I’m 32 years old, a proud Native American from Kansas City, and a father to two amazing kids—my 11-year-old daughter, Shyla, and my 10-year-old son, Axl. Life hasn’t always been easy. My childhood was marked by instability, loss, and hardship. My father, though hardworking and loving, struggled to raise my sister and me in the absence of resources often denied to men during that era. My mother battled alcoholism, and her struggles led to her passing when I was just 9 years old. Losing her was a turning point, even if I didn’t fully realize it then.

To cope, I hid my pain, pretending her death didn’t affect me. This defense mechanism helped me survive emotionally as a child but deeply influenced my mental health and decision-making later in life. I carried that pain with me, and as I grew older, I made choices that reflected my inner turmoil.

Despite the chaos, I discovered a passion for technology at a young age. I was fascinated by how things worked—taking apart and reassembling radios, VCRs, and game consoles. My love for technology became my escape, a place where my curiosity and creativity thrived. Gaming and computers became obsessions, but they also contributed to my isolation. My grades declined, my social life deteriorated, and I started down a path that led to trouble.