Meet Rob Cook

Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Rob Cook. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Rob, we’re thrilled to have you sharing your thoughts and lessons with our community. So, for folks who are at a stage in their life or career where they are trying to be more resilient, can you share where you get your resilience from?
I was living a very intriguing and sought-after lifestyle, and I never thought it would end. But in 2015, many overwhelming circumstances, both personal and professional, collided, creating the darkest days of my life. Initially, it was debilitating. It was surreal. You can call it arrogance, but I thought this could never happen to me. The issues drained me because of carrying the weight of childhood and professional traumas that would begin to haunt my every step, day in and day out. The trauma not only affected my mental health but seeped into my spirituality and physical well-being as well.

There were so many things going wrong. I had an extremely high alcohol intake, and I had financial hardships, relationship tensions, legal matters, and extreme difficulties transitioning off active duty service. The fall created a shame and a guilt that kept gnawing at me whenever I dared to pick my head up. For three more years, I’d have intrusive thoughts/memories, nightmares, triggers, hyper-vigilance, and numbness.

The adverse effects of PTSD had stolen my life.

I would later be introduced to a vibrant spiritual teaching that uncovered how my minds work. It was the perfect balance between spirituality and humanity that I’d ever experienced. The most significant piece of learning was how the power of thought shapes my reality, and although I was facing the worst days of my life, I wasn’t broken. I didn’t need to be fixed. I just needed to learn how my system worked and not weaponize my past against myself. I thought about how I always found a way to get back to my feet after being knocked down by life. I got excited, gained unconditional love for myself, and realized the power that resided deep within me.

Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?
An international speaker and coach, my Life After Trauma journey marks growth through a profound understanding of the mind. I was born and raised in the housing projects of Birmingham, Alabama. Due to the violence and tension, I wanted to create a different fate than what awaited many young Black men who grew up in my neighborhood. I joined the US Air Force, becoming a decorated combat veteran. I retired from active duty after a 21-year military career safeguarding key figures, including the US Air Force Secretary, Chief of Staff, and US Special Operations Commander. But in 2015, many overwhelming circumstances, both personal and professional, would collide, creating the darkest days of my life.

The most significant lesson of those dark days was learning how the power of thought shapes my reality, and although I was facing the worst days of my life, I wasn’t broken. I had a new revolutionary perspective on mental health that would blend with upbringing, veteran expertise, and coaching platforms to inspire hope. By 2018, I emerged as a beacon of strength and resilience. My powerful story offers listeners, readers, leaders, trainers, and coaches a demonstration of resilience and prioritizing self-care to have the life you want.

In 2021, Along with coaching and speaking, I started my first podcast called ‘We’re Listening,” A community where all voices are heard. Streams on six continents and over 20 different countries, the podcast is a collection of practitioners, coaches, and community leaders from all over the globe who point clients toward their innate health and wisdom. The second show, “Radiant Reflections Volume One,” I produced, dived into the world of self-awareness, resilience, and transformative insights. It’s not just a podcast; each bite-sized episode is a quick dose of the Radiant Reflection Vibe!

Podcasts, workshops, and more can be viewed at https://imrobcook.com/resources

If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
Initially, discovering that one wasn’t inherently broken was a significant shift. Understanding how the human mind works dispelled the misconception of needing fixing.

The second revelation was that life wasn’t happening to me, but for me, it was a hard truth to accept. This recognition pointed to the strength within and reminded me of the love and support surrounding me during difficult times. The more I connected to my resilience, the easier it became to embrace life’s challenges.

Lastly, the art of deep listening was the biggest game-changer for me. Beyond hearing surface-level words, I could feel the underlying intent and desires within the message. This skill transformed the approach to problem-solving from addressing behaviors to understanding and tackling the root internal causes. Learning to listen deeply, not just to others but to myself, became a tool for navigating communication challenges more effectively.

What’s been one of your main areas of growth this year?
Earlier this year, I noticed something was missing from my life.

Personal Training.

I’ve been a trainer for over twenty years, and the last five years have taken me on quite the healing journey that has come full circle for me to see the importance of balance in my mind and body and how my performance elevates when that is present.

One of my favorite quotes from Sydney Banks is in the book The Missing Link, where he says, “The form and the formless together make up the oneness of life, that which we call God.” I see it so clearly now that my body is just as crucial to my human experience as my mind, and vice versa.

I thought personal training wasn’t spiritual enough to impact the world, and I couldn’t have been more wrong. Also, I’ve never been so happy about being wrong!! Why? Because now I get to do something that I love once again. Help people feel strong enough to experience and engage in life.

Contact Info:

Image Credits
Genius Catalyst Inc Star Physique Awards Red Carpet 3PUK Annual Conference, London PWC Total Partner Program, Alzheimer’s Association International Conference (AAIA) Wellness Zone

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