First, I am a dad and super hero to a beautiful little girl. Then, to the public, I am a Professional Speaker, Top-Selling Author, Marine Corps Veteran, Entrepreneur and World-Record Athlete. I wear many hats.
I am well-known for my yearly Hike Across America tour, where I run across the United States raising funds for our most severely wounded heroes and our homeless. In 2019, I carried a 100-pound backpack, covering 22 miles each day along the East Coast, stopping to speak at many notable and historical venues. I was able to chat about leadership, hardships, and tell success stories of veterans and first responders. I also broke the world record for fastest one-mile carrying a 100-pound pack on the road this year!
How would you describe your new book?
Become The Leader You Are Meant To Be is the basic layout to what I feel is an effective way to view and follow leadership, and to add to your personal ideas and concepts.
What made you decide to share your story?
I know that stories are what helped me during the times I was homeless or struggling. I think it is important to share the notion that we will all have struggles but that there is light at the end of each tunnel.
What were some challenges in writing your book?
Being vulnerable! In today’s society everyone is an ‘expert’ on something and a lot of people believe that leadership is a one shoe fits all platform. Also, taking the time to block out all of life’s noise to focus on completing the book was definitely a challenge.
What do you hope people learn from it?
I hope people take a little something away that they can apply in their everyday lives…Again, leadership is not a one size fits all but I do believe if we gather information and ideas from others we can wrap ourselves around a leadership ideology. We can then adjust and create our individual leadership style.
What else are you working on?
Oh boy! Well, I am training to break the world record for the most pushups in 12 hours, for over 19,000. The record hasn’t been broken since 1989. In addition, I am hoping to soon release my fourth book Done by 2:30, The Essential Guide To A Successful Work Life Balance, co-authored by my five year old daughter Charli.
Tell me a fun fact about yourself.
I am the great, great, nephew of the Florida Folk Lore “Acre Foot Johnson,” who was known to carry the USPS mail 65 miles in a day, three times a week. Ironic since I have personally ran across America three times.
What are you watching on TV these days?
I am a huge movie buff so if I watch something it is definitely a movie. My daughter’s middle name is Ridley, after Ridley Scott. Got to love ALIENS. 🙂
Anything else you want to share?
