There are some people who walk into your life and make you sit up a little straighter. Not because they tell you to, but because there’s something about them that makes you want to be better.
David Christie is one of those people.
And before you think this is another story of a man who had all the right answers, let me stop you. It actually never is.
David’s story begins with an unanswered question: What does it mean to be a man? Sixteen years old, raised by a single mother who immigrated from India while pregnant with him—unknowingly—David grew up in the in-between. The absence of his father left a hollow space he spent years trying to fill. And in that absence, he found something else: curiosity.
At sixteen, he wasn’t scheming up a career in financial services or dreaming of stages. He was looking for someone—anyone—to show him the ropes. “What’s the right way to shave?” he joked. And then, with a grin that doesn’t hide the weight underneath, he added, “Which I didn’t learn. I just let it grow out.”
Before the internet made mentors a swipe away, David found one the old-school way—cassette tapes. John Maxwell’s voice coming through the static became his first guidepost. And years later? David would find himself working inside Maxwell’s organization. Thinking of that moment—when the once-distant mentor became a colleague.
“I knew I wanted to work for John Maxwell. And someone told me, ‘No, you don’t. You want to work with the people who know the stuff. You want to work with the huggable version of John.’”
That person was Dr. Tim Elmore, who became another mentor and invited David to be his first employee at Growing Leaders.
There’s a quiet poetry in that: He sought answers. Now, others seek him.
But David’s not here to sell you a self-made myth. He’s honest about what it’s like to grow up fatherless.
“For a long time, I would say, ‘I don’t have a dad.’ And that statement was purely out of lack. But you know what I do have? Instead of one dad, I have many people in my life who help point me in the right direction.”
Mentorship, for David, isn’t about one person swooping in to save you. It’s a patchwork of moments, people, and questions that point you forward. And it’s clear he’s made peace with that mosaic. He calls it “renting a dad,” half-joking, but the truth is in there.
And that’s what David does now. He sees people. He helps them tell their stories, whether it’s a financial advisor struggling to connect with clients or a young man unsure where to start. “Storytelling is the glue,” he says. And it’s not just talk. On this note he shared an interesting experiment: a couple of journalists in New York bought thrift store junk—snow globes, Pez dispensers, you name it—for about $1.29 a piece. Then they paired each item with a made-up story and sold them on eBay. That $129 pile of trinkets? Sold for over $3,600. “A 2,800% increase,” David said. “What did it? The story.”
But what makes David different isn’t his ability to tell stories. It’s his ability to listen for them.
He’s candid about imposter syndrome. The kind that shows up when you think you have no business mentoring someone else.
“The first time I started to embrace it, I immediately felt like I wasn’t worthy to be a mentor.”
And yet, he’s been one—whether he planned it or not. From volunteering with Big Brothers Big Sisters to quietly mentoring through his work, he’s become the person he once searched for.
He doesn’t shy away from the hard parts, either. After finally meeting his biological father as an adult, the experience wasn’t what he’d hoped. Becky Henderson, another mentor, stepped in. She introduced him to Emotional Freedom Technique—EFT—a practice that helped him move through the weight of that experience. David doesn’t say it lightly: he credits her with saving his life.
By the way, we had Becky on the show. If you want to hear more of her story, it’s well worth a listen.
The thread running through David’s life isn’t just mentorship—it’s intentionality.
“You never know where that next introduction is going to take you.”
And he’s right. John Maxwell was a voice on a tape before he was a colleague. Dr. Elmore was a mentor before he was a friend. Becky was a coach before she was a lifeline.
We’re not meant to do this alone. David’s life proves that. And if he can move from a kid wondering how to shave to someone who teaches CEOs how to tell their stories, well—what’s stopping the rest of us?
Maybe it’s this: We don’t need to have it all figured out to be a mentor. Sometimes being a step ahead is enough to guide someone through the next stretch.
David Christie: is a speaker, mentor, and consultant in the financial services industry, known for helping leaders and advisors tell stories that connect. He is the Vice President of TruChoice Financial. With a career shaped by a deep commitment to mentorship, David’s passion lies in guiding others to become the best versions of themselves. His journey—from a curious teenager seeking direction to a trusted voice in leadership development—reflects his belief in the power of storytelling and intentional relationships.
Natalie Peyton: Peyton studied theatre and film in Australia, New York and LA and performed stand-up on the “three coasts.” She honed her podcast executive skills over the last 4 years developing and producing dozens of podcasts and even hosts a children’s mindfulness bedtime program. If you would like to listen to her work, here it is: Snoriezzz
Leon Vanstone: Leon brings his curiosity and sharp interviewing skills to the table, facilitating insightful discussions with our mentors, extracting valuable lessons and insights to empower listeners on their own path to growth and achievement.
Dan Dillard: Dan, with his thoughtful approach and engaging style, delves into the minds of our mentors on the podcast, crafting compelling interviews that uncover the wisdom and experiences driving their success and impact.
This blog was written by Anais Schmidt, one of the hosts of the Uncharted Podcast. Anais is also an aspiring musician. When not in her studio, she tours Europe with Monte Mai.
If you would like to join the conversation email us at anais@foundingup.com
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