In this heartfelt conversation, James Garland opens up about the challenges and miracles that shaped his journey into the health and wellness field. From his early life on an army base to the critical health challenges faced, James highlights the importance of humility and courage in aligning with one’s purpose. Discover how his company, Pure TheraPro RX, is making waves in the supplement industry by prioritizing transparency and quality. Don’t miss this episode that bridges faith, health, and purpose in the most compelling way.
Welcome everyone to The Calling’s radio show to all the dreamers. I’m your radio host, Dr. Chrysandra Brunson, founder and CEO of The Calling. And it is such an honor to be with everyone today. You know, at The Calling, we have realized that so many people are afraid to go after the dreams that God has put inside each one of our hearts because they are afraid to fail. And that is just plain wrong because if God has given us a dream and we’re not living it out, we are wasting it. And we do not want to die with regret. That’s why at The Calling we love to inspire, empower, and equip people to, after God’s calling on their lives, treat the best kind of eternal legacy possible to have immediate impact on ourselves and our families. And we love to go through so many different avenues through custom tools and programs, workshops, seminars, but especially through this radio show where we bring on world-renowned guests to share how they’re going after their God-given dreams and how you can do the same. Today is no exception. We are so honored to have the one and only James Garland on with us. James, welcome to the show.
JAMES GARLAND :
Thank you, Dr. Chrysandra. I’m happy to be here. Appreciate it.
CHRYSANDRA :
We are so honored. And, you know, James, we’re excited for you to be live in studio. You’re thinking that you’ll be in person hopefully next time. But joining us here with Crawford and James, will you just share where you’re tuning in from and a little bit about your background and leadership positions that you have held so far?
JAMES GARLAND :
Sure. So I’m in Wichita, Kansas. I’m married with two kids and a dog. The dog is taking a nap behind me, hopefully sleeping and won’t bother us. Wichita is great. It’s a nice city. It’s a little boring, but I kind of like it that way. Not too many distractions and the traffic and cost of living here are divine. I’ll introduce you to myself. I’m 44. I’ve been in the health and wellness vertical for 22 years. I’m ballparking that. I might be off by a few months. It all started in my early 20s. I kind of did a major career change. I was on track to open up my own home theater installation business. That was my passion. I felt like that was my calling, which is a little silly. But I just loved like home theater, audio and video. And I was really passionate about it. I’m going to keep it concise. I got super, super sick. like really wrecked my health, lost my health. And that’s when I realized what my real calling was. You know, it was I was desperate to get my health back. And I was blind to the fact that millions of Americans and people around the world were in the same boat that I was. They’d lost their health. They were in the middle of a crisis. They were desperate to get it back. I didn’t even know people like that existed, which was silly, maybe even a little shameful. And I realized then, I’m going to get my health back, and I’m going to help other people that are going through this same thing. I didn’t answer the leadership question. In 22 years, I’ve had to work my way up. I’m the VP of marketing for a wonderful company called Pure Therapro Rx. It’s a dietary supplement company. We make really great dietary supplements. We can chat about that later if you want. Before I was a VP of marketing, I’ve done everything from entry-level copywriting to ads by Google Ads management to working in a functional medicine clinic for a famous doctor. I’ve been all over the vertical. I’ve managed teams of 22 people and I’ve managed teams of one. I’ve been all over and you can ask me anything you want about that.
CHRYSANDRA :
Wow. Well, we were so excited to hear more about this incredible company and just your background of how it came to be. And, you know, it’s so fun to hear the background of it. Can you take us back, James, to when you were little and how you can just see God was dropping these seeds in your heart to now be doing what you are today?
JAMES GARLAND :
Yeah, you know, if I go all the way back to when I was little, it’s trickier for me. I don’t have the best memory of my childhood. But, you know, I grew up on an army base in Hawaii before I moved to North Dakota, of all places. Right. Just I swear it’s got to be the coldest city in the United States. I’m probably wrong about that, but I wouldn’t be surprised if it was. When it snows in October in Fargo, that snow is there until sometimes late April or even early May. So there’s not a whole lot of spring and summer happening there. But I grew up with allergies and asthma. and just some random health challenges, whereas my mom and dad didn’t have anything like that. But I did. And so my whole life I’ve been confronted with these little challenges that I had to overcome. Sometimes they were scary. And the way you framed that question, I never really thought of it before back to my childhood. I kind of thought my… My impetus and my calling started when I was 21, 22. But yeah, you know, perhaps these little challenges that I had to overcome, even as like a kid in basketball practice, all led up to, you know, me being here in this vertical and helping other people regain their health.
CHRYSANDRA :
Right, right. Well, and we love seeing that every single thread in our childhood and throughout our journey leads us to do what we’re called to and that you had to endure several different challenges. I mean, growing up in Hawaii, though, we do need it. What was the best thing about growing up in Hawaii?
