Before I begin sharing many of my experiences, I want you to know that this blog is for both of us—you and me. Writing it isn’t easy, but I believe it’s necessary.
I’m not a writer, blogger, author, editor, or poet. I’m just a man who wants to confront his weaknesses and character flaws, and in doing so, share what I’ve learned so that others can grow from my experiences. Truthfully, I’ve never been fond of writing. Every letter I’ve written goes through intense personal scrutiny before I ever send it out. I wouldn’t call myself a perfectionist, but I’m sure my actions say otherwise.
I like my closet organized, but I can still function if it looks like a sock-and-underwear grenade went off. I prefer things to be in order, but I’m not paralyzed when they’re not. Still, if I’m not “good” at something, I tend to avoid it. That’s part of the reason I’m doing this: to push through my weaknesses—not on my own—but through the power of the Holy Spirit and a faith that can move mountains. My hope is that this blog encourages you to do the same.
My Beginning
To better understand me, let me tell you a little about my past.
When I was 2, my father suffered a massive stroke that paralyzed his left side and caused significant brain damage. He was never the same. It ended his career and his ability to be the dad he wanted to be to three young boys. Before the stroke, he had been an avid fisherman, hunter, golfer, and a natural with people. He loved life and helping others. A Baylor University graduate, he was one of those rare individuals who was great with both numbers and people. He was, by all accounts, the life of the party.
My mother, on the other hand, was diagnosed with schizophrenia before I was born. She spent time in a psychiatric hospital but never took medication. She often spoke to herself when no one was around, and her ability to engage or connect with her sons was deeply limited. Still, she loved us. She did the best she could—but her illness created barriers she couldn’t break through.
So, my brothers and I didn’t grow up with the kind of parenting that teaches, disciplines, or equips you for life. We made our own choices—good and bad—starting in childhood and continuing through our teens and twenties.
Two Invitations
At age 10, two invitations changed my life. One was good, the other harmful.
The good invitation came from a neighbor who invited me to church. That’s where I accepted Jesus Christ as my Savior.
The other invitation came from a different neighbor, who introduced me to pot in a garage, using a water bong.
For the next decade or more, I lived in tension between the two. Most Sundays and some Wednesdays, you’d find me in church. Most Fridays and Saturdays, I had a beer in one hand and a joint in the other. There was a constant tug of war in my soul. But even then, something inside me leaned toward the good. I wanted to be different. I wanted to do good. I didn’t want to disappoint people. I wanted to make something of my life.
I knew Jesus was the answer—but my insecurities and need for peer approval kept winning the daily battles.
Still, I Moved Forward
Somehow, I made enough good choices to keep moving forward. I graduated high school, and 4.5 years later earned a business degree from Sam Houston State University. No, I wasn’t at the top of my class—not even close. I spent two semesters on academic probation and finished with a 2.3 GPA.
Why business? Honestly, it seemed like the easiest way to get a degree. I had no idea what I wanted to do with my life.
After college, I struggled to find a job related to my major, so I went back to what I knew—waiting tables. I landed a job at a country club, and seven months later, I stumbled into an outside sales position.
The Shift
That’s when everything started to change.
The company was family-owned with about 10 employees. It wasn’t the industry or the work that changed me—it was the owner. He introduced me to motivational books and tapes (yep, before CDs). Two books, in particular, altered the course of my life:
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The Greatest Salesman in the World by Og Mandino
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The Power of Positive Thinking by Norman Vincent Peale
Those books taught me how to think. The Scriptures I was memorizing gave me the power to change. I spent my days driving around Houston, cold-calling businesses, and feeding my mind with scripture, sermons, and personal development.
God was renewing my mind—and it was working. My confidence and faith grew. Before long, I landed a job as a nurse recruiter at a medical staffing firm—a perfect fit for my skills. I’ve remained in the staffing industry for over 25 years.
The Next Chapter
Now, with everything I’ve learned—through pain and victory—the time has come to share how God turned an insecure, drug- and alcohol-abusing young man into the founder, president, and CEO of one of the fastest-growing, privately owned companies in South Carolina… only to take it away in a blink of an eye.
Why?
Because God loves me.
More to come.
Adios for now,
Mark
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