From broken to built—how pain shaped the Mindstate method.
“Despair has a way of forcing honesty. But rebuilding—that’s where the real power begins.”
— Coach Pete
Interview by Jordan Rivers, writer and storyteller focused on resilience and transformation.
🌀 In the Eye of the Storm
Jordan:
Coach Pete, you’re now a powerful speaker and mindset coach—but I know your path wasn’t smooth. Can you describe when the hardship hit hardest?
Coach Pete:
It was terrifying. The unpredictability of life is storm-like. One minute, everything feels calm. Then, without warning, the clouds roll in. If you’re lucky, the storm passes with little damage. But if you’re not, you find yourself at the storm’s mercy. And here’s the hard truth—no amount of planning or preparation can protect you when you’re in the eye of it. Once you’re there, your only job is to endure.
🪞 Rock Bottom as a Wake-Up Call
Jordan:
When it got darkest, what kept you going?
Coach Pete:
I’ll be honest—I did give up, more than once. Sometimes you have to admit that you’ve hit rock bottom. That you’re looking up at your life from what feels like the bottom of a pit. And as painful as that is, it can be the moment that snaps you out of denial. Despair has a way of forcing honesty. Meanwhile, delusional thinking—the lies we tell ourselves to avoid pain—that’s what leads to depression. Acknowledging where you are isn’t the same as accepting that you’re stuck there forever.
💔 Self-Forgiveness as the First Step
Jordan:
When you decided to move forward, where did you begin?
Coach Pete:
Self-forgiveness. I had to realize that pretending I was strong wasn’t the same as having real strength. Acting brave isn’t the same as finding true courage. What I needed most at my lowest point was to remind myself that what I was feeling—pain, fear, sadness—those were human emotions, tied to human experiences. I wasn’t defective. I wasn’t broken. I was a person trying to survive the damage left behind by the storms I’d been through.
💬 You Are Worth the Fight
Jordan:
What would you say to someone currently in their own storm?
Coach Pete:
You are worth whatever it takes to get out of the rain. Whatever it takes. Sometimes, walking through the storm is easier than running from it. And other times, all you can do is hold on—hold on to everything you are and everything you have—until the storm finally passes.
🏗️ Rebuilding Isn’t a Do-Over
Jordan:
How do we rebuild stronger after hardship?
Coach Pete:
Rebuilding is one of the most powerful parts of the process. But it’s important to understand: starting over isn’t the same as getting a do-over. Starting over gives you the chance to redefine who you are and where you’re going. A do-over? That just means trying again—and it doesn’t guarantee you won’t repeat the same mistakes. So take this moment, this opportunity, to build a stronger version of yourself. A more capable version of yourself. A better version of yourself. One that isn’t just ready for the next storm—but one that will still be standing strong when it’s over.
Let’s Connect
If this spoke to you, here’s how you can take action:
- Comment: Share your journey below—I’d love to hear it.
- Share: Know someone in a storm? Send this their way.
- Book Coach Pete to share resilience and mindset with your audience.
Credell “Coach Pete” Kitchen is America’s #1 Mindstate Coach—a motivational speaker and youth mentor who helps individuals and teams rebuild stronger from within.
coachpeteofficial.com 
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