Grant remembers an idyllic Altoona childhood—row houses, walking to school with his mother, and deep winter snow. Then his family moves to Tampa, landing on a sand-rut road at a tiny shack with army cots and an outhouse. Amid strain, faith, and school discouragement, he makes a turning-point choice: the Naval Reserve.
Grant joins the Navy after being told he had “no skills” and no clear path. Aboard a troop transport, he sees the world—California, Japan, Hong Kong, Australia—and finds ways to make ship life meaningful, from office work to building a library and running a small radio routine. Hearing JFK discuss Vietnam while his ship carries combat troops sparks a political awakening that changes him for life.
Grant’s love of maps leads him into anthropology, seminary, and a life-changing awakening—ending with a burning cross outside his window and a decision to leave organized religion.
Grant accidentally becomes a geography teacher and discovers he’s built for it—then a severe back injury forces him to relearn life through balance, recovery, and what later became yoga.
A year of instability, a divorce, and building a 10-unit apartment complex push Grant to meditation—transforming his inner life, his classroom, and how he measures the impact of teaching.
Grant describes the moment fatherhood changed everything—showing up fully, fighting for paternity leave, co-parenting with intention, and watching a daughter grow into her own life.
A decade single and focused on fatherhood, Grant meets Diana through a simple school request—then learns to dance, love, and build a life with his best friend.
Grant reflects on the early tension of blending families—protective kids, slow trust, and patient parenting—until a full-circle moment when Ryan asks him to officiate his wedding.
A spontaneous nickname becomes a real role: “Grand Grant” Grant reflects on showing up with presence, hugs, and love—building a bond that lasts across generations.
Grant shares his daily ritual—meditation, writing, and watching nature—to shift perspective, quiet the ego, and live by one guiding choice: love over being right.
