There’s Nothing Quite Like Tear Gas to Make You Reassess Your Career Choices

Born in Galveston, Texas to a pastor mother and a musician father, Martin was sure he had a purpose in life. And he was willing to go anywhere and do anything to find it and live it! One thing was certain: He didn’t plan to become a prison guard after graduating from college. But in his small town, you either worked for the prisons or the schools and guarding inmates paid more money. The end of his prison career came one summer afternoon when a riot broke out. Martin wound up covered in tear gas with his clothes drenched in sweat, eyes swollen shut, skin burning from the gas and snot pouring down his face. That was the catalyst for his escape. Suddenly the plan he’d worked on for several months seemed like his best option: He was gonna sell oilfield equipment to the Russians!

Anybody Ever Try to Kidnap You?

The plan to sell equipment to Russian oil companies didn’t include avoiding a kidnapping attempt. But it happened to Martin in the Republic of Georgia when a family he’d never met concocted a plot to kidnap him and force him to marry their daughter. That’s just one of many adventures he had after he left the penitentiary. You can add these to the list:

• Chased an Iranian oil deal with a member of the Shah’s family
• Lost his life savings to fraudsters in West Africa
• Fled a hotel in Cotonou, Benin

But Here’s Where the Story Takes Flight

Just back from St. Maarten where he parasailed for the first time, Martin decided he wanted to experience flying an airplane. A pilot friend offered to take him flying. And on that first flight when his friend transferred control of the aircraft to Martin, his life was changed forever. He went back to the airport the next morning and signed up for flight lessons. From his first solo flight as a student pilot when he landed an aircraft safely, Martin developed the belief that we can achieve anything with passion and the proper mindset. In his speaking and coaching he talks about pursuing your greatest passion as being essential in finding and living your purpose because that’s why he has the privilege of living his purpose every day.