Story & Lesson Highlights with Jeff Bearden of East Side

Jeff Bearden shared their story and experiences with us recently and you can find our conversation below.

Hi Jeff, thank you so much for joining us today. We’re thrilled to learn more about your journey, values and what you are currently working on. Let’s start with an ice breaker: What’s the most surprising thing you’ve learned about your customers?
The most surprising thing I’ve learned about my customers is how loyal and supportive they are, even years later. On my recent travels to Asia, I had the chance to reconnect with some of my old clients—and it honestly made me proud. Not only did we catch up like no time had passed, but many of them wanted to start new projects together.

Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
I spent over three decades traveling the world as a professional wrestler, stepping into rings from Mexico to Japan and South Africa. Wrestling taught me discipline, resilience, and how to connect with people no matter where they came from. These lessons stuck with me long after I hung up my boots. Today, I’ve traded the roar of the crowd for the creativity of storytelling; after all, pro wrestling is a form of storytelling. I’m now the Co-Founder of Clarens Ghostwriting and Publishing, where we help others share their stories and turn their ideas into books that make an impact. It’s a different kind of arena, but one that still thrives on passion, perseverance, and heart. I believe everyone has a story worth telling—and I love helping them tell it.

Appreciate your sharing that. Let’s talk about your life, growing up and some of topics and learnings around that. What was your earliest memory of feeling powerful?
Some of my earliest memories of feeling powerful come from stepping into the wrestling ring. There’s nothing quite like knowing you can control the energy of thousands of people with every move and gesture. I loved getting the crowd fired up—sometimes too much. Wrestling in those days was wild, and emotions ran high. I’ve actually been stabbed by spectators five times and had to be escorted out of arenas more than once. It sounds crazy now, but back then it was all part of the job.

If you could say one kind thing to your younger self, what would it be?
If I could say one kind thing to my younger self, it would be: have faith in yourself. There were times I second-guessed my instincts, wondering if I was making the right move. Looking back, I realize those moments of doubt didn’t define me—they taught me. Sure, there were times I should’ve zigged when I zagged, but every twist and turn shaped who I am today.

So a lot of these questions go deep, but if you are open to it, we’ve got a few more questions that we’d love to get your take on. What would your closest friends say really matters to you?
If you asked my closest friends what really matters to me, they’d tell you without hesitation—it’s my wife. She’s my world, my anchor, and my best friend. We do almost everything together, whether it’s working, traveling, or just relaxing at home. Honestly, the only time I’m on my own is when I run out to grab groceries. We’ve built a life centered on love, laughter, and teamwork, and she’s the reason my world runs the way it does—and I’m grateful every single day for that.

Before we go, we’d love to hear your thoughts on some longer-run, legacy type questions. If you retired tomorrow, what would your customers miss most?
If I retired tomorrow, I think my customers would miss the personal connection most. At Clarens Ghostwriting and Publishing, I’ve always believed in treating every project like a partnership, not just a transaction. My customers know I genuinely care about their stories, their dreams, and helping them bring those ideas to life. We’ve made ghostwriting affordable with flexible payment plans, because everyone deserves the chance to share their story. I think they’d miss the one-on-one support, the honest conversations, and the feeling that someone truly has their back through the writing process

Contact Info:

• Website: https://clarenspublishing.com/
• Instagram: @ClarensPublishing
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/clarens
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ClarensPublishing
• Other: [email protected]
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