I’m not new to the madness—I’m a returning rider in the 2026 Hoka Hey Motorcycle Challenge , which probably tells you two things right away: I didn’t learn my lesson the first time… and I believe deeply in what this ride stands for.
In 2024, I crossed the finish line somewhere between exhaustion, determination, and a stubborn refusal to quit. That experience didn’t just test me—it changed me. It reminded me that limits are usually self-imposed, and purpose will always outlast pain.
So here I am again.
At 55 years old, I train hard, ride long, and chase challenges that most people would politely decline. Not because it’s easy—but because it matters. This ride is bigger than miles, motorcycles, or rankings. It’s about pushing beyond comfort, honoring resilience, and riding for something that actually makes a difference.
This year, I’m riding for STEPs With Horses—an incredible organization dedicated to serving Veterans and their families completely free of charge. Their mission is powerful, and their impact is undeniable. When Veterans find their way to STEPs, they don’t just show up once—they keep coming back, because something real is happening within them.
When a Warrior returns home carrying the weight of PTSD, the battle doesn’t always end—it just changes. That unseen struggle can deeply impact quality of life for the very Heroes who defended our freedoms. But healing is possible.
At STEPs, the herd and licensed professional therapists work together in a way that’s hard to explain but impossible to ignore. These horses have a unique ability to break down walls, build trust, and help repair mental wounds that words alone often can’t reach. The result? Real progress. Real healing. Real improvement in the quality of life for our Heroes and their families.
But like most great missions, they need support.
My goal for the 2026 Hoka Hey is to raise enough funds to purchase a much-needed ranch truck for STEPs. Not flashy. Not fancy. Just a hardworking truck for a hardworking mission—hauling feed, supplies, and whatever it takes to keep changing lives one ride at a time.
So yes, I’ll be riding thousands of miles again. I’ll be tired. I’ll question my sanity at least once (probably somewhere around 2 a.m. in the middle of nowhere). But I’ll also be driven by something bigger than myself.
Because this ride isn’t just about proving I can do it again.
It’s about showing up for those who can’t quit the fight—and if this story moves you, I invite you to be apart of that mission.
I’ll ride the miles—help me carry the mission.
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