There was a time when I felt utterly hopeless, lost, and disconnected from the world. I believed my life had no significance and I didn’t belong here. I was deeply depressed, and my thoughts and actions became increasingly reckless. I accepted the idea that I was on the brink of failure and destruction, and, over time, I became comfortable in that dark space. It became my home for years. My negative thoughts, behaviors, and emotions felt normal to me.

I didn’t realize how far I had fallen until my family came together for an intervention. They prayed over me, showered me with love, and breathed life into me. At that moment, a seed of purpose was planted within me. Though I continued to struggle, I began believing I was destined for something greater—something that would extend beyond my life and benefit future generations.

That seed of purpose has since grown and evolved; now I can feel its presence in my life. I am filled with excitement about both my present and my future. I found my purpose when I began to appreciate life again.

Thanks for sharing that. So, before we get any further into our conversation, can you tell our readers a bit about yourself and what you’re working on?

My name is Lawrence Brumfield, but I use Shawn in informal settings. I’m the oldest of eleven children, born and raised in Rochester, NY, and a proud graduate of East High School. For the past 27 years, I’ve served as a firefighter with the Rochester Fire Department, where I currently hold the rank of Battalion Chief. In addition, I’ve been practicing family medicine as a Nurse Practitioner at Jordan Health for the last 7 years. I hold a doctorate in nursing and I am now pursuing certification in mental health, focusing on helping men.
Having experienced deep depression earlier in my life, I have a profound respect for the challenges men face and the burdens we carry. Society often imposes harmful expectations on how men should cope, leading many to internalize their struggles and deteriorate silently. I’ve seen this pattern too many times, and my goal is to address men’s mental health in a meaningful way. There’s another exciting layer to this aspect of my work, which I can’t fully discuss just yet. Additionally, I’ve had the privilege of being published in a major medical journal.
Aside from my professional life, I’m a father to four beautiful children—two boys and two girls—ranging in age from 21 to 28. I became a father for the first time in high school, which has been a significant part of my journey. So, life keeps me quite busy these days!

If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?

1. Self-Investment
Impact: Self-investment involves dedicating your resources—time, energy, and money—to enhance your quality of life and personal growth. By focusing on continuous improvement, I have been able to make meaningful progress, whether through learning new skills, adopting healthier habits, or investing in opportunities that support my goals.

Advice:

Prioritize Your Time: Make the most of every day by setting aside time for activities that contribute to your growth. Create a schedule that balances your daily responsibilities with personal development activities.

Invest Wisely: Spend your resources on things that will have a lasting impact, such as education, health, or tools that support your goals. Evaluate where you can make investments that will yield significant benefits.

Track and Reflect: Regularly assess your progress and adjust your strategies as needed. Celebrate small victories to stay motivated and continuously seek ways to improve.

2. Persistence
Impact: Persistence has been crucial during challenging times when my goals and dreams tested my stamina and dedication. It has kept me going when quitting seemed like an easy option and has helped me overcome obstacles by staying committed and resilient.

Advice:

Build Resilience: Start by setting small challenges that push your limits. This helps you develop the mental toughness needed to face larger hurdles.

Create a Support System: Surround yourself with supportive people who can offer encouragement and hold you accountable. Their support can be vital during tough times.

Develop a Routine: Establish habits and routines that reinforce your commitment to your goals. Consistent effort, even in small increments, contributes to long-term success.

3. Ambition
Impact: Ambition has been the driving force behind my efforts to achieve my goals. It fuels my desire for greatness and pushes me to set high standards and work tirelessly towards them. High ambition helps me overcome obstacles and stay focused on my aspirations.

Advice:

Set High Goals: Aim high and challenge yourself with ambitious goals. Ensure that your goals are specific, measurable, and aligned with your long-term vision.

Visualize Success: Regularly envision achieving your goals. This helps maintain motivation and provides a clear sense of direction.

Stay Motivated: Seek inspiration from successful individuals in your field and stay engaged with activities that reignite your passion and drive.

To sum it up: “Stay focused and stay in heavy pursuit of your dreams and goals. Don’t give up on yourself.” Embrace self-investment by making the most of each day, cultivate persistence to navigate through challenges, and harness ambition to drive your success. These qualities will serve as a strong foundation for achieving your aspirations and overcoming obstacles along the way.

Alright, so before we go we want to ask you to take a moment to reflect and share what you think you would do if you somehow knew you only had a decade of life left?

At this juncture in my life, I’m navigating a period of significant change and growth, which brings many new opportunities and options. My challenge is effectively managing these opportunities and prioritizing them to align with my long-term goals and values.
Managing opportunities and prioritizing options is a complex challenge, particularly during a transformative period. I aim to navigate this challenge effectively by clarifying goals, creating a structured decision-making process, seeking advice, setting priorities, managing resources, and embracing flexibility. This approach will help me make strategic choices that align with my long-term vision and make the most of the opportunities that come my way

Contact Info:

• Instagram: dr_chief_brumfield
• Facebook: Doc Lawrence Brumfield
• Linkedin: Chief Lawrence Brumfield