Mental Health, Suicide and The Problem with "Work/Life Balance" with David Taylor-Klaus

Send us Fan MailIn this intense yet uplifting conversation, David Taylor-Klaus is open and honest with Gary about his suicide attempt and what he does now to keep himself on track. This episode will make you think while also lifting you up.Also in this episode:Internal self-awarenessExternal self-awarenessBeing a thought leaderTicking people offWhether or not it’s ok for your family to judge youAttempting suicideThe impact Hurricane Katrina had on himThe problem with the term “Work/Life Balance”Why you can’t separate work and lifeBeing in relationship with what you’re doingAbout DavidDavid’s personal and professional worlds clearly reflect a journey in pursuit of excellence, always with a great deal of humor and heart. He is known for his sharp intellect and incisive ability to see and say what others do not. He balances fierce candor with genuine compassion … aka “an iron fist in a velvet glove.”Whether working with individuals, teams, or speaking to large groups, David believes that a powerful leader exists in each of us, his goal is to empower others to unearth and unleash their own leadership mastery. From personal experience, he drives home the importance for all professionals to take an active, intentional, and dynamic role in their private and professional lives.The mission of DTK Coaching is to reintroduce successful business people to their families and the world outside the office.Through an informed, well-applied process and an inspired approach, David’s clients overcome the overwhelming aspects of succeeding in business and being a part of a family. DTK Coaching helps them create the kind of Life-Work Balance they only dared to imagine was possible, while also achieving dramatic shifts in their performance.David’s insight and wisdom are built on his three decades as a successful serial entrepreneur.Prior to establishing DTK Coaching, he was CEO of Digital Positions (DP), an internet strategy and web development firm he co-founded in 1995 and sold in 2009. As a strategist, he worked with C-level executives, senior management teams and boards of directors to broaden their perspective and see how interactive initiatives support corporate visions and values for positive growth.It was during this time, however, that David realized that his success came from being reactive rather than proactive, and that he wasn’t participating consciously as a husband, father, business partner, or entrepreneur.  As he headed toward rock-bottom, David had a significant wake-up call that ultimately resulted in DTK Coaching. (It’s a great story… read how really bad it got)Recent empty-nesters (a status modified due to the pandemic), David and his wife, Elaine, live in the heart of Atlanta with their dogs. A gold-medal rower in the 2004 Georgia State Games, an avid cyclist, and an enthusiastic wine-collector (and drinker), David also enjoys kick-boxing, really great jokes, laughing with others … and at himself.https://dtkcoaching.comConnect with Gary:Gary's WebsiteFollow Gary on InstagramGary's TiktokGary's FacebookWatch the episodes on YouTubeAdvertise on the PodcastThank you for listening. Let us know what you think about this episode. Leave us a review!