JAMES GARLAND :
Yeah, I only lived there until I was four and a half, but I do have vivid memories of every morning you’d wake up and there would be geckos on the screen door, on the windows, in the house. Geckos everywhere. I also remember I lived on base, so there’s a lot of little army kids just like me, right? And we had cherry tomato bushes just all over the place. And we did this weird thing where we would pick the cherry tomatoes and put them in our mouth and we’d pop them so they’d shoot out at our friends. And we’d have cherry tomato fights all the time and go home just messy as can be. The four years or so that I lived in Hawaii, I was pretty small, but I have some pretty fun memories of how beautiful it was and how unique it was.
CHRYSANDRA :
Right. And what island were you on?
JAMES GARLAND :
I believe we were on Oahu, where the big army base is, but I couldn’t, I’m not super familiar with like the geography of the layout, but yeah, I’m pretty sure we were on like little Oahu or little Waikiki or something like, yeah, I couldn’t tell you exactly on a map where I was, but I can ask my mom.
CHRYSANDRA :
Oh, it sounds like such an adventurous background and just be able to experience the wide variety of environments to go from Hawaii to South Dakota and just being able to see all that in the different cultures. James, in this journey of going after what you’re called to, what has been one of the biggest giants that you have encountered along the way of pursuing your calling?
JAMES GARLAND :
You mean like biggest obstacles or biggest helpers?
CHRYSANDRA :
Yeah, and trials.
JAMES GARLAND :
Yeah, biggest obstacle has to be i have not done what i need to do before if that makes sense and what i mean by that is you know i want to help millions of people get their health back and 20 years ago i was thinking how can i do that am i do i need to give seminars do i need to put on a conference do i need to start small and teach classes at the local health food store right so i i’ve never done it before and back then you know there were we had the internet 20 years ago of course we did but it wasn’t Not everybody was using it. It wasn’t as nearly as helpful as it is today. Like social media platforms weren’t really a thing back then. And finding I think the biggest the biggest hardship I had was one getting my health back, but to finding the information I needed about how I could make an impact and like where to make that impact. But I also, of course, need to make a living while doing this. Right. So and it was important to me that I made a living doing You know what I what I feel called to do, which is help people get their health back. And so, yeah, I had I had to start, you know, even though I was pretty well on my way to open this home theater business, I had to start at the bottom of the ladder, like working in a health food store in the aisles, stocking shelves, you know, to get back. where I wanted to be, to be in the vertical that I wanted to be. There wasn’t a great deal of opportunity in Fargo, North Dakota at the time. I did that for several years until I could move to Denver. Then I did something similar in Denver for several years. I got certified as a holistic nutritionist in Denver. I moved to Austin, Texas. I just kept going where opportunity was and where like-minded people were. Yeah, hopefully that answers your question, but I had to make a living and I had to find a way to be impactful.
CHRYSANDRA :
Right. And James, for you to have the courage to be able to say, I’m going to, I’m willing to do whatever it takes. Like I’ll start from the bottom and trust that I will move up at the right time and the right moment. What did it take us back to that moment where you had to have that posture of humility to know that you were okay with, maybe people would say taking a step back, but knowing that it would be in alignment with your purpose.
JAMES GARLAND :
Yeah, it was. Well, first of all, it was scary. And when you say posture of humility, I’ve never heard that phrase before, but I love it. That that that is exactly what was required. So I had to set my ego aside. and set my financial desires aside and just make the call like this is what I have to do.
CHRYSANDRA :
And James, I’m going to pause you right there. We’re going to take a short break. We’re going to hear a few of our commercials, but we cannot wait to hear what that moment was like for you. You are listening to James Garland. We’ll be right back. This is The Calling on Crawford Broadcasting, the show where marketplace leaders share their stories of faith, bridging the gap between your career and your God-given calling. Listen every weekday or become a sponsor and help other people live out their God-given calling. Twist and shout with Lee & Co. They are the premier oldies band delivering the rock and roll vibes you’ve been missing. Great songs, great memories. Book them at LeeAndCo.com. Hi guys, this is Chrysandra Brunson, host of To All The Dreamers. I am so happy to introduce personal training, nutritional guidance, and behavioral change coaching. Healthy, happy, and heavenly for your wellness, spirit, soul, and body. Contact Mimi Kroger at healthyhappyandheavenly.com.
ADVERTISER :
Continue to grow in the calling God has for you through ORU Online. You can earn your degree without changing your busy schedule. 100% online and 100% on your time. Learn more today. ORU.edu slash calling.
CHRYSANDRA :
At Ignite Brilliance Coaching, you will get 34 years of science teaching, a decade of university level instruction, and over 10 years of instructional coaching to empower educators with the tools, mindset, and confidence to thrive. Contact Ignite Brilliance Coaching on Facebook.
