Becoming Limitless After a Failed Suicide Attempt with Rob Tull Tales from the Journey

Today I'm talking with Rob Tull about becoming limitless after a failed suicide attempt. Rob's an author, speaker, and creator of the Path2 Program. After spending 20 years at a job and in a life that didn't reflect who he truly is, the pressure of keeping up this version of himself that looked great from the outside began to destabilize him. With this unraveling came toxicity and exhaustion. He felt the only way to continue in his provider role was to end his life, and in 2018, he attempted suicide. While this attempt was ineffective from a biological perspective, it was highly effective from an emotional and mindset perspective. After waking up to discover he was still here on this earth to continue this life, he started making the changes needed to be the parent, employee, and person he wanted to be. Now, Rob's dedicated to helping parents find their best path to happiness, fulfillment, and success.



What to Listen For: 



Working in financial services for 20 years even though, by nature, he felt like more of an artist

Being raised as a boy with the mentality that he was responsible for providing for his family at all costs

Taking the well-worn path because that's what he thought he was supposed to do



"The problem with committing to one path and then continuing to double down on it is that things start to rely on you. I established a family. I now had dependents. I had all this structure dependent on me continuing to follow this path of being a provider on this one avenue until at some point you either run out of stamina or you run out of opportunities. And for me, I ran out of stamina, and I got stuck."



Not having a support network that allowed flexibility

Grasping at things that could create progress

Accepting a highly regarded promotion, working 15-18 hour days seven days a week, traveling every other week, and not enjoying himself

Becoming toxic to his family as a result of not getting to recharge

Asking his partner about leaving his career to do something different and being met with resistance



"My partner didn't tolerate that. It was, 'No, you can't leave your career and walk away from this earning potential. You're at an elite level.'



So I was basically told the thing that was a wrong decision from 20 years ago; you can't undo that. And so there was a feeling of being really trapped and so, being a very rational person and being highly analytical. The conclusion I came up with the best solution was, well, how do I get unstuck?



How do I get out of this situation, and how do I still provide for a family, like I resolved to do? And how do I deal with the idea that I don't see a future in front of me? Cause everything was just taken away. And so suicide was the most practical solution."



Attempting suicide in July of 2018 in front of his sons

Having a support system but still keeping things to himself

Changing how he saw himself in terms of his identity and ideals

Understanding that his identity as a protector, provider, and martyr marginalized his existence

Unplugging and getting to know himself

How the concept of emptiness helped him put his life back together in a more authentic way

The concept of the junk drawer

How he knew checking into the treatment facility was the right decision



"There were two criteria that I realized I had, which was willing and desperate. I clearly was willing to make a change. I wanted everything to end. I clearly was willing. And I was desperate because I used the most extreme solution I could think of. And it didn't work. Well, now I'm desperate. I don't have the answer."



Being able to let go of everything, including his inner voice

Letting go of pride and determining what real strength is