PERRY’S STORY

In July 2015, my 14-year-old son, Perry, and his close friend were last seen leaving the Jupiter Inlet on a 19-foot fishing boat. (Actual video footage)

There was a severe storm that came out of nowhere, bringing 40mph winds and heavy rain.

The Coast Guard was notified. One of the largest searches in the history of the United States Coast Guard ensued.

The whole thing played out on national news and social media. So many people were praying and searching for the boys. In the end, neither of the boys was ever found, and exactly what happened at sea that day remains unclear.

I went on this wild journey to rediscover who I was and to attempt to make some sense out of the chaos.

I dove headfirst into the depths of grief, stumbling around in the dark, but always holding onto this little spark of hope.

And you know what? Along the way, I stumbled upon some truths that completely flipped the script on how we think about loss. Turns out, we've got more power to shape our own stories than we realize, even in the face of the worst kind of pain.

Where it Led

Grief did not shrink my life. It reshaped it.

I was invited to give a TEDx talk. I said yes before I felt ready. That moment changed everything. It forced me to put language to pain. It showed me how many people were quietly hurting.

I started posting online. Not polished. Not performative. Honest. The response was immediate. Messages poured in from people who felt seen for the first time.

I quit my job. I chose this work fully.

Today, many people know me as The Grief Guy. I run grief workshops. I lead Grief Circle. I speak to groups, leaders, and organizations about loss, resilience, and what healing truly asks of us.

This was not the path I wanted. It is the path I walk with purpose.

If my story meets you here, it is not by accident. I am doing the work I wish existed when my world fell apart. And I am still walking it with you..