ADVERTISER :
The Calling is a non-profit organization founded by Dr. Chrysandra Brunson to help empower more individuals to discover, define, and pursue their dreams and God-given callings. To all the dreamers, the Callings radio program aims to spread this message across Colorado and beyond and impact those that are afraid to go after the dreams God has given them. The humanitarian efforts of The Calling and the impactful message of To All the Dreamers rely on partnerships and contributions from listeners to continue on their God-given paths and journeys. A donation to The Calling is tax-deductible and will help others discover all the things they can do when they know they cannot fail. The Calling is also available to help you find ways to follow your dreams and live the life God has planned for you. To donate to The Calling or to inquire about the educational tools and resources The Calling can offer, find them at The Calling nonprofit on Facebook and Instagram, and continue listening to To All the Dreamers every weekday.
CHRYSANDRA :
We are back. Thank you for listening to all the dreamers radio show. I’m your radio host, Dr. Chrysandra Brunson, founder of the calling. And we have the one and only James Garland on with us. And James, you were just sharing right before break about having this posture of humility to get in alignment with your purpose and to do whatever it needed to, you know, be done to do it. Even stocking aisles with food products.
JAMES GARLAND :
Again, you hit the nail on the head when you said posture of humility because that’s what was required. I had to set ego aside, set finances aside. I had to start entry-level. Again, this was in Fargo, North Dakota, not a lot of opportunity, and I had to start learning about this industry, about, I mean, you know, you start with maple syrup, right? Like, what is the difference between grade B and grade A maple syrup? And what’s the difference between organic and conventional? So I had to start learning it all from the bottom and just work my way up.
CHRYSANDRA :
That is, well, and I think, you know, it’s not only a posture of humility, but it’s a lot of courage to have that inner bravery to know that this is what will be for the long term, your real purpose. And a lot of people settle in the what if. And we’re so happy, James, that you were able to move forward fearlessly in your calling. What would you say was, looking back on your journey, one of the most miraculous moments that you’ve had on these heaps and bounds, but something that felt impossible, but then it happened? Take us back to that story.
JAMES GARLAND :
yeah so when you know 21 years ago when i got sick i got west nile i was bit by a mosquito in minnesota and um that’s kind of how i ended up losing my health um i honestly believed that I would never be the same. That I would never have my confidence back, my muscle mass back, my energy back. I had like dark circles under my eyes and I was just exhausted. That’s scary. Yeah, it was. It was scary. And I felt like a zombie version of who I used to be. And I was scared and honestly depressed that I would never get my health back. And I will tell you, once I started researching and taking supplements and eating well and detoxifying my body and just kind of using what tools and resources were made available to me, when I finally realized like, oh, this is working. I’m actually getting better. I’m getting my energy back. I’m starting to look more like myself. Honestly, that felt like a miracle to me. Just to know that, no, you’re not stuck like this. If you do your research and you work hard at it, you can and will make a change. That felt like a miracle to me.
CHRYSANDRA :
Man, well, I think we are experiencing that miracle moment with you. And in this whole journey of health, James, what has this been like for you, especially with this company that you are with and that is changing the world? What would you say has been these epiphanies of the health realm and this incredible world that you’re working in right now?
JAMES GARLAND :
Yeah, so great question. I think everything, every challenge, every opportunity, everything that’s been put in my path has been put there for a reason. Either to slow me down or to humble me or to teach me or to provide a boost, you know, like a leg up. And I would not be capable of being where I am in a leadership position at an incredible company with the values and morals and mission and core values that this company has. I wouldn’t be worthy or qualified to work there. in the capacity that I’m working there, helping the tens of thousands of people that we’re helping. I couldn’t possibly do this if it weren’t for getting bit by that mosquito or living in that moldy condo and getting sick again. All of these challenges and opportunities and holdbacks and painful days and nights, you know, they all brought me here. I wouldn’t be married to my wife. I wouldn’t have my kids. I wouldn’t have this job if it weren’t for internships. I’d have a completely different life. It might be miserable. I mean, so… i think that’s probably the best way i could answer your question and when i say i’ll talk just a little bit more about the company if you don’t mind when i say yes i feel so blessed and thankful to be here because we i have a big problem with like like obfuscation and fraud and lies and not getting what you pay for. Like that, that’s a, that, those things are like anathema to me, right? Like they are my, uh, the, the things I hate the most. I hate to use that word, but there it goes again. So, um, And so many companies do that. They’re like, OK, we’re driven by a board of directors. And the only thing we care about is the share price and the profits. And I don’t want you know, I quit my job chasing profits and material home theater, you know, status to. to go work with things that I believed in, like at the time, organic foods and supplements. And I’ve never lost that passion for real quality organic foods and supplements. And working in this industry for 20 plus years, I have gotten dozens hundreds of peaks behind the curtain of how are these things made what is really how many of them are bogus um right there are there are major studies out there by huge hundred million dollar companies showing that if you buy 10 supplements from like a major marketplace i don’t want to say any names You are statistically likely to have six out of the ten be bad, meaning they don’t meet label claim, or they are fake, or they don’t have any active ingredients, or they have the wrong active ingredients. Those things, honestly, that frightens me. People are spending their hard-earned money that they’ve traded their time and energy for trying to get their health back, and they’re buying products to help them do that. And six out of 10 of them are fake. Like that drives me crazy. So I get to work at a company where we fight that. We fight against that. We buck that trend. We thrive on transparency. Like, look, here are the lab results. Here’s all the testing. Here’s our commitments to you. And that feels wonderful. It feels to me like where I need to be.
