Richard Martin, CTSS

 Spiritual Life Coach, Trauma-informed Coach, & Evangelist

With over 40 years of rich life experience encompassing a diverse range of challenges and professional roles, Richard Martin brings a deep understanding of human struggles and resilience to his role as a spiritual life coach. His journey includes overcoming health issues, financial setbacks, relationship difficulties, recreational drug use, mental health challenges, and periods of spiritual exploration and renewal.

Professional Background: 

Richard has accumulated over 26 years of work experience across various industries, which has honed his ability to empathize with people from all walks of life:

• Retail Grocery: Customer Service Manager

• Financial Institutions: Assistant Head Teller and Call Center Agent

• Law Enforcement Agency - Detention: Community Service Officer

• Convenience Store: Sales Clerk and Shift Manager

• Higher Education Software: Lead Generator

• Wireless Phones: Tech Support Agent

• Health Insurance: Care Advocate and Referral Specialist

• Casino: Supervisor

• Repossessions: Private Investigator

• Child Welfare: Child Advocate Manager  

• Homeless Outreach: Outreach Member (AmeriCorps)

• Mental Health: Trauma-informed Coach

Educational Journey:

• Associate Degree: General Studies - 2017

• Bachelor's Degree: Psychology and Criminal Justice - 2022

• Master's Degree: Business Administration (M.B.A.) - 2024

• Doctor of Human Services (D.H.S.) - [18 credits program discontinued] - 2024

• Current Pursuit: Doctor of Education in Community Care & Counseling - Traumatology

Certification(s):

• Certified Trauma Support Specialist (CTSS) - 07/20/2024 to 07/20/2025

• Certified Child Advocate Manager (CCAM) - 07/01/2023 to 06/30/2024

Spiritual Journey: 

Richard’s faith journey spans over 30 years, marked by salvation and baptism. Depending on God for guidance and strength daily, his spiritual foundation informs his approach to coaching with compassion, wisdom, and faith.

Why Richard Makes a Fit Spiritual Life Coach:

Empathy and Understanding: Richard’s personal and professional challenges have equipped him with deep empathy and understanding for the struggles his clients may face.

Diverse Professional Experience: His extensive background in various fields allows him to draw from a wide range of perspectives and solutions tailored to individual needs.

Education and Continuous Learning: Richard’s commitment to education and ongoing personal development enhances his ability to provide informed guidance and support.

Faith-Centered Approach: Grounded in faith, Richard integrates spiritual principles and reliance on God into his coaching practice, offering holistic support for spiritual growth and personal development.

Richard is dedicated to helping individuals navigate life’s challenges with resilience, faith, and a practical approach to achieving personal and spiritual fulfillment.

2 Corinthians 1:3-4 (NIV) 

"Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we receive from God."

This passage highlights that the comfort and strength we receive from God in our own trials are meant to be shared with others who are facing similar challenges. Our life experiences can become a powerful tool for empathy, understanding, and guidance in helping others navigate their difficulties.

For Richard, the scriptures serve as guiding lights, igniting determination and faith in his journey. Here are some verses that inspire and empower him:

• Genesis 1:1 - "In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth." This verse reminds Richard of God’s sovereignty and power, grounding him in the assurance that God is the ultimate creator and sustainer of all things.

• John 3:16-17 - "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him." These verses highlight God's immense love and grace, reinforcing Richard’s faith in God’s redemptive plan for humanity.

• "We are all one in the body of Christ" - From Galatians 3:28, this verse emphasizes unity and equality in Christ, guiding Richard to embrace and support others, even those who deny God as the Father, The Son, and the Holy Ghost.

• "Greater is He who is in me than he who is in the world" - This verse from 1 John 4:4 empowers Richard to face challenges with confidence, knowing that the power of God within him is greater than any worldly opposition.

• "No weapon formed against me shall prosper in the name of Jesus" - Drawing from Isaiah 54:17, this scripture is a declaration of God's protection and victory over adversity in Richard's life.

• "My plans are to prosper you and not to harm you" - From Jeremiah 29:11, this verse reminds Richard of God’s good intentions and purposeful plans for his life, encouraging him to trust in God's providence.

• "If God used a donkey to speak, he can use you too" - Reflecting on the story of Balaam's donkey in Numbers 22:28-30, this scripture inspires Richard to be open to God’s guidance and use him as an instrument of His will.

• "God forgives your sins as far as the east is from the west and remembers them no more" - Drawing from Psalm 103:12, this scripture fills Richard with gratitude for God’s forgiveness and mercy, inspiring him to extend grace to others.

• Scripture about looking forward and letting the past go - Richard finds encouragement in Philippians 3:13-14, where Paul urges believers to forget what lies behind and press forward towards what lies ahead in Christ.

• Scripture that the devil is not omnipresent - Richard draws comfort from James 4:7, which instructs believers to resist the devil, knowing that he will flee, affirming that God’s authority limits Satan's influence.

1 Peter 5:8 (NIV) "Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour." This verse portrays the devil as actively seeking opportunities to cause harm and destruction, but it also implies that he is not omnipresent. The imagery of a prowling lion suggests that the devil moves and operates in specific places and times, not everywhere simultaneously. This understanding underscores God's omnipresence and sovereignty over all creation, including limitations on the devil's influence.

 These scriptures are constant reminders of God’s presence, love, and promises in Richard's life, reinforcing his determination and faith as he guides others on their spiritual journeys.