49 Comments

Years ago I was fired as CEO of a startup. I cried as I drove out of the parking lot, alone. I called my husband, who was out of town, and he told me they couldn't take away who I was. I drove to Costco, bought a new computer, came home and started putting together a plan for my own business. It was a humbling experience that turned into a grand adventure, a successful consulting/training company and the opportunity to make a difference. I wouldn't change what happened, even if I could.

Thanks for sharing your story, Tim. I bet your wife is a saint and your little girl a true blessing.

Expand full comment
author

What a story Heather. Thanks for being brave enough to share it.

Expand full comment

Thanks, Tim. When it first happened I couldn't have shared it. You know...the huge range of emotions....guilt, anger, frustration, embarrassment....did you experience those, too?

Those feelings are just part of my history now. If my story can inspire others who are going through a rough patch, it's totally worth sharing.

I suspect you feel that way, too.

Expand full comment
author

Yep I felt similar Heather.

Expand full comment
Jul 27, 2023Liked by Tim Denning

Thanks for being so real, allowing yourself to be vulnerable. Everyone fucks up and sometimes the fuck up is huge and spectacular. 😉The way you decided have gratitude for the small wins and move past feeling sorry for yourself, get up the next day and start working to turn things around. Just WOW!! Working through a real low point in my life right now and this helps so I can keep getting up each day and turn the tides on things so as not to go under. It helps to remind me that things can get better. You just have to keep working at it. It lets us know it’s okay show up as messy and flawed sometimes. You are an inspiration. And it’s real inspiration with all the imperfection and struggles that come with being a human and not some phony glossy instagram life that is illusion. Thank you.

Expand full comment
author

Such a beautiful comment Kit. Thank you. Perfection is silly and most of us never achieve it. And the ones who do are boring as hell.

Expand full comment

As someone trying to learn storytelling, this was a truly amazing ride.

The rawness of it all… it’s like I was there, next to you.

Thanks for sharing this. I imagine it wasn’t easy.

Expand full comment
author

Not easy but rewarding Victor. Much love.

Expand full comment

A million? I'd be satisfied with about a hundred thousand. But I'm easy to please.

I'm glad that what happened didn't make you stop.

Expand full comment
author

Can't stop, won't stop Joseph

Expand full comment

Been following you for a few years, Tim. Your Medium articles inspired me to start writing as a side hustle and now a few years later running a six figure writing biz on LinkedIn

You’re inspiring a lot of creators man! I appreciate the work you do

Expand full comment
author

Wow that's awesome Anthony! Can you link me to your business so I can check it out?

Expand full comment

Absolutely Tim - FinGhost.io

Expand full comment
author

Cheers. I'll check it out.

Expand full comment

Thanks for sharing this story. I think it’s valuable when people share their struggles.

Expand full comment
author

Me too Michael.

Expand full comment

Your #3 was really eye-opening and I thank you for letting us get a closer look inside the past life of Tim. I feel inspired to write something in a similar style to your #3 now. You can tell you're inspiring when you get others inspired to write like you.

Expand full comment
author

Go out and do it Lucas. You've got such a great mindset. And you always leave the most thoughtful comments.

Expand full comment

#3 is gold. Thanks for sharing that Tim. Are wealth is what we are left with when our money is gone!

Expand full comment
author

Love how you said that Anne.

Expand full comment

should be 'our wealth' duh. I think Roger Hamilton first said that in his book Wink and Grow Rich

Expand full comment
author

I'm going to look that book up Anne. Thank you.

Expand full comment

No necessarily a great book but an interesting parable

Expand full comment

Wow. That's quite an origin story. A very dark moment that few would have weathered so well. I don't know you, of course, but I have tremendous respect for your fight and courage.

But beyond the resilience and resolve it took to start again, it sounds like you were fortunate enough to have a loving and caring and supportive wife. Someone who helped backstop the slide into darkness. Of course, I infer that from the last part about having a child. Perhaps I have presumed too much. If I have, I'm sorry about that.

But if not, well, seems to me that's the best part of the tale...the part where you find somone who sticks around through the tough stuff and the not so fun stuff...someone who's faith endured. I love that part. Perhaps it is rare, and perhaps I'm just a romantic, but man, having someone have your back, someone who sees you at your worst and darkest, someone who doesn't turn tail, or panic, or give up on you when you are ready to give up on yourself....that's the thing dreams are made of...

Expand full comment
author

Many good reflections here Joseph. The support of those around me helped so much.

Expand full comment
Jul 31, 2023Liked by Tim Denning

The root or one of the main roots of mans fall is three letters E G O inflated.

Expand full comment
author

I learn this lesson over and over Gersh

Expand full comment

The losing money in crypto hits home. I'm in the industry and lament the losses more frequently than I would like. Nevertheless, a good learning experience.

When money meets experience, experience gets the money and the money gets experience (not my quote, but apt).

Expand full comment
author

Love that quote Ben. Did you lose any money in the FTX blow up at all?

Expand full comment

Finding the eyeballs! Yes. Need to find all the eyeballs.

Expand full comment
author

Social media is the answer Alexander

Expand full comment

Tryin' here. Cutting through the noise... I think I need to amp up the volume!

Expand full comment
Jul 27, 2023Liked by Tim Denning

Mate you ARE fucking awesome.

Expand full comment
author

Much love Martin.

Expand full comment

I've recently started my writing journey, contributing to Medium and joining Substack. I also got myself a Rhodesian Ridgeback female into my life, and she has brought an immense amount of joy. This article resonated deeply with me due to its authenticity, I love realness and truly appreciate how you've exposed your heart to the world through your writing.

This is a reminder we all share common emotions and experiences, and embracing authenticity is a a powerful force in our lives. As humans, we should strive to express our genuine selves more often.

Keep the good work my man.

Expand full comment

Hey Tim, it's Ossiana from Medium. I'm one of the many, many writers hit by the new algorithm and was wondering what your two cents is. We are actively looking to reach out to others and would love to hear your own take on this. A bunch of us are also starting a new project to make money. Hit me on chat if you want to join us.

Expand full comment