Some stories punch through noise because they’re more than stories—they’re proof. Manny lost a leg at the hip in a car crash, powered his way to the Paralympics as a competitive powerlifter, and now shows up on Oregon roads as a tow operator with a calm focus and a hunger to work. He loves being the person who brings relief at the worst moment of someone’s day, and he’s chasing a bigger future: a CDL, longer runs, and eventually heavy wreckers.

We sit down with Manny and Cody from AE Towing in Eugene to share what the job really demands—fast response on police calls, safe movement on tight shoulders, and the ability to rig and roll under pressure. The missing piece is a modern, custom prosthetic socket built for hip disarticulation. His current socket cuts into his skin within an hour, forcing him to rely on crutches during long shifts. That steals his hands when he needs them most. The right socket would change everything: safer transfers in and out of the cab, fewer skin breakdowns, more stable footing around traffic, and the endurance to handle five- to six-hour stretches behind the wheel.

You’ll hear how the towing community rallied—shop owners, vendors, and friends sharing Manny’s journey across TikTok and Instagram—and why a GoFundMe with a clear goal can unlock a full career. Beyond the gear and the grind, this conversation hits the core of towing culture: service, resilience, and the quiet pride of getting people home. Manny doesn’t want favors; he wants tools and a shot to prove what he can already do.

If this resonates, help spread the word, share the episode, and consider contributing to Manny’s socket fund. Subscribe for more stories from the towing and recovery front lines, leave a review to boost the show, and tell us: what part of Manny’s journey fired you up most?