Redefining “Do Hard Things”: From the Air Force to Cisco

For more than eleven years, I wore my identity in a uniform. “Do hard things” was the motto I lived by as a collegiate athlete, Cadet at the United States Air Force Academy, and Officer in the Air Force. But eventually, that path left me overwhelmed, over committed, and exhausted. I wanted to find a job that used the skills I had gained, do the things I love, stay near family, and start one of my own with my wife in Colorado Springs.

When I separated from the Air Force, I was faced with a question I didn’t have an answer to, “Who am I now?” When I joined Cisco, I expected to find a new mission, but I didn’t expect to find a new way to live.

I came to Cisco through the Military in Sales and Leadership (MISL) SkillBridge program in 2024, which helped bridge the gap between active duty and this new, civilian life. A lot of us in the program were going through the same struggles with identity, knowing what we can bring to the table, but not being able to translate that well, feeling like we had lost some time in the corporate world.

As my time at Cisco progressed, I got plugged in with the VETS Inclusive Community — one of our employee-led communities that are open to all. This gave me the opportunity to network with other veterans at Cisco as well as mentor various MISL interns and assist those who were interested in MISL. VETS also introduced me to a newer initiative called the Veteran Leadership Program (VLP), which is a six-month program empowering veterans to grow their Cisco careers.

I went into it expecting networking, learning, and mentorship, and found all of that, but also found myself on a yoga mat, learning breathwork and guided meditation. At first, I was like, “Is this really what we’re doing?” But that program was a total shift. It didn’t matter branch of service, time in uniform, or role within Cisco; we were able to connect on many of the shared experiences as veterans, balancing work and life, and even raising families while focusing on careers.

This whole-person focus even helped me level up in my career.

This whole-person focus even helped me level up in my career.

That lesson in mindfulness became my anchor, teaching me that to be the best team member, I had to invest in other areas of my life — like family, wellbeing, sleep (no small feat with an energetic toddler at home!) and even play. That mindset of finding balance, intentionality, and choosing how to spend my energy brought me to a new way of looking at my personal and professional goals.

This whole-person focus even helped me level up in my career. Shortly after completing the VLP in 2025, I transitioned into a customer project manager War PMO. Because I was able to leverage experience as an Air Force Acquisition Officer, as well as the leadership skills I’d been honing, it was a massive step forward in my career. I absolutely love my job!

At the conclusion of the VLP, each cohort member was responsible for preparing a final capstone of our leadership philosophy. Part of mine centered on the emphasis of Type 2 Fun — an experience that is painful, stressful, or miserable while it is happening, but rewarding, satisfying, and enjoyable to remember in retrospect — the very definition of an ultramarathon.

So, I decided to sign up for the Leadville 100 in Leadville, Colorado. Based in the Rocky Mountains, this 100-mile trail race takes place at 10,000 feet above sea level with over 15,000 feet of vertical gain — all while being completed in under 30 hours.

Signing up was a two-fold goal: I wanted to test myself against the “Type 2 Fun” of the mountains — that flow state where you’re pushing past mental barriers on technical trails — and I wanted to support First Descents, an organization that provides outdoor adventures for young adults impacted by cancer and MS. The cause hits close to home, as both of my parents have been directly impacted by Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia and MS. I have seen first-hand that being outside in nature and in the Colorado mountains were crucial for my family during those challenging times and I wanted others going through similar situations to have that same type of healing.

Training for this race became a way for me to process those emotions. When life feels heavy, the trail is a place where I can channel that energy into something healthy and find a bit of peace. Being able to race and raise $4,800 for the First Descents was an honor, and I was so grateful that one of the many benefits as a Cisco employee is the Benevity matching program, which contributed to roughly 25% of my total donations.

That mission kept me focused, and once I was actually on the trails of Leadville, the race was exactly the challenge I expected. By mile 74, I hit a wall and had to power-hike the remaining 26 miles. I was living Leadville’s founder’s statement, “Make friends with pain, and you will never be alone.” But the truth is, I never was. There were volunteers at aid stations to support me along the way, my friends, family, and dog cheering me on, my Cisco team tracking me during the race and sending encouragement, and Rob Armstrong, a fellow veteran and Cisconian, who had flown from North Carolina, there to pace me through the last 22 miles.

Crossing that finish line after 28 hours and 45 minutes, I felt nothing but pure gratefulness. I’m grateful that my body could do this, grateful for the mountains and trails that I love, grateful for my wife, who took on more and cared for our daughter while I was out in the mountains for hours on end, grateful for Rob who helped me push through the pain to mile 100, grateful for my Cisco team who was there with me virtually, and grateful for the Veteran Leadership Program for giving me the tools to show up as the person I want to be.

I’m also grateful for a company that that cares about me as a whole person.

“Do hard things” is still my motto, but I’ve redefined it. For years, I thought it meant pushing until I couldn’t anymore. The hardest thing I’ve ever done wasn’t a 100-mile race — it was learning to slow down, to be present for my wife and daughter, and to lean on others when I need to. If you’re a fellow veteran feeling that identity gap, know this: your value isn’t found in how much you can endure. It’s in who you are and the community you build.

Ready to continue your mission? Discover how Cisco supports our veteran community and explore open roles and career paths on our Cisco careers site.