Some stories punch you in the chest—not because they’re dramatic, but because they’re true. Rick Cheatham’s is one of them.
A former firefighter, union leader, husband, father, and now resilience coach, Rick has lived through addiction, tragedy, paralysis—and still found the strength to rebuild from the inside out. His story isn’t about luck. It’s about ownership. And that’s what most people miss when it comes to both healing and insurance.
The Real Risk Is Avoidance
At Harlon Pickett Insurance Broker, we’ve seen it again and again:
Most people don’t protect what matters until it’s too late. Not because they don’t care—because they think it won’t happen to them.
But here’s the truth: life doesn’t care if you’re unprepared. But you will.
That’s why Rick’s story matters. He didn’t sugarcoat anything. He talked openly about:
- Battling addiction that nearly destroyed his marriage
- Rebuilding trust, brick by painful brick, over a decade
- Losing his son to violence—and refusing to be defined by grief
- Breaking his neck five months into retirement—and still learning to walk again
What helped him wasn’t inspiration. It was the refusal to outsource responsibility.
From Rock Bottom to Intentional Living
When Rick got sober, it wasn’t for show. It was survival. When he forgave his son’s killer, it wasn’t to move on. It was to stop being stuck. And when his spine failed him and he couldn’t walk, he didn’t stop trying.
He created the AIM Framework:
- Awareness: Own what’s real
- Intention: Decide what matters
- Mindset: Train your response
That’s the same path we walk with clients at HPIB.
What Insurance Really Buys You: Options, Not Promises
Insurance isn’t about fear. It’s about capacity—the ability to act calmly, strategically, and confidently when life hits hard.
Rick could’ve blamed the world. Instead, he asked: What now?
We ask our clients the same.
Because too many people wait until they’re cornered:
- Their health plan fails
- Their business benefits are bloated and overpriced
- Their Medicare coverage locks them into less care than they expected
By then, panic has already replaced clarity.
Most Advisors Wait for You to Panic. We Don’t.
At HPIB, we:
- Help business owners escape overpriced group plans
- Guide individuals through life and disability coverage decisions—before it’s too late
- Help retirees sort through Medicare options built for reality, not just marketing
We don’t wait for the crisis. We plan before it hits.
So, Here’s the Truth:
- Blame doesn’t protect you. Policy design does.
- Resentment doesn’t preserve wealth. Planning does.
- Avoidance doesn’t prevent suffering. Only preparation does.
Rick’s story is about grit, faith, and the quiet courage to stay in the fight.
At Harlon Pickett Insurance Broker, we’re here for that kind of client—the one who knows life is unpredictable, but still wants to protect what matters anyway.
If That’s You…
🎯 Schedule a Free Needs Analysis — and get a strategy for protecting your health, income, and family, no matter what comes next.
🎧 Listen to Rick’s story on the Health & Wealth Power Hour Podcast
🌐 Learn more about Rick’s work at rickcheatham.com