How to Lead When Everything Falls Apart

What happens when the bottom drops out—when the game you’ve built your identity on slips away, when your performance defines your worth, and suddenly, it's all gone? My guest today, Jim Murphy, knows precisely what that feels like. As a former outfielder in the Chicago Cubs organization, Jim’s identity—and his life—revolved around how he performed on the field. When he confronted his own fear of failure and the collapse of that dream, he didn’t bail—he embarked on a journey that led him into sports psychology and ultimately to revolutionize how high performers train their heart under pressure. And in this episode, we go deep into what it takes to rebuild when your identity is shattered and discover excellence fused with peace.

Jim and I talk about what it’s like to go through failure that feels public, permanent, and personal. He shares what it took to confront the shame, rebuild from the ground up, and discover that leadership isn’t about titles or trophies—it’s about who you are when everything else is stripped away. His story is raw and real, but it’s also filled with hope.

We dive into the mindset shifts that kept him going when most people would’ve quit, and how he found a deeper purpose on the other side of loss. Jim doesn’t sugarcoat the process—he’s honest about the mistakes, the doubts, and the long road back. But through it all, he shows us that true greatness isn’t found in the spotlight. It’s forged in the shadows, in the moments when no one’s watching, and you still choose to rise.

If you’ve ever faced a setback that felt too heavy to carry, or wondered how to lead when you don’t feel like you’ve got anything left to give, this conversation will remind you that failure isn’t final. It’s often the very soil where your greatest calling starts to grow.

Key Takeaways:

• Why leadership is revealed in failure, not just success

• How to confront shame and rebuild your confidence after loss

• The mindset shifts that allow you to rise when life knocks you down

• Why titles and achievements will never define true leadership

• How to find your deeper purpose in the middle of setbacks

This isn’t just about bouncing back—it’s about becoming someone stronger, wiser, and more impactful because of the storm. Lean in, and let Jim’s story remind you what it means to lead when it matters most.

— Max Out.