Kris Kaase

Men’s Life Transition Coach

By the world’s standards, I’ve been successful. I worked for over 25 years in the field of education, attaining success and recognition as a state and national leader, and establishing a successful consulting business. I had a family. My three children were doing well and moving towards independence. From all appearances, life was good. But a series of events proved to be a game changer.

In September of 2013 I found myself divorced following a 28-year marriage. Surrounding this loss were the deaths of my mother and father – both within a few months on either side of the divorce. Though I had enjoyed an active faith walk my entire life, I was woefully ill-equipped for this barrage of traumatic life changes. This juncture proved to be the greatest challenge of my life — my “curve ball.”

Like many men, I believed I had to rely on myself alone to get through life — that going it alone was what it meant to “a man.” Thanks to my divorce attorney, I was introduced to a faith-based community of men committed to each other. They meet regularly to share their stories, encourage each other, brave being real, and doing life better together. It was here I first experienced coaching and came to appreciate the value of having someone to help me keep moving forward, avoiding staying stuck in my pain and past.

My mission now is to do for others what was done for me — traveling alongside men who have “hit a wall” they feel unable to scale alone. I do that by coaching guys one-on-one, conducting men’s coaching weekends (known as Deer Camp Midwest), and leading adventure trips.

Today, life is not only good, it is better than I had envisioned possible! I am healthier, happier, and whole. I am married again to an amazing, supportive teammate. Our relationship is taking us both to new levels of grace, peace, and love. My work no longer is work. It’s my passion! I am living the adventure for which I was created! 

The “curve ball” in my story convinced me of the truth behind the adage: “What doesn’t kill you can make you stronger.” However, there is a catch: we must first be broken beyond anything we can “fix” ourselves. It’s this very place, the bottom of that proverbial “wall,” where we can be rebuilt and empowered to become the very men God created us to be. It’s here I want to come alongside men to offer hope and the assurance they are not alone.