When I enlisted in the Unites States Army on November 13th 2012, I had had enough. I had enough of making excuses for myself. I had enough of letting down the people I loved, and I had enough of wondering what it would be like to follow my dream to become a soldier. I wasn't sure the military would be everything I hoped it would be, but what I was sure of was that from that moment forward my life would mean something. I was prepared to give my life for my country, for my family and everyone who hadn't given up on me when I had given up on myself.

Three and a half years laterI was medically discharged after an injury I sustained to my spine in Slovakia and in the matter of a few months my military career had ended. I was devastated. Two back surgeries later, I am in a place where I can reflect on my experience and the important things I have learned. It took me a long time to realize life is the ultimate team sport: you can't go through it alone. But once I did, it was life changing, and this book talks about my journey to becoming a man I could be proud of while living a life to make a difference. These reflections are just a fraction of my journey but they come from the deepest depths of my heart and soul, and drastically altered the course of my life.