We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Erik Bledsoe. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Erik below.
Hi Erik, so great to have you on the platform. There’s so much we want to ask you, but let’s start with the topic of self-care. Do you do anything for self-care and if so, do you think it’s had a meaningful impact on your effectiveness?
My journey with self-care was somewhat forced on me, haha! During the early days, when my career was first taking off, I almost lost my voice entirely. Everything was off: I wasn’t eating right, sleeping right, I was traveling wrong, playing too many shows.. It was all falling apart. the net effect was my voice just completely stopped working. My doctor was a dear brother in Christ, Dr Thomas Cleveland at Vanderbilt. He was ferociously direct with me and just told me flat out, “Mr bledsoe, you need to repent.” He went on to tell me that as a touring professional my role required the physical accountability of a professional athlete. He said that everything I did laid the foundation for my voice to work, and if I took my calling seriously, then I should start to take everything else that seriously as well.
My wife and I have always observed a day of rest, our Sabbath, as an act of worship and joy but beyond that I hadn’t considered what self-care might mean. I really had to spend time with that, and with the Lord, considering what worshiping him with my fitness, food, and work schedule might look like. For starters, it meant I probably shouldn’t be drinking sweet tea all day long, haha! We also had to change the way we travel, prepare, and budget, etc.. It was a group effort for sure!
I can say 1000% that the work is worth it. It’s paid off in spades! Not only did my career last another 20 years but those rhythms continue to bear fruit across every area of my life. My time with my wife and kids is more joy filled and active. I’m also more productive and effective in my work. Something as simple as reserving your heavy carbohydrates until the evening makes a huge difference. My body doesn’t spend all my energy digesting heavy food in the morning and I literally just get more done because of the foods I choose to eat.
I’ve heard the analogy of an “airplane’s oxygen mask” used and I find it helpful. You have to put your own oxygen mask on first before you help the people next to you. I think self-care is the same way; you only get one body. You have to take care yourself first. The longer you go the harder it will come to a stop. There’s no reason to wait until you’re falling apart. You can just choose to recalibrate. It takes humility but it’s worth it!
Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?
My name is Erik Bledsoe — I’m a multi award-winning artist, speaker. I signed my first record deal when I was 14, and in the Lord’s kindness, continued to tour full-time until 2022.
I’m also the founder of Take the Hill Ministries. We help motivated but discouraged and disconnected Christian men become Rockstar Husbands, Fathers, and Leaders through a step-by-step coaching framework so they can multiply their impact, create legacy, and change the world by becoming the man God’s called them to be.
We provide Biblical training, expert coaching, and trustworthy accountability tailored for men – We force multiply through local groups, strategic masterminds, Biblical counseling that empower men for the glory of God to become fully mature in Christ.
We’ve just recently launched two initiatives:
“Take the Hill (FREE) Online Community” –
https://www.skool.com/take-the-hill-8540/about
Most Christian men want to live the kind of life that we talk about on Sunday morning, and yet all too often…
we end up feeling frustrated and alone,
stuck between our old patterns and the man we want to be.
The problem isn’t a lack of information.
We understand. That’s why at Take the Hill we’ve created strategic groups for men that provide the coaching, community, and accountability you need. When we decided to stop trying and start training, together we escape the cycle and finally become the man God’s called us to be.
Biblically-Based Counseling Tailored for Men. No Shame. No Stigma
https://www.takethehill.tv/counseling
A place where man can find the confidential support and encouragement they need, shoulder-to-shoulder with a wise guide who understands.
At Take the Hill, we understand the transformative power of brotherhood grounded in Christ. Our counselors create a judgment-free zone, partnering with you to help guide you through the issue at hand. We seek to give insight and wise counsel, anchored in Biblical principles, and informed by proven counseling strategies, helping to move you towards the peace, wholeness, and freedom that Christ promises.
Drawing from their own journeys of faith, our team gives you the advantage of over 60+ years of combined experience in Biblical counseling, pastoral care, and coaching. From one-on-one sessions, to small group counseling, or virtual , we’re prepared to help you tackle your challenges with strength, courage, and faith.
Here’s my story…
A Band of Brothers
Our Story
In 2000, I signed my first record deal and thought I was on top of the world – but within 18 months I had a nervous breakdown and ended up in a psychiatric appointment addicted, depressed, alone, and with suicidal thoughts. In the Lord’s great mercy, he delivered me and planted me in a community of believers that loved me and helped me begin to live out my faith.
