Cover Star Tim Storey Champion of the Underdog & Life Coach to the Stars

Photos by Drew Valo

He is an extraordinary man whose spiritual journey began at 17-years-old when he decided to embark on a life-long journey of serving, inspired by Mother Teresa. Tim Storey’s heart of servanthood has guided his every step to dedicate his life to creating ripple effects. He leads thousands around the world – whether it be on television, speaking into the lives of his digital followers or the masses who gather in crowds of over 75,000 to hear him speak. He has traveled to over 80 countries as a minister and motivational speaker, has written internationally best-selling books and is a mentor to the stars. He is hailed as the “Comeback Life Coach” to some of the biggest celebrities in Hollywood. His message is clear and transformative as to how we can all change setbacks into comebacks. Here he shares how he fell in love with the underdog, which is what makes him one of the most sought after leaders of our time. Read about why Oprah calls him a friend and the making of one of the most powerful and compassionate spiritual mentors of our time.  

Q: How does the story of Tim Storey originally start? When you were about 10 years old, something shifted in your life.  Can you share that? 

TS:  I talk frequently about something called life interruptions and how forward momentum can be stalled when an interruption occurs. It could be an illness; it could be a parent’s divorce. In my case, it was my father going to get my mother food. On my father’s return from picking up dinner one evening, someone ran a red light, hitting my father’s car. My father died. This not only caused my family extensive grief, but it also added to our existing struggles. Without my father’s help, my mother had to work a shift and a half at Winchell’s donut shop to try to make ends meet. To survive this emotional and financial difficulty, I had to turn my setback to a come back, which I did. I think that many times hurt people hurt people. But, I also think many times hurt people can help people. I grew up in church, so I had a lot of faith. Even though I was hurt, I always wanted to reach out and help people. I became a wounded warrior for others who suffered. 

“The circumstances can look like you are finished. But it’s in your DNA to rise up and be the person God’s called you to be!”

Q: Tell us about what it means to have a well-balanced life. 

TS: To me, there are three levels of living: almost, most, and utmost. Almost means not quite, like when I was a kid and got a pleather jacket instead of the leather jacket I wanted. The most means that there is a clear ceiling to one’s goals. However, I believe in luxury; I believe in utmost living. I think that you should have swag in whatever situation you are in. 

Q: Let’s talk about the book “Comeback & Beyond: How to Turn Your Setbacks Into Comeback.” It is full of many impactful takeaways, but do you have a favorite?

TS: I do. In the book, I talk about when you’re feeling the sting of your setback. It could be the sting of finding out about your own illness or someone else’s. It could be the sting of a death. However, during that hurtful moment, God is already preparing your comeback. The pain is indicative of the forthcoming recovery. I love this idea.

Q: Do you believe that everybody has a calling? 

TS: Everybody has an assignment. Everybody has a calling. You don’t have to be a religious person to understand it. You just have to listen to your own voice because everybody’s dream has a voice. It often starts when you are little; you were probably thinking about doing some of the things that you are doing today when you were young. You held a certain energy, had a certain charisma, and were drawn towards styles, people, actions. Sometimes experience muffles the voice, so you have to stop, look, and listen intentionally to it. 

Tim Storey’s Upcoming Projects

1. Church Lady Cook Off, releasing in 2021 on BET. A new show highlighting a cooking competition in churches hosted by Tim and his good friend 7x Grammy winner Yolanda Adams.

2. Tim Storey & Friends in theaters 2021, film by Fathom Entertainment, produced and directed by Spencer Proffer, who directed the movie “Chasing Trane: The John Coltrane Documentary.” Executive Producer is Dianne Hudson, former executive producer of the Oprah Winfrey Show. Music produced by “American Idol’s” Randy Jackson. 

3. New Book: “Miracle Mentality” published by Harper Collins/Harper Horizon, releasing in 2021.

Did you ever feel like it was too overwhelming to do all the good that needed to be done in the world?

WORDS of WISDOM

If you look at anything from global warming to the problems we have in our prison system to the problems we’re having at the borders, all that can be very overwhelming. So, I teach this that you could either get intimidated, frustrated or motivated. So I choose to be motivated. I am a big fan of Mother Teresa, her whole thing was touching one person at a time and it creates a ripple effect. So if you do your part, which you are, and I do my part, which I am, then it’s a ripple effect.

What’s their immediate step right now, the next step?

I think it’s important to realize that you may not be what you want to be, but thank goodness you’re not what you used to be. And don’t put yourself down. Robert Schuller used to say, ‘Don’t nurse it. Don’t curse it, and don’t rehearse it.’ And then he would say, ‘Disperse it and God will reverse it.’ So whatever you’ve been through, don’t nurse it. Don’t curse it. Don’t rehearse it. So easy to do that. Okay? But disperse it to God and he will reverse it. Better days are ahead just around the corner. Your life is about to be brilliant.

FAVORITE GEMS

The book “Comeback & Beyond: How to Turn Your Setbacks Into Comeback” is full of many impactful takeaways, but do you have a favorite?

I do. In the book, I talk about when you’re feeling the sting of your setback. It could be the sting of finding out about your own illness or someone else’s. It could be the sting of a death. However, during that hurtful moment, God is already preparing your comeback. The pain is indicative of the forthcoming recovery. I love this idea.

Favorite Scripture: Psalm 37:4 “Delight yourself in the LORD, and he will give you the desires of your heart.” Tim explains, “That’s a fact because His desires will become your desires because of relationship.”

February 15, 2020