Life often presents unexpected challenges, and few can prepare you for a sudden life-altering diagnosis. Jonathan Tuteur, an executive coach, author, and management consultant, shares his journey from a successful career in consulting to battling epilepsy—a diagnosis that would change his perspective on life forever. In this post, we explore how Jonathan’s resilience and determination helped him not just survive but thrive, finding deeper purpose and authenticity along the way.
A Normal Beginning: Childhood, Family, and Career
Jonathan grew up in the Philadelphia suburbs, part of a close-knit family of four siblings, including triplets. His early life was filled with normalcy: supportive parents, a love for tennis, and a fondness for music. He attended George Washington University, where he earned a double major in Information Systems and Human Resources with a minor in Psychology. This academic journey led him to the corporate world, where he secured an internship at KPMG Consulting during his junior year. After graduation, he built a thriving career at Accenture, a global consulting firm, where he worked for over a decade.
The Unexpected Diagnosis: Epilepsy Strikes
At the age of 30, Jonathan’s life took a sudden turn. One night, while working late, he blacked out, only to wake up hours later, slumped over on his bed. Shrugging it off as fatigue, he returned to work the next day. However, during a client meeting, Jonathan suffered another blackout—this time in front of his colleagues. He woke up in the ER, where the doctors described what had happened: his eyes rolled back, and he fell into convulsions.
At first, doctors were uncertain about the cause, and Jonathan didn’t know much about epilepsy. But after a third seizure during a work trip to Canada, a brusque doctor diagnosed him with epilepsy. This sudden declaration left him reeling. How could he, an ambitious, successful professional in the prime of his life, now have a chronic condition?
Coming to Terms: The Reality of Living with Epilepsy
Living with epilepsy was challenging in ways Jonathan had never anticipated. Initially, he was prescribed Dilantin, an older anti-seizure medication. However, it soon became clear that the drug wasn’t effective for him, and he was switched to other medications. But the unpredictability of the seizures persisted. Jonathan experienced not only the more widely known tonic-clonic (formerly called grand mal) seizures but also focal aware seizures, which are less visible to the outside world. These focal aware seizures caused him to experience unsettling sensory disruptions, including vivid flashbacks and overwhelming nausea.
As time passed, the frequency of his seizures increased, sometimes reaching up to four or five episodes a day. Jonathan’s seizures weren’t just a personal burden—they began to affect his family. One particularly devastating moment occurred when his young daughter witnessed one of his seizures, pleading with his wife to make it stop. This became the catalyst for Jonathan to consider surgery.
The Road to Surgery: An Emotional Rollercoaster
Jonathan’s journey toward a potential cure led him to Johns Hopkins, where he was recommended for brain surgery. The process began with a series of exploratory surgeries called stereo EEGs. This involved implanting electrodes directly into his brain to monitor seizure activity. After weeks of hospitalization and several attempts to induce seizures, the doctors finally pinpointed the source—the non-dominant hippocampus.
In a highly technical procedure, doctors performed laser ablation surgery to remove the malfunctioning area of his brain responsible for the seizures. The recovery was grueling. Jonathan was exhausted, often falling asleep in the middle of the day and feeling completely out of sorts. Adding to the emotional toll was a bout of depression that left him questioning if he would ever feel like himself again.
The Emotional Toll: Battling Depression After Surgery
Depression is a common yet under-discussed side effect for many people undergoing treatment for epilepsy. Jonathan’s recovery from brain surgery wasn’t just physical—it was deeply emotional. After months of exhaustion, his wife pointed out that he hadn’t smiled in weeks. When he sought help from a psychiatrist, it became clear that his mental health needed as much attention as his physical recovery. With the right treatment, Jonathan slowly began to feel more like himself, but the process took nearly a year—far longer than the initial three weeks doctors had suggested for recovery.
Finding Purpose: A New Path
Emerging from surgery and recovery with a deeper understanding of himself, Jonathan took a bold step. He left his corporate consulting career behind to start his own management firm, Triple P Consulting, and pursue his passion for executive coaching. His work now focuses on helping others find purpose and authenticity in their own lives. In addition, Jonathan has written a book, Seizing Today: Discovering Purpose and Authenticity in a Life-Changing Diagnosis, which chronicles his journey with epilepsy and provides insight for others facing life-altering challenges.
Looking Forward: Thriving, Not Just Surviving
Jonathan’s story is one of resilience and hope. While his seizures aren’t completely gone, they have significantly diminished, and he’s been able to manage his condition effectively with the right medications. His career has shifted from consulting to coaching, and he now helps others navigate their own personal and professional challenges. Jonathan's message is clear: life may throw us unexpected obstacles, but those obstacles can also present opportunities for growth and transformation.
Final Thoughts
Jonathan Tuteur’s journey is a reminder that adversity, no matter how daunting, can be the gateway to a more meaningful life. Whether it’s living with epilepsy or facing any other challenge, the key lies in finding purpose in the struggle. Jonathan’s transformation from a driven consultant to an authentic and purpose-driven coach is proof that even life’s most unexpected diagnoses can lead to positive change.
Interested in learning more about Jonathan’s journey and his work? You can find Jonathan on LinkedIn here, and his management firm, Triple P Consulting, at TriplePLLC.co. Be on the lookout for his upcoming book, Seizing Today, where he dives deeper into his personal story and offers guidance for others navigating life-changing diagnoses.
