Ep. 5- TJ Sharitz, the (used to be) Control Freak.

TJ Sharitz joins Jim Barnard for a deeply personal conversation about control, faith, learning differences, redemption, and the winding path that led him to his book, Control Freak, The Least Valuable Player. This episode matters because it shows how pain, shame, and loss of control can become the very places where healing and purpose begin. In this episode, Jim and TJ talk through TJ’s childhood diagnosis of dyslexia and ADD, the pressure and humiliation that shaped his need for control, and the athletic success that gave him places to win. They also dig into the painful spiritual and family turning points that eventually led TJ to yield control to God, confront hidden wounds, and share his story to help others.

Timestamps

03:07 - Jim introduces TJ Sharitz and sets up the conversation

05:05 - How Jay and Catherine Wolf helped connect TJ and Jim

11:11 - Third grade, dyslexia, and the early need to control outcomes

19:19 - Swimming, competition, and choosing a sport he could dominate

21:34 - Being told college was unlikely and still making it to Virginia Tech

26:18 - The kicker dream, NFL tryouts, and the blown out knee moment

33:15 - Broadcast work, Savannah, and the path to television

39:14 - The Kiwanis Club encounter and the “mic drop” dyslexia moment

46:23 - Business success, control addiction, and the start of the turnaround

50:48 - The Choices seminar and the beginning of surrender

54:29 - The back pain that turned into a life-threatening diagnosis

Notable quotes

“When we give it to God, He’s the master orchestrator.”

“I surrendered to God.”

“When you yield control, you are so much more in control than you know.”

Resources & Links:

• Control Freak book website
• Coincidence or God TikTok
• TJ’s instagram
• TJ's youtube
• tiller coaching.