We’ve lived through hell. We were consumed by addiction—lost in a relentless cycle of drugs and destruction. It all caught up with us, and we found ourselves sitting in prison cells, facing the consequences of a life completely out of control. Long before prison, though, we had already fallen as far as we could go—homeless, broken, and suffocating in a darkness we thought we’d never escape.
There, in those prison cells, something shifted. We had to face ourselves—really face the damage, the regrets, and the lives we had shattered, including our own. That was the moment we decided that the chaos had to end. We were tired of the mayhem, tired of destroying everything and everyone around us. So we made a vow to each other and to ourselves: when we make it out of here, we’d never go back to the people we once were.
When we got out in 2020, we were determined to make good on that promise. The road ahead wasn’t smooth—it wasn’t supposed to be. But we fought, day after day, to rebuild everything we had lost. And for Justin, that meant fighting to regain custody of his daughter, who barely knew him anymore. She was so young when he went to prison, and during those long years apart, they became strangers. The day Justin walked out of prison, he knew he had to start all over again—not just with his life, but with his daughter. He had to become a father all over again. It took nearly two years of proving he was a different man, but eventually, the day came when he got her back. Now, she’s starting her second year of school with him by her side, where he always should have been.
At the same time, Justin began to rebuild his relationship with his son, a bond that had suffered in the shadows of addiction and absence. He had missed so many moments, but he wasn’t going to miss any more. Slowly but surely, father and son began reconnecting. Justin is committed to being there now—for every moment, for every milestone—making up for the time lost to his past.
When we decided to create Leaving Mayhem, it wasn’t just about launching a clothing brand. It was about creating something that stood for the same resilience and transformation we’ve fought so hard to achieve. We had left the darkness behind, but we knew there were countless others still trapped in their own personal mayhem. We wanted to show them that there’s always a way out—that no matter how far gone you think you are, no matter how hopeless it feels, you can always fight your way back.
When we decided to create Leaving Mayhem, it wasn’t just about launching a clothing brand. It was about creating something that stood for the same resilience and transformation we’ve fought so hard to achieve. We had left the darkness behind, but we knew there were countless others still trapped in their own personal mayhem. We wanted to show them that there’s always a way out—that no matter how far gone you think you are, no matter how hopeless it feels, you can always fight your way back.
We’ve been on the run, hiding out in hotels, drowning in negativity and regret. We’ve lost the trust of people we loved, and we’ve been written off by so many who thought we wouldn’t make it—people who were sure we’d end up dead. But we didn’t. We’re still here, living proof that change is possible. It wasn’t easy; in fact, it was the hardest thing we’ve ever done. But we made it.
Every day, we remind ourselves that we’re still on this journey. Dustin still has a few years left on parole, but we’re both committed to staying clean, staying focused, and staying true to the promises we made to ourselves. Each day is a new opportunity to live in the light instead of the darkness that once defined us. We’re grateful for every second chance, every breath of this new life we’ve built.
Leaving Mayhem represents that journey—the fight to rise above the chaos, the strength to break free from the past, and the hope that lives in every single person who believes they can change. Our story isn’t just about surviving; it’s about rising. It’s about believing that no matter how far you’ve fallen, you can always stand up again and reclaim your life.
This is why we created Leaving Mayhem. We want people to know that they’re never too far gone to start over. We want to inspire people to create better lives for themselves. There’s always a way back, always a chance for redemption. We’re living proof of that, and we’ll continue to share that message for as long as we can. No matter how deep the mayhem runs, you can always leave it behind and build something better.
We did it. And we know you can, too.
