By: Michael Beas
Glenn Sturn: A Life of Resilience, Healing, and Purpose
Glenn Sturn has lived many lives in one. A lawyer, veteran, entrepreneur, photographer, and now author, his journey reflects resilience, reinvention, and the refusal to quit in the face of adversity. Through battles in courtrooms, boardrooms, and chemotherapy suites, one principle has anchored him: “Sturns never quit.”
That mantra, passed down through family and forged in military service, has shaped every chapter of his life. “Perseverance, more than talent, separates those who finish from those who falter,” he says. “I don’t know how to quit.”
Redefining Success Through Adversity
For years, Sturn measured success in terms of achievement—building companies, solving complex legal problems, and chasing goals with unrelenting drive. But a life-altering moment on January 21, 2009, shifted everything: his cancer diagnosis.
“Before cancer, success meant achievement. But when I got ‘The Call,’ I realized I had defined myself by what I built, not by what fulfilled me,” he reflects. That reckoning brought new priorities. Today, fulfillment is about gratitude, intentional joy, and service—whether it’s giving framed photographs to hospital staff, spending time with family, or writing stories that connect deeply with readers.
Building Habits That Anchor
Discipline is central to Sturn’s resilience. He works out six days a week, tracks his health data, and takes his medications without fail. But just as important are his rituals of generosity. Every holiday, he gifts hundreds of signed photographs to nurses, hotel staff, and others who have supported him through treatment. “That ritual keeps me human and grounded,” he explains.
Crisis into Calm
Calm, for Sturn, is not the absence of crisis but the confidence born of preparation and faith. “It’s knowing I’ve done everything I can to stay healthy, informed, and present,” he says. He credits his ability to remain calm to advocating for himself in the medical system, asking non-threatening but persistent questions, and treating others with respect. “The golden rule truly applies. By treating others the way you want to be treated, everyone wins,” he emphasizes.
The Sources of Strength
When uncertainty looms, Sturn draws strength from multiple sources: his discipline, the values instilled by his parents, the unwavering support of his children and friends, and the joy of being a grandfather. “My grandson has extended my life in ways he may never understand. He is my buddy—the one I owe the greatest duty to and the one I will never disappoint.”
Faith also plays a role, though Sturn defines it broadly: faith in people, in purpose, and in the belief that service and gratitude can carry one through anything.
Lessons from the Military
Sturn’s time in the Army left an indelible mark. “The military taught me three priceless lessons: you either finish or you fail, you never ring the bell, and as a leader, you must set the example with your own behavior.” That mindset helped him endure both academic challenges—graduating near the top of his law class despite setbacks—and the grueling uncertainty of cancer treatment.
“Leadership is about walking the walk. You can’t know how to quit. You have to model the resilience you expect,” he says.
Creativity as Healing
While law and business provided intellectual challenge, photography and writing have given Sturn something deeper: perspective and healing. Through his camera lens, he captures beauty in fleeting moments, gifting prints as tokens of gratitude. Writing, meanwhile, has opened unexpected pathways of discovery.
His autobiography, Cancer Set Me Free, marked the beginning. Later works, including Warriors Hate War, expanded into historical analysis, while his current passion—the six-novel series The Green Murphy Succession—fuses history with fiction, tracing generations of military families through pivotal world events.
“Writing feels healing in itself,” Sturn says. “It connects me with my late parents and gives me purpose that I never anticipated.”
Guidance for the Stuck
Asked what advice he’d offer to someone feeling trapped, Sturn is unequivocal: “Decision by indecision is the worst choice of all. Start with one decision and follow through with action. You don’t need to see the entire path—just the next step.”
He cautions against self-sabotage: “Most people stop themselves before they even begin. Don’t be most people.” His mantra echoes his life principle: be relentless, stay curious, and embrace change as life’s only certainty.
The Work of Healing
One of the most misunderstood aspects of healing, according to Sturn, is the belief that it happens passively. “Healing requires effort,” he insists. “It involves research, self-advocacy, forgiveness, faith, curiosity, and atonement.”
For him, the mental aspect is paramount—choosing to get out of bed, go to the gym, or swim, even on difficult days. Managing energy, rather than surrendering it, has been essential. “Genuine healing is something you create—brick by brick, often in the dark. And never underestimate the power of purpose.”
A Legacy of Goodness
As Sturn looks ahead, his goals are not measured in accolades but in impact. “When I go, I hope that I have earned this statement: ‘He was a good man.’ Not perfect. Not a genius, just a good guy.”
That legacy, he hopes, will be defined by resilience, kindness, and the ability to make others feel valued—whether through his professional achievements, his art, or simply his presence. “If my journey helps one person face their storm with calm and courage, then I’ll have left the right legacy.”
From hanging artwork in the Vatican to crafting novels meant to outlast him, Sturn’s creative pursuits carry wide influence. Yet the moments that matter most are the quiet, human ones. “One of my goals is to put a smile on someone’s face every day,” he says. “When I do that, I’ve also put a smile on my own.”
Disclaimer: The content of this article is based on Glenn Sturn’s personal experiences and reflections. It is not intended as medical advice or a substitute for professional health guidance. The views expressed are those of the individual and do not represent the endorsement of any specific treatments, therapies, or practices. For health-related concerns, please consult with a qualified healthcare professional.
