Stepped on a Bomb; Started a Great Adventure

May 10 is an extremely emotional day for me.  It is a day of great celebration in my life.  Eight years ago today I stepped on a 122mm mortar round which was part of a pressure-wire IED (improvised explosive device).  I did not realize it at the time but this was one of the best things that would ever happen to me. 

As a young man I lived for a challenge.  Whatever the challenge was, I wanted to be a part of it.  I never asked myself why I should try something; I only ever asked myself "why not."  Try to play Texas varsity football as a freshman and get beat up; sure why not.  Act in a play in front of an auditorium when you have no ability; sure why not.  Apply to West Point and compete against some of the smartest and most in shape kids in the country; sure why not. 

Becoming older I am more fond of President Theodore Roosevelt's speech, Citizenship in a Republic, citing that my "place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who neither know victory nor defeat."  Roosevelt's words referred to as "The Man in the Arena" helped me come to grips with the great struggle I faced after losing my leg.  I felt that I "strive[d] valiantly" only to have my "face marred by dust and sweat and blood."  After being wounded I felt I had lost all purpose because now I would never be the Man in the Arena again. 

But how wrong I was!

I am an extremely proud veteran and will always stand for freedom, however, military service does not define everything about me.  It is not the only way I can be a productive member of society and promote freedom.  As I dwelled on where my life was headed (post biped era, ha) I continuously thought of the many times in life I failed prior. I've lost more times than I can remember winning.  I lost football games, I lost acting competitions, I lost foot races, I failed tests, I lost wheelbarrow races, etc.  You name it, I have probably lost or failed in whatever it was. 

The most important thing to me was never becoming a victim; never feeling sorry for myself and giving up.  Having failed so many times before I knew there were others who were smarter, faster, stronger than I was, but just because others have some abilities I do not possess is not enough reason to ever quit. It was my fault that I stepped on an IED and 12 of my soldiers were wounded.  Not that I did it on purpose but I was the guy that triggered the device.  Luckily no one died and that event does not define me.  Losing my leg was just the start of a new chapter.

One day after being wounded a friend asked me if I wanted to go snowboarding in Vail, CO and I answered "why not." 

I am a terrible snowboarder but the simple fact is I never snowboarded before losing my leg, but I was willing to challenge myself.  After numerous bumps and bruises I am still a terrible snowboarder, however, the mountain is not the journey; the mountain is the starting point.  The mountain is the embodiment of the challenge.  If I can snowboard in Vail, then I can do a whole lot more.

This is when I had my EUREKA moment!  Continuously challenging myself in some form or fashion.  May 10 is now a day of celebration for me instead of sadness.  The fact that I am still on the earth and able to challenge myself is the greatest reason to celebrate.  Every May 10 I celebrate the struggle of life and the respect I pay to so many who have paid the ultimate sacrifice and given me this freedom.

In the past eight years since losing my leg I earned a Master's from Georgetown, Certificates in business from Vanderbilt and Babson College, founded and sold a profitable business, now I am responsible for an even bigger portfolio and many more employees (a job I take just as serious as leading American lives in combat).  I only rattle off these simple things I accomplished because they were all earned after losing my leg.  My bottom line message is anyone can do what I am doing just by never accepting to quit and continuing to challenge themselves in some way.

My mother once asked me why I never submitted my information for the community to build me a free house.  First, I told her I knew many other severely wounded veterans who needed a house before me.  Secondly, and most important to me, was the fact that I believe I can be a better role model by accomplishing great things instead of asking for a hand out.  I am lucky enough to have not suffered a traumatic brain injury and have three good limbs.  My response to my mother was always the same.  Which is a better role model, the disabled veteran who tells others veterans where to go for free entitlements or the veteran who after suffering a traumatic event went out and created a successful business career?  Which one embodies the American way of life and promotes freedom?

Is quitting an option?  Never!  IF the thought of giving up has ever entered your mind then you have already lost.  My challenge to anyone reading this is to find something that scares you, intimidates you, or looks impossible and ask yourself "why not?"  At least in the end you will understand "the triumph of high achievement" or you will fail "daring greatly," and your soul will never grow cold and forgotten.

Life is simple, work hard and never quit.