About John Salzwedel
My life has rarely followed a single straight path. My first "job" was selling greeting cards door-to-door when I was about eight years old.
Over the years I’ve worked in many different roles — delivering newspapers, washing dishes, picking apples, working as a janitor, waiting tables, doing data-entry, serving as a music minister(in the United States and other countries) and working as a clerk and music buyer in a Christian bookstore.
Later in life my work expanded into leadership roles including operations management for a nonprofit organization, volunteer board positions and eventually carrying responsibility as a CEO.
Those experiences have allowed me to see life from many different perspectives and to meet people from all kinds of backgrounds. Along the way I’ve had the privilege of working with people from many walks of life, listening as they shared their deeper questions about purpose, responsibility, relationships, finances and the direction they are building.
Many have also shared very real struggles and quiet burdens they carry.
Over time, those conversations began to shape the work I do today.
Again and again I found that many capable, responsible people weren’t failing in life — they were simply living in ways that had gradually become misaligned with what mattered most to them. Responsibilities grew. Expectations multiplied. The pace of life increased. And somewhere along the way, clarity about direction began to fade.
My work now centers on helping people slow down, think clearly, and reconnect their daily lives with what they truly value.
I don’t believe most people are broken or need to be fixed. More often, people simply need space to think honestly about their lives — to ask better questions, clarify what matters most, and take responsibility for the direction they are building.
I've also benefited from formal training in leadership, personal finance, speaking, and personality assessment, including training through the John Maxwell Team, the Dave Ramsey organization, Christian Leaders Institute, and Toastmasters International. I also hold a Master’s degree in Management.
And while this training taught me a lot, it will never be a substitute for listening carefully to people’s real lives, real challenges and real circumstances.
I've lived nearly all of my life in the Great Lakes Region of the United States. I’ve been married for more than 35 years, have numerous children and grandchildren (by blood and by life). My faith plays an important role in how I see people and the world. I believe every person carries inherent value and deserves to be treated with dignity and respect.
When I’m not writing, speaking, or having coaching conversations, you’ll often find me spending time with my wife, enjoying the outdoors, playing with dogs, building something or playing guitar and bass.
Whether through writing, speaking, or coaching conversations, my goal remains simple: helping people find hope through clarity.
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