The Story Behind Ego Strength: Why I Wrote This Book

THE SPARK: Realizing This Story Needed to Be Shared

Was there a moment when you realized your story needed to be told?

Chuck: Absolutely. It was during a North Kansas City Coffee Connect breakfast I was hosting at Oak Ridge Family Social Club (which I co-own with my best friend, PJ Guastello). I was sharing my entrepreneurial journey—talking about the businesses I’d built, the jobs created, and the lessons I learned. But as I was talking, I realized all of those milestones were really rooted in adversity. What drove me wasn’t just success—it was overcoming setbacks, starting from zero, and building something meaningful for others. It clicked right then that this wasn’t just my story. It was a story that could help other people. That’s when the book started taking shape—two years ago.

 

THE WHY: What Chuck Hopes Readers Take Away

What do you want people to walk away with after reading Ego Strength?

Chuck: That they can change their life. Success—whether in your personal life, relationships, or business—isn’t something you’re born with. It’s built. It's earned through growth, failure, learning, and resilience. I want people to know they have the power to improve constantly. You don’t need to have it all figured out—you just have to be willing to evolve.

 

THE SETBACK: Almost Walking Away

Was there ever a point when you considered not finishing the book?

Chuck: Definitely. After I finished the first manuscript—it was around 96 or 97 pages—I read it and just knew it wasn’t right. The structure was off. The message didn’t feel complete. I almost scrapped the whole thing. But instead of quitting, I went back to the outline, shifted the focus, and gave it another year. That second round is what brought Ego Strength to life the way it needed to be told.

 

THE PROCESS: Getting Help Along the Way

Did you have help while writing the book?

Chuck: Yes, I worked early on with Jo Rust, a coach based in Australia. It helped to have guidance, but the time difference made it tough—I was either working on the book super early in the morning or really late at night. It didn’t always fit into my schedule, but I knew the project mattered, so I pushed through.

 

THE EVOLUTION: What Ego Strength Means Today

How has your definition of ‘ego strength’ changed from when you started writing the book?

Chuck: At first, I thought ego strength was just about getting back up after hitting rock bottom—like when I ended up in jail and knew I had to make some kind of change. But now, I realize it’s not just about one big pivot. Real strength is in daily, constant growth. It’s about looking yourself in the mirror every day and saying, “I may have messed up yesterday, but I’m showing up today.” Ego strength isn’t something you master once—it’s something you practice for life.

 

THE LEGACY: Why He Really Wrote the Book

What’s the deeper motivation behind this book?

Chuck: It’s bigger than me. Yes, I care about success—but more than that, I care about bringing others with me. A rising tide raises all ships. If my story can help even one person rise out of adversity and into purpose, then it’s worth it.

 

Up Next…
Chuck’s journey is just the beginning. Stay tuned for upcoming posts where we’ll break down key chapters, lessons from his story, and practical ways to build your own ego strength—starting with "5 Lessons I Learned the Hard Way in Commercial Real Estate."

Ready to dive in? Grab your copy of Ego Strength today.

— Chuck Cuda