“Don’t be an “extra” in your own life – you are supposed to play the starring role!” – Chris Brady
We are excited to feature another Life testimonial from a couple who has experienced major successes in their lives because of their involvement with Life’s products, services, and entrepreneurship program. Check out Shane and Janelle Krauser’s story, written by Shane:
In 2008, I had an experience that rocked my world. I was working as a prosecutor in the Gang Unit for the County Attorney’s Office in Phoenix, Arizona and sat in the office of a senior attorney who was a few months away from retirement. He had been practicing law for more than 40 years.
Out of nowhere, he asked me a question that caught me a bit off guard. “What’s your dream, Shane? What does the ideal life look like for you?”
I told him about all the things I was going to make happen, including traveling the world with my family, serving God and my church without the restriction of time, adopting out of Africa, teaching the principles of liberty to people all over the world, being in a position to financially bless others, and even buying a yacht and an airplane.
The longer I went on and the more excited I got, the more his eyes welled up with tears. I remember it like it was yesterday. He stopped me and he said, “If that’s your dream, Shane, you’ll never find it here. In fact, your dream that you’ve just expressed to me will never become a reality practicing law.”
He pointed to his six children pictured on the wall. Behind him, he pointed to the wall that was plastered with accolades, including “Attorney of the Year” awards. He then told me, with his lips quivering, that all of his awards were gained at the expense of his children. He shared that he had been divorced three times and was contemplating a fourth marriage. His emotion shook me. It was almost surreal.
And then he said this: “Shane, if I could only do it over again.” That rocked me! I mean, it was like a punch to the throat. At that moment, I knew what was happening was going to be a pivot point in my life. It was as if a voice said, “Will the real Shane Krauser please stand up?”
I loved what I was doing as an attorney, but I saw it as more of a means to an end and not an end in itself. I had huge dreams, to the point that many people told me I just needed to be content. I wasn’t buying into that story-line.
I walked out of the office that day – on the fourth floor of Jefferson and Third Avenue in Phoenix – dejected. I called my wife, Janelle, and said, “We have to figure this thing out. I’m not living the rest of my life this way.”
During this time, not only was I working as an attorney, I had taken on other obligations. I was an adjunct professor of constitutional and criminal law at two different colleges, trained police officers and detectives at the police academy in Arizona, was a firearms instructor running my own training center, worked as a radio talk show host, and ran a non-profit organization that focused on advocating the principles of liberty and the U.S. Constitution.
Aside from the professional pursuits, I had nearly lost a child during this time and nearly lost my own life twice. My life was a whirlwind.
I was all too busy. All of these opportunities I had taken upon myself were efforts to get my family to a certain point, but it simply wasn’t happening.
I came to a point where I never saw my children or my wife, who was a stay-at-home mother, and I was running out of gas. Quite frankly, I saw my life – and my family – running away without me. I hated that empty feeling. Little did I know that all of these experiences were preparing me for a phenomenal breakthrough.
The search began, and it took several years to “figure it out.” However, 2014 would be the year when it all came together for me and my family, and it has been an awesome, life-changing journey.
To make a long story very, very short, Janelle and I were introduced to the Life organization. Our decision to get involved revolved around two primary principles.
First, we were blown away by the content, much of which revolved around leadership, marriage, parenting, relationships, motivation, and even faith. It was life altering.
We made a conscious decision to turn off the radio and television in our home and tune into things like Rascal Radio (Total Personal Development) and the corporate leadership education (LLR), and, literally, in a matter of one month, the entire culture of our home changed. It was drastic. Our children were plugged into information that was changing them in ways that caused them to long for more, and their parents, more their father than their angel mother, were changing right in front of them.
The change was so significant that people who were closest to us asked us what we were doing, and complete strangers approached us out of nowhere wanting to know our “secret.”
The only secret that occurred to us as to why we were getting different results was because we had changed the source of our information. Perhaps that is the greatest secret in the world – you are what you think about most often, and your daily programming drives that process.
To say that we had turned our lives right side up almost overnight would be a gross understatement. It was so much more than that.
