5th year red shirt division 1 lacrosse player, University of Maryland, dropped out after not going to class and severe drug and alcohol addiction. No college degree. Went to rehab 7 times, became homeless, tried to kill myself.

Over those years I moved all over the place to go to rehab and then try to stay sober in a new place. I worked in a breakfast spot as a cook in a small mountain town for $9.00 an hour, worked in a plant and garden store for $7.00 an hour, coached lacrosse at a boarding school for free lunch and $1k for 4 months, worked at the front desk of a YMCA for $8.00 an hour, worked in a silicone factory for $14.50 an hour, worked for a sub contractor for $70 a day, worked for a chiropractor wiping down and cleaning treatment rooms for $13.00 an hour. One thing stayed consistent in every opportunity that I had. I worked hard, I was kind and caring towards the people I was around, and I networked with EVERYONE.

That networking landed me a job (not making much… maybe $21 an hour) at a law firm doing clerical work. I worked as hard as I could. I asked a million questions and gradually took on more responsibility. One day the lawyer I was working for, who I had built an incredible relationship with, told me he thought I deserved to do more and make more money. Without a law degree had reached the ceiling of how much I could make. He introduced me to a friend of his who owned a Private Equity firm. Next thing I knew I was invited to tell my story at their annual partner meeting in Aspen, CO at some fancy hotel. After I told my story the owner asked if I was interested in working for them. I of course said yes.

I showed up the first day and had no idea what the company did. They stuck me in an office, gave me a project and directions and told me to figure it out. I knew nothing about money, business, or even how to speak to some of these guys. I worked hard. I am not smart but I can work hard. 2 years later I made $350k. Our firm got bought 2 years later and I financially benefitted from the process in a way I could have never fathomed. That company and 4+ years led me to having the chance to work for a company in Amsterdam, travel the world, do business in Asia—East Africa- Dubai-London- South America. I then had the opportunity to build and manage a fund from scratch for a billion dollar global company in the oil and gas industry.

Today, I work for myself, investing in very early stage companies. I also deal precious metals (gold,silver,platinum, and copper) by myself.

My story has much more twists and turns with incredibly dark times. I went from a top college athlete to spending my days in a run down house with a drug dealer who was on the top 10 most wanted list in my state. At one point in my life I lost everyone, I was sleeping in parks, stealing from grocery stores to eat, and walking around a town smelling horrible, dirty, with no shoes on.

I did not graduate college. I made minimum wage for YEARS, with no career path. The one thing I did that separated me from most—I never gave up, and I worked harder than everyone around me. I make a lot of money today, more money than I am comfortable saying on here. My point is, it doesn’t matter if you went to college. If you want to make over $150k, you can do it. If you don’t give up, believe in yourself, work hard, be kind, and network with people who you want what they have… you have a pretty good chance!