The Week I Found a Family Outside My Family

The Week I Found a Family Outside My Family

When my very first student, the first child I ever taught when I began my career 25 years ago, called and said, “I want to invite you to Arizona,” I didn’t really know what he meant. He was nine years old when he sat in my classroom back when I was just starting out as a teacher. And now, after all that time, here he was reaching back into my life, believing in me for something completely new. He said he wanted me to experience something called The Elliott Group. I didn’t know who they were or what I was walking into, but I knew that if he believed in me, I needed to go.

That Monday morning, Barbi dropped me off at the airport at 4 a.m. because I needed to be in Scottsdale, Arizona, for a conference by 10 a.m. Jake was still in Dayton, Ohio, and wouldn’t be flying in until late that night, so he created a group text with me and a young man named Vincent. He told Vincent I was coming and asked him to take care of me when I arrived.

When I landed in Scottsdale, I was there on what they called a social media pass because of my background helping build Bella’s social media, growing her Instagram and YouTube accounts to over 150K combined followers. Jake thought there might be an opportunity for me to help their team with videography and editing.

Vincent had texted me to let him know when I got to The Lion’s Den, which is what they call The Elliott Group headquarters. I sent him a quick message, and as I walked up from the parking lot, he came outside to greet me. We started talking right there on the sidewalk. I asked him about his story, his journey, and what led him there. As I was speaking to him, he grew quiet. Everything around us seemed to pause for a moment. There was a hush in the air, the kind of stillness that feels holy. He looked me straight in the eyes and said, “Who are you? Where are you from?”

It wasn’t a casual question. It carried weight. It was as if he wasn’t just asking where I lived, but who I truly was inside. That moment said more than words ever could.

Jake’s flight wasn’t set to arrive until later that night, so after my time talking with Vincent, I stayed at The Lion’s Den to wait for him. During that time, Vincent walked back over to me and said, “Come upstairs, I have something for you.” He brought me to his office and handed me a shirt from the Elliott Army and a book titled The Fire Is For You, written by Pastor Travis Hearn from Impact Church in Scottsdale, Arizona. He told me it came from their church and wanted me to have it.

I hadn’t planned to start reading it right away, but I opened it for a moment, turned to the middle, and read a few lines. Just from those first sentences, I could tell it was something special. I knew in that instant it was going to have a huge impact on my life. I set it aside, planning to really dive into it later when I had the quiet and space to reflect. That gift meant more than Vincent could have known.

Later that evening, some of the team gathered for a men’s Bible study. It was held virtually on Zoom for those who were still at The Lion’s Den or joining from home. We sat around laptops and screens, reading scripture, praying, and sharing. Even through a screen, I could feel the unity — a group of men grounded in faith, holding each other accountable and encouraging one another to grow in Christ. Tommy led that night’s study. His story was powerful. He shared how he had survived five overdoses and how Christ had transformed his life. Hearing that testimony reminded me how no one is too far gone for God to redeem. It wasn’t what I expected from a business team, and that’s exactly why it made such an impact.

Tuesday night, Vincent took Jake and me out to dinner, and that’s when I met Ben. From the moment he spoke, I could see the light of Christ shining through him. He had a peace about him, the kind that only comes from deep faith and trust. That dinner felt like church without walls, just men sharing stories, breaking bread, and being real.

Wednesday night, Jake had invited us to go to a Bible study that Vincent had mentioned, but after all his traveling, he was exhausted. He went back to the Airbnb to take a nap and decided to stay there to rest. So it was me, Vincent, and Sean who went. Sean is Vincent’s roommate and also part of what they call The Elliott Army, the community of men and women who make up The Elliott Group. From the moment we got in the car, it felt like the three of us had known each other for years.

On the drive over, we listened to worship music and talked about what God was doing in our lives. Sean began to open up and share his own story, and what he shared touched me deeply. He talked about his greatest hardship, about how far he had fallen, and how God had stepped in and saved his life. He told us how the Lord restored him, not just spiritually, but also gave him a second chance to work for The Elliott Group and be part of a team that lived for something bigger than themselves. His story was a living testimony of grace and redemption, and you could feel the sincerity in every word.

When we arrived, I was introduced to Brad, who I later learned is a pastor and church planter. That night, his home was filled with warmth, laughter, and the Spirit of God. Before the study began, someone picked up an acoustic guitar and we all sang together. Worship filled the air. The message that night focused on the awe of God and the freedom we have in Christ. Brad shared about the difference between knowing about freedom and truly living free, and before I left, he handed me their study book titled Freedom. We closed the night in prayer and prayed specifically for Vincent’s uncle, who had been on his heart.

On the drive back, we turned the music back on and listened to the song Yeshua, a song Vincent had introduced me to that night. The sound filled the car, quiet at first, then powerful. It felt like a prayer over the whole trip. Strangers had become brothers. I’ll never forget that ride home.

