Journeymen

We all experience it. We all feel it. We all want to escape it when it rears its head. Burn out. Gabriel Douglas is no exception. Growing up in a faith-based family, attending a Christian elementary, middle, and high school, upon graduation he simply could not wait to see what else was out there to explore. Yet, his faith never wavered, and after a much-needed, but brief hiatus from ministry, his true passion emerged - or, perhaps 'resurfaced' is a more appropriate description. Gabriel now spreads love and joy as a member of the youth ministry at the very place in which his life's journey began - Eastbrook Church. A gifted musician and natural story-teller, Gabriel has no fear of expressing his true self - further combining his abilities and passions as a member of the band Divine Resonance. Equipped with a genuine, electric personality that is palpable in all that he says (and does), he is an absolute joy to listen to. This is his story.

Josh Fechtner grew up competitive, to say the least - always craving victory and despising defeat. Though, now in his mid-twenties with this edge not quite as sharp, Josh has still been able to harness this spirited energy for use in the pursuit of other endeavors. At the core of his competitive nature are two core tenets that have defined his journey - activity and ambition. With the relentless desire to pursue physical challenges and win, Josh has married these character traits into a career he believes to be his true vocation. Now a physical fitness and health instructor for nearly two years, Josh finds fulfillment in knowing that his active, ambitious mindset can be displayed daily. His competition is no longer a defined opponent. It is himself and his ability to instill lasting wisdom within his students. Winning is not necessarily a singular moment, but continuous progress. And, to Josh, this progress is as sweet as victory. This is his story.

Always thinking of herself the "default girl", Martha Carrigan considers her life as one that has followed the straight and narrow - the expected route. But, to us - and, likely to those that hear her story - Martha's journey is far from ordinary. She helped start a high school. She is the CEO of career-building platform, Big Shoes Network. She has been hit by a car (multiple times...). Safe to say...far from average. Yet, like many of us, Martha shares a passion for people, and has allowed that defined purpose to guide her career. She never thought she'd be an entrepreneur, but her desire to help others has manifested itself in a thriving company that impacts thousands in the Midwest. For Martha, the analogy of spackling is very apropos when crafting a theme to represent her life - using her unique skills to fill gaps, assisting in the advancement of causes and people she believes in. This is her story.

Davey Gwidt was born with something he cannot control - cerebral palsy. Yet, what he can control, his mindset, is bold, strong, and unwavering. Never has his disability been a crutch, rather - as Davey sees it - it has provided him with a distinct advantage: to see life differently than the rest. Marrying this uniqueness with his interests, Davey has made forays into sports journalism, political advocacy, and broadcast media. Now, the culmination of these experiences has placed Davey at ACLU Wisconsin, at the precipice of what he believes to be his life's purpose - using his talents to amplify the voices of those that go unheard. This is his journey.

As a teacher, Lauren Zydowsky knows the school system in and out. Perhaps surprisingly, she is a strong believer in the power of real-world experience - that most knowledge is attained in the field, rather than in the classroom. Currently in pursuit of higher education, Lauren is focused on the expansion of her skills - her tools - those that are found in two different kinds of classrooms. Driven by her passion, Lauren's mindset is one of continued growth - both professionally and personally. Who she will become tomorrow is defined by how she betters herself today. This is her story.

For Grady Buchanan, nothing has ever been set in stone. Not his friend groups, not his college campus, not his life's purpose. Driven by ambitious goals and an utter disdain for boredom, since turning 18, Grady has lived in an ever-evolving state of fluidity - attending multiple universities, holding multiple jobs, and consistently refining both his short- and long-term plans. That is - Grady believes - until now. As a co-founder of two Madison, Wisconsin-based businesses, OmniValley and NVNG Investment Advisors, Grady has found a steady home in the entrepreneurial/venture space. Instead of settling for the ordinary, Grady has lived to unveil something we must all unmask within ourselves - who he really is. This is his journey.