jacked up

“I’m all jacked up on Mountain Dew.” – Talladega Nights

Sometimes, to hit a deadline, you call in reinforcements—caffeine and nicotine to the rescue.

Last week took me right back to my years on the rigs: long days, little sleep, and way too much caffeine… with plenty of nicotine in the mix. This post is less about the photo itself and more about what it represents, what goes on behind the scenes in the field.

For the record, the cigarettes in the picture aren’t mine.

I was a Camel man back in the day.

I snapped the photo as a reminder of what it means to lead: give the crew what they need to stay sharp and focused.

Some of the best problem-solving I’ve ever been a part of happened during smoke breaks. That 3–5 minutes to step back, think, regroup, and then head right back into the fire.

That break can change the outcome of a day.

Whether it’s on a rig, on a jobsite, or in a boardroom, these two vices have been the unofficial fuel that keeps the machine running.

As a leader, it’s my job to provide the tools, the fuel, and the environment to get the mission done.

And that means leading from the front.

The work may not always be glamorous, but it’s real. And sometimes, that’s exactly what leadership looks like.

Your turn: What’s your “Mountain Dew and Camels” when the pressure’s on?