3 Deaths We All Die: How Embracing Death Unlocks Purpose and Legacy

Everyone dies—but not all deaths are the same.

In Ep. 214 | Three Deaths That Lead To Life, Purpose, & Strength, Garrett and Nick unpack a profound truth: we don’t just die once. We die three different ways—and how we embrace these deaths will determine the depth of our life, the fruit we bear, and the legacy we leave behind.

“Most people fear death—but God calls us to die well. And the ones who do live with the most freedom.” — Garrett

If you want to walk in purpose, live fully surrendered, and leave a lasting impact, you must learn how to embrace the deaths you will face.

The Three Deaths We All Die

1. The Death of Self

This is the first and most foundational death: dying to your flesh and living by the Spirit.

“Your flesh will fight for control until your last breath. You’ve got to choose who leads.” — Nick

Biblical foundation:

• Galatians 2:20 — “I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me.”

• Luke 9:23 — “Take up your cross daily…”

This isn’t a one-time decision.
It’s a daily death.
Every day, you choose whether the Spirit leads or your flesh wins.

When you die to self:

• You stop living for comfort

• You stop needing approval

• You stop chasing counterfeit purpose

And you start living with power, clarity, and conviction.

“You won’t fulfill your destiny if your flesh is still in the driver’s seat.” — Garrett

2. The Death of Your Reputation

If you want to be used by God, you must die to what people think of you.

This is one of the hardest deaths—because it’s deeply tied to identity and ego.

“You can’t chase the applause of man and the approval of God at the same time.” — Nick

Biblical foundation:

• Galatians 1:10 — “Am I now trying to win the approval of human beings, or of God?”

• John 12:43 — “They loved human praise more than praise from God.”

Garrett shares how SEAL training drilled this into him. When your life is on the line, you stop caring how you look—you care about whether you’re prepared.

“Most people stay trapped in shallow living because they’re afraid of looking foolish. Die to that.” — Garrett

When you die to your reputation:

• You preach truth boldly

• You take risks for God’s Kingdom

• You live with courage—not compromise

3. The Death of Your Body

This is the final, inevitable death—and the one most people fear the most.

But for those in Christ, death isn’t the end. It’s the beginning.

Biblical foundation:

• 2 Timothy 4:7 — “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.”

• Philippians 1:21 — “For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain.”

“If you haven’t prepared for death, you won’t live fully now.” — Nick

Facing your mortality forces clarity:

• What will matter when you stand before God?

• What legacy are you building?

• Who will be impacted because you lived with purpose?

The goal is to be able to say, like Paul: “I’m ready.”

Final Thoughts: Live Dead to Truly Live Free

Most people fear death because they haven’t died to the things that enslave them.

But when you embrace these three deaths:

• Death of self

• Death of reputation

• Death of your body

You live with a freedom that’s unshakable.
You stop being controlled by fear.
You stop wasting your life on what doesn’t matter.
And you start building a legacy that outlives you.

“Dying well is the key to living well.” — The Impossible Life Podcast

Here’s the challenge:

• Die daily to your flesh

• Die once and for all to your reputation

• Live ready to face your final breath without regret

Because in the Kingdom, death is never defeat—it’s the doorway to destiny.