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Control Freak: The Least Valuable Player
What if control isn’t your greatest strength… but the very thing keeping you from peace, healing, and freedom?
In Control Freak: The Least Valuable Player, TJ Sharitz shares a raw, deeply personal true story of pressure, perfectionism, hidden struggle, and the life-changing power of surrender.
As a child, TJ was diagnosed with dyslexia and ADHD and forced to repeat third grade without his friends. In that painful moment, something shifted. Feeling marked by weakness and limitation, he made a silent decision: he would take control of his life before life could hurt him again.
He would become funny enough.
Successful enough.
Athletic enough.
Strong enough.
And on the outside, it looked like it worked.
But beneath the surface, control was quietly stealing his peace, straining his relationships, and pulling him farther from God.
Then everything changed.
When a mysterious, life-threatening illness struck, TJ came face-to-face with what he could no longer manage, fix, or force. In that moment, the question was no longer whether he could hold everything together. The question was whether he would keep trying to wield control, or finally yield to God.
Control Freak: The Least Valuable Player is not just another inspirational story. It is a confession. A rescue mission. A faith-filled journey through brokenness, healing, grace, and the freedom that begins when we stop trying to be the hero and let God take the lead.
This book is for anyone who:
• feels exhausted from trying to hold everything together
• struggles with control, fear, or perfectionism
• carries shame, hidden pain, or silent battles
• longs for peace that does not depend on circumstances
• wants to experience God’s healing and freedom in a deeper way
If you have ever wondered whether surrender could change your life, this story will meet you right where you are.
Based on real-life events, this book also includes discussion questions and recommended resources for readers who want to go deeper.
In Control Freak: The Least Valuable Player, TJ Sharitz shares a raw, deeply personal true story of pressure, perfectionism, hidden struggle, and the life-changing power of surrender.
As a child, TJ was diagnosed with dyslexia and ADHD and forced to repeat third grade without his friends. In that painful moment, something shifted. Feeling marked by weakness and limitation, he made a silent decision: he would take control of his life before life could hurt him again.
He would become funny enough.
Successful enough.
Athletic enough.
Strong enough.
And on the outside, it looked like it worked.
But beneath the surface, control was quietly stealing his peace, straining his relationships, and pulling him farther from God.
Then everything changed.
When a mysterious, life-threatening illness struck, TJ came face-to-face with what he could no longer manage, fix, or force. In that moment, the question was no longer whether he could hold everything together. The question was whether he would keep trying to wield control, or finally yield to God.
Control Freak: The Least Valuable Player is not just another inspirational story. It is a confession. A rescue mission. A faith-filled journey through brokenness, healing, grace, and the freedom that begins when we stop trying to be the hero and let God take the lead.
This book is for anyone who:
• feels exhausted from trying to hold everything together
• struggles with control, fear, or perfectionism
• carries shame, hidden pain, or silent battles
• longs for peace that does not depend on circumstances
• wants to experience God’s healing and freedom in a deeper way
If you have ever wondered whether surrender could change your life, this story will meet you right where you are.
Based on real-life events, this book also includes discussion questions and recommended resources for readers who want to go deeper.
234 pages, Kindle Edition
Published July 19, 2024
About the author
TJ Sharitz
1 book1 followerTJ Sharitz is an author, inspirational speaker, and storyteller whose message centers on the cost of control and the freedom found through surrender.
In Control Freak: The Least Valuable Player, TJ shares a raw and deeply personal story of striving, pressure, pride, hidden struggle, and the healing grace of God. His work encourages people who feel exhausted from trying to hold everything together to stop striving to be the hero and let God take the lead.
TJ’s background includes decades in broadcast production, video storytelling, and creative leadership. After earning his Communications/Journalism degree from Virginia Tech, he built a career in television, production, and advertising, working in news, sports, and entrepreneurial business leadership. His lifelong passion for storytelling eventually became part of a much deeper calling: sharing hope, healing, and God’s faithfulness through personal testimony.
Today, TJ also serves students as a paraprofessional and mentor, encouraging young people facing dyslexia, social anxiety, and emotional or behavioral struggles. Whether he is speaking, writing, mentoring, serving in church production, or sharing his story on podcasts and at events, TJ is passionate about pointing people toward peace, freedom, and the transforming grace of God.
