The Panic Attack
More than a decade before going viral on social media, Zac Bauermaster had a panic attack while leading a 7th-grade team meeting and passed out.
“I remember waking up and feeling so weak and exposed.”
This moment, around eleven years ago, was in the middle of a difficult season for Zac, when everything looked great on the outside, but he was struggling on the inside.
“I couldn’t eat, I couldn’t sleep. I had a rapid heartbeat, hot sweats, cold sweats.” Looking back, this was a season of anxiety and depression where he needed to reach for help. It was a low point, but one where the seeds of growth were planted. He reached out to caring people in his life. He began to journal. He began to heal.
This experience eventually led Zac to write his first book. As Zac reflected on this season, he said he wouldn’t change it for anything. The journey forced him to confront the reality that no matter how joyful and carefree someone looks on the outside, they may be carrying deep pain on the inside. Today, Zac loves to talk about leading with empathy. It’s important for him because it’s an important part of his story.
The New Job
I caught Zac only three weeks into his new role as the Solanco High School Principal. He pointed out the bare walls of his office and told me he hadn’t even had time to fully unpack and move into the new space. And while this office is new for Zac, the school is not. Zac is a proud Solanco alum. I asked him about the new role.
“What I love about the high school, especially being a Solanco grad, living in the community, is just what a place a high school can be for the culture of not only the school, but of the entire community.” Zac was previously the principal at Providence Elementary School.
The Video
Many people know Zac as the high-fiving, fist-bumping principal from the video that went viral last year. The video currently has over 23 million likes on Instagram and was one of the most viewed videos of the year.
“I think what’s amazing is some people might see that and think, I’m a rah rah guy, but I’m really not,” Zac explained. “I like to have fun, but I also like to go deep with people.”
Doing little things like telling someone “I’m proud of you” or writing someone a handwritten note of encouragement are not moments that could turn into a viral video, but they are just as important to Zac. He wants people to feel encouraged and wants school to be a place that students want to be.
“I think a huge part of it stems from that story I shared about my own struggles.”
The Books
The story Zac shared about his healing journey helped him grow as both a leader and a writer. Drawing on thoughts and prayers from his journals, he wrote Leading with a Humble Heart. He later published Leading with PEOPLE, Lemon-Aid (co-authored with his daughter, Olivia), and, most recently, Day by Day. In December, Zac signed a two-book deal with Zondervan, so there will be more books on the way.
Click on the links below to order one of Zac’s books today.
