Daily Inspiration: Meet Tim Welch

Today we’d like to introduce you to Tim Welch.

Hi Tim , thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
When I was 14 years old, my life changed forever. I was in a tragic accident where I was struck by a train, resulting in the loss of my left arm and left leg. In an instant, everything about my future became uncertain. I had to figure out how to live again—how to move forward, not just physically, but emotionally and mentally.

What might have been the end of everything instead became the beginning of something incredible.

I found my start in the haunted house industry, and that’s where my love for Halloween and horror movies truly began. I threw myself into learning every aspect of the business—from set design and lighting to sound, makeup, and special effects. Over the course of 33 years, I immersed myself in the world of fear and fantasy, eventually starting Screaming the Dark, which launched me deeper into the world of film and television.

I didn’t let my disability hold me back—in fact, I used it as a unique strength. In a field that values authenticity, I brought something to the table that others simply couldn’t. I’ve worked both in front of and behind the camera, acting, producing, directing, creating effects, and even performing stunts. As the industry evolved, so did I—shifting from effects to production, and eventually to writing and publishing books.

But my journey didn’t stop there.

Through all of this, I realized that my story—the pain, the resilience, the transformation—could help others. That’s why I became a trauma life coach and founded Autumn Life Coaching. I’ve taken the tragedy that shaped me and turned it into a tool to guide others through their own darkest moments.

My life hasn’t been easy, but it’s been meaningful. I’ve built a career from pain, a purpose from trauma, and a future from what could have been the end.

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Growing up with a disability—missing my left arm and left leg—meant facing a world that was quick to judge and slow to understand. People often assumed that because I looked different, I couldn’t do what others could. Before I even had a chance to speak or try, many had already made up their minds about what I couldn’t do.

But I refused to let those assumptions define me.

Every doubt, every sideways glance, every time someone underestimated me—it all became fuel. I knew I had more to offer, and I was determined to prove that my differences weren’t a weakness, but a source of strength. I never used my disability as a crutch. Instead, it became the very reason I pushed harder, aimed higher, and worked longer.

Over time, people began to see it. They saw my determination, my drive, and my commitment to not just meet expectations—but to exceed them. I didn’t want sympathy. I wanted opportunity. And when I got it, I gave everything I had and more.

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I am a man of many talents and relentless curiosity. In every industry I’ve pursued, I’ve made it my mission to learn everything I could — not just the job in front of me, but every role that made the machine work. Especially in film and television, I made sure to understand every piece of the puzzle — from acting to directing, camera work to editing. My philosophy has always been simple: if you’re on a set and something needs to be done, your knowledge should make you capable of stepping in. Be every piece on the chessboard — not just the pawn.

I am also a published author, with three books to my name — two children’s books and one for adults. Writing became a new creative outlet for me, a way to channel the hands-on creation I once did into storytelling that others could hold, read, and be moved by. It’s been one of the most rewarding chapters of my creative life.

Beyond the page and the screen, I’ve devoted myself to community. I founded and run the Omaha Zombie Walk, now in its 17th year. For those unfamiliar, a zombie walk is a public event where participants dress as zombies and parade through the streets. But ours goes beyond fun and theatrics — it raises money for local causes, bringing people together in laughter, creativity, and generosity.

Perhaps my most meaningful work is as a trauma life coach. After my own traumatic accident, I came to believe it was a gift — a calling. It gave me the insight and empathy to help others walk through their own darkness. Trauma is a heavy weight. Without a hand to hold or a light to follow, it’s easy to drown in it. I’ve dedicated myself to being that guiding hand. I’ve helped first responders, fellow survivors, nurses, doctors, and everyday people struggling with pain they don’t know how to carry.

What sets me apart is that I’ve built a world of my own from the pieces life gave me — even the broken ones. I’ve lived dreams others only imagine. I’ve worked with people I watched on TV as a child. I’ve walked through some of life’s darkest corridors — and I’ve also basked in its brightest light.

I know, without a doubt, that I was put here to help others. And every step of my journey — every challenge, every success — has brought me closer to that purpose.

What has been the most important lesson you’ve learned along your journey?
The most important lesson I’ve learned in my journey is that nothing in life is guaranteed. Life can throw curveballs when you least expect them—sharp, unexpected turns that shake your foundation and force you to see the world differently. I’ve lived through those moments, and they’ve taught me never to take anything for granted.

Some people might look at my life and feel pity. But I don’t want pity—I want understanding. What I’ve been through has made me stronger. It’s shaped me into who I am today. Life’s challenges have been my greatest teachers, more powerful than anything I could’ve read in a book or learned in a classroom.

Because I’ve faced darkness, I now recognize and cherish the light. I’ve been to the lowest points, and those moments have given me a deeper appreciation for the good days, the small victories, the quiet joys. I respect life more now. I understand how fragile it is, how quickly things can change, and how important it is to stay grounded.

Every day, I’m still learning—about myself, about others, and about how to keep going even when things feel impossible. The obstacles I’ve faced haven’t broken me; they’ve built me. And through it all, I’ve learned that strength isn’t about avoiding pain—it’s about rising through it.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.autumnlifecoach.com
• Facebook: Zombie walk Omaha