08/08/2026
Jake is a phenomenal photographer who fearlessly shares his heart and his story. This is so worth the brief read. 💙
13yrs ago I was wrapping up what I like to refer to as Jailfest 2013. I was released from from nearly 6 month long, 3 facility tour that absolutely broke me in the best way imaginable. When I was arrested 6 months prior I was homeless in the most literal sense of the word. I had been breaking into abandoned building to sleep, stealing everything under the sun to feed my drug addiction, completely emaciated weighing a whopping 128lbs, and waking up everyday sad that I didn’t overdose the night before.
I hated waking up. It meant I didn’t succeed in my half assed su***de attempt from the night before. I was on the run from the justice system, my family very rarely spoke to me (more than rightfully so) I had burned those bridges a long time ago. No real friends, facing charges that could potentially carry 30yrs in prison… I was a mess. I had no concept of anything. No God, no morals, no values, only thinking of schemes and “good intentions” that always ended with me hurting someone and using a ton of he**in. But while I was in Jail, something happened. When people ask this story I always call it an “Ah ha” moment. Hindsight is 20/20 and it was definitely a spiritual experience and divine intervention. God sat me in that jail, in a dorm filled with some of the worst people I’ve ever encountered, but right next to a dorm where it looked different. It was a program for drug addicts. I asked about it, got lucky enough to be transferred in there, and I woke up. I realized in that jail, I NEVER wanted to get high again.
Fast forward to the day I was released I was terrified. I didn’t want to go back to that life. I went to a halfway house, and reluctantly did everything they told me (I’ve never been good at following rules). Thank God I listened to someone else. Over the next 2 years I worked the 12 steps, and let those people change everything about my mental and my behaviors. My life today wouldn’t be a quarter of what it is, without that help.
Since being sober, I’ve lost my dad, had two gorgeous daughters, been divorced, bought homes, started businesses, failed, fallen, got up, tried again married the love of my life and now we are raising the most over stimulating house in Southern Indiana…. There’s been so many ups and downs, but 2 things have been consistent without a second of lapse. I haven’t used drugs or alcohol since 3/31/13 and God has more than provided. That plan isn’t always what I think it should be, but as long as I keep that clean date, regardless of what craziness is going on, the plan works out better than I’ve ever imagined. Here’s to 13 years of no new charges (I used to be able to say “without so much as a speeding ticket”) but a state trooper killed that out about 2yrs ago, lol. Seriously though. If you need help, If you’re anything like that person in the first part of the story, ask. It’s available. You’re not alone. There’s a ton of us out here that have been in the depths of hell and lived to tell stories even more wild than the one I just told. I know them. It’s wild. ASK! You’re worth it, and your life depends on it. 🖤❤️
