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Meet John Mathews

The Road From Rock Bottom

At 18, I was homeless, addicted to IV drugs, and without a high school diploma. A little over a decade later, I was serving as County Vice Mayor – sitting at tables with people whose lives looked nothing like mine. Most had no idea that behind my leadership and advice was a past filled with addiction, incarceration, and multiple trips to rock bottom. 

Life has a way of testing what we’re made of. For me, rock bottom wasn’t just a place – it was the version of myself I could no longer stand to be anymore. Addiction had taken everything I valued and left behind someone I hardly recognized. 

But with the help of those who believed in me, and a decision to stay the course, I began the long climb back. Recovery didn’t just give me a second chance. It gave me a reason to show up. 

I became a devoted father, a firefighter-paramedic, and later earned an MBA. I stepped into public leadership roles where I could make a difference. The road wasn’t easy, but it built the foundation for everything I do today: helping others find their strength, rebuild what has been lost, and lead with purpose.

The Real Test 

My defining professional moment occurred in 2016, when I stood at the podium at 35 years old, helping to lead thousands of responders through the Gatlinburg Wildfires, one of Tennessee’s most devastating natural disasters. As Sevier County’s Emergency Management Director, I had to remain calm under pressure, make quick decisions, and lead with both strength and clarity. 

However, leading during the disaster response phase was only part of the challenge. Rebuilding in the aftermath, balancing grief, logistics, and long-term recovery, tested every aspect of me. It forced me to grow in ways I never expected. 

That experience became a turning point. It prepared me to step into the private sector, where I later served as Vice President of Business Operations for a multimillion-dollar construction company. What I’ve learned, whether in disaster response or the boardroom, is that problem-solving is a skill, and great leadership means staying grounded, making tough decisions, and bringing others along with you.

 The Real Test 

My defining professional moment occurred in 2016, when I stood at the podium at 35 years old, helping to lead thousands of responders through the Gatlinburg Wildfires, one of Tennessee’s most devastating natural disasters. As Sevier County’s Emergency Management Director, I had to remain calm under pressure, make quick decisions, and lead with both strength and clarity. 

However, leading during the disaster response phase was only part of the challenge. Rebuilding in the aftermath, balancing grief, logistics, and long-term recovery, tested every aspect of me. It forced me to grow in ways I never expected. 

That experience became a turning point. It prepared me to step into the private sector, where I later served as Vice President of Business Operations for a multimillion-dollar construction company. What I’ve learned, whether in disaster response or the boardroom, is that problem-solving is a skill, and great leadership means staying grounded, making tough decisions, and bringing others along with you.

The Journey Continues 

Today, at 44, I utilize the lessons I’ve learned and my life experiences to help others rebuild, refocus, and lead with purpose. Through JM Consulting, my book "Wisdom at a Cost," and the Stay the Course Institute, I offer practical tools for personal growth and leadership development, grounded in real experience, not just theory. 

One of the most meaningful moments in this journey came at my book release party, standing beside my daughter, Ashlynn. That photo captured more than a milestone – it was living proof that the long road back was worth it. 

I believe that hitting rock bottom isn’t the end; it’s the beginning. Most of us just need help finding that first foothold, just like I did. I’ve been fortunate to pay that forward, and that’s what drives me today. 

The work isn’t finished – not in the community, and not within me. We are all in the process of becoming better people, better leaders, and better stewards of the lives we’ve been given. If my story can help someone else stay the course, then it’s a story worth sharing. That’s why I’ll keep showing up.

Our Mission:

To empower those who want to grow, professionally or personally, by connecting them with insights drawn from lived experience and research-backed knowledge. We focus on what works, not just what sounds good. 

Our Vision:

To become a trusted source for individuals and organizations seeking real growth by connecting them with proven tools, expert insights, and practical strategies that foster meaningful, lasting change.

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