Thursday was a slower day at The Lion’s Den. The social media pass had ended after Wednesday, so there wasn’t a workshop going on that day. Jake had meetings with several people within The Elliott Group since he works closely with them as a client. While Jake met with different team members, I spent time walking around, connecting with nearly everyone who worked there. Each conversation carried kindness, encouragement, and authenticity. Every person I met was so loving, so grounded in faith, and so genuinely impactful in my life. It wasn’t about business that day. It was about connection. I could feel God’s presence in every handshake, every word, every moment shared inside those walls.

Friday morning came, and I woke up early knowing that Vincent had told me he would be leaving before the rest of the team. I reached out to see if I could meet him at The Lion’s Den to pray with him before he left for the airport, but he had already texted me back saying he was on his way. I prayed for him that morning before I even arrived, asking God to bless his travels and continue the work He was doing in his life. I knew I wouldn’t see him again until Saturday at the Maxed Out Summit in Tampa.

When I arrived at The Lion’s Den, the place was already alive and full. There was a large home service workshop happening that morning, and the building was packed. It was standing room only, a full house filled with energy, movement, and conversations. I didn’t get to see Vincent, but I met so many others from the Elliott Army and people who had come in from different companies for the event. It was incredible to watch the team working together, serving, greeting, and helping everyone feel welcome.

Before I went in to listen to Andy speak, I was in the cafeteria talking with one of the members of the Elliott Army named Kobi. He played baseball just like I did, so we connected instantly. We talked about how much we had both poured our hearts into the game and how, at times, we had both made choices that pulled us away from the direction we should have been going. That conversation wasn’t about baseball as much as it was about redemption and purpose.

While we were talking, I noticed a young man nearby wearing a sweatshirt with a verse about not fearing. The day before, he had been wearing a shirt with Psalm 23 printed on it, and I had complimented him on it. This time, I went over to him and we started talking. He told me a little about his faith, and I shared about my daughter, Bella, how she’s homeschooled and loves to wear shirts like that to represent her faith in Christ. We had a genuine moment of connection. There was something bright about him, something peaceful, and I could feel the light of Jesus shining from him.

A few moments later, I learned who he was. That young man was Andy’s son. In that instant, everything made sense. The way he carried himself, the love that radiated from him, it was a reflection of what he saw modeled at home. The way Andy leads and loves doesn’t just stay within his work or his words. It pours into his family. And to see that same light alive in his son was one of the most beautiful things I witnessed that week.

Then I went in to hear Andy speak. His message that morning was about greatness, but not in the way the world usually defines it. He talked about how you can’t just talk about it, you have to live it out. He said you can’t wear a cross and then treat people poorly, pretending to walk in faith while living the opposite. His message was simple but powerful. It’s not about what you say or how you present yourself. It’s about how you live when no one’s watching. You have to model it in your actions, not just your words.

When the session ended and we left The Lion’s Den to head for the airport, I grabbed my bag and the book Vincent had given me earlier that week, The Fire Is For You by Pastor Travis Hearn from Impact Church. As I waited at the airport, I finally opened the book again and began reading from the beginning. I could tell right away that it wasn’t just a book. It was a message that was going to speak directly into my life.

Once we boarded the plane, everyone settled into their seats. I found myself sitting a few rows back, near one of the restrooms. The plane was full, but it was quiet, just the soft hum of the engines and the turning of pages. I started reading slowly, letting every line sink in. The book spoke about walking through the fire, about suffering and refinement, about how miracles are often forged in the flames. It was powerful, so real, so alive, and I could feel every word connecting to the season I’ve been in, the trials I’ve faced, and the healing still taking place in my life.

At one point, I looked up from the page, and Andy was standing there in the aisle waiting for the restroom. He glanced over, and for a brief moment our eyes met. I held up the book a little, almost as if to say, “Have you read this?” He looked at it and then looked back at me with wide eyes that said everything without a word, a look that said, “Yes.”

I nodded and smiled, giving him that silent “thank you,” like, “This book is touching my heart.” He nodded back, understanding completely.

That book came from their church, Impact, and that’s exactly what it’s been — an impact. Even in those first few chapters, I could feel God speaking to me through those pages, confirming that what I was experiencing, the pain, the loss, the uncertainty, wasn’t wasted. It was fire, but it was for me.

That afternoon, the whole team boarded a plane to Tampa for the Maxed Out Summit 2025, hosted by one of Andy’s leadership students, Max Willett. It was a big event filled with energy, purpose, and passion. Speakers included Super Bowl champion coach John Gruden and Daniel G., one of the top sales trainers and influencers in the world. Every message that came from that stage had power behind it. You could feel the hunger in the room, the desire to grow, to serve, and to lead.

After the main message, Andy Elliott came on stage and brought his entire team with him. I sat in the crowd surrounded by people, but when I looked up and saw all the members of the Elliott Army standing behind him, it sent chills through me. They came out energized and united, and as Andy began to speak, they stood there the entire time, shoulder to shoulder, backing their leader. I knew their faces, their hearts, and their stories, and seeing them all together behind him moved me deeply.

