We recently had the chance to connect with Eugene C. Barnes III and have shared our conversation below.
Eugene C., a huge thanks to you for investing the time to share your wisdom with those who are seeking it. We think it’s so important for us to share stories with our neighbors, friends and community because knowledge multiples when we share with each other. Let’s jump in: What do the first 90 minutes of your day look like?
Most mornings start quietly: I check in with my body, scan my calendar, take a multivitamin and ibuprofen, and wake the pups. I walk our younger dog (the older one lounges in the yard), feed them, then head out for a 5–7 mile run and a 1–2 mile cool-down walk while I clear email. I’m working on eating a bite before the workout instead of just coffee. After that, it’s a shower, an outfit, and a short “commute” to the office next door.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
I’m Eugene Barnes, a former professional ballet dancer turned community builder. I serve as Senior Volunteer Manager at The Phoenix, a sober, active community that hosts free, peer-led events—think climbing, skating, running clubs, and yoga—that make recovery social, visible, and fun. I also serve on the Board of Directors of Bruce Wood Dance Dallas, where I serve on the Governance, Fundraising & Special Events committees. My niche is acting as a consultant to local leaders—troubleshooting complex logistics, rebuilding programs after transitions, and thinking outside the box to turn tight constraints into clean, well-run, recovery-forward events.
What makes our work unique at The Phoenix is the combination of culture, wellness, and data-informed execution: we design welcoming, recovery-forward experiences, empower local volunteer leaders, and measure what actually drives connection and return engagement. Currently, I’m piloting a modality-first leadership track in Austin to rebuild momentum with trusted volunteer leads, while also helping to expand programming in San Antonio, Oklahoma, and the DFW area. I’m also pursuing my MBA (SNHU, Sept 2026) to sharpen the strategy behind that growth.
If you’re looking for a consultant who blends creative strategy with calm troubleshooting to deliver clean, well-run events, let’s connect.
Great, so let’s dive into your journey a bit more. What part of you has served its purpose and must now be released?
Working alone and in silos served me well when speed and survival were the primary goals. It’s done its job. I’m releasing that self-reliance as my default and choosing collaborative relationships and transparent work that scales impact.
If you could say one kind thing to your younger self, what would it be?
You are enough—right now, as you are. The parts of you that feel different, the way your mind makes connections others miss, are not detours; they’re your edge. Keep trusting your curiosity, even when it puts you on paths that don’t look like anyone else’s. You don’t have to shrink to fit; the rooms that are meant for you will expand. Be patient with your timing, generous with your learning, and unafraid to ask for help; strength and support aren’t opposites. Mistakes will happen; treat them as data, not verdicts. Protect your energy, choose people who see your light, and keep showing up—because the way you’re different will open the doors you’re meant to walk through.
So a lot of these questions go deep, but if you are open to it, we’ve got a few more questions that we’d love to get your take on. Is the public version of you the real you?
Yes. In my twenties, at the start of my ballet career, I often felt like a fraud; someone living an extraordinary life I hadn’t earned. That fear pushed me toward drugs and alcohol because using felt like armor. In my thirties, I got clean and learned that what makes me different isn’t a flaw; it’s my advantage. Today, the public version of me is the real me: grounded, candid about the challenging aspects, and proud of my growth.
Okay, we’ve made it essentially to the end. One last question before you go. Could you give everything your best, even if no one ever praised you for it?
Yes. My relationship with praise is complicated; in some places, it’s felt like a popularity contest of endless shout-outs. Decades in ballet taught me a different metric: excellence is built in quiet, repetitive practice, not applause. I measure my best by craft, integrity, and outcomes, an internal scoreboard, not by mentions. So even without recognition, I still hold the standard and do the work.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://eugeneclifford.com
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/eugeneclifford
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/eugene-c-barnes
Image Credits
Cover photo and headshot, Richard Hill.
