He Lost Everything But Found God, Grit, and the Game
by Shawn Ruebush and Karen Hunsanger
Turning Pain Into Purpose: He Lost Everything—But Found God, Grit, and the Game
What do you do when life takes everything from you before you even have the chance to grow up?
Shawn Ruebush lost his father at the age of ten, survived a devastating house fire that claimed the life of his grandfather, and carried the heavy burden of trauma that could have destroyed him. Instead of giving in, Shawn chose a different path—one marked by resilience, faith, and the game of football.
This powerful memoir pulls back the curtain on a childhood filled with heartbreak and loss, but also on the journey of a young man determined to rise from the ashes. Through faith in God, lessons learned on the field, and the grit to keep going when everything in him wanted to quit, Shawn discovered that pain can be the very tool that shapes a stronger, wiser, and more purposeful life.
Turning Pain Into Purpose is not just a story of survival—it’s a roadmap for anyone who has ever felt broken, overlooked, or weighed down by their past. Shawn’s story proves that vulnerability is strength, healing is possible, and the hardest battles can lead to the greatest victories.
If you’ve ever questioned whether real change is possible, this book will remind you: it is.
“"Shawn was ten years old and had gone through more trauma in ten months, as a kid, than most people go through in their entire lives"”
Dan Schmidt
Hi, I’m Shawn Ruebush—a son of God, proud father of three, coach, and author who has walked through fire, loss, and heartbreak, only to discover that pain can be turned into purpose. My journey is built on faith, grit, and resilience, and I wrote Turning Pain Into Purpose to remind you that no matter how broken life feels, hope and healing are always within reach. On my bookstore, you’ll find stories that don’t just inspire they challenge, encourage, and push you to rise above adversity and keep moving forward with strength and faith.
As a football coach at National Trail High School, Shawn instills discipline, character, and resilience in young athletes. Off the field, he's passionate about the BeTempered movement alongside Dan Schmidt and Ben Spahr. Through his book and his work, Shawn’s mission is simple: to help people believe that no matter their circumstances, their story isn’t over. Pain can be redeemed, faith can anchor the soul, and purpose can be found in even the hardest seasons of life.