My Identity – Sales Success to Stroke Thriver

Published by Corey Diggins on January 30, 2026 January 30, 2026

In 2021 I had a stroke and brain surgery that changed my life. This event removed from me the ability to work in the capacity I once had. I was brought up around sales my whole life, growing up in an entrepreneurial family. I built my own business and eventually settled into a successful sales career. I’m aware we all have the freedom and right to define and understand our Higher Power as we choose. I’ve chosen to follow Jesus Christ in my life. I thought I had a Christ like identity before my stroke but quickly saw that my identity was wrapped up in worldly achievements, possessions and opinions of others. 

I’ve been working hard these recent post-stroke years to find my identity in God and I don’t just mean saying it because that was the easy part. What I mean is living and recognizing that my true and lasting identity is found in a relationship with Jesus Christ. It involves understanding that God, through Christ, has given me a renewed identity, one that is defined not by hitting sales targets but by love, forgiveness, and purpose. 

The Bible describes me as known, chosen and loved by God among many other things. Therefore, my job is to love, obey and praise him. Christ lives within me therefore I can live by faith so the world can’t tell me how to live, only Christ holds the throne over my life. He’s forgiven me of my earthly sins and accepted me into his spiritual family. Everyday remembering this identity helps carry me through the day with renewed strength.

After retiring, the grieving process of my old “working” self was an intense journey that bought me to the depths of depression. Setting my identity in the image of Christ has provided me a foundation to love myself, others and the circumstances around me. Life’s not easy for anyone and we surely don’t need to make it any harder than it is by always putting ourselves down.

I am fulfilled in my heart knowing I have a thriver mentality shining throughout. We are much stronger than we think, just believe and you can do it, ❤️🙏👆.

Part of this transformation was a result of journaling my thoughts.

Get my free 30-Day Mindset-Renewal Journal that gives you the exact steps I used to renew my mind. All you have todo is sign up for my newsletter to get the PDF.

Link: coreydiggins.com/free-30-day-journal/

Keep the faith,