Why Do You Take The Hard Road?
Why do you take The Hard Road? This is a question I am often asked, and one that I frequently pose to others. What drives you to embrace discomfort? What compels you to choose challenges over ease? Why not simply do the bare minimum, like so many others? There are countless reasons why I choose to take The Hard Road whenever I can, but one pivotal moment just before I founded this company solidified my commitment.
If you know me, you know that I work full-time as a police officer. I have been in law enforcement for just over ten years, a career that has given me both incredible experiences and some deeply challenging ones. I have always believed in doing the right thing and holding people accountable for their actions. However, in 2018, I was involved in an incident that garnered significant attention. The litigation surrounding this matter has since concluded, but if you search my name, you will find plenty of information on it. I encourage you to do your own research to get the full story, as this account is my personal lived experience and perspective.
This incident thrust my name into the local media—repeatedly, and not in a positive light. People were outraged. They labeled me a racist. They called me brutal. They demanded that I be fired and even charged with crimes I did not commit. The intensity of this scrutiny only escalated after the tragic death of George Floyd. Our department faced relentless protests, acts of vandalism, and a persistent encampment outside our headquarters. Night after night, we saw signs demanding my termination and prosecution. On duty, while responding to calls or simply walking outside, we endured verbal abuse—people driving by or passing us on the street, telling us to end our own lives.
It felt incredibly unjust. I had always conducted myself with integrity, following all protocols and upholding the values of my profession. I despised corruption and any behavior that tarnished law enforcement’s reputation. And yet, I found myself wrongly painted as a bad cop. In response, I removed my name from the internet through a privacy service. I kept my head down. I performed my duties without drawing attention. I wasn’t fired, but I felt utterly defeated. Maybe my critics were right. Maybe I didn’t belong in law enforcement. Maybe I should just disappear quietly and never bother anyone again.
As a police officer, you see many colleagues who have been disciplined or mistreated by the administration or the city. Some become what we call "retired on duty"—officers who show up, collect a paycheck, and count down the days until retirement. They seem perpetually miserable, stuck in an endless cycle of discontent. I assumed this was my fate.
Then, I realized I had two roads in front of me.
The first was the easy path: become retired on duty. Keep my head down. Avoid challenges. Let misery consume me for the next 15 years, eventually collecting a pension without ever proving my detractors wrong. Fade away. Give up.
The second was The Hard Road. It meant returning to work with renewed purpose. It meant continuing to provide the best service I could. It meant growing from this experience—becoming better at my job, better at home, stronger in every aspect of life. It meant stepping outside my comfort zone, challenging myself, and refusing to let the opinions of others define me. It meant becoming highly visible, proving every critic wrong.
The first road was easy but devoid of growth, change, or fulfillment.
The second road promised pain, relentless effort, and transformation.
I chose The Hard Road.
I went to college and earned my Associate’s Degree. In the process, I decided to launch this company. I pushed myself physically, incorporating running into my routine for the first time, combining it with weight training. I entered races and challenges to test my limits. I sought continuous improvement in my professional life, refusing to stagnate. I committed to helping others who wanted to better themselves—people who felt lost, who were on the verge of giving up. I wanted to build a community where growth was the standard, where struggle led to strength.
I forced myself to become stronger, smarter, and more resilient, vowing never to give up again.
This is why I chose to take The Hard Road—and why I always will. If you’re ready to challenge yourself, push beyond your limits, and become the best version of yourself, I invite you to join me. Be a part of our community, embrace the struggle, and take The Hard Road with us.
