Uncommonly

sensible

solutions

to irrationally common

workplace challenges.

RUGGED OPTIMIST targets

the overlooked

human patterns

responsible for them.

NOW BOOKING

FOR FALL 2025:

“There’s no line between

the mask and your skin!”


MINDSET MOVIE TIME: The Haunted Mask | Leveraging this era-defining 90s Goosebumps installment, we delve into the dynamics of behavior and the dangers of superficial solutions. Guided by entertaining and thought-provoking engagement, participants revisit familiar pop-cultural territory to unearth the deeper truths they likely missed. Through Carly Beth’s metamorphosis (from people-pleasing to vindictive), audiences reveal insights on behavioral patterns and gain practical tools to empower their own conscious development efforts.

This unique program pairs light-hearted, nostalgic entertainment with sophisticated cognitive analysis to make complex psychological concepts accessible and immediately applicable.

Details:

  • 90-120 minutes (standard)

  • Configurable for audience age and topic depth/complexity.

  • Configurable insight-focus: from workplace micromanagement, to intimate partnerships, to school bullying.

  • Thematic seasonal programming/workshop for September/October

  • Vibe: nostalgic, entertaining, thought-provoking, counterintuitive, informative, interactive, actionable

RESULTS

Mallorie Hurst

VICE PRESIDENT OF OPERATIONS

TEMPSTARS | NORTH AMERICA

I would work with James

again in a heartbeat.

James is a very natural

leader and people-person.

He solves problems quickly

and provides clear guidance,

time and time again.

Working with him has

been a highlight

of my career.”

Erin Barlow

MANAGER OF CLIENT SUCCESS

CAREERPLUG

The first time I saw James speak

at a conference, he modeled what

a dogged belief in achievement

should look & feel like.

He listened to business owners’ struggles

and fortified their connection to

what they do and why they do it.

James did what

James does best:

He learns what drives people,

understands their personal why,

and invests himself

in their success."

These four interconnected values are guideposts for navigating the difficulties and complexities of life and work. They provide our initial "north star" for what we aspire to achieve, while also defining our daily work in achieving them.

Stemming from universal truths about how the world moves, they operate as both initial approach and daily practice, creating an actionable upward spiral. Each value seamlessly builds on and reinforces the others, with a goal of higher and higher levels of achievement. Likewise, these seamlessly extend beyond internal operations to what we share with others through our work.

Together, they build a unified framework for converting stumbling blocks into stepping stones and proving that hope the only logical conclusion.

BRING THE BAD.

GET THE GOODS.

THE CORE FOUR

Rugged optimists offer regard to seemingly insignificant things, knowing they may reveal significant resources. We don't let previous situations dictate our responses, since situational parts are always in motion. This is key to not missing oppor

Rugged optimists offer regard to seemingly insignificant things, knowing they may reveal significant resources.

We don't let previous situations dictate our responses, since situational parts are always in motion.

This is key to not missing opportunities or getting blindsided.

Rugged optimists seek actionable opportunities within the cracks of difficult situations. We recognize that all components of in every situation are essentially useful in different contexts. We see for what they are rather than just what they a

Rugged optimists seek actionable opportunities within the cracks of difficult situations.

We recognize that all components of in every situation are essentially useful in different contexts.

We see for what they are rather than just what they are for,

Rugged optimists recognize conflict as the ever-present, universal motion of growth. We eagerly define and maneuver tension rather than avoiding it. What gets commonly called "conflict" is actually the eruption of unacknowledged tension. Reframing

Rugged optimists recognize conflict as the ever-present, universal motion of growth. We eagerly define and maneuver tension rather than avoiding it.

What gets commonly called "conflict" is actually the eruption of unacknowledged tension.

Reframing and relearning conflict is essential to healthy cultures of feedback and reducing antagonism.

Rugged optimists actively participate in situations instead of passively accepting or reflexively reacting to them. We change what we can and reorient ourselves to what we can't. We never accept the world as merely "happening to us ". We are acti

Rugged optimists actively participate in situations instead of passively accepting or reflexively reacting to them.

We change what we can and reorient ourselves to what we can't.

We never accept the world as merely "happening to us". We are active agents in a moving world.

A DIFFERENT APPROACH

FOR BETTER RESULTS.

THE RUGGED OPTIMIST METHODOLOGY

Our approach was distilled from 10+ years of excellence working in less-than-excellent circumstances: from domestic violence intervention to COVID-era hiring consultation and corporate partnership management;
all while conquering life with multiple sclerosis.

What People, Teams,
& Companies Get with Us:

+ Enhanced resilience
Leverage clearer vision for navigating and rebounding from harsh realities.

+ Rational hope
No rose-colored glasses. Wield a positive outlook grown from exceptional clarity, not wishful thinking or reality-denial.

+ Sharpened situational awareness
Opportunity-discernment that finds actionable good within the cracks of bad situations.

+ Conflict competence
Deeper understanding of opposing forces as potentially generative rather than threatening

+ Bolstered critical thinking
Evaluation and decision-making skills that allows you to see more so you can get more.

The below pages are from the

RUGGED OPTIMIST

2025-2026 SERVICES OVERVIEW

Services

  • When professionals feel immobilized by conflict or constraints, James shows how to turn obstacles into opportunities. From domestic violence intervention to COVID-era hiring crises, he's helped people find value in difficult situations.
    Audiences learn to spot options they missed before and leave with practical tools they can immediately apply to their specific challenges.

    James has been invited to events for companies like CareerPlug, PostNet, Window World, Pathful: Connect, Shine Window Care, and others, and high schools in North Carolina and California

  • Unleash your workforce from the constraints of conventional sugar-rush "motivational" speakers. These focused sessions tackle workplace realities like unproductive conflict, a lack of resilience and stifled problem-solving.
    Using our CORE FOUR values, each 45-minute session delivers one immediately applicable tool your team can begin using that day.

  • Go deeper than typical team building. These tackle your specific workplace problems with hands-on practice and regular feedback.
    Teams learn resilience and critical thinking methods that actually work in real situations.
    Specialized modules available for leadership challenges like micromanagement and transitions in the workplace (e.g., Gen Z and remote work hybridity).

  • …because mindset is the starting-place for everything else.
    Individual and small-group development focused on building situational awareness to extract value from difficult circumstances.
    The goal isn't subjective positivity. It's renewed clarity that reveals a broader range of actionable opportunities that are hiding in front of you.