November is Evan
For four months, Evan wore a wristband he received that had a message powerful to him, which he didn't know at the time was about to, just a week later, begin symbolizing more than just a wrist piece—but a life turning point.
“If I see it, I don’t need it because I wear it,” Evan says.
This seemingly random bracelet has taken on a new shape, as it emphasizes the reminder of his focus on the goals he needed to achieve.
Wearing it helped him resist temptations, from the easy to the hardest of them, paving the way for his future.
Evan’s goal is to build a trucking business that not only provides services but also helps troubled youth by partnering with organizations that offer opportunities for rehabilitation and work. He want's to make money making people make money who never had a good chance. It's something not seen in a lot of people anymore, so let me tell you how refreshing that was to hear.
He reflected on the changes this new sober mindset brought: his lung capacity improved on the football field, allowing him to run longer, and he found a new sense of clarity with his relationship to the world.
Early Life: How'd he get this way in the first place?
Evan's path was far from easy. Growing up, he faced a challenging home environment, with a mother who had recovered on her own, and a supportive father who was his rock despite their financial struggles. He was proud of his parents but nonetheless, it was still tough. He was bullied for a while, but not for long. It took a major confrontation with a friend, Kyle, to put it all to an end. "I'm not a fighter, but I'll f**k you up." Evan said with a smile.
"My sophomore year was my glory year," he recalled, until he met Bryce, a close friend whose death devastated him. Bryce’s passing sparked a downward spiral in Evan’s life, plunging him into a darker phase where he lost control and fell in with the wrong crowd. Alcohol became a constant presence, influencing his life and academic performance. Unfocused and foggy during tests and struggling with displaced anger, Evan eventually became the very thing he hated—a bully. He was consumed by unresolved grief over Bryce, directing his anger at everyone around him.
Hitting Rock Bottom and the Wake-Up Call
After high school, things took a sharp turn for the worse when Evan’s father passed away. This loss pushed him deeper into his vices, turning him into what he described as a "Tito-holic." He lost jobs, stopped coming home, and spiraled into depression, culminating in a near-death experience on the train tracks, a moment he now believes was interrupted by the spirits of his dad and Bryce. “Maybe I had a purpose. I was meant for more than this,” he realized. This was the wake-up call he desperately needed. Therapy didn’t quite help, but bouncing ideas off someone did allow him to start healing.
One defining moment was seeing blood after a binge—a moment of sheer terror that motivated him to quit drinking. Construction work provided further distraction and stability, teaching him that there are healthier ways to cope with his emotions than drowning them in alcohol.
The Vision for EW Transportation
Ava, his girlfriend, was another key factor in his sobriety and personal growth. “She made me realize this wasn’t just one of those other jobs or times,” he said. With newfound clarity, Evan decided to pursue his dream of becoming a truck driver, and his father’s legacy inspired him to work towards launching EW Transportation—the company named after their initials.
Evan’s vision for the business is not just about transportation; it’s about making a difference. He wants to create a movement where truckers become everyday heroes, and his business would partner with organizations that focus on helping troubled youth. “There’s a place for you on this earth, you just gotta find it,” Evan passionately declared, hoping his business could be the bridge that helps young people find their way.
Anti-College, Pro-Trade School
In line with his philosophy, Evan believes that traditional college paths aren’t for everyone, and that trade schools are the future. His goal is to show young people that there are alternative routes to success, especially for those who may not see a place for themselves in conventional systems. By offering them employment opportunities through his future company, he hopes to be part of the solution, guiding them away from the paths that almost consumed him.
Meant For More
Evan's journey is one of redemption and purpose. His really got out from being a troubled young man to having inspirations of owning a purpose-driven business. Fueled by personal losses and challenges, his commitment to not only achieving personal success but also helping others rise above their circumstances is a sotry we all need to hear. I believe EW Transportation will without a doubt be more than a trucking company—but a reason for others to keep hope, that a second chance is around the corner - just keep trying.
What has Evan used that Trauma Healing Club promotes?
Evan used many techniques taught by Trauma Healing Club.
External Reminders - wearing a wristband allowed him to channel his temptations of drinking into a 'I already did that, heres my proof'.
External Expectations - Evan went to therapy and tried bouncing ideas off to stay in-tune with his own thoughts.
Sunk Cost Theory Removal - Evan removed himself from being stuck; being too far into a bad vice does make it hard but not impossible, Evan conquered his.
Life is Faire - Evan kept doing things, coming to grips with Trauma Healing Club's motto Life is Faire as he learned doing anything except nothing, was what kept him out of trouble.
Motivator Pedestal - He began viewing someone he respected as a source of motivation, his dad; he wouldn't allow himself to disappoint his dad's legacy, which brought purpose in life larger than just himself.
Milestone Observing - He acknowledged gratitude in his dad and Bryce's bone-chilling save by the train tracks rather than dismissing it as coincidence. Higher powers may be at play, acknowledging lucky isn't just your luck but the guardians we have above is powerful as it steers you in a conscience path.
