My ABT
I always believed that I was born to do something great. But disappointment and setbacks can take you off track. Believing I had a purpose brought me back.

Backstory
I was born on a cold November morning in southern Germany. Being the first born to a young couple, I was the center of love and affection. Life was blissful until tragedy struck. My father’s fingers were severed from his right hand in a mechanical accident. He was left disabled and discharged from the military. Fate had changed our lives, and we soon moved to southern California.

Heroes
Raised in a loving home, I never realized I grew up on the poor side of town. I remember running around the house in a superman shirt with a red cape as a kid. I used to tell my mom, “When I grow up I’m going to fly all over the world helping people and doing good!” I had a sense that I was going to do something great -- I just had no idea what.

Stakes
As I grew into a teen I became very paranoid and self-conscious to what others thought about me. Fear had become a part of my daily life. By the time I was 16 I had become a stranger to my mother and father. They both were consumed by the work of the church. This came to a boiling point when they didn’t show up for my freshman music recital. They managed to make time for everything else -- except for me.

Disruption
Believing I was alone I decided I would live life my way. My freshman and sophomore high school years were full of partying and ditch-days. By the time I was a junior I was completely disengaged and decided to drop out to live with my grandparents. I can remember the look on my English teacher’s face as I told them I was leaving. He made it clear I was not ready to leave, but I didn’t anyways.

Antagonist
Feeling remorseful, I decided to attend church where my grandfather was the former bishop. I began dating a young woman at the church and broke it off after 6 months of dating. Feeling heartbroken, the young woman went to a church elder and told them we had premarital sex. She hoped the church would pressure me into marrying her.
The next Sunday I was blindsided into a private meeting with the church elders. They brought forth the allegations of premarital sex. I was condemned and told I had disgraced my grandfather and father’s good name. Furthermore, a public announcement would be made regarding my indiscretions the following Sunday service. I never returned. Driving away from the elders meeting, I felt utterly ashamed and in dire straits. I contemplated suicide as I drove across the Coronado Bridge. I hated the church and I hated myself.

Mentor
Then I met Debra, a strong confident woman. At the time I met Debra, I held no diploma and no direction. She made me believe I had something great to offer the world. At the age of 18 I married my best friend. I borrowed from her courage and strength. She encouraged me to get my GED and to think bigger. She kept telling that I was meant to do great things – I started to believe again.

Journey
After receiving my GED I was eager to begin a career and change the world, but I was met with the harsh reality of life. I went through job after dead end job working just above minimum wage. I worked in construction, pizza delivery, cashier, stockroom, and data entry. All of this changed when I heard motivational speaker Les Brown in person. He said “It’s Possible to Live Your Dreams!” When he said those words I felt like he was cutting into my soul! For the first time in a long time I believed it was possible. Shortly after this I was promoted to manager at Wells Fargo. I realized my passion was leading and influencing people to be their best. I began researching leadership books and CD’s and felt I was being changed from the inside out. As a manager my team continued to dominate in not only production, customer satisfaction, and quality, but in employee satisfaction.

Success
After 16 years of being a ‘high school dropout’ I decided to go back to school. I graduated at the top of my class, Magna Cum Laude. Walking down the graduation aisle I will never forget the faces of my wife, son and daughter cheering me on. On the other side I saw my dad, mom and grandmother gleaming with pride.

Moral
I realize I am at the middle of my life expectancy age. I have had moments of heartbreak mixed with moments of jubilation. Yet, there is something inside me that continues to burn to do more. I know I still meant to do more, help more, and be more.

Ritual
From the moment I was admitted to the EMSL program at ASU, I knew this year would forever change my life. Seeing the passion of likeminded individuals made me believe we could change the world. I will use all of my learnings from EMSL to undergo a transformative experience that will help me make a difference in the world.