The Third Gorilla

Yesterday, I was on a run. I was just over two miles in and I had hit the point where I needed to start heading back to the house. The sky was darkening, and the Florida monsoon was getting ready to unload its usual afternoon downpour. I could hear thunder rumbling in the distance, and it took me back to something I heard in 2021 — I had to look up where the phrase had originated while I was writing this. I wasn’t surprised when I discovered that it originated from a tweet from Tim Kennedy back in 2016.

 

 

For some reason, whenever I double down to prepare for the next level, the bottom seems to fall out in different areas of my life. The last time this happened; I was firing on all cylinders when I had my world rocked with a devastating injury. I was in the best shape of my adult life and with one missed step, literally, I was back to square one. Despite being injured and far from peak condition, I refused to let my progress stop. I had severely injured my shoulder to the point where I couldn’t even lift a 2-pound dumbbell — but I was back in the gym the next day. Since I couldn’t lift, I started logging serious numbers on the stationary bike. Once I was cleared to lift, I did leg work every single day.

 

Hell, the day after I got out of the hospital, I refused the painkillers just so I could keep the appointments I had scheduled. It was worth it. I closed another $15K in commission. I stayed focused through all the BS, and I was damn proud of myself. A few weeks later, I had over $100K in underwriting. I was on track to make $30K that week, and I had just landed in Vegas for a convention.

 

But another blow was waiting in the shadows — and this time, it came to finish me off.

 

A $15K chargeback hit. Then, a $22K policy declined. I’d been busting my ass for months and was finally supposed to reap the rewards. My credit cards were maxed, and the pressure was rising. No problem, I thought — I’ll just outwork it. Then the next five declined policies hit my back office. The icing on the cake? Another chargeback.

 

At that point, I had been working for free for four months. It took another full month to dig myself out of the negative.

 

But I did it.

 

This time, it feels a little different. It’s been over two years since I walked away from the insurance industry. Since then, I’ve worked my way from truck driver to project manager, earning a solid wage. I’m a high-performing, high-standard leader in an organization I’m proud to be part of.

 

I don’t accept excuses — because I don’t make them. If we make a plan, that plan gets executed unless something drastic happens. I hold people accountable. If I can’t get the answer from the first person, I’ll keep calling — or I will show up in person. But apparently, that kind of behavior is frowned upon by the lazy, sorry simps now occupying what used to be a hardened construction industry. People have been talking about my conduct, labeling me an asshole for the way I operate.

 

A long time ago, I decided I wanted to be exceptional at anything I put my hands on.

No half measures.

No bullsh*t.

To the average man, that may seem unreasonable. But to a man chasing greatness, that’s just the baseline. That’s the foundation on which everything else is built.

 

Whether someone likes me or not?

That’s none of my business.

 

My job, in my eyes, is to uphold the standard, operate with integrity, and treat the people around me with respect. I don’t yell — I see loss of emotional control as a childish weakness. One that can be mastered by anyone willing to grow.

 

But not everyone shares that belief.

 

Last week, I found myself verbally attacked for nearly 10 minutes straight. Three times, in a calm voice, I told the man, “You need to calm down so we can work toward a solution. You’re clearly upset.” But he kept going — cussing me up and down. Finally, I told him, “You don’t get to talk to me like that.” That’s when he walked away, muttering, “We’ll see about that.”

 

He got me fired.

 

Fired — for standing up for myself. For refusing to be disrespected.

 

When my direct manager told me that next time, I should just “shut up, take it, and say sorry when it’s over,” I was stunned. Three days later, I was let go.

 

There’s something to be said about standing up for what you believe in — even when others tell you to sit down. I learned a valuable lesson: you can bust your ass for a company, give everything you’ve got to move the mission forward, and still get thrown in the trash for refusing to tolerate disrespect.

 

I will never put myself in that position again.

 

Check.

 

Now, back to the run…

 

The thunder is getting closer now. The sky is darker. The ark is in the distance.

 

You begin to notice the pattern — two by two. And then it hits you…

 

You’re the third gorilla.

 

You’re not getting saved unless you fight like hell for your place. You either claw your way on board, or you drown.

 

That’s the mentality.

 

At some point, something is going to click. Whether it’s the clothing brand, the coaching program, or the media company — all of them are here to stay. But one thing’s for sure:

 

I will never again let a job hold my future hostage.

I will never again lose my income because I chose to speak like a man and defend my dignity.

Never again.

 

The third gorilla. There’s no seat for him. Only two getting on.

He knows that unless something changes, he’s not going to make it. He’s not getting saved. He’s going to drown.

So, what does he do?

He fights like hell.

Not because it’s fair. Not because he got picked. Not because someone gave him a handout.

He fights because losing is not an option.

That’s the mindset. That’s the energy.

That’s the Third Gorilla.

You want to make it in this life? You need to dig in. You better start thinking like him. No excuses. No complaining. No backup plan.

It’s fight or drown.

There are a lot of people walking around like they’ve already made it. Like they’re guaranteed a spot on the boat.

But the truth is — the boat is full. And if you want on, you better be ready to earn your place.

That’s what success requires.

Not comfort. Not luck. Just straight-up relentless grit.

Every room you enter, every challenge you face, every opportunity that feels just out of reach — remember who you are.

You’re the Third Gorilla.

And you didn’t come this far to be left behind

 

 

And as always — a new blog means a new T-shirt.

 

This one is for the fighters.

For those who live the standard.

For those who know time is short — and it’s time to fight for the future.

It can only be earned.

It is never given.

 

This one is for you.