I saved my relationship with my children. I enhanced my relationship with Janelle. I went from a guy with no soft skills – only adversarial skills – to a guy who thrived on learning those things that would get me out of the self-imposed rut. I loved it. I was coming alive. To this day, it makes me emotional to think where I was versus where I am today.
Our second reason for joining Life was the financial literacy and entrepreneurship component. And we have to be really up front here because we nearly passed on an opportunity that would put us on the road to financial freedom and do it quickly. We believe overlooking this would have been the greatest mistake of our lives.
As Janelle and I decided to build a business here, it didn’t come without some initial hesitation. In fact, when we married, part of our vows, jokingly, included that we would never do anything that came remotely close to direct sales or network marketing. I despised it because I saw people get hurt. I wasn’t going to be a victim, but my mind changed quickly when I began mingling with the people here. The caliber of individuals here, along with the leadership, was inspiring . . . and real.
A few people disagreed with our decision because, after all, I had a law degree. “Lawyers don’t stoop down to this kind of stuff,” they said. More than that, I had a family to support, and this was just one more thing that would distract me. And, of course, only a few people can succeed here. It was all gibberish!
While many are okay “working a job,” I wanted to live in some unusual ways. I wasn’t interested in playing small. The excuses came and went. I wasn’t having it.
I wasn’t concerned about statistics, numbers, percentages, or who did this or that. I wanted something that I could believe in. I could win with a product and idea I believed in, and I believed in economic freedom. End of story.
This journey hasn’t been without bumps in the road, but it has been so much more than we ever expected. While we are not financially free (yet), we are on the fast track to making it happen.
We have been blessed immensely because of Life. I have walked away from my full-time job. More than that, we are involved in a cause that aligns with our strong belief that liberty and leadership are two of the essential keys to changing the world. Just as important, we absolutely love helping others take the entrepreneurial leap through this program.
We are so thankful for some incredible individuals who have come into our lives. Rob and Kenyon Robson, along with Easton and Rebecca Kelsey, have been instrumental in our journey. And we have also been able to personally mentor with one of the top recognized leaders in the world, namely Orrin and Laurie Woodward.
These folks put us on the path to financial freedom through mastering the principles of financial literacy and entrepreneurship. And, of course, the friends and family we are working with, some of whom we are able to coach, have blessed our lives.
At the end of the day, here is what we have learned: We get one shot at life. No do-overs. Do what you love and get comfortable doing what is uncomfortable. Quit waiting for the approval of others to do what you feel inspired to do. Make life’s journey an incredible one and leave a legacy that will have a multi-generational impact.
Looking back to 2008 with that moving conversation with that attorney, Janelle and I are thankful he spoke with boldness. He spoke to my heart and for that we’ll be forever grateful. My life has forever changed and our focus is now to help people get out of the rut – the abyss – we once found ourselves in.
Thank you, Shane and Janelle, for sharing your inspiring Life journey so far in pursuit of the LIFE you’ve always wanted!
If you were inspired by this story, please leave a comment below.
Do you have a “Life” story that we can share with the world? We’d love to hear it! Simply leave a comment below and the administrator of this blog will get in contact with you.
The LIFE You’ve Always Wanted
*The people in this article are not actors nor have they been paid to participate, but are real people that have used the products and services and have signed a Testimonial Verification attesting to the validity of their claims.
Bryan Vashus says
This. Is. Awesome!
Shane Krauser says
Thanks, Bryan! I hope you are well. On to blessing one million lives!
Rob Robson says
I’m so proud of this amazing couple! Easton Kelsey & I were fans of Shane’s political liberty message & just knew that these guys would be superstars if they could just see the vision. Boy were we RIGHT! Shane and Janelle krauser are world-class speakers and I love seeing them now on International stages inspiring Millions to chase their passion and their purpose rather than just paychecks and a pension!
Shane Krauser says
Thank you, Rob! We are thankful beyond words for what you and this organization has done for us. Changing lives – changing the world!
Yitz Weiss says
Incredibly powerful story and very inspiring. Thanks so much for sharing!
Shane Krauser says
Absolutely, Yitz! Let’s take this message worldwide. This is an idea whose time has come!
Emily Tompkins says
A life story to inspire anyone in any journey or walk of life!!!
