When we launched Patros, we knew we had something special. What began with a transformative retreat involving Ohio State football student athletes, including Kamryn Babb’s incredible story, quickly became a tool for men seeking to align their lives with biblical values. Now, as we look ahead, the challenge is how to expand Patros into a resource that resonates with men from all walks of life.

Despite living in Florida, I’m an Ohio State fan – and, I’ve had countless moments of excitement, but one in particular changed the trajectory of my work with Patros. It was 2022, and I was watching the game against Indiana. In the final minutes, C.J. Stroud threw a touchdown pass to Kamryn Babb, and the stadium erupted. The team celebrated wildly, and I thought, What’s the story behind this?

In our fast-paced, achievement-driven culture, we often overlook one of the most pivotal milestones in a young man's life: the transition from boyhood to manhood. Unlike other cultures that commemorate this with formal ceremonies or traditions, we in the West largely lack a shared rite of passage.

My wife and I have been married and lived in Florida for over two decades, and our journey hasn’t been easy. There were moments when the road felt impossible. But she never gave up. Even during our darkest days—with our lives publicly exposed in ways I wouldn’t wish on my worst enemy—she kept going.