Taking Chances - Craig Burns

🎙️ Welcome back to Taking Chances, the podcast where we celebrate bold moves, unexpected turns, and the stories that shape us. Today’s guest is someone who knows a thing or two about carving his own path—Craig Burns.

Before we dive into Craig’s journey, let me give you a little context. He just turned 60 years old. He grew up in Peabody, Massachusetts on Beacon St, where his childhood was all about motion—running around the neighborhood, playing 4 square, chasing games, chasing friendships, and chasing every Boston sports team on TV. Hockey stole his heart early, and it still holds it tight.

School was a challenge—not because he didn’t care, but because he couldn’t sit still. He was more interested in connecting with people than cracking textbooks. After high school, he took a shot at the machinist apprenticeship at General Electric in Lynn. Graduated in ’89—and got laid off the same day. That moment was a wake-up call. He knew he had to pivot.

So he went back to school, starting at community college to fill in the gaps, and eventually found himself at UMass Lowell studying Exercise Physiology. But his curiosity didn’t stop there—He dove into Psychology, Philosophy, History, and Religious Studies. He was painting houses to pay the bills, staying active with running, biking, and hockey, and slowly realizing that the traditional path wasn’t for him.

After a brief return to GE, He TOOK A CHANCE and turned his side hustle into his full-time gig. That house-painting business has been his livelihood for the past 25 years. He built a life in North Andover with his amazing wife Jill, and their two sons, James and Jacob. And while the years have added up, He hasn't slowed down. His passion for learning, moving, and connecting keeps growing.

He’s someone who’s walked his own winding road—full of pivots, passion, and purpose. Today, we’ll explore his story, the chances he’s taken, and the lessons he’s learned along the way.

Let’s get into it.