Today we’d like to introduce you to Bobby Johns Jr.
Hi Bobby, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I was blessed to grow up with two incredible parents who shaped my understanding of hard work, love, and purpose. My father served in the Army and later became an Austin firefighter, often working two or three jobs to support our family. Watching him persevere, working 24-hour shifts and spending his days off doing electrical work or building decks and fences; taught me what dedication and responsibility truly look like. As I got older and began helping him, I realized he wasn’t just teaching me practical skills; he was modeling what it meant to be a man, a husband, and a grounded human being.
My mother worked as a housekeeper before joining the Texas Railroad Commission, where she built a long and successful career. Both of my parents retired young, and their example of stability, commitment, and partnership has influenced the kind of life and relationship I wanted for myself.
Throughout my childhood in South, East, and North Austin, I was surrounded by family members who played powerful roles in shaping my character. My younger sister gave me a sense of responsibility beyond myself. My great-grandmother, “Dear,” and my mother taught me compassion, how to love people even when it’s complicated. And my grandmother on my father’s side was the rock who held our large family together. Losing her in 2005 was deeply painful, yet transformative; being by her side in her final moments taught me about peace, acceptance, and the fragility of life.
Growing up, I poured much of my identity into football. I didn’t take school seriously and ran from academic challenges, bouncing between colleges and never imagining I would one day earn a degree, much less run a private practice. At 18, I became a personal trainer, working at Hyde Park Gym, the YMCA, and with private clients. Fitness became both my outlet and a foundation for my future career, even though I didn’t yet realize it.
I experienced my fair share of unhealthy relationships during those years. I allowed relationships to define me and often repeated the same patterns that kept me stuck. I was oppositional and stubborn as a young man, traits my father called out long before I was ready to understand his wisdom. Over time, life had a way of humbling me and teaching me the lessons I once resisted.
My first marriage lasted several years and was full of important lessons about partnership, accountability, and personal growth. Even though we ultimately grew apart, I will always be grateful for the ways that marriage shaped me and helped me understand who I was and what I wanted.
Between my first and second marriage, I fell into a very unhealthy rebound relationship, repeating old patterns. But everything changed when I connected with someone, I worked with at Rock Springs Behavioral Health, a nurse who later became my wife. We started as friends, and the peace, energy, and support she brought into my life changed everything. She helped me see that I didn’t have to rely on aggression or intensity to earn respect. She helped me grow.
One day, she sent me a link for the addictions counseling program at Austin Community College and told me she believed I could thrive in that field. That one moment completely transformed my life. I enrolled, earned my degree, and began my internship search. After calling more than 20 places, The Arbor Residential Treatment Center reached back out, and everything fell into place. I interned there for two semesters and was hired full-time before I even graduated. I spent three incredibly meaningful years at The Arbor, from 2022 until 2025, supporting men and women in addiction recovery.
In April 2025, I stepped out in faith and opened my private practice; Baggage Claim Relationship Coaching Services, where I combine life coaching, relationship coaching, and personal training. I’m currently preparing for my LCDC exam with the goal of becoming a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist. My wife, who is in the final semester of her Mental Health Nurse Practitioner program, continues to inspire me to grow, evolve, and pursue excellence.
Today, I am grateful to say that my practice is thriving, not because of financial success, but because I get to support people through some of the hardest seasons of their lives. I understand their pain because I’ve lived through my own. I’ve made mistakes, I’ve hurt people, and I’ve done the work to grow from it. While I can’t go back and repair every relationship, I show up every day committed to helping others avoid the pitfalls I fell into or learn from them with grace.
I also host the Reps & Reflections Podcast, where I share motivational content and interview entrepreneurs and individuals who have overcome adversity, addiction, and trauma. My mission is to spread hope, connection, and practical tools that help people build healthier relationships, with themselves first, and then with the people they love.
Looking back, I can say with complete certainty that I’ve found my purpose. What I do isn’t just a career; it feels like an extension of who I am. My hope is that anyone who feels disconnected, hopeless, or unsure of where to turn will reach out for support. Asking for help is not a weakness, it’s the first step toward transformation. Positive affirmations changed my life, and today I live by the practice of reminding myself of who I am becoming.
My journey has been full of struggle, growth, resilience, and grace, and I’m committed to using every part of it to help others find healing, clarity, and direction in their own lives.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
It has definitely not been a smooth road. In fact, most of the challenges I’ve faced throughout my life and career were self-inflicted. For many years, I tied my worth to two things: my physical abilities and the attention I received from women. I allowed both to influence my decisions, my relationships, and ultimately the direction of my life. That mindset created patterns that were unhealthy and unsustainable.
