When I started The Customized Ride in October 2022, I didn’t set out to create “just another car page.” I set out to build something that truly celebrated the builders, dreamers, and enthusiasts who keep the custom car world alive. What began as a passion project has grown into a thriving community of over 550,000 followers across 10 platforms, with more than 250 million video views.
But behind every number, every reel, and every photo… there’s a story of sacrifice, grit, and faith.
For me, cars have been part of my heartbeat since I was sixteen. My love for engines, chrome, and craftsmanship started back then, working on cars with my dad, watching him help me bring my first car to life. Those are memories I’ll never forget. They shaped who I am.
At 24, I walked away from the car scene, not realizing that decades later, I’d find my way back through a camera lens. Now at 54, I get to live that passion again, not just for me, but with my family. My 13-year-old son, “Lil Chris,” has built his own brand, Hot Classic Rides, to over 70,000 followers in less than a year — even faster than The Customized Ride grew in its early days. And my wife, Sandy, is developing Heavy Load Trucks as part of our larger vision, Rolling Legacy Media.
It’s more than a media company. It’s a family legacy.
The Price of Passion
Most people see the highlight reels, the amazing cars, the crowds, the excitement. But what they don’t see is the price that passion demands.
When I cover car shows, I’m often out there for six, eight, sometimes ten hours a day, on my feet, constantly moving, filming, talking, and connecting with people. What many don’t realize is that I live with serious back pain. I do everything I can to avoid medicine unless I absolutely can’t bear the pain anymore.
So when we cover two- or three-day events, that usually means one day I’m medicated and the other days I push through the pain as best as I can. The irony? Standing and talking are what hurt me the most — and those are two of the things I love doing the most.
Because for me, this isn’t just about cars. It’s about people. The stories behind the builds. The dreams behind the engines. The community that makes it all come alive.
And that’s something worth pushing through the pain for.
Building Something That Lasts
I often think about my dad, how he helped me wrench on cars as a teenager, how proud he’d be to see what we’re building now. He passed away just seven months before The Customized Ride launched. Sometimes I wonder if maybe, in some small way, he’s still helping guide this from above. Because honestly, it feels like destiny.
As a family, we’ve thrown everything into this brand, financially, mentally, and physically. Every mile we drive to a car show, every late night editing videos, every dollar invested into gear and travel… it’s all part of the calling.
The dream is that within the next year or two, The Customized Ride will grow into a full-fledged family operation. My wife and daughter will run a merch booth while my son and I are out filming. Together, we’ll create a business that’s 100% family-run under our umbrella, Rolling Legacy Media. The name says it all, this is about building a legacy that rolls forward, one generation at a time.
I know my back won’t let me do this forever. I probably have five good years left before I’ll have to slow down physically. That’s why I’m pushing so hard now, to build something sustainable, something that can live beyond me. My goal is to eventually have multiple media teams under Rolling Legacy Media, traveling to shows across the country, capturing the culture, and telling the stories that matter.
But for now, it’s me and my family, giving everything we’ve got.
Lessons from the Road
If there’s one thing I’ve learned on this journey, it’s this:
Building anything worthwhile will cost you something.
You’ll pay with time.
You’ll pay with energy.
You’ll pay with heart, soul, and sometimes even pain.
But that’s what makes it real. That’s what makes it worth it.
So to anyone chasing a dream, whether it’s cars, business, art, or ministry, don’t stop because it hurts. Don’t stop because it’s hard. You might just be one mile away from your breakthrough.
For me, every ache, every long drive, every ounce of sacrifice is worth it, because it’s building something that matters. A legacy. A platform that celebrates the passion and people behind the custom car world.
This isn’t just my story, it’s ours.
And we’re just getting started.
The Customized Ride covers car shows, car meets, car events etc..