CHRYSANDRA :
Oh, we love it. And James, we’re coming up towards the end of our show, but we want to hear all about Pure TheraPro RX and how we can get a hold of this amazing product and not only for ourselves, but our loved ones and how we can all be, as you said, blessed by this incredible health product. Before we go though, James, we want to also know what would be your tip of wisdom for a listener that’s tuning in and they’re afraid to get in alignment with what they’re called to what God has put on their heart to what would you what would be a favorite quote or piece of wisdom that you would tell them today?
JAMES GARLAND :
Well, this is going to sound a little cheesy because you just said it.
CHRYSANDRA :
We love it. We love it.
JAMES GARLAND :
I think when you said adopting a posture of humility, I don’t know if you could tell, but my hair blew back a little. I was like, whoa. That is honestly what I think you have to do. If you can just set your ego aside, and a lot of us, it’s like, okay, I drive a new Dodge Durango. I can’t take this job, though, because I won’t be able to afford my car payment. Listen to me. Sell your Dodge Durango. Trade it in for the 2015 Camry, if that’s what you have to do, to follow your heart, follow your passion, follow your mission. You got to be willing to do whatever it takes. And sometimes that involves… taking a step back or taking a step down and not driving as nice of a car or carrying as nice of a handbag. And I think you said it. You just have to adopt a posture of humility and be open to taking a step back so that later you can take 10 steps forward.
CHRYSANDRA :
We love it, James, so much. And we would love to have you back sooner than later. Tell us, so how can we get a hold of this amazing product and get a hold of you as well to be part of this health movement?
JAMES GARLAND :
Sounds good. So I work at Pure Therapro. We’re a dietary supplement company. Most American adults take supplements, multivitamins, magnesium, things of that nature, CoQ10. So if you, your parents, if your family and your children take dietary supplements, probiotics, digestive enzymes, I believe that we make the best dietary supplements in America. And I’m not going to say in the whole world because that seems like something a bragger would say. But I think if you took the top 10 brands in the whole world, I think we’re up there and we’re scrapping and we’re doing our very best. We do not use fillers. We do not use flow agents. We do not use ingredients from certain countries because They don’t have the regulatory framework in place to have trustworthy raw ingredient products. We do not use excipients, artificial flavors, common allergens. I could go on and on. There are, I would say, over 100 things that we would never put in our supplements that know not to be mean to our competitors but they’re using them as a matter of course because their goal is to make these things as cheap as possible but is that good for you like do you want to be taking sand and wood pulp and uh stearic acid and magnesium stearate and all these fillers and flow agents every day like this product is supposed to make you healthy but we’re taking these things that could be toxic or inflammatory they’re in the capsule why so we asked that question and we solved it so we make filler free supplements you can find us at purethera.com uh you can find us on instagram at uh dash purethera uh we’re on facebook at purethera yeah uh give us give us a shout out will you spill spell that for everyone james just oh sure that we find you yep Yeah, it’s www.purethera.com. That’s P-U-R-E-T-H-E-R-A, Pure Thera. And then if it’s okay with you, I’d like to share. You can edit this out if it’s not. I want to share a promo code for your listeners. Yes, we would love that. You can get 15% off your purchase at our website. The code is CALLING15, C-A-L-L-I-N-G-1-5, CALLING15.
CHRYSANDRA :
And James, I just have to, you already, that this has been, you know, from everyone that I have heard has loved your guys’ product and I can’t wait to start taking it. And it really does matter what we feed our bodies that they are holy temples and we are meant to make an impact every day. And what we feed it is our real fuel to be able to love others well. And so thank you for the mission that you’re living out, you and your family and your company. The Colleen and I are so honored to be in alignment with you guys. You guys go follow James, go follow, go Google and get your order. 15% off is amazing. Pure Thera, you won’t regret it. And this is the time this season to feel your body well. Till next time, dreamers, keep dreaming big.
