When Deante looks back on his journey through 4:13 Strong, one moment stands out: putting on his graduation jacket.
For Deante, that jacket represented more than completing a program. It was a reminder that he had stayed committed, worked through challenges, and followed through on something important.
He had learned to keep going, even when the process wasn’t easy.
Today, more than a year after graduating, Deante is continuing to build on that accomplishment through his work at Stansell Electric, where he’s developing his skills, advancing through an apprenticeship, and preparing for a future filled with new possibilities.
Learning a Different Way
Deante came to 4:13 Strong looking for an opportunity to move forward.
Like many men entering the program, he discovered that the greatest challenges weren’t necessarily physical. They involved learning to think differently, developing new habits, and becoming comfortable with change.
When asked about the hardest part of his experience, Deante pointed to the mental adjustment.
Changing the way he’d been accustomed to doing things required patience and commitment. It meant accepting a new routine, learning to be consistent, and continuing forward when things became difficult.
Those lessons have stayed with him.
Building a Career at Stansell Electric
After completing the 4:13 Strong 40 Day Challenge, Deante began working with Stansell Electric.
More than 14 months later, he’s still there.
He’s now in the second year of a four-year electrical apprenticeship program, gaining hands-on experience and developing skills that can provide a foundation for a long-term career.
Much of his work has taken place at Nashville International Airport, although he’s also worked on projects in other locations.
Deante appreciates the opportunity to learn new things, earn a steady paycheck, and grow professionally.
But what stands out most is the environment.
He describes Stansell as a company that treats its employees like family, takes an interest in their well-being, and offers support when they need it.
That sense of belonging has made a difference.
For Deante, the job is more than a source of income. It’s an opportunity to develop a career with people who believe in his potential.
Patience, Consistency, and the Bigger Picture
When asked what he learned at 4:13 Strong that continues to help him at work, Deante’s answer was simple: patience.
He also pointed to the importance of getting up early, following a schedule, and being consistent.
Those habits matter on a construction site, where working alongside other trades and contractors requires communication, flexibility, and a willingness to learn.
Deante understands that developing a career takes time.
He’s committed to completing his apprenticeship and continuing to build his skills as an electrician.
But his goals extend beyond the next job or paycheck.
He has expressed an interest in real estate and the construction side of building homes. It’s a future he can begin preparing for through the experience he’s gaining today.
And there’s another important reason he’s determined to keep moving forward: his children.
Deante recently welcomed his second child. Being a father gives him additional motivation to make good decisions and create a stable future for his family.
A Reason to Keep Going
Deante acknowledges that there were moments during his journey when he felt like giving up.
But he kept his attention on the bigger picture.
He knew he didn’t want to return to the life he’d known before, and he wanted something different for himself and his children.
That perspective helped him push through the difficult days.
When asked what advice he’d give someone considering 4:13 Strong, Deante encouraged them to take the opportunity, particularly if they’re trying to rebuild their lives.
He knows firsthand that change takes effort, patience, and a willingness to do things differently.
His message to other men is straightforward:
“Just stay with it. Just keep going.”
The Journey Continues
For Deante, graduation wasn’t the finish line.
It was the beginning of a new chapter.
The jacket he received at graduation represented the commitment he’d made to change his life. Today, that commitment is visible in the way he shows up for work, continues his education, and prepares for the future.
He’s gaining experience, developing a career, and building a foundation for his family.
And through it all, he’s continuing to practice one of the most important lessons he learned at 4:13 Strong:
Never Give Up.
Stronger Men. Stronger Families. Stronger Nashville.