Andy’s message that night was the most powerful one I had ever heard. It was the third time I had heard him speak — twice back at The Lion’s Den and now here, in front of more than a thousand people at the Maxed Out Summit. The whole place went still when he began to share. He spoke about family first, about being present, and about living in a way that shows your family they are your greatest priority. He talked about what it was like when he was still selling cars, and how through all of it, his wife Jacqueline stood by him. When everyone else disappeared, she stayed. When life tested him, she prayed.

Hearing that, I couldn’t help but think about Barbi. How she has always been my greatest supporter, the one who stood beside me through every trial, through my open-heart surgery, and through this current fire I’m walking through now. As Andy spoke about his wife, I saw my own life reflected in his words. I saw the strength of a godly woman who stands beside her husband when the world walks away.

It was one of those moments when you realize that the message on the stage isn’t just for the crowd. It’s for you. And that night, it was for me.

Later that night, when we went to dinner, many of the team members were still talking about it. They said it might have been the most powerful message Andy had ever delivered. I believe it was, because I felt it too. It wasn’t just a message. It was a move of God.

From the time we landed, The Elliott Group team surrounded me with love and brotherhood. We prayed before meals, encouraged one another, and lifted each other up. Tommy prayed over dinner and breakfast, giving thanks with such sincerity that you could feel the room quiet as he spoke. Emmanuel, a coach and mental performance trainer like myself, stayed up late that night listening and praying with me. These were people who lived what they preached.

After the Summit, Andy and Jacqueline treated the entire team to dinner. It was an act of generosity that spoke volumes about who they are as leaders and as followers of Christ. There were so many people from the Elliott Army who embraced me throughout the week, from those who had stayed behind in Scottsdale to the ones who traveled with us to Tampa. Each one reflected the same servant spirit. The way they carried themselves, the way they treated others, it was all rooted in love.

Even the people who helped care for Andy and Jacqueline’s family carried that same light. I met a woman named Lily at the airport who didn’t speak English, but I tried talking with her using my little bit of un poquito español. We didn’t need many words to understand one another. There was a kindness in her eyes, a gentleness that spoke louder than language. It reminded me that everyone connected to them, from the team to their family to those who worked alongside them, seemed to carry that same light of love and service.

When the night ended, we walked through the lobby together waiting on cars, and Max decided we weren’t waiting anymore. So about forty of us walked through the streets of Tampa together. Cameras out, people watching as we passed, laughter echoing down the sidewalks. I walked beside Vincent, who had two bags with him — one over his shoulder and one in his hand. Without thinking, I reached out and took one from him so he only had to carry one. It felt good to serve him after everything he had poured into me that week. When we decided to turn back and head toward the hotel with a smaller group, I noticed I was off balance carrying just one bag, so I reached out and took both. I felt proud in that moment, not because I was doing something big, but because I got to serve someone who had given me so much. It was a small act, but it meant a lot to me.

When we got back to the hotel, we went up to the rooftop, got some gelato, looked out over the city lights, and just talked about the week. We laughed, prayed, and reflected. It felt like family.

That morning, Jake and I woke up at 4:30 to head to the airport. The city was still asleep. As we rode to the airport, I felt a mix of exhaustion and peace. My body was tired, but my spirit was renewed.

Now I sit here at the Tampa airport, waiting for my flight home, thinking about Barbi and Bella, missing them deeply. But I know I was meant to be here this week. I know God’s hand guided every moment.

This experience reminded me that greatness isn’t found in performance or titles. It’s found in service, in love, and in winning the quiet battles inside ourselves, the ones that keep us from seeing who we already are in Christ.

When we win that battle within, we don’t just rise for ourselves.

We rise so we can lift others too.

As I look back on this week, I can’t help but think about how it all started. A phone call from my very first student — the first nine-year-old I ever taught when I began my career — opened the door to this journey. Twenty-five years later, God used that same student, now a grown man, to remind me of why I started teaching in the first place. Jake was once the one I poured into. Now, he’s the one who invited me to rise again.

His company is called Resilient Roots, and its symbol is a phoenix rising from the ashes. That image has stayed with me all week. It’s more than a business logo. It’s a truth about life. Our roots — where we come from, what we’ve endured, and who we’ve become through the fire — are what make us resilient. They are what allow us to stand again when everything else burns away.

I see that now in Jake, in Vincent, in the Elliott Army, and in myself. Every fire I’ve faced, every storm I’ve walked through, has deepened my roots. And from those roots comes new life — the kind that doesn’t just grow for its own sake, but grows to give shade, strength, and hope to others.

What started with one student and one teacher has come full circle.

It’s no longer about teaching lessons. It’s about living them.

And as I step into this next chapter, I know my purpose is clear —

to keep growing, to keep serving, and to help others rise from their own fire

with resilient roots and a heart that shines with the light of Christ.