My name is Ezekiel, and the last few months changed the way I look at life, work, money and, most importantly, time.

I spent 43 days and 42 nights by my Dad's side in the hospital. I watched him fight until his final moments, and eventually I had to leave that hospital without him.

I'd make the decision to spend that time with him again every single time.

Because money can come back.

Jobs can be replaced.

Careers can be rebuilt.

But time is the one thing none of us can ever get back.

Now I'm dealing with a torn Achilles that has temporarily changed what I'm physically able to do, and I've been forced to think seriously about what I want the next chapter of my life to look like.

And I've decided to bet on myself.

My goal is to never have to work for someone else again.

Not because I don't want to work.

I'm ready to work harder than I ever have.

I just want that work to build something I own — something that gives me control of my time, allows me to be present for my family, and creates something I can eventually leave behind for my children.

So that's what I'm doing.

I'm starting with what I have and building from there.

I'm creating hundreds of videos. I'm telling stories. I'm making people laugh. I'm making music. I'm streaming. I'm working toward publishing my first book and creating merchandise around a project inspired by the memories and lessons my Dad left me called "Dad & Me."

Some of it is ready.

Some of it is still being built.

And I'm going to share the whole journey as it comes together.

I'm giving this everything I have.

This GoFundMe isn't about asking people to fund me sitting at home.

It's about giving me some breathing room while I recover, take care of my family and give myself a real opportunity to turn my creativity into something sustainable.

Donations will help with household bills, family expenses and everyday necessities while I'm unable to work the way I normally would.

But money isn't the only way to support me.

You can follow me.

Watch a video.

Leave a comment.

Share my story.

Subscribe to my YouTube or Twitch.

And as the book, merchandise and everything else I'm building becomes available, I'll share those things with you too.

Some of the most valuable ways you can help me right now don't cost anything at all.

I'm not asking anybody to guarantee that this works.

I'm asking for the opportunity to build it.

I don't know exactly where this journey will lead. I don't know which video will connect, which story somebody needs to hear, or how far this bet on myself will ultimately go.

But I know I'm going to work.

Losing my Dad taught me something I don't think I'll ever forget:

We spend our lives trying to make more money.

But nobody has ever figured out how to make more time.

So I'm going to protect mine.

I'm going to use it to create.

I'm going to use it to be present for my family.

I'm going to use it to build something that belongs to us.

And I'm going to document the entire journey.

If you choose to donate, follow, subscribe, share a video or simply stick around to see what happens...

You're betting on me too.

So what am I asking for?

I'm looking for as many strangers as I can find who are willing to bet $5 on me.

Why $5?

Because that was my Dad.

Whenever somebody asked that man to do damn near anything, one of his favorite responses was:

“5 dollars.”

It's one of those little things about him that I'll probably hear in my head for the rest of my life.

So I'm taking something that reminds me of my Dad and giving it a new meaning.

I'm betting on myself.

And I'm asking you to bet $5 on me too.

If you can give more, thank you.

If you can't give $5, help me find somebody who can.

Share my story. Follow the journey. Watch a video. Send this to somebody.

I'm not looking for one person to save me.

I'm looking for as many people as possible who are willing to make a small bet on somebody they've never met.

And every time somebody sends that $5, I'll know exactly what my Dad would say:

“Good looking out!”

— Ezekiel / efrm93

#DadAndMe

#EFRM93Takeover