TJ has been married to his wife, Jaci, for 37 years. They have two grown children, Rachel and Daniel, and treasure time together as a family. When he is not working, TJ enjoys life on the lake, time outdoors, family dinners, and building a backyard oasis with his wife.
In Control Freak: The Least Valuable Player, TJ shares a raw and deeply personal story of striving, pressure, pride, hidden struggle, and the healing grace of God. His work encourages people who feel exhausted from trying to hold everything together to stop striving to be the hero and let God take the lead.
TJ’s background includes decades in broadcast production, video storytelling, and creative leadership. After earning his Communications/Journalism degree from Virginia Tech, he built a career in television, production, and advertising, working in news, sports, and entrepreneurial business leadership. His lifelong passion for storytelling eventually became part of a much deeper calling: sharing hope, healing, and God’s faithfulness through personal testimony.
Today, TJ also serves students as a paraprofessional and mentor, encouraging young people facing dyslexia, social anxiety, and emotional or behavioral struggles. Whether he is speaking, writing, mentoring, serving in church production, or sharing his story on podcasts and at events, TJ is passionate about pointing people toward peace, freedom, and the transforming grace of God.
TJ has been married to his wife, Jaci, for 37 years. They have two grown children, Rachel and Daniel, and treasure time together as a family. When he is not working, TJ enjoys life on the lake, time outdoors, family dinners, and building a backyard oasis with his wife.
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
April 6, 2025
Recently I was blessed to read Control Freak: The Least Valuable Player, by TJ Sharitz. While this book is definitely an enjoyable read, it’s so much more than just that. It inspires the reader to reflect and, if facing doubts as Sharitz overcame, to learn to trust God’s plan.
Sharitz is a likable narrator. He shares his challenges - from childhood to now - that had led him to seize tight control of his life and experiences. He had often felt let down to the point where he was untrusting of others and of God to act in his best interests. It seems a natural response to insist on full ownership of all his actions and circumstances.
But, what happens when circumstances are beyond his control? When a near-fatal illness has him literally helpless? When other disasters strike, and he finds himself powerless? Or when his actions have unintended but grave effects on others?
Control Freak tells truthfully of a journey to Christ. At times it is brutal in its honesty. It reveals the great power of spirit that comes from giving up all power to God. My favorite quote from Sharitz is: You have choose whether to WIELD power or YIELD power. His story offers many lessons, with the reader learning by his example.
At the end of Sharitz’s narrative, Control Freak turns its focus from the author to the reader. A section of questions prompt the reader to find common ground with TJ's experiences. I found it very helpful.
Sharitz is a likable narrator. He shares his challenges - from childhood to now - that had led him to seize tight control of his life and experiences. He had often felt let down to the point where he was untrusting of others and of God to act in his best interests. It seems a natural response to insist on full ownership of all his actions and circumstances.
But, what happens when circumstances are beyond his control? When a near-fatal illness has him literally helpless? When other disasters strike, and he finds himself powerless? Or when his actions have unintended but grave effects on others?
Control Freak tells truthfully of a journey to Christ. At times it is brutal in its honesty. It reveals the great power of spirit that comes from giving up all power to God. My favorite quote from Sharitz is: You have choose whether to WIELD power or YIELD power. His story offers many lessons, with the reader learning by his example.
At the end of Sharitz’s narrative, Control Freak turns its focus from the author to the reader. A section of questions prompt the reader to find common ground with TJ's experiences. I found it very helpful.
November 29, 2025
This book really touched our group. The storytelling is raw, honest, and deeply human. Highly recommended, Mountain View Book Club
November 29, 2025
We loved the balance of humor and vulnerability. Our discussion was lively and meaningful, Mountain View Book Club
November 29, 2025
The characters’ struggles and triumphs resonated with our readers. This is a book that stays with you Mountain View Book Club
November 29, 2025
Beautifully written, with insights that spark reflection and conversation. A hit with our club, Mountain View Book Club
December 1, 2025
This book feels cinematic we could totally picture it on screen! Mountain View Book Club
December 1, 2025
The chapters inspired members to think about their own life journeys. Highly relatable. Mountain View Book Club.
December 1, 2025
We all agreed the storytelling is vivid and memorable. A powerful read. Mountain View Book Club.
December 1, 2025
The balance of personal experience and practical insight really resonated with our readers. Mountain View Book Club.
December 1, 2025
One member suggested creating a short book trailer, we think it could reach so many more people!
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews