For the past six years, I’ve been pouring my heart into a book called Becoming Ready to Die. It’s the story of my journey from a Division I baseball player chasing the big leagues… to dying on the operating table during a failed surgery… to a profound experience on the other side and the second chance that followed.

It’s also about the battles that came after — addiction, deep isolation, financial collapse, losing everything, living in an attic and my car — and the road back. This story has already been changing lives. In just 10 podcast interviews, nearly half a million people have heard it, and I now have 80 more interviews lined up, reaching audiences from 5,000 to 500,000 — meaning millions more will encounter this message in the months ahead.

I’ve been in talks with TED about speaking on the Gen Z male mental health crisis, with plans for future talks on life after death and addiction. I’ve spent the past three years training under Scott Mann — former Green Beret, New York Times bestselling author, and world-renowned speaker — who is writing the foreword to this book.

Now, I’m at the final stage — and the one thing standing between me and the book’s release is the cover. A strong, professional cover is not just decoration; it’s the door through which readers will enter the story.

There’s a quote I love: “If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together.”

I’ve never been one to ask for much, but this mission is bigger than me. That’s why I’m inviting a small group of people who’ve supported and believed in me to help me raise $2,500 for the book cover.

If you feel compelled to be part of this, here’s how I’d like to thank you:

• Free early reading of the book in PDF format before it’s released to the public

• Your name in the acknowledgments of the book

• A signed early copy of Becoming Ready to Die

• A handwritten, personal thank-you note from me

• Exclusive access to premium content, events, or talks I give

But more than that — your support would directly help bring this story to tens of thousands (and hopefully hundreds of thousands) of readers who need a reminder of what’s possible when life falls apart… and how to live fully while we have the chance.

Whether you contribute or not, I’m grateful for the role you’ve played in this journey. Without people like you, none of this would mean anything.

With gratitude,

Bubba