Today we’d like to introduce you to Richard Ledferd.
Hi Richard, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstories with our readers?
Too many, stories seem to stem from either being born to do something. Or experiences molding them into who they have ultimately become based on the choices they’ve made in the past. My story is sitting in the fine line between that. I strongly believe I was born to be in athletics my whole life. Never imagined flying drones for a living and producing content for brands. What Honestly started this whole venture was the moment I found out I was going to be a father. Prior to this, I worked many corporate jobs. I sold things, made calls, knocked on doors, stocked shelves, and delivered some packages. Up until this point, the only direction I had was to find a job with benefits, 401k, and a decent salary. I was definitely on the right track. After college, I spent quite a bit of time in the gym still training and trying to maintain a physique. All throughout college ball, I was always told I needed to gain weight, strength, and overall power if I planned on doing something with the sport. Well. I struggled. I ate lots of food, spent a massive amount of time in the gym, did my research, and still fell short. This sparked an interest for me that maybe, just maybe I could study for not only myself. But to also become a coach/trainer and help others like myself. A few years down the road I even started competing as a freestyle calisthenics athlete. While training I would record my buddies and myself workout and make a pretty cool video edit. I never really thought much of it until I started to spend more time creating for the group. Fast forward a couple years later and I finally decided to purchase a base-level DSLR camera. I wanted to set up my game and take things more seriously. Once I decided to hold off on competing and focus more on becoming a coach. I went all-in on my studies while I was working a full-time job as a sales rep. Many days working I would have a lot of conversations with the managers from stores I used to sell to, and one of the main topics that would always come up. Was the fact that they settled for a corporate job and never took the chance on themselves. This was becoming an everyday thing for me and it seemed really odd that I kept hearing it over and over. In this same time span, I found out I was going to be a father! I was super excited and scared at the same time. I did not know what to expect and all I wanted was to be a great father to my son and an amazing spouse to my fiancé. So, I picked up a second job enrolling people into a 24-hour fitness that way I was able to get my foot in the door as a trainer. Once I felt confident and passed my certification test to be a trainer. I put in my notice to my sales job and moved to 24-hour fitness as a full-Time trainer. I was proud of myself and knew this was the start of the career I knew I was meant for. Throughout the years I bounced around coaching individual sports, training athletes, and working for myself. During this time, I had many moments when I struggled to find anyone to workout with. So that’s when I grabbed my camera again and started learning how to produce content that speaks to direct consumers. This was a very exciting time for me because I embraced every moment of it. II failed a lot during these times, went broke, struggled to make payments. But I knew this was all a test. I knew this would make me into the solid man I wanted to become. Covid had dealt me horrible cards. Everything slowed down in terms of business. I also lost my grandfather in the midst of it. But before he was gone, I spoke to him about an opportunity in Texas. I told him I had a huge opportunity to do the things I love and be successful for my family. He really insisted I’d go. So, my family and I packed very lightly. Pretty much whatever we could fit in my truck as well as a tiny Uhaul that hitched to my truck and hit the road. When arriving all we had was clothes, a television, my sons’ toys, and my pups. I slept on a foam roller and yoga mat up until my family arrived. By then, I would have started my first few weeks coaching and purchased a bed. From then on, we started putting our little apartment together. Little my little embracing the moments we had built together. Pass 9 months down the road and we are finally moving into the ideal apartment we’ve wanted just before house-hunting next year. Texas has been amazing to us and that, I thank everyone that has made all of this possible. My goals and aspirations will always be the same. Along with my own moral values. Everything I do is for myself and whatever I can do to help and support small businesses. I am all for it! Thank you for reading my story. There is still quite a bit I left out. But I feel like this would have gone on forever! I hope this works and helps someone along their journey to just go after whatever it is they truly want to achieve!
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall, and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Working two jobs full-time/ part-time while studying for cert. Covid
Understanding I’d be broke for a while chasing something I love
Balancing time with work, studies, family, gym, mental health, and friends. etc.
Learning everything as I went
A lot of sleepless nights
Working through very long days
Moving states
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I work as an assistant strength and conditioning coach and started my own Videography/Drone brand. I am super proud of taking the step to become my own boss. My goal was also create something for my family to always have. When my son is old enough, he can either sell it or continue the family brand. I’d say work ethic and the time spent working together and creating a solid collaborative idea.
What do you like and dislike about the city?
The support to small business, food, and overall vibes. Dislikes are definitely the bugs and heat.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.puresavagemedia.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/savagerich_ps/?hl=en
