The Road to Purpose: How Loss Ignited a New Journey

Last year, life threw a curveball that I never saw coming. More on that in a minute, but first some context...

In 2023, my cousin Brent passed away unexpectedly from a heart condition. Brent was 52, and growing up only five miles from each other, was like the big brother I never had.

He was also someone whose vibrant energy, deep love for cycling, and generous spirit had always inspired those around him.

His sudden absence left a gaping hole, not only in my life, but many, many, many others- as was evidence by the long line, probably 50 people deep that never seemed to get shorter, at his showing following his passing.

A few months before Brent's passing, news of my parents’ divorce had already upended my world, plunging me into a mental health spiral of depression and anxiety. Suddenly, I was forced to confront the stark reality of how fleeting life can be.

Finding Meaning in Heartache

(In photo L-R: my brother, Chad, Brent, me, my cousin, Ben, and my cousin/Brent's brother, Aaron)

I’ve always believed in the healing power of connection and purpose. Brent’s death hit me hard, not only because I lost a beloved family member, but also because it made me question what I was doing with my own life.

As I grappled with overwhelming emotions, I realized I wasn’t just mourning my cousin who had passed—I was mourning lost time, opportunities, and the very essence of what it means to truly live.

In that state of vulnerability, I began to reflect on my own life and the memories that have defined me.

I remembered my childhood days spent riding through the backroads rural Indiana, the thrill of climbing, then descending Azusa Canyon in Southern California and Horsetooth Canyon near Ft. Collins, Colorado, The adrenaline rush of racing a thunderstorm as I climbed Vail Pass in Colorado, and the countless hours I spent on Seattle’s Sammamish River and Burke-Gillman Trails, culminating long rides with a cold, refreshing beer from Red Hook Brewery in Woodinville, where I lived.

Cycling wasn’t just a pastime—it was a thread woven through the fabric of my life, connecting moments of joy, freedom, and resilience.

A Night of Remembrance That Changed Everything

Last August (2024), I returned to Indianapolis for an event hosted by Brent’s sister, Julie—a night dedicated to celebrating Brent’s life and legacy. Amid the bittersweet atmosphere of remembrance, there was a silent auction to raise money for the Brent Warnecke Scholarship fund. On a whim, I placed a bid on something that carried the weight of our shared history: Brent’s cherished road bike, a Trek Madone he once rode along the Tour de France route in France.

(Brent with his Trek Madone in France)

"Winning" his bike was more than just a stroke of luck—it was a symbolic moment, a passing of the torch. Holding the bike, I felt the pulse of countless memories and the promise of new beginnings.

In that emotional moment, I made a decision: I would ride his bike from my home in Spokane back to Indianapolis.

But as the plan took shape days, and even weeks later, I realized this journey could be so much more than a personal goal. It could be a rallying cry—a movement to address something that’s close to my heart: the mental health crisis impacting our youth. Something I constantly worry about as the father of three young boys.

Rekindling the Love for Cycling and Life

My history with cycling runs deep. For years, I lost touch with the road bike that once meant so much to me—its theft on Halloween Night in 2011 had left a void that I never fully filled.

Life’s transitions—moving from Denver to Seattle, getting married, and finally settling and raising a family in Spokane—made it tough to reclaim that lost passion. Then, during the pandemic in 2020, a simple tradition with my neighbor rekindled my love for riding. Every Friday, we would set out on our bikes, our kids trailing behind in Burleys, finding solace and joy in the simple act of riding, being outside, and being able to interact with other humans face-to-face.

Winning Brent’s bike was like destiny calling me back to my roots—a call to not only ride but to make a meaningful impact. It reminded me of my father’s epic rides when he was young—from Indianapolis to Washington, D.C. and Indy to Colorado (I never really saw him on a bike when I was a kid; I think those rides made him never want to ride a bike again). That had fueled my own childhood dreams of adventure, exploration, and someday riding a bike across the country.

Cycling On Purpose: A Movement Born from Loss and Love

Out of these intertwined memories and painful losses emerged Cycling On Purpose. I decided to channel my grief, my love for cycling, and my desire to see real change into a mission that goes beyond one person's journey.

Our children—the next generation—deserve a future free from the crippling weight of mental health challenges. They deserve the chance to experience childhood with resilience, joy, and hope.

My upcoming ride is more than a cross-country ride. It’s a comprehensive movement aimed at reversing the youth mental health crisis.

Through this journey, I hope to spark conversations, raise awareness, and empower families, educators, and communities with practical tools and knowledge to affect their own change.

Alongside the ride, we’re launching a six-week virtual event where participants can set personal physical or mental wellness goals, track their progress, and engage in peer-to-peer fundraising. This initiative is about turning every small action into a building block for a brighter, more resilient future.

Carrying Brent’s Legacy Forward

Brent was a force for good—a passionate cyclist and a dedicated philanthropist, deeply involved in initiatives like Big Brothers of Indianapolis and even starting a nonprofit to support children in South America. His life taught me that even in the face of adversity, we have the power to create change. By riding across the country, I’m not just honoring Brent’s memory; I’m carrying his legacy forward.

I want every pedal stroke to remind us that while we cannot control every twist and turn of fate, we can control the impact we make on the lives around us.

I also remind myself every day of something Brent had reminded everyone he engaged with who might have been struggling in that current moment - including me: only focus on what you can control. 

As I prepare and train for this ride and when I'm on the ride itself, "only focus on what I can control" will be the mantra that keeps me centered and focused on that day, that present moment I'm living in.

A Call to Action

This journey is as much about personal healing as it is about rallying a community (and a country) to take action. I invite you to join me—whether by riding alongside for a segment, participating in our virtual event, or supporting the cause with a donation.

Together, we can build a future where our children are not defined by anxiety and depression but are empowered with resilience, hope, and a true sense of purpose.

If you’ve ever felt the sting of loss, the weight of worry for the future, or the pull of a passion long forgotten, let this be a reminder that every challenge is an opportunity for change. Every small step, every pedal stroke, adds up to a movement that can transform lives.

Thank you for joining me on this road to purpose. Let’s ride for change, for our children, and for a future where every generation can thrive.