On April 26, 2000, I found myself with an unplanned day off work due to persistent spring rains. As a member of the Bricklayers and Allied Craftworkers Local 4 in Louisville, Kentucky, work had been slow. While my union income kept me stable, the downtime left me restless.

That day, on a whim, I walked into the local U.S. Army recruiting office, took the ASVAB (scoring an unexpected 87), and started the enlistment process. By May 8, I was on my way to basic training.

During my service, I held what I consider the best job in the Army: Air Traffic Controller. It was one of the rare roles where an enlisted soldier like me could give orders to officers—at least when they were in the air and I was in the control tower. It felt empowering and rewarding.

Unfortunately, my time in the Army came with injuries—not from combat, as I never served overseas, but from accidents stateside. These injuries left me with a permanent limp and robbed me of the ability to run, jump, or walk long distances. Though I had signed up for three years and wanted to re-enlist, my injuries made me ineligible. On May 8, 2003, I was honorably discharged.

Within six months, the Department of Veterans Affairs declared me 100% service-connected disabled, and I was prescribed pain medication to manage my injuries. At just 22 years old, I entered a cycle of reliance on these medications, trusting my doctors and the government to have my best interests at heart.

That trust was shattered on July 18, 2008. During a routine VA checkup, I learned the FDA had directed a significant reduction in pain medication prescriptions. Without warning, my pain management plan was replaced with over-the-counter anti inflammatory meds. The abrupt withdrawal was devastating. The pain and withdrawal symptoms were unbearable, leading me to attempt ending my life twice.

Thankfully, my wife intervened. A relentless advocate for my well-being, she discovered Mitragyna speciosa online. At a time when Mitragyna speciosa was virtually unheard of in the U.S., we were fortunate to have a local vendor. On July 19, 2008, I took my first dose of Mitragyna speciosa. By dinner that evening, the pain was manageable, and the withdrawals had subsided.

Since that day, Mitragyna speciosa has been a lifeline. While I’ve missed a dose here and there, it has consistently provided relief and stability.

In 2015, I stepped into Mitragyna speciosa advocacy. My first effort was speaking at the Alabama House of Representatives. Over the years, I’ve worked tirelessly to protect access to Mitragyna speciosa. I co-created the petition featured on Joe Rogan’s podcast, helped organize the National Mitragyna speciosa Rally in D.C., and co-founded the National Mitragyna speciosa Coalition to support advocacy efforts nationwide.

In late 2020, I discovered Cory and his company, Herba ReLeaf, through a recommendation in an online group. Cory’s products—and his approach—stood out immediately. After a minor issue with an order, Cory replaced my entire shipment without hesitation, setting a new standard for customer service.

When I tried his products, I was blown away. The quality of the Mitragyna speciosa, especially his powdered extracts, was unparalleled. For the first time, I needed significantly less to achieve the same effect—a testament to its potency.

Over the past four years, my life has transformed. I’ve built a small woodworking business, become active in my community, and found new purpose. While Mitragyna speciosa has played a vital role in my journey, Cory and the Herba ReLeaf team have been just as critical. From their exceptional products to Cory’s personal support, they’ve helped turn my bad days into good ones—and good days into great ones.

Mitragyna speciosa saved my life. Cory and his team changed it for the better.

In loving memory of Tina 💚