I spent my early years in structural firefighting. I became a fire training instructor and taught all over the western United States.

From there, I promoted through the officer ranks — serving in training and field assignments along the way — and finished my career as an Assistant Chief.

Then a back injury forced me into medical retirement. On medical leave, I lost my purpose and my identity. I was distant and depressed, living with complex PTSD.

In my healing, I realized something: a Firefighter was just what I used to be. It’s not who I am now. I’m proud of my service — but I needed a new purpose. That’s where was born.

The Hive — is more than a brand. It’s a hive — a community of like-minded folks who’ve struggled to find a new purpose after the uniform comes off. A place to talk about your time in — what you’d tell yourself back then, and how to prepare — at the start, in the middle, and at the end — whether it was a four-year stint or a full career.

And it’s for the Wanna Bees, too — the future of our craft. The ones coming up behind us. What can we teach them? How do we help them find their purpose, before and after?

Once you hang up your gear, the brotherhood and sisterhood stay with you for life. Welcome to the hive.