Rich Christiansen is the author of the new memoir BlindSighted: A Journey of Identity, Faith, and Healing. His other books include The ZigZag Principle. He is also an educator and an entrepreneur.
Q: Why did you decide to write this memoir?
A: I decided to write this memoir for three compelling reasons.
First, I aim to provide a path of hope and healing by sharing my personal journey through an identity crisis, inspiring others to find and express their true selves.
Second, inspired by the quote from Hamilton, I want to control the narrative of my family's story and ensure it's told with integrity, reflecting our experiences accurately while acknowledging that my perspective may differ from others.
Finally, I hope to create a lasting legacy of love for my children and future generations, allowing them to celebrate and share our family's journey with confidence and truth.
Q: How was the book’s title chosen, and what does it signify for you?
A: The title of my memoir carries deep meaning with dual significance.
First, it references my father, John O. Christiansen, who was blind from a young age due to retinal blastoma. Despite his blindness, he often perceived the world more clearly than many sighted individuals.
Second, the title reflects the profound shock my brothers and I experienced at age 53 when we learned that the man we honored as our father was not our biological dad. This revelation blindsided us, highlighting the hidden truths that shaped our family narrative.
Together, these layers of meaning encapsulate the themes of vision, identity, and revelation in our story.
Q: What do your family members think of the book?
A: My immediate family, including my sons and daughters-in-law, are incredibly proud of my courage in writing this memoir. After completing the book, I presented them with a special edition along with a limited edition print of the artwork created by a Disney artist.
We celebrated together, dancing to a song I wrote for the book and toasting to our ancestors, sharing a moment of pure joy.
My brothers have each approached this family crisis differently, but we've agreed to support one another without judgment.
Overall, I've chosen to face this experience boldly, and my newly discovered half-siblings have graciously welcomed me into their lives, adding another layer of connection to our family story.
Q: What impact did it have on you to write the book, and what do you hope readers take away from it?
A: Writing this memoir has been a challenging journey of identity reconciliation, akin to a 15-round brawl with genetics, faith, and the weight of the past. There were moments when I nearly gave up, but I persevered, and I'm grateful I did.
As I unraveled the complexities of my family’s surprise, I realized I had won the lottery with my parents and my genetics, which allowed me to express the poetry of my soul for the first time. I now see myself as incredibly fortunate.
My hope is that readers can find inspiration in my journey—if they can follow my path and discover ways to triumph over despair and find joy amid sorrow, I will consider the book a resounding success.
Q: What are you working on now?
A: Currently, I’m fully immersed in launching BlindSighted. Over the past year, I've been in a deep flow state, creating tools, models, and breathwork routines, as well as working on a second edition of The ZigZag Principle. Most of these resources can be found for free at www.RichChristiansen.com.
My next book will be titled Winding It Down, focusing on the often-overlooked topic of how to close a business that isn’t working, filling a gap in available resources.
Q: Anything else we should know?
A: After years of drafting this book and engaging in deep soul-searching, I stepped back from my board assignments and passed my company to my business partner.
With our youngest child off to college, my wife Gaye and I have embraced life as "empty nesters." We decided to sell our large home and spend a year traveling as vagabonds.
This journey is about letting go—shedding titles, material possessions, and self-limiting beliefs while trusting ourselves and the universe. We plan to explore meaningful places around the world, seeking renewal and deeper connections that will reignite our passion for life and each other.
This transformation has shifted my focus from external validation to self-love, allowing me to share my insights and resources more freely. It is when we confront our deepest fears that we finally find true freedom.
--Interview with Deborah Kalb
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