We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Devon Mabry a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, Devon thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. It’s always helpful to hear about times when someone’s had to take a risk – how did they think through the decision, why did they take the risk, and what ended up happening. We’d love to hear about a risk you’ve taken.

One of the biggest risks I’ve taken was leaving everything familiar behind and moving to North Carolina to start over.

Before that, my life was surrounded by a lot of negativity violence, legal trouble, toxic relationships, and people I thought I could trust turning on me. I had been in situations that could’ve easily kept me stuck in that cycle. On top of that, I didn’t really have anyone I could talk to or lean on, so most of the weight was on me to figure things out.

At a certain point, I realized that if I stayed in that environment, nothing in my life was going to change. I had children depending on me, and I knew I couldn’t keep going down the same path. That’s when I made the decision to take a risk and leave no guarantees, no solid plan, just the belief that I needed a fresh start.

Moving to North Carolina meant stepping away from everything I knew both the good and the bad. I had to rebuild from the ground up: new environment, new opportunities, and a completely different mindset. It wasn’t easy. There were moments of doubt, financial pressure, and adjusting to a new life without a support system.

But that decision turned out to be one of the best moves I’ve made. It gave me space to grow, to focus on being a better father, and to make more positive choices. I also got baptized, which was a major step for me spiritually and mentally it helped me realign my values and direction.

That experience taught me that sometimes the biggest growth comes from stepping into the unknown. It showed me I’m capable of making hard decisions, adapting to change, and building a better path for myself and my family even when the odds aren’t guaranteed.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your background and context?

I’m someone who comes from real life experience, not just textbooks. I’ve been through a lot challenges, setbacks, and situations that could’ve easily held me back but instead of letting that define me, I used it as motivation to build something better for myself and my family. Today, I’m focused on building a career in the HVAC industry and creating a stable, skilled future through hard work and discipline.

I got into HVAC because I’ve always been hands on and good at figuring out how things work, especially mechanical systems. I didn’t just want a job I wanted a trade that would allow me to build a long-term career, stay in demand, and eventually create opportunities for myself, whether that’s moving up in a company or starting my own business. HVAC stood out to me because it combines technical knowledge with real-world problem-solving, and it’s something people rely on every day.

Right now, I’m in college learning HVAC, where I’m gaining experience in heating, ventilation, air conditioning, electrical components, and system diagnostics. My goal is to become highly skilled in installing, maintaining, and repairing HVAC systems, making sure homes and businesses stay safe, comfortable, and energy efficient.

What sets me apart is my mindset and resilience. I’m not coming into this field just looking for a paycheck I’m coming in with a purpose. I understand what it means to start from the bottom, to stay disciplined, and to keep going even when things aren’t easy. I take pride in learning fast, working hard, and doing things the right way. I also value honesty and reliability, because I know that in this industry, trust is everything.

The problems I aim to solve are simple but important helping people stay comfortable in their homes, preventing costly breakdowns, and making sure systems run efficiently. Whether it’s fixing an issue quickly or installing something the right way the first time, I want to be someone customers can depend on.

What I’m most proud of is the direction my life is going now. I’ve made the decision to grow, to be there for my children, and to build something positive out of my experiences. I’ve also taken steps to better myself mentally and spiritually, including getting baptized, which helped me refocus my values and purpose.

For anyone looking to work with me or follow my journey, I want them to know this: I’m committed to growth, I take my work seriously, and I’m building something that’s meant to last. I’m not afraid of hard work, and I’m focused on becoming the best at what I do not just for myself, but for the people who depend on me.

Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?

One of the moments that really tested my resilience happened a few years ago. I was dealing with multiple challenges at once financial struggles, toxic relationships, and legal trouble from a past mistake. On top of that, I felt like I had no one I could talk to or lean on. It was easy to feel trapped, like I’d never be able to get my life on track.

But I made a conscious decision to not let my circumstances define me. I took a risk and moved to North Carolina, leaving behind everything familiar including people, places, and routines that weren’t helping me grow. I didn’t have a guaranteed job, a support system, or a clear roadmap, but I knew I had to start over for myself and my children.

Once I arrived, I focused on building stability. I enrolled in college for HVAC, which gave me structure and a sense of purpose. I worked hard to learn every skill I could, while also making sure I was there for my kids and taking steps to improve myself spiritually and mentally, including getting baptized.

It wasn’t easy. There were days I questioned if I made the right choice. But every small win learning a new HVAC skill, handling a tough day as a parent, or just staying on track despite pressure was a reminder that resilience isn’t about never struggling; it’s about showing up anyway, even when it’s hard.

Looking back, that decision to leave, start over, and commit to personal growth changed the trajectory of my life. It taught me that no matter what challenges come, I have the strength to face them and keep moving forward.

Are there any resources you wish you knew about earlier in your creative journey?

Trade-specific training programs and certifications I didn’t realize early on how many online and local programs exist that can fast track your skills and make you more marketable. Knowing about accredited HVAC certification courses earlier would have saved a lot of trial and error.

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