It wasn’t ‘7 Easy Steps’; life is hard and faith is messy. I know. Letting go of the lies that have held us hostage and transforming into the man God’s called us to be is never easy… but it’s always worth it. As I began to pursue and integrate the truth of God’s word into my daily actions, everything changed.
In 2007, God used a literal “band” of brothers to both set me free and to restore my music career. It’s been my honor to spend the last 20+ years walking alongside great men of God, on and off the stage, encouraging and training each other to go all-in on Jesus and follow hard after him.
In 2021, Take the Hill was founded out of a deep desire to help develop and multiply that same Christ-centered camaraderie and missional focus for other men, in my own local church, and abroad. We believe everyone’s welcome, nobody’s perfect, and with Jesus anything is possible.
Imagine what it would be like if you had brothers like that? Imagine how different your life would be? The kind of man you’d become? There’s too much at stake for you to continue to try and fight on your own. We weren’t designed to do this alone – you need a band of brothers.
So what are you waiting for? Come join us – live on mission, multiply your impact, and create legacy by becoming the man God called you to be. It’s time to take action. Are you ready?
Stop Trying.
Start Training.
TAKE THE HILL.
~Erik Bledsoe
If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
I think the first and most important quality we need to develop when we approach any new area is “belief.” I realize that sounds intangible but let me see if I can explain it with a little bit of context. Let’s suppose a person gets a new job. I think that before they dive into all of the technical and functional aspects of the position, the most important thing they can do is spend time asking themselves what they believe about that job. By asking questions like:
Why did I take this job? What am I hoping this job will do for me? What need am I trying to fulfill internally and externally? What limiting beliefs do I have about this job? Do I believe I will be successful or am I undermining my future success with fear? Do I feel like I’m worthy?
I literally believe everything is based on our beliefs, what we have faith in on every level. I want to align my beliefs and actions. Jesus says that, “All things are possible for the one who believes,” and I believe him. I think the most important skill we should develop first is the awareness and ability to internally audit what we’re actually believing about any circumstance.
I think the second most important skill or quality is ” integrity.” I think most people would agree that integrity has elements of honesty, trustworthiness, and accountability built into it. But I think the most helpful way I’ve come to understand integrity in a way I can measure is by asking myself the question,”Am I living up to the standard I’ve set for the man I want to become?” It’s staggering how much more money you can make, and how much more successful you can become in every area of life when people see you as a person who keeps your own standard. More often times than not the winner is the person who shows up when they said they would, does what they said they would do, and doesn’t quit. This definition of integrity goes hand in hand with self-control because integrity usually requires choosing things I don’t want now so that I can enjoy things I want more later.
Finally, I’d say the third most important skill is to develop the natural inclination to look for a coach or mentor. Having a wiseguide who’s already experienced or understands your moment can literally save you years. The older I get the more convinced I am this is a skill. It takes a great degree of humility to admit you don’t know how to do something and to ask for help. If you can find one for free, great, but if you can’t then find the money and pay for it. The coaches that solve the biggest problems the fastest are usually the most expensive.. and they’re worth every dime! The way I see it, you’re going to pay a huge price for not knowing the solution. You might as well pay the price up front to learn how to fix it and win! Not only do you get the education but you get an invaluable relationship with the coach themself!
We’ve all got limited resources, time, energy, focus etc – so if you had to choose between going all in on your strengths or working on areas where you aren’t as strong, what would you choose?
This is a great question and it’s when I talk to my kids about all the time. I absolutely believe it is most important to focus on your strengths. in all other areas I believe in achieving a Baseline. in my family we literally call this “good enough to move on.”
In any area of life, you’re only going to get paid to do the thing you’re better than the next person at. Consequently, you will stop being promoted at the level equal to your skill set. Ex: If somebody’s a better athlete, they’re going to get the spot on the team. If somebody’s a better speaker, they’re going to get paid a higher fee. The more skillful the surgeon, the higher the demand. The more notable the professor, the more desirable they are to esteemed universities.
There’s really no area of life where this isn’t true. It all comes down to serving other people. The more I can deliver something of value to other people in my specific area of expertise, the more helpful I become and the more they’re willing to pay me for that solution.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.takethehill.tv/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/erikbledsoe/
- Facebook: https://www.facebo
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/erikbledsoetv/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@erikbledsoe