Shane Krauser says
Thank you, Emily.
Tyler Heid says
Amazing story from an amazing couple. I would not be a part of LIFE if this story would not have happened. I remember listening to Shane speak about freedom in Arizona in 2012 and thinking, “I want to do what that guy is doing.” Then almost 5 years later he told me about LIFE and the battle for Financial Freedom. I knew I had to be a part of it! Thank you Shane and Janelle!
Shane Krauser says
Tyler, What a memory! You and your family have been an amazing blessing in our lives. From pitching at BYU to your diagnosis of MS, you have been a positive beacon of hope in all that you do. Your voice and message are changing so many lives. Proud to call you friend!
Lisa Delzeit says
Thank you for sharing an amazing testimony!
Shane Krauser says
Thank you, Lisa!
Amber Webb says
I look up to this amazing couple! Love to hear them speak.
Shane Krauser says
We appreciate you and your family, Amber! You all are a bright spot in an otherwise dark world!
Hope Janson says
I am so honored to have Shane and Janelle as mentors! They have kept me on my toes to always be better and their guidance is completely impeccable
Shane Krauser says
Hope, You are simply amazing. You are such a phenomenal student of what we do and have been a blessing to so many lives as a result. I can’t wait to see what your future holds. I am certain it will be nothing short of phenomenal.
Laura Bennett says
I have known Shane and Janelle since I was eight years old. It was at their home that I made but dream board. About a year ago they invited me into this buisness and have walked with me every step of the way, bringing that childhood dreamboard back to the surface of my thoughts. They have helped me turn my dreams into goals, my goals into plans, and my plans into reality.
Shane Krauser says
Laura, Your leadership and ability to impact and inspire is second to none. I can’t wait to watch you travel the starts, impact the younger generation, and have your voice and ideas impact lives all over the world! Proud to be associated with you and your family!
Shane Krauser says
Laura, Your leadership and ability to impact and inspire is second to none. I can’t wait to watch you travel, impact the younger and older generation alike, and have your voice and ideas influence lives all over the world! Proud to be associated with you and your family!
Michele Grace says
Shane and Janelle are rock stars. They not only walk the walk but talk the talk. They are an inspiration to not only myself but every life they touch. They are the genuine article and my life has been blessed being a part of theirs.
Shane Krauser says
Michele, We are thankful to call you friend and to have watched your growth. You were made to do big things! Keep on keeping on!
Alicia Sikora says
Shane and Janelle are such an inspiring and caring couple- they speak from their hearts and put words into action. I have learned so much about liberty, character, mentorship (the list could go on and on) and am truly blessed to know this couple. What a wonderful testimonial to let that little voice inside of you speak up instead of hushing it.
Shane Krauser says
Alicia, From the first time we met, Janelle and I knew you were a person of influence and impact. You have such a huge heart and a desire to help those around you. We are blessed to know you and have you in our lives. Onward to blessing millions of lives all over the globe.
Hilary Roberts says
I love this story and I love these people! I am absolutely amazed at how tirelessly they serve others and am so very blessed to have them as friends and mentors!!
Shane Krauser says
Hilary, We sure appreciate and you and Lee. You guys are an amazing example of perseverance and dedication. You two need to be up on stages all over the world sharing your story of hope. Thank you for all that you do and for being in our lives!
Mark Del Maestro says
Are you speaking this Sunday ?? Can’t find the post,
Shane Krauser says
Mark, Reach out to me via email or give me a call. You need to see what is going on here!
Norma Asijtuj says
A very powerful real testimony for all. Thank you for inspiring us and sharing it.
Shane Krauser says
Thank you, Norma!
Karl Brinkhoff says
Great testimony and very well written! Would love to see you at a Ohio seminar soon. Thanks Shane and Janelle.
Shane Krauser says
Thanks, Karl. Ohio would be a blast. We hope you are well! On to blessing one million lives!
Alex and Stephanie MacDonald says
I love it! This is an amazing, inspirational story that gives us even more hope! Thank you for taking a chance and thank you to that lawyer who spoke the throat punching truth to you! We are impressed and honored to be associated with you!!
-We have a story we are writing and would love to share it with the administrator.