Featured on national TV, owner of Peg Leg Porker Restaurant, Bringle’s Smoking Oasis, Pig Star and Peg Leg Porker Bourbon & Lifestyle Brand.
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I am incredibly thankful to have reached a point of success with my Nashville-based restaurants—Peg Leg Porker, Bringle’s Smoking Oasis and Pig Star—where the majority of our customers travel far and wide for our barbeque and bourbon. That means many patrons get to taste my food but may not have the knowledge of the man I am, nor are they aware of the story behind my brands and their successes.
My restaurants and my line of award-winning whiskeys, Peg Leg Porker Spirits, have garnered a great deal of media attention, which has been unbelievably gratifying, but I’m most grateful to have successfully battled cancer in my youth. Without that significant obstacle in my life, I wouldn’t be in my current position.
I was diagnosed with osteogenic sarcoma, an aggressive bone cancer when I was 17 years old and underwent months of intensive chemotherapy. My fight with osteogenic sarcoma, although victorious, came with a cost. I lost my leg, hence the name of my flagship business. I think it would be easy to feel unlucky or angry about what happened. Instead, I choose to view cancer as a game-changer for me, my work ethic and my brand.
My battle with cancer taught me some hard-hitting lessons, and it gave me a new perspective and a powerful drive that have been fundamental in conquering whatever hardships come my way. Whether I’m dealing with a new business venture or a hiccup in my day-to-day work, the lessons I’ve learned continue to provide support when facing adversity.
It doesn’t take a bout with cancer, though, to apply these lessons to your own life, and I hope my experiences will be helpful to others in their own search for success. Here are my biggest takeaways from beating cancer as a teenager.
1. Resilience is as valuable as gold.
One of the most significant lessons I carry from my cancer experience is that overcoming any obstacle, at its core, requires a great deal of resilience.
At 17, I faced a barrier that seemed impossible to hurdle. Chemotherapy is a slow and painful process that sometimes appears to offer no other option than to give up. But this forced me to look deeper inside myself than ever before, at a much younger age than many of my peers, and I discovered an inner strength I never knew I had. Tapping into that resilience has been critical in overcoming every obstacle I've faced since.
I perceive challenges differently now. I understand that the greater the fight, the greater the potential for uncovering a newfound understanding of oneself. So, I invite and seek out challenges in my work, frequently putting myself in new and uncomfortable situations.
Obstacles are inevitable when it comes to running a business. From supply chain impediments to staffing challenges, there's always something throwing a wrench in the works. But stop expecting a pity party—tackle problems head-on, find creative solutions and persevere until the smoke clears.
2. Prioritize your support system.
Another crucial lesson learned was the importance of a support system. During my cancer journey, family, friends and even strangers rallied around me. Their encouragement, love and compassion played a massive role in my recovery.
No one person makes it on their own. If someone claims to be “self-made,” I believe it’s simply not true. Rather than isolating yourself out of pride and cornering yourself into an even more difficult situation, put your ego aside and open yourself to asking for and accepting help. Then, when you’re able, repay the favor.
In the business world, having a reliable support system is just as crucial. Prioritize building a team around you that shares your dream. And most importantly, build a team that consistently allows you to ask for assistance and admit your faults. An understanding network you can lean on makes navigating challenges more manageable.
3. Learn adaptability.
My journey has taught me the importance of adaptability. Plans rarely unfold the way we envision them, and that's okay. Cancer dealt me a wild card, and I had to adapt my lifestyle, expectations and goals to the resulting consequences. Being adaptable is vital in any business, particularly the restaurant business. From frequent menu changes to unexpected market shifts, flexibility ensures that my business survives in the ever-changing culinary landscape.
It’s not just about adapting to circumstances that require it, though. You must set yourself up so that adaptation comes easily. Build a system and, more than anything, a mentality that fosters an openness to change. Big or small, an openness to adapt resonates powerfully among your co-workers and is a great way to demonstrate your control of a situation. When team members view a leader shifting practice with calm confidence, it spreads a sense of ease when they need it most.
4. Understand your purpose.
Lastly, my fight with cancer instilled in me an incredible sense of purpose—and gratitude for what I have. Surviving such a life-altering experience made me reflect deeply on what truly matters. It sparked a passion for making a positive impact, not just in my own life but in the lives of others. This purpose-driven mindset has guided my decisions as a business owner, from making the best barbeque I possibly can to pushing my brand into an entirely new market with Peg Leg Porker Spirits.
Success is much more than a paycheck. I almost had everything stripped from me at a young age; now, I live and work solely to achieve what I believe is my purpose.
Beating cancer as a young man shaped me into a resilient, grateful, adaptable and purpose-driven individual. These qualities have become the secret sauce, so to speak, in navigating the challenges of running an award-winning brand. Life is constantly unpredictable, which can be beautiful if you aren’t afraid to use the obstacles you encounter to your advantage. Adversity is inevitable—it will come no matter what you do. You can only succeed by learning to welcome it every step of the way.
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