From Boots on the Ground to Peaks in the Sky.

My name is Harry J. I’m a police officer in Ontario, and for years, I was the guy kicking in doors, chasing suspects, and running toward danger while trying to keep everything inside me locked down tight. But a few years ago, everything changed.

A traumatic brain injury I suffered on the job after a car accident flipped my entire world upside down.

What followed wasn’t just physical pain — it was a slow unraveling. The TBI opened the floodgates of everything I had buried for years. I was hit with insomnia that stole my nights, vision problems that clouded my days, memory lapses, anxiety, emotional dysregulation — and a deep, heavy silence that settled over my life. I began to isolate. I pushed people away. I didn’t recognize the man in the mirror anymore.

There came a point when I wanted to give up. The weight was too much. But one night, I made a call — one that changed everything.

I dialed Boots on the Ground.

That first conversation altered my path. They listened. No judgment, no agenda — just one first responder holding space for another. At a time when I couldn’t hold space for myself, they did it for me. And that made all the difference.

Now, I’m taking on the climb of a lifetime — to honor that moment, that call, and every first responder still silently carrying their pain.

This October, I’ll be ascending to Everest Base Camp and then climbing to the summit of Island Peak (6,189m) in the Himalayas.

I’m doing it to raise funds and awareness for Boots on the Ground, the very people who were there when I needed them most — and who continue to show up for others when the weight becomes too much to carry alone.

This climb isn’t just about the mountain. It’s about the thousands of invisible mountains that first responders face every single day — PTSD, trauma, depression, addiction, burnout.

I’m asking for your help.

Every donation goes directly to Boots on the Ground so they can continue answering calls, training volunteers, and saving lives. Every dollar is a step closer to helping someone feel seen, heard, and not alone.

Whether you’ve worn the uniform or love someone who has… whether you’ve ever struggled in silence or simply believe in supporting those who serve… I ask you to stand with me.

Let’s turn pain into purpose. Let’s climb for those who still can’t.

With love and grit,

Jugs