https://www.badasscounseling.com/bio
Very few spiritual leaders have lived a life so unusual as Sven Erlandson.
He has experienced what most counselors and leaders only read about in books. Yet, it is precisely this odd life -- this incredible dash to live fully, learn all the wisdom the universe has to offer, and then give his life in service of others -- that makes Sven such a brilliant, insightful, funny, and powerful speaker, writer, and spiritual counselor.
He has been to hell and found his way out to find true and lasting peace, power, purpose, fulfillment, happiness.....and the enduring passion to help others find the same!
Sven Erlandson's background, family history, experience, and education include:
Born in North Dakota, raised in Minnesota, college at the US Air Force Academy (and others), graduate school in Berkeley, CA, and presently living and working in Manhattan/New York City and Stamford, CT.
Father of the 'Spiritual but not religious' movement in America. First author in America to both name and delineate the then-unknown 'Spiritual but not religious' movement (which is now the single largest spiritual-religious movement in American history), years before the phrase entered common parlance and even longer before the movement reached critical mass in America. Cited in Wikipedia for this cutting-edge work
Author of six books (see Books page for descriptions and to purchase), including:
There’s a Hole in My Love Cup: The Badass Counseling Method for Healing the Soul & Unleashing Greatness
I Steal Wives: A Serial Adulterer Reveals the REAL Reasons More and More 'Happily Married' Women are Cheating, Book One and Two
Badass Jesus: The Serious Athlete and a Life of Noble Purpose
The 7 Evangelical Myths: Untwisting the Theology behind the Politics
Rescuing God from Christianity: A Closet Christian, Christmas Christian, and Non-Christian's Guide to Radically Re-thinking God Stuff
Spiritual But Not Religious: A Call to Religious Revolution in America
Represented by the top literary agency in America
Father: Ordained Lutheran Pastor for over 60 years (See "He Told The Story" -- Eulogy of an American)
Mother: Director of Christian Education, Writer, Seminary Adjunct Faculty
Four Uncles: Ordained Lutheran Pastors
Youngest of five brothers and one sister
Father of two adult children
Twice divorced
SERE-trained military
Air Force Pilot (glider planes)
National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Head Coach -- Strength and Conditioning
Coached/trained MMA fighters; NCAA, pro, and Olympic athletes;
Adjunct Lecturer at the Graduate and Undergraduate Levels (see Speaking page)
Master of Divinity degree (M.Div.) and Bachelor of Arts (Religious Studies & Mathematics)
Including years of study at the US Air Force Academy
Two-plus years of graduate work at a Catholic seminary, and two years at a Lutheran seminary, with additional work at Jewish, evangelical, and mainline seminaries
Studies in Hebrew, Greek (ancient and koine), Latin, and German
Advanced counseling certification and training, including clinical experience
Critical Incident Response Team training
Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE)
Advanced Pastoral Counseling
Peer Counseling Instructor Certification
Re-evaluative/Co-counseling training
Served four different churches in various Pastor positions, including
The very first full-time Sports and Recreation Pastor in the 500-year history of the Lutheran Church
20+ years in private practice as a spiritual counselor
Private Excellence Counselor to NCAA coaches (Head, Assistants), from D1 to D3, CEOs, Hollywood stars, corporate executives, private businesspeople, athletes, couples, and more
Record-setting powerlifter
NCAA Division 1 football player, US Air Force Academy Falcons
Emergency Room Chaplain Intern at a Level One Trauma Center
Co-Manager and Lead Counselor, Critical Incident Response Team; Emergency Response Team, Sun Country Airlines
