Meet Joey Edwards | Active Duty Special Forces, Minority Business Owner, & Doctoral Student

We had the good fortune of connecting with Joey Edwards and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Joey, can you talk to us a bit about the social impact of your business?
Here at the American Initiative, we take care of those who safeguard our society; This is how we help the community. The American Initiative provides rehabilitative equipment to special forces, law enforcement, and firefighter. The equipment that the American Initiative provides assists in injury prevention, reducing joint and muscular pain, and also helps to increase range of motion and mobility. Providing rehabilitative gear to public services members helps maintain or improve performance ability, reduce stress, improve quality of life, and employee longevity.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I’ve worked as a special boat operator for the last ten years in San Diego, and my job is awesome. We drive speed boats, shoot big guns, and defend America. Of course, that’s an oversimplification of the job description, but I think you get the picture. There’s nothing like driving through San Diego Bay in a speed boat on a sunny day; Best Job I’ve ever had! However, the job puts a beating on the body, which is the main reason I started the non-profit, to help out the guys. Along the way, I figured that police and fighters were also taking damage to their bodies, and I wanted to make sure they were getting some extra help; We’re all fighting for the same team.

I’m also a doctoral student at Grand Canyon University, working towards earning my Ph.D. in Organizational Psychology. Before I joined the military, I knew I would finish school; it was never an option. Once I joined the Navy and became a SWCC, I started school and never stopped. With all the training we do as operators, I figured I might as well take at least one class at a time. Bringing everything full circle, my professional expertise and field of study have merged perfectly to assist me in developing the American Initiative and accomplishing our mission.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I tell everyone, if you can’t have a good time in San Diego, I’m afraid it’s just not meant to be. San Diego has a lot to offer. My list is as follows: (I intend to be a civilized human being) Hike; Cows Mountain, Coast walk trail, Torrey Pines Mountain trail; Breakfast Spots: Morning Glory (Japanese pancakes; game changer), Big Kitchen, and The Breakfast Company; Places to go: Fashion Valley Mall, North park, Padres game if you can catch one, Horn Blower; Drinking: Raised By Wolves, Noble Experiment, The Nolan; (I have no intentions of being a civilized human being) PB, Gas Lamp, 7 grand, Noble experiment, Shore Club, Oxford club, American Junkie, Barley Mash, MiMi’s Hooka lounge, and Moonshine Flats.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
First, I’d like to shoutout my children, Jai-Marie, Sydney, and Nolan. I love you guys, ALWAYS. Throughout my ongoing career as a member of the special forces community, I’ve acquired several skill sets that have contributed to what we’ve managed to build over at the American Initiative. I’ve met and worked with some great people, and I’ve also had experiences that helped develop me as a person. But, most importantly, Naval Special Warfare allowed me to prove myself to become part of a team of people that have all had a profound impact on my life. Being a part of a team like that, you gain a new family. So, I would like to shout out the Naval Special Warfare community. Specifically, but not limited to, the Special Boat Operators.

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