Jami is a prime example of the Relentless Rebel identity and meaning. Jami was not given a "winning hand" when he was growing up. But, that only motivated him to turn his hand around. Jami is a great example of perseverance, and how the good things in life take time to achieve. Everyone has a story. Let's get to know Jami.
recovering alcoholic. sober.
COMPETITIVE POWER LIFTER. USPA member and competitor. father. grandfather.
relentless rebel
Meet Jami D
I grew up a country boy (not cowboy) in a little town in the mountains of Oregon. I was very into sports (baseball, basketball, football). I was a good student in school and graduated with a fairly high grade point average.
I did all this without much adult/parental supervision or direction. I was born into a broken home with parents that divorced before I was 1 yr old. I grew up bouncing around homes with various families (friends/distant relatives). Neither my father nor mother played a role in my life.
My plan was to go to college and play football. However, a major injury (shoulder dislocation) ended that dream. I was told to elect to have surgery or start physical therapy with rehab to strengthen the injury and regain range of motion. This is when I started lifting.
Where did you grow up?
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Marriage and kids came next. I bounced around various logging and mill jobs and tried to be the best father I could - without really knowing how because of mu upbringing.
It was in my mid 30’s when I was in the gym and another gym member noticed me lifting. He approached me about my strength and asked if I’d be interested in powerlifting (he said I had tons of potential).
So I decided to dip my toes in it and give it a shot. I loved it! I was basically a natural. Before I knew it, I was one of the overall strongest guys in the town. I was living in (Eugene, Or) and did a couple non-sanctioned powerlifting meets and won.
marriage. kids. finding purpose.
What came next?
Then, the big life decision to move to Las Vegas happened. My size, strength and athleticism translated well into another profession. I stated bouncing/working private security on the Las Vegas strip. It was an experience I’ll never forget. I met some amazing people and also quite a few celebrities. This entire time I was still doing my powerlifting training, but no longer competing.
Vegas was/is wild and a lot of partying and unhealthy habits became a big part of my life.
Vegas lasted 5 years and I decided it wasn’t a great place to raise young kids and have a family (my marriage started falling apart fast and my now ex wife had lots of demons of her own).
Back to Oregon we came in the beginning of 2015… I left all the hard partying stuff in Vegas - besides my alcohol problem, as it came right back with me.
Life-changing move to Las Vegas
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Now back in Oregon I decided to get as healthy as I could (obviously still drinking and ignoring my alcohol addiction) . I got back into powerlifting and actually competing in legit sanctioned USPA competitions.
Jump to January 4th, 2021, and probably the most difficult situation in my life to date blasted me unexpectedly in the face. The kids and I woke up to my wife, their mother GONE. Took off in the middle of the night. Her demons from Vegas obviously were still playing a huge part in her life. I was a mess and it crushed me. For the first time in my life I felt real depression and anxiety. I started binge drinking to deal (cover up/hide my pain and emotions)… I filed for divorce 2 months later and it was granted by default. Single for the first time in 21 years; I was a huge mess.
I somehow ended up meeting a wonder female that was the complete polar opposite of my ex wife. She and I had an intense connection immediately. She was a breath of fresh air and a new start . She was also someone my kids attached to and bonded with, but MY demon was still very present. After a year and a half of dealing with outside chaos from my ex, and also my drunken emotional hang ups, the relationship ended abruptly. No more Stephanie at all; I had pushed her away completely. Silence and darkness for 5 months.
At the start of that 5 months, I made a promise to myself, and my kids, to kick my demon for good,. My kids watched me pour my last half gallon of Jack Daniels down the sink and that was it. No more. That was August 1st 2022. I’ve been sober ever since and also started personal therapy to deal with other past trauma
THE AWAKENING
LIFE CONTINUES TO CHANGE
And December 24th, 2022 Stephanie and I ran into each other at Dutch Brothers. I was headed to the gym and her to a Christmas party. The flame and connection was very much still there and strong.
We’ve been back in each others lives ever since and enjoying every minute of it. She’s a former competitive powerlifter herself, so she’s very into what I do and extremely supportive. She is also a very good voice of reason as I’m stubborn and bull-headed. I don’t like to acknowledge my body and mind are almost 49 years old….
stephanie
WHAT WAS MEANT TO BE
"Living and enjoying life SOBER. Competing and setting/breaking state records. Enjoying my now young adult children and also my grandchildren ❤️"
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Wouldn't it be awesome if these were wearable?
