Look, I'm gonna be real with you...

I didn't even know who Charlie Kirk was three days ago.

But watching people celebrate a man getting murdered in front of his KIDS? That broke something in me. And before you come at me about politics or whatever—just stop. This ain't about left or right.

This is about me spending 10 years locked up for attempted murder, then watching "normal" people act like someone's death doesn't matter because they disagreed with his tweets.

You know what's wild? I used to carry guns. Shot at people. Sold drugs that destroyed families. And even THEN, in my absolute worst, I wouldn't have touched someone in front of their babies.

But here's the thing that's eating at me...

While y'all are arguing about whether he was racist or not (based on 30-second clips), I'm over here asking myself: Am I even living half as boldly as this dude was?

Because that man woke up that morning not knowing he'd never see sunset.

Life is a vapor, family. A VAPOR.

And most of us? We're out here living like we got unlimited respawns. Judging everybody else's walk while we're barely crawling ourselves. Pulling specks out of eyes when we got whole trees in ours.

So yeah, this episode might make you uncomfortable. Good.

I'm calling myself out first. Then I'm coming for you.

Because if a former dealer turned believer can ask these questions... what's your excuse?

(Warning: This one hits different. Might want to listen alone first.)

In this episode of The Value Race Podcast, I open up about a powerful lesson I recently revisited with my mentor, Arthur Hughes (who’s still serving a life sentence in Florida).

You’ve probably heard the advice: “Don’t look back, only focus on the future.” But here’s the truth: that’s not just bad advice, it’s unbiblical.

The last two years in business have been some of the hardest I’ve faced. After six years of steady growth: landing the city job, launching Redemption Auto Sales, marrying my wife, scaling to 20 cars a month—I hit a wall. Team members left, momentum stalled, and doubt crept in.

That’s when Arthur reminded me of something deeply Biblical: God commanded the Israelites to build monuments (physical reminders of His faithfulness) so future generations could look back and remember.

Looking back at my own story, I went from a prison cell with one pair of beat-up shoes and 3,650 days to count, to building businesses, building a marriage, and living free. The monuments are everywhere, if I choose to see them.

Here’s what I share in this episode:

• Why your hardest seasons may be preparation for your next breakthrough
• How “grinding” seasons shape your leadership and character
• Why gratitude for where you’ve been gives you strength for where you’re going
• How to identify the “monuments” in your own life

Whether you’re starting out in your parents’ house, pushing through a career pivot, or scaling a business, this episode will remind you not to forget where you came from, and why that matters for where you’re headed.

The Value Race Podcast: Where the journey is the destination, and the person who adds the most value wins.

Let’s get honest for a sec.
I’m not here to play at life, and if you are, well, that’s your business. But around here? We burn hot. We talk about accountability, but for real, not just on a motivational poster. This is about sweating, swearing, building, and sometimes falling flat on your backside… then getting up and doing it again.

Yeah, I’ve missed shots. Messed up deals. Upset a client (or three). That stuff stings, but let’s not pretend we don’t all have our fair share of “I should’ve done better.” If you say you don’t, you’re lying… or worse, comfortable.

I can’t stomach mediocrity. If you’re not sick to your stomach thinking about wasted potential, we’re not the same species. I lose sleep over every car not sold, every relationship that could’ve been tighter. My company? It’s my blood, my sweat, my freakin’ soul. I want it running like a franchise, polished, but with enough grit to remind you there’s a real human behind it.

Let’s get heavier:
Not everyone can keep up. Family, friends, doesn’t matter. If you’re not built for this race? Either catch up, or step aside. I hope you come along, I really do… but I refuse to slow down so someone else can coast. There’s no guilt in leaving people behind if they weren’t made for the climb.

I’ve laid it all on the line. Body, mind, money, time. My team? They’re either with me at this insane, “LFG” level… or they’ll figure out quick that this train moves fast and doesn’t care who gets squeamish.

Truth bomb:
If you’re thinking, “Sheesh, this guy’s intense”, good. Because half-stepping won’t cut it. You want average? Plenty of places for that. Here, we don’t do lukewarm. And if you’re watching from the sidelines? At least admit it to yourself.

So, here’s the simple ask:
Burn bright, commit, or don’t bother. And if you mess up? Own it, laugh at it, flip it into the next opportunity and keep it moving. That’s the only way I know.

Cheers to the unfiltered, the hungry, the ones allergic to average.
Welcome to the real Value Race. You in?