High school wasn’t exactly a smooth ride, and health issues forced me to drop out in 2005, just shy of graduation. I got my GED, but the following year was a blur of bad decisions, partying, and a struggle with addiction that led me down some dark paths.

But amidst the chaos, a spark of clarity ignited. I knew I didn’t want to continue down that road. So, in the summer of 2006, I enlisted in the Army National Guard as a 15W UAS Operator. It was a chance for a fresh start, a chance to prove to myself that I could overcome adversity.

Fort Jackson, South Carolina became my temporary home as I embarked on the rigorous journey of Basic Training. Those weeks were a blur of physical challenges, mental tests, and a complete overhaul of my way of thinking. Then it was on to AIT (Advanced Individual Training), where I spent another 20 weeks immersed in the world of unmanned aircraft systems. With intake and waiting periods between training cycles, it was a solid 7 months of intense learning and personal growth.

For a while, I felt transformed. The military instilled a sense of discipline, purpose, and camaraderie that I’d never experienced before. But old habits die hard. When I returned to my unit, I found myself gravitating back towards the same social circles, the same unhealthy dynamics. It was a constant tug-of-war between the person I was trying to become and the familiar comforts of my past.

Navigating that duality – the civilian world versus the military world – was a wild ride. I’m proud of how I held onto the values I learned in the military and stayed true to my oath, even when surrounded by negativity.

But life had other plans. About five years in, I needed a repeat of a surgery I’d had in sixth grade. Complications arose, leading to neurological issues that ultimately resulted in a medical discharge in the summer of 2011.

That’s when I stepped back into civilian life and started working at AT&T. It was a new chapter, a new opportunity to build a stable life and pursue my dreams, despite the unexpected detour.

A couple of years later, life threw another curveball. I became a father, responsible for my girlfriend, our newborn, and her young son. I worked hard at my sales job, providing for my family and creating a stable home. But the demons of addiction resurfaced, leading to a relapse that cost me dearly and brought years of struggle and heartache.

Through it all, the dream never died. Even in the darkest moments, the desire for freedom and the vision of building my own online empire kept me going. It was a flicker of hope that refused to be extinguished, a testament to the enduring power of dreams.