EP 047 - Letting go of the man I thought I had to be, to become the man I’ve always wanted to be w/ Frankey Renaud Artwork

Comfort Via Discomfort

Real People. Real Stories. Real Vulnerability. The CVD podcast features stories of how people from around the world have gotten to where they are today. We strip down what we can see about them online to really understand what happens behind the scenes. We talk about the challenges, triumphs, traumas, and experiences that have shaped who they are today and contributed to what they've accomplished. We dive deep into understanding how they've embraced discomfort and vulnerability throughout their lives, how they've built the confidence to live authentically, and what advice they have for someone that either feels stuck in life or simply wants more. These episodes are meant to inspire you to build the life of your dreams one step at a time and to show you that you're not alone in your struggles. No matter where you are in life, even if you feel totally stuck, you can take a step forward and change anything you want by leaning into discomfort and vulnerability. The only way to be comfortable is to be uncomfortable first.

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Comfort Via Discomfort

EP 047 - Letting go of the man I thought I had to be, to become the man I’ve always wanted to be w/ Frankey Renaud

August 28, 2023 • Adam Boismier • Episode 47

Welcome to EP 047 of the CVD Podcast!!

Frankey Renaud is a retired CFL player turned transformational leadership coach. Pretty awesome, right!?

Well, there's A LOT more to Frankey's story than just that.

Frankey spent the first 25 years of his life trying to become the man he thought he had to be: tough, muscular, big beard, football player, hiding behind his armor, never choosing to be vulnerable or emotional (I'm sure many men out there can relate to this).

After retiring from the CFL due to two knee injuries and a limited mindset, Frankey experienced a period of depression and considered taking his own life.

He thought he had it all ( many others looking from the outside would think this, too)... and now, he wasn't sure who he was. Football was his identity and now, without it, he didn't know who he was. On the inside, there was so much turmoil and uncertainty.

Step by step, Frankey started to let go of who he was to try to discover who he wanted to become. And now... Frankey is a transformational leadership coach and speaker on a mission to help others live their best life by focusing on their mindset, self empowerment, and mental health. He's even started the Gamechangers Leadership Academy to help adolescents do the same and learn from his mistakes.

Frankey has become the man he wished would have been present while he was growing up. He never wants anybody to experience what he did, and it's truly inspiring!

In this episode, Frankey talks about:

Growing up in a dysfunctional household
- Being the "man of the house" at 8 years old
Male figures that believed in him and the impact they had in his life
- How this got him started playing football
His football journey - the highs and lows
- Playing for the University of Windsor and getting recruited to the CFL
- Relentlessly pursuing his dream of playing professionally
- Experiencing and recovering from two knee injuries
- Bouncing from team to team due to his injuries and his own issues
Life after playing in the Canadian Football League
- Experiencing a period of depression and suicidal thoughts
- Leaving "signs" to his partner that he was in trouble
- How he started to overcome his depression one step at a time
Redefining who he wanted to be for himself and for others
- Becoming a transformational leadership coach
- Focus on himself and what was inside, before looking outside
- Letting go of a version of himself to become who he needed to be

Where you can find Frankey and his company online:

Frankey: Website | Facebook | Instagram | LinkedIn
Gamechangers Leadership Academy: Website
Article: Frankey now looks at his bipolar diagnosis as a gift

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People on this episode

Adam Boismier

Host