MY STORY

It’s been a rough ride, but calm seas never made skilled sailors ⚓️

Born into a tumultuous world, my early years were defined by hardship and adversity.
An absent father who was immersed in the world of the Hells Angels, I lost him (even though I never had him) at the age of 5 to a drug overdose.
Left in the care of a struggling mother battling bipolar disorder, my sister and I were forced to navigate life's challenges on our own. Through foster care, homelessness, and living arrangements no child should endure.

Amidst the chaos, I yearned for guidance and stability, teetering between emulating my father's path as a Hells Angel or seeking purpose and pursing a life as a firefighter. Something I wanted to become after an encounter with a rose bush and at the age of 5.
Eventually, the call to serve and protect led me to choose the latter, joining the Air Force and embarking on two overseas tours during the Iraq and Afghanistan wars.

After my military service, I pursued my lifelong dream of becoming a firefighter. Using the GI bill, I earning my way through the fire academy, and started my fire career as a wildland firefighter, breaking the cycle of childhood trauma that haunted my family.
In 2013, I achieved a moment of personal triumph, competing in the CrossFit Games, securing 34th place and attaining 3rd place at the SoCal Regionals. I continued to compete in CrossFit until 2018 taking top 10 finishes every year at the regional level and taking 2nd place on a TEAM in Brazil during my final year as a professional CrossFit Athlete (that made no money, haha.).

Passionate about sharing my knowledge and experiences, I joined the L1 and L2 seminar staff in 2013, imparting wisdom and guidance to individuals from all walks of life, from children to Parkinson's patients. This passion culminated in the opening of my CrossFit gym, which now celebrates its 10-year anniversary, an achievement I am immensely proud of.

Yet, amidst the joys and successes, the weight of my past and the traumas I had endured took their toll. The simultaneous burden of childhood trauma, the horrors of war, and the challenges faced as a firefighter led me to the brink of despair. It was during the darkest period, contemplating suicide, that a glimmer of hope emerged.

In a moment of vulnerability, I reached out for help, posting a heartfelt message on my social media, seeking connection and support. To my surprise, others rallied around me, sharing their own struggles and offering solace. From this moment of unity and shared experiences, WeBUS was born—a collective of individuals supporting one another through life's hardships, building mental resilience and strength.

As I write this today, I’m happy to say that I continue to embrace life with the energy of Ric Flair, the heart of Buddha, and a past marred by adversity that allows me to connect with others on a deep level.
Now, my purpose in life is clear—to reach out and connect with those who feel isolated and alone, offering them love, kindness, wisdom, integrity, and self-control.

WeBUS has become the embodiment of this mission—a community of individuals from all walks of life, bound by the shared commitment to support one another through the ups and downs. We believe in fostering a microcosm of world peace, where hardworking CrossFitters, mothers, fathers, brothers, and sisters hold each other accountable, to reap the rewards of unity and personal growth we see within the walls of Coast Range CrossFit and online with WeBUS every single day.

So, if you find yourself believing that you are the only one who has experienced adversity or if you feel unheard and invisible, I am here to tell you that WeBUS, CRCF, and I are here for you.

This is my calling—to connect with your heart and soul, to lend an understanding ear, and to fill your life with compassion and support. Together, let us build a community that defies the odds, standing strong in the face of life's challenges.

With every sunrise, I am reminded of the power of resilience and the unwavering spirit within each one of us. Let us walk this journey together, hand in hand, as we cultivate a brighter future filled with hope, love, and the unbreakable bond of a community that truly cares.

- love Wes

OH HEY, FOR BEST VIEWING, YOU'LL NEED TO TURN YOUR PHONE