R.J. Pownell, Personal Coach

05/19/2025

“Most people don’t work on their dreams, why? One is the fear of failure, ‘What if it doesn’t work out?’ And the fear of success, ‘What if it does and I can’t handle it?’” - Les Brown

That second fear is real because success doesn’t just hand you more opportunities, it demands more from you.

Here’s what I’ve learned: you grow into it. You don’t need to have it all figured out before you start. You just need to be willing to stretch, adapt, and keep showing up.

The only way to find out if you can handle it—is to go for it anyway.

Let’s grow together.

05/13/2025

You weren’t born to be employed — you were born to be deployed.” - Dr. Myles Munroe

Your job is what you’re paid to do, your work is what you were born to do.

Your skill is what you were trained to do, your gift is what you were born with.

If your job ever becomes more important than your work, be careful—because the day you lose your job, you may lose your sense of identity.

“A man’s gift makes room for him and brings him before great men.” - Proverbs 18:16

If you’re in a season of transition or unemployment, this is your time to lean into your gift. Your job may have ended, but your work is just beginning.

05/10/2025

A huge thank you to Gina and Missy for the eye-opening tour of Heartbeat of Toledo facility!

Did you know Heartbeat serves nearly 1,000 women each fiscal year, with no income requirements or eligibility guidelines? From cooking classes to financial aid, every service is designed to meet women where they are and respond to their unique needs.

But what stood out the most is their approach: every woman is in the driver’s seat. Heartbeat isn’t there to make decisions for her—they’re there to educate, empower, and walk alongside her. Like The Program Inc, your commitment is shaping stronger families, futures, and communities.

05/08/2025

If you’re successful by your own definition but still constantly putting out small fires, the issue isn’t your work ethic—it’s the systems you’ve put in place.

When I ask people about the best part of success, I usually hear two types of answers. One is filled with positivity and excitement. The other reflects the weight and pressure that success can bring.

The difference between the two often comes down to this: one built systems to solve problems for the long term, the other finds ways to survive the day.

Success doesn’t just come from hard work—it comes from working smart and building systems that scale with you.

If you’re ready to stop fighting fires and start building systems that last, let’s connect. I’d love to hear how you’re thinking about growth and sustainability.

05/05/2025

Overprotection Harms Resilience

In the book “The Coddling of ther American Mind”, it is explained that shielding young people from discomfort, (like shielding them from challenging ideas or failure), weakens their ability to cope with life’s inevitable setbacks. Just as muscles grow through stress, emotional and intellectual resilience develops by facing difficulties, not avoiding them. I started encouraging my people to engage with tough topics, framing discomfort as a growth opportunity.

Something has been going wrong on many college campuses in the last few years. Speakers are shouted down. Students and professors say they are walking on eggshells and are afraid to speak honestly. Rates of anxiety, depression, and su***de are rising—on campus as well as nationally. How did th...

04/30/2025

What you tolerate in silence today becomes the culture you fight tomorrow.

When leaders avoid accountability and let poor behavior slide to keep the peace, they create long-term dysfunction. It’s not heroic when someone else has to clean up the mess — it’s avoidable. If you care about your team, correct issues early — not because you want control, but because you want growth.

04/29/2025

Success is the product of daily habits - not once in a lifetime transformations. It doesn’t matter how successful or unsuccessful you are at this moment; you should be far more concerned with your current trajectory than your current results.

04/26/2025

I had the opportunity to volunteer with Avenues for Autism at the Savage and Associates 5k, and it reminded me just how powerful community can be!

Every runner, walker, and volunteer was there for something bigger than themselves-it was amazing to be part of a group that believes in creating a more inclusive, understanding world.

Thank you to Avenues for Autism for letting me be a small part of your mission, and to Savage & Associates for bringing us all together.

04/23/2025

In 2024, I navigated a change in brokerages, ultimately stepped away from just under a decade in risk management, and—most meaningfully—became a dad for the first time. These changes gave me the opportunity to reflect deeply on the kind of work that energizes me and aligns with who I’m becoming.

Out of that reflection, R.J. Coaching was born.

Over the past few months, I’ve been quietly building the foundation—designing the framework, clarifying the mission, and piloting early-stage work with a few incredible individuals. I’m excited to share that we’ve just wrapped up the development phase and will be opening up to new clients very soon.

R.J. Coaching is focused on helping professionals navigate traumatic pasts & pivotal moments with clarity, confidence, and purpose—something I’ve come to understand intimately in this season of my own life.

If you’re interested in learning more or know someone who’s looking for coaching that balances personal growth with professional ambition, I’d love to connect.

More to come.

07/23/2024

Did you know your plants, , and are most likely not covered by your standard policy?!

At RBI Insurance & Financial Services, LLC, we take an educational approach that allows you to make the most informed decision about something that plays an integral role in your financial planning & protection!

Give us a call at 419-841-4446 for a free risk assement or to set an appointment that works best for you!

07/19/2024

Wow; Frogtown Tees knocked it out of the park with these custom shirts me & RBI Insurance!

If you have any custom print needs, even as small as a single shirt, give them a call!