The ability to overcome adversity is more important than ever in current, changing times. Organizations that cannot accomplish this are destined to fail. I view inspirational leadership and overcoming adversity as a competitive capability for any organization. I lost my legs to an explosive device in Afghanistan and made the decision to persevere.
In 2003, I enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps shortly after graduating high school to pursue an inner call to action following the terrorist attacks of September 2001. I was proud to be a Marine as my father before me, who fought on the soil of Viet Nam in the late 1960’s.
As a Field Radio Operator, I deployed 3 times to Al Anbar and Babil provinces in Iraq from 2004-2007. I then reenlisted and became an Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) Technician, my first post being in Okinawa, Japan. After a year there, I deployed to Helmand Province, Afghanistan in early 2009 in support of an infantry unit.
On July 19, 2009, our EOD team was embedded with a foot patrol on an IED-clearing mission in the city of Now Zad. After 5 hours of searching for and disarming IED's over rugged terain, I was struck by an unseen IED, losing both legs just above the knees. Fortunately we were not ambushed, and I was successfully evacuated via Germany to Maryland where I underwent in-patient recovery. I completed out-patient recovery in San Diego in early 2010 and upon completion, pursued my education.
In San Diego, I attended college where I studied biology and chemistry, then went on to graduate school in Denver to become a Physician Assistant (PA). Following graduation, my family and I moved to Boise where I spent 2 years in Urgent Care medicine. I subsequently transitioned to Neurointervention, where I have been practicing for the past 3 years. I am also currently getting my MBA, which has opened my eyes to the incredible impact of inspirational and innovative leadership.
Throughout much of the above has been my wife, to whom I owe much of my ability to adapt and overcome. We have three wonderful children and fatherhood has only enriched my leadership style, which is inspirational and innovative in nature.
In 2013, a photo of my wife and I went viral across the world, leading to interviews with local news channels, followed by interviews by Good Morning America and Fox & Friends in New York, as well as The Steve Harvey Show in Chicago. Our goal in undertaking this press was to spread awareness of combat-disabled veterans/first responders and the associated impact on military families.
My journey has taken and continues to take tremendous mental toughness, focus, and motivation. I believe this can and should be conveyed to others for their personal and professional development. Leaders and employees with mental fortitude who are focused and motivated are more productive, which has potential to bolster an organization's competitive advantage in any industry.
