Drive. Persistence. Intestinal fortitude.
I’ve failed. A lot. But I never folded. I never quit.
And in every one of those failures, something stronger was built — not weaker.
If you’ve ever been knocked down and wondered if it’s worth standing up again, this is for you.
1. The First Big Blow: Pathfinder
I went to Pathfinder School as an E-4 — young, hungry, and thinking I had it locked in.
I made it all the way to the final test. Then I failed.
Coming back to my unit was brutal. You don’t forget the silence in the team room. The side eyes. The people who don’t say anything but don’t have to.
I let it sting, but I didn’t let it stop me.
One year later, I came back as a Sergeant. I rewired my habits, studied differently, and passed.
That Pathfinder torch? It’s still one of the most meaningful things I own. My father drove down to pin it on me. That moment stays with me forever.
2. Repeated Setbacks. Relentless Comebacks.
I failed SFAS. Then I passed.
I failed Military Freefall. Then I crushed it. I’ve been under the scalpel almost a dozen times, each time recovering and starting back a zero.
Every single failure hurt. But every return had more weight. More edge. More purpose.
And when I saw others struggle, I didn’t look down on them. I saw myself in them. I knew that pain. That frustration. That fire that either burns you up or burns through obstacles.
Failure made me humble. Then it made me strong.
3. Failure Isn’t Final — It’s Feedback
Most people confuse failure with the end of the road. They don’t realize it’s just a sign that something needs to be refined.
If you’ve never failed, it means you’ve never pushed hard enough. You’ve never taken a real swing.
I don’t wear my successes like trophies. I wear my failures like armor. Because they forged me.
They sharpened my mind. They hardened my will. And they taught me to stand up, adjust, and go again — every time.
Call to Action
If you’ve failed before, good. You’re in the arena. But you’re not done.
Get back up. Refocus. Re-attack.
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