Ty’s Story.
I wanted to be a Superhero. Specifically… Batman. Not in a passive or fleeting sort of manner that most little boys imagine…I reeeeaaaally wanted to be Batman. He was perfect. He wasn’t superhuman to the extent that if I tried to perform his feats I would be locked up in a padded room or get blindsided by a comet, but he was more than the average man and had the ability to kick butt on command…especially with the aid of Alfred and his gadgets.
I wanted to be a superhero so bad that at age 6 after sneaking in an episode of evening cartoons I took the sheet off my bed, wrapped it around my neck, put on my glow-in-the-dark Transformer pajama bottoms (you know the ones), and proceeded to run down our long carpeted hallway and jump. For about 1.2343 seconds, I was a Ninja, Batman, Superman, and Ironman all in one. I flew…over and over and over. Unfortunately, skidding on the carpet 36 times in 8 minutes created something of a serious rug burn. My mom had to put ointment on my stomach and chest for a week so I could heal.
Epic fail. (But totally worth it)
Further superhero attempts developed at the age of 12 when I pretended that my bike was really the Knight Rider vehicle “Kit.” I had taped a recording of my voice talking like a computer to my handlebars while I was out patrolling the neighborhood trying to rescue a lost dog that had wandered away.
My Superhero aspirations did not stop during my youth. I actually entered my freshman year at Yale University thinking that I was going to be an engineer so I could make awesome gadgets for my future crime fighting activities. It turns out that you actually need superior knowledge of advanced calculus and physics to make that stuff work…drat. I graduated with a behavioral neuroscience degree and settled into a practical life that got turned upside-down when I became a victim of ID theft that turned my life, assets, property and security on its head. I needed a real life hero.
With my life turned upside down, a childhood dream deferred, and an abundance of time… I had two choices: I could wallow, or I could do something I never thought possible or practical, while at the same time helping people. I chose the latter option.
Enter Machine Seven. Machine Seven is the only charitable initiative in the world that uses repurposed or redesigned supercars for community benefit while on a continuous philanthropic tour. The cars used for Machine Seven are completely built from scratch and have the added bonus of improved technology, design and security that enhance the tour/charitable experience. I had always had an eye for design, and now with generous support and a passion to serve, I have the means to make a dream come true while not putting myself in copious amounts of danger…or flying through the air and getting rug burns!
Along with the thousands (and hopefully millions) that choose to use their cars to be DRIVEN for good, I also get to help and serve amazing people. I also have the unique opportunity to respond to needs of organizations & individuals all over world with the display of the Machine Seven Crest. Annnnnnddd I don’t have to wear tights and talk like I just swallowed gravel… all this, while still being able to inspire others toward greater expectations of their tools and capacities.
Kiss My Grits Batman!