LocalNavy433 Photography

Hello and how the hell are you? If this is your first time here, thank you for stopping by. This blog is built off the life experiences I’ve gained through wrestling, welding, and photography three crafts that couldn’t seem more different on the surface, but they all share one undeniable truth: success is built in the shadows long before anyone ever sees the result.

I am a wrestler at heart always will be. The lessons learned on the mat shaped who I am today. Welding became my first job in the adult world, teaching me the power of precision and patience. Photography is my newest passion, blending the mindset from both worlds into every frame I capture.

So what do they all have in common? The grind.

Wrestling: Repetition Breeds Mastery

Wrestling is hours upon hours spent drilling one takedown, one pinning combination, how to defend those moves over and over until it becomes second nature. The real work happens when no one is watching. “When you’re exhausted, body’s screaming, and you’re down by one” what do you do? You push through. One shot at a time.

Every move is built through muscle memory the kind of memory that only comes from hours spent in the shadows when no one is clapping for you. Those lonely nights and early mornings create the confidence to know you can outwork anyone who steps across from you.

What are you working on right now that no one sees? Drop a comment or DM me let’s talk about the grind you’re putting in behind closed doors.

Welding: The Beauty Is in the Details

Welding isn’t just throwing two pieces of metal together and laying a bead. “It’s a process” grinding, cleaning, fitting up, and laying down that perfect bead. Every little detail matters. An undercut here or a cold lap there will make a weld weak. But when you take your time and do it right, that weld will hold for generations.

In welding, the beauty isn’t in the spark — it’s in the prep work no one sees.

The time spent preparing the metal, grinding down the edges, and setting the perfect fit-up separates a strong weld from one that will crack under pressure. Just like wrestling, it’s about doing the small things when no one is watching.

Whether you’re in the shop, the gym, or out chasing your dream take a second to appreciate the little details. What’s one small habit you’re working on right now that will make you unbreakable?

Photography: The Story Hidden in a Thousand Frames

“Photography isn’t just about pressing a button” it’s about seeing the story before anyone else does.

When I started photography, I thought it was all about having the best gear or the perfect location. But I quickly learned that the real magic is in the thousands of frames no one ever sees. Every photographer takes hundreds of shots to get one perfect image. What separates the good from the great is the ability to break down every missed shot and learn from it.

You have to train your eye the same way a wrestler trains their takedown. You walk into a scene and instantly start breaking down the composition where the light is coming from, what the leading lines are, and how to frame the story. The more you shoot, the faster your mind works behind the lens.

The camera doesn’t make the “photographer” the hours spent studying composition, light, and movement do.

Most people only see the final image, but the journey to that one frame is filled with failure, adjustments, and self-critique. Just like welding and wrestling, it’s about putting in the time when no one is looking — hiking the miles, waiting in the cold, or shooting through entire memory cards to get the shot that tells a story.

What’s your craft? Whether you’re behind a lens, in the ring, or on the grind, share your journey with me. Tag me in your work or DM me your story — let’s build this community of people chasing something bigger.

Built in the Shadows

All three crafts come down to the same thing: No one is going to do it for you.

It’s the hours spent alone, grinding when no one is watching, that separate the good from the great. The early mornings and late nights. The setbacks and frustrations. The long days away from family. That’s where champions, craftsmen, and artists are built ” in the shadows.”

When the work is finally seen “whether it’s your hand raised on the mat, a weld holding up a building, or an image that stops someone in their tracks” only you will know what it took to get there.

“If you’re chasing something, whatever your craft may be” embrace the shadows. That’s where greatness is built.

If this message hits home for you, I want to hear about your journey. Drop a comment, share your craft, or DM me what you’re building in the shadows.

Tag someone who’s out there grinding with no spotlight. Let’s build a community of people who understand that the work that matters happens when no one is watching.

#BuiltInTheShadows #GrindSeason #WeldingMindset #WrestlingMentality #PhotographyJourney #BehindTheScenesGrind