Meet Jeff Crume | Transformational Speaker & Life Coach | Thought Leader

We had the good fortune of connecting with Jeff Crume and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Jeff, what are you inspired by?
Empowering people to believe in themselves enough to live their dreams. To encourage others who feel less-than, broken, lost, or insignificant. To help them discover their own self worth and confidence to achieve their dreams. To help someone find hope who has lost all hope.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
Most of the time you’ll find me in a coffee shop or on a zoom call encouraging and inspiring others to become the best version of themselves. The rest of the time you’ll find me on the MTB trails enjoying life on a Santa Cruz Hightower.

The day I first got hooked on helping others I was in Houston, TX on business. I was invited to speak for the Harris County Children’s Protective services. I noticed a young girl in my audience with her face nestled in her lap crying throughout most of my talk. When I finally finished and asked her what she wanted to be when she grew up, she looked up at me with huge alligator tears streaming down her cheeks saying “I don’t know, I don’t know.”

I later learned that little girl was twelve years old and had been in and out of twelve different foster homes. No parents. No family. Alone. Afraid. Lost. I went out that same day and bought her a little black lamb. When I handed it to her I told her, “Sweetheart, remember, the one thing that no one can ever take from you are your dreams.”

I went back to say good-bye the day of my flight home.  The directors at the facility said the change in that child was nothing short of a miracle. She had asked for crayons and started coloring pictures of her dreams. The pictures were taped up all over the walls of her tiny room.

I didn’t get to see her that day, but she had heard I was coming and left me a note which read: Dear Mr. Crume, thank you for helping me believe in myself. I’m holding on to my dreams and I’m not letting go. That’s the day I got hooked on helping other people believe in themselves and hold on to their dreams, discover their true potential and live life with purpose and passion.

I’m not sure what sets me apart from others. There are countless people doing good in the world. I’m just one of them. But I guess I would have to say what sets me apart is that I genuinely care. I don’t have all the answers. I don’t sell lotions and potions. I just have seen in my lifetime the power of unconditional love. And it’s a love that’s beyond me. I don’t “put it on” or “work it up.” I can’t tell you how many times during my lifetime I will be talking to a total stranger and out of nowhere, from deep within my spirit, wells up this overwhelming compassion for this person I don’t even know. Tears often follow. Why? I don’t know.

I’ve seen the power of love in action while sitting outside of man’s broken down trailer, who was suffering from PTSD after tragically losing his son in an accident. The neighbors said he hadn’t come out of his trailer in years. I used to pull up a chair and talk to him for hours through his window encouraging him that healing was possible. One day the door opened and this man came out and sat down beside me. We sat together for months following sharing stories. We bought him a bicycle, he got a job at the local Target and his life changed forever. But so did mine.

I’ve gone on to experience that love as a Hospice Chaplain while sitting beside the beds of people who are dying. Holding their hand. Helping them reconcile a lifetime all in a few short moments. Fear. Anger. Guilt. Shame. Regret. Oh the “baggage” humanity carries with them to their grave. Helping people find peace before they pass has also shaped my life now as a Coach and Transformational Speaker.

Connection. True, genuine, human connection. That’s the secret to transformation.

I truly believe in loving others. It’s something we all need.

I got to where I’m at today by probably being too stubborn to quit. There’s always been a bit of a “stallion” in me that refuses to take no for an answer. I believe not quitting is the core ingredient to success in any area of life. I’ve fallen many more times than I can count. But I’ve gotten back up one more time.

One only has to do one thing when they fall down; get back up.

I believe we are on the cusp of the greatest “get back up” stories in the history of our world. I believe so many have been beaten up and tossed aside by life’s most tragic circumstances, and in a way “life” felt like it delivered it’s last and final blow to them. But as they lay there; heart still beating, still breathing, still hoping, some walking over them while others stooping down to help, slowly but surely they’re finding their way back on their feet. And when they come back you better jump back jack because they are going to soar like never before.

Helping people see their hidden potential and successfully navigate through self-esteem issues, fears, depression, anxiety and self-sabotage is the reason I believe I was born. I’ve always been drawn to helping those who, for one reason or another, can’t see their own value and worth. And as you well know, when we can’t see our own value we accept the value someone else places on us; which more than not leads to a very unfulfilled life.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
My best time ever would of course start on a mountain bike. We would ride the White Cross, here in Temecula/Murrieta, and afterward get all cleaned up and head downtown old town for a night out.

I discovered a “newer” restaurant in old town called “Small Barn.” A delectable quaint upscale bistro with a menu filled with flavors for all pallets. Our favorite? The whole Alaskan Sea Bass, grilled to perfection, deboned, served with fresh vegetables and crisp lettuce cups for the making of your own perfect taco.

Of course, prior to eating, we would sip a favorite cocktail handcrafted by by none other than one of my favorite mixologists, – Paris. His Piña Noir | Charcoal infused Aged Rum | Thai Chili Coconut | Pineapple | Lime is to live for. And, oh, by the way, reserve the hanging chairs on the “front porch” – the view is perfect for people watching.

After dinner we would stroll on through town probably taking in some live music at Baileys or the Blues club. If we’re really feeling it, we would take in one of the speakeasies in town at Devilicious or Crush and Brew. To top off the night, we would drive to the top of Rancho California road and take in the stars of the night sky.

Lifestyle. That’s what I call it. Little things we can do each day to remind us why we are here. All work and no play, as they say, makes “jack” a dull boy.

Nature has become one of my most favorite places. No phones, no traffic, no people, just two wheels and a trail, or simply walking.

I start my mornings on the side of a hill or cliff whenever I can, sipping a warm beverage being thankful for that breath. And that one. And that one.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
My mom always told me if I could find someone to pay me to run my mouth I would have it made. I guess I owe Mom a great deal for becoming who I am today. My early mentor, Jim Rohn, was also instrumental in getting me hooked on personal development. Becoming all I was created to be. I was privileged to work for Jim for several years before he died. I still listen to his videos and read his books. I will never forget the impact Jim has had on my life.

The biggest shoutout has to go to my wife, Jodi, and my kids, Kami, Talia, Lucas and Braeden. I used to believe being a father was all about teaching my kids. The longer I live, I realize being a father is all about learning from my kids. I’m a better human today because of my wife and kids.

My wife, Jodi, and I have been together for over 30 years. We met when we were just kids. We were just reminiscing the other day about all the “stuff” we’ve been through. The kids have a saying these days, “I got ya!” That’s the way I feel about my wife. She’s “had me” all of these years. We look forward to adding another thirty-plus years together to our story.

Website: https://www.jeffcrume.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jeff_crume/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jcrume/

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Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/user/empoweringmoments

Other: https://jeffcrume.medium.com/ https://jeffcrume.wordpress.com