Academically, I struggled for a long time. I ran from school multiple times because I carried a deep belief that I wasn’t good enough or smart enough to earn a degree. That negative self-talk became a barrier that held me back for years. So, when I finally returned to school, after so many failed attempts, it was one of the biggest hurdles I had to overcome.
Starting the addictions counseling program was a turning point. For the first time, I found a field that truly spoke my language. Even though I had already spent nearly 20 years in healthcare, as a tech, a de-escalation coordinator, and in inpatient psychiatric settings, I still battled with the feeling that I wasn’t destined for anything more. Those insecurities and self-limiting beliefs were some of my greatest obstacles.
So no, the road hasn’t been smooth. But looking back, I can honestly say that most of the bumps along the way came from within, my own fears, insecurities, and misconceptions about who I thought I was allowed to become. Overcoming those internal battles has been the most challenging and the most rewarding part of my journey.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about Baggage Claim Relationship Coaching Services?
My business, Baggage Claim Relationship Coaching Services, was built on the belief that every person deserves a safe place to unpack their past, understand their patterns, and rebuild themselves with intention. I specialize in life coaching, relationship coaching, addiction recovery support, and personal training, creating a holistic approach that focuses on both the mind and the body. My clients often describe my work as grounding, straightforward, and deeply relational. I meet people where they are, with compassion, structure, and accountability.
What sets my practice apart is the combination of clinical experience, personal lived experience, and holistic wellness. I’ve spent over 20 years in behavioral healthcare, working in psychiatric hospitals, residential treatment centers, and crisis settings. I understand what it feels like to be overwhelmed, disconnected, unsure of your identity, or stuck in unhealthy patterns. Because I’ve lived those struggles myself, my clients feel seen, understood, and supported on a deeper level.
I’m known for helping people gain self-awareness, strengthen their emotional resilience, and build healthier relationships, starting with the one they have with themselves. My coaching integrates Imago principles, emotional regulation skills, mindset development, communication training, and physical fitness, creating a well-rounded path for growth. Whether someone is navigating addiction recovery, relationship issues, confidence struggles, or major life transitions, I focus on helping them develop actionable skills that lead to real transformation.
One of the things I’m most proud of, brand-wise, is that my business truly reflects my values, authenticity, accountability, compassion, and growth. This work is not just a career for me; it’s my purpose. I bring the same energy to every session, every podcast episode, and every workshop: the mission to help people feel empowered, hopeful, and capable of rewriting their story.
I also host the Reps & Reflections Podcast, where I share motivational insight and interview individuals who have overcome adversity. It’s an extension of my brand’s mission, to normalize struggle, celebrate growth, and offer people practical tools for healing and connection.
For anyone reading this, what I want you to know about my brand is simple:
You don’t have to go through life alone, and you don’t have to stay stuck in the patterns that have held you back. Help is available, growth is possible, and healing starts with one intentional step.
Whether someone comes to me for coaching, fitness, relationship support, or a combination of all three, my goal is always the same: to help them build a healthier, more fulfilling life, one rep and one reflection at a time. mhcaustin.com. 512-763-2565
Let’s talk about our city – what do you love? What do you not love?
What I love most about Austin is that it’s home in every sense of the word. I was born and raised here, which is becoming increasingly rare, and it gives me a unique connection to the city. Even with all the growth, changes, and the influx of people moving in, there are still places that hold deep nostalgic value for me, spots that remind me of my childhood, my family, and the roots that shaped who I am.
Austin’s identity as the Live Music Capital of the World also means a lot to me. Music has always been a major part of my life, writing, recording, performing, and being able to perform not only here in Austin but also in cities like Killeen and San Antonio has helped me build an even stronger bond with the community. There’s something special about sharing your art in the city that raised you.
I also love that my family is here. The comfort, safety, and sense of belonging I feel in Austin is unmatched. Most of my large family still lives in Austin or the surrounding areas, which gives me a strong foundation of connection and support. That sense of familiarity and community is one of the biggest reasons I’ve never felt the desire to leave.
As for what I like least, I would say the rapid growth has definitely made the city more crowded and changed a lot of what longtime Austinites remember. But even in that, there’s opportunity, new businesses, new collaborations, new cultures blending together. So, while the changes can be challenging, I’ve learned to appreciate the evolution of the city as I evolve in my own life.
Overall, my relationship with Austin has only grown stronger as I’ve gotten older and healthier. This city has given me so much, and my hope is that through my work, my coaching, and my impact on the community, I can leave a meaningful imprint on Austin in return.
Pricing:
- Individual Coaching Session – $175
- Couples Coaching Session – $185
- Personal Training Session – $75
- Group Sessions – Depend on group size
Contact Info:
- Website: https://mhcaustin.com
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bobbycordelljohnsjr/
- Youtube: http://www.youtube.com/@baggageclaimrcs
