The Journey
From beaches to mountains, shop floors to boardrooms - this is the story of building a legacy worth leaving.
The Beginning - Father's Hangar (1990s-2001)
Started painting in my father's aircraft hangar. Discovered a passion for custom work that went beyond just a job - it was something I couldn't explain, something deep inside that drove me to create.
Rise of Kustom King (2001-2008)
Built some of the best custom cars and motorcycles of that era. Truck of the Year 2008. Dozens of Best Paint awards. Won People's Choice at Hot August Nights Reno with a 1956 Chevy—the following year, casinos adorned their posters with it, poker tables featured it, main advertising for the show used it. Best of Show with a 32 High Boy at Good Guys Visalia. Hot Wheels made die-cast cars from my builds. My vehicles were featured on t-shirts nationwide.
Film & Media Work: Paint work on the DC-3 for the movie Congo. Helped build choppers for The Expendables. Worked on and filmed Fifty Frenzy 2 and Lensmoto Video Magazine in the early 2000s. Featured on MTV Pimp My Ride. Published in 37+ international publications. Headlining car shows, guest speaking, news interviews.
Innovation Beyond Cars: Designed and built 4-wheel bicycles that rented in Mission Bay, California—proving the creative drive extended beyond traditional automotive.
This was my prime - living the dream I'd worked for. Every award, every magazine cover, every show—it all validated decades of obsessive pursuit of perfection.
Istanbul & International Expansion (2008-2010)
Traveled to Istanbul to work with TT Custom Choppers - culture shock building and painting high-end choppers. Partnered with West Coast Choppers Europe and Antonio Blanco. Wrote editorial pieces for Easy Rider Magazine Europe. Opened a Harley Davidson dealership. Brought my daughter to Istanbul, then sent her and my ex back to the US. I followed a month later.
The Day I Lost Sailor (2010-2011)
I came home and they were gone. My ex, my daughter Sailor Renee Albert, their clothes, their belongings—everything. Just gone.
I drove 2 hours towards Montana. Turned around. Drove 4 hours towards Seattle. Turned around. Back to Coeur d'Alene. Sat in a Chevron parking lot for 5 hours not knowing what to do. My mind was racing, my heart was breaking, and I had no idea where my daughter was.
I called the sheriff's office daily—reporting custodial interference. My daughter was taken out of state. They said there's nothing they can do. Day after day I called. They wouldn't even write a report. Knowing my daughter was gone, knowing it was wrong, and they did nothing.
I was devastated. Just about lost all hope.
That was the beginning. Haven't seen Sailor in 15 years due to circumstances completely out of my control. Still paying child support every month, but what I really want to pay is time—time I can't get back. I mourned my daughter like a death. It was devastating. Still is.
To this day, I hear about fathers who won't see their children—living right down the street—for no other reason than they're pieces of shit. If they only knew how lucky they are. We never know what we have till it's gone. Life can be cruel and beautiful at the same time.
Definitely the hardest thing mentally I've ever dealt with in my life to date. The sense of missing her is unexplainable. This shaped everything that came after.
Sailor, if you're reading this: I know there are two sides to every story, but this is mine. This is what I lived. It took me 15 years to get the courage to even do this—to put these words out there knowing you might find them someday. I don't expect you to make sense of it overnight. I don't expect you to choose sides. But I needed you to know that I never stopped fighting for you, even when fighting meant building something you could inherit when I couldn't be there in person. Everything I've done—the businesses, the goals, Pure Path Northwest—it's all been with you in mind. When you're ready to talk, I'm here. I've been counting down to this moment for fifteen years. I love you. I always have. —Dad
Oil Fields Era (2011-2014)
Three years in the oil fields. James Oilfield Service in North Dakota - met Shilo, an amazing human. Southern Oilfield Service in Texas - met Ray Prestige, helped him close our office. Realized it's every man for himself, promises are meaningless without a plan. Had to leave because my mind wasn't right over my daughter. Needed to reset.
Return to Idaho & Shop Restart (2014-2017)
Came back to Idaho, started my shop again for 3 years. Getting back to what I knew while figuring out what was next. The passion for cars was still there, but something was shifting inside me.
Dubai & Personal Life (2017-2019)
Went to Dubai to work. Was with my future wife at the time. Things were rough - there were 3 stepdaughters in my life: Bella (sweet and innocent), Emma (middle child), and Kaylyn (hell on wheels). Got married. We separated after a year while I was back and forth. Started flipping houses. Thought I needed to give my marriage a 2nd chance - I missed the girls. It worked another year until my ex got comfortable and started seeing the help. Divorce.
Second Loss - Kaylyn (2019)
Meanwhile, I became very close to my stepdaughter Kaylyn. She would come see me and every visit made me happy. Then, after the divorce, her mother knew she could hurt me—so she filed for a no-contact order. Another child pulled from my life. To this day it upsets me. My ex weaponized access to the girls knowing it would break me. Sailor is my biological daughter. Kaylyn, Bella, and Emma were my stepdaughters—but losing any child you love feels the same.
The Awakening - House Remodeling (2019-2020)
Soul searching in a new house, middle of remodeling. Sat on a curb one day looking at houses in the neighborhood. All I could see was money - something I never experienced working on cars. I realized that day I had a real love and passion for building cars and motorcycles, something in me I can't explain. But I also realized: what if I could solve some health issues? If I only helped save one person's life, it would be awesome and worth everything.
Water Research Begins (2020-2022)
Started thinking about life and health. We're made of 90% water - that's where my 5-year research began. Reconnected with Jess Atwood, a friend from middle school who I thought passed away. That's a crazy feeling. Jess introduced me to fulvic and humic acid. Since then, I've been nonstop researching.
Pure Path Northwest Launch (2023-Present)
Opened Pure Path Northwest. We're going into full production, ready to launch the most important supplement anyone has ever launched. Not only is our product the best, it will help many other supplements work better. This is my legacy - not just for me, but for my daughters who I can't be with. All I can do is show them through my decisions in life and where they ultimately lead me.
AI & Modern Entrepreneurship (2024-Present)
In my last couple years, I've become skilled in AI. Now I'm able to utilize it for web development, business advising, knowledge building. It's like having a partner who never sleeps - helping me code, strategize, and push boundaries in ways I never could alone.
Speaking & Mentoring: Started speaking at conferences, mentoring entrepreneurs on resilience and the thick skin it takes to succeed. Patrick Bet-David's wisdom sticks with me: "Choose your enemies wisely"—truth every entrepreneur needs. PBD should be in every new entrepreneur's top 5 playlist.
The Legacy
Life is about your legacy and leaving a good one. Without being in my daughters' lives, all I am able to do is show them by my decisions and where they ultimately lead me. Every pivot, every loss, every win - it all matters. From custom automotive legend to wellness pioneer, the journey continues. Coeur d'Alene, Idaho is home base. Pure Path Northwest is the mission. And the story isn't over.