Bio

In late 2016, I was in a very bad identity crisis cycle. I only saw myself as an employee; my confidence was only based on my performance at work. I was burned out and needed a change.

With some savings to hold me for a bit, I invested in myself. A major aspect of it was in February 2017 when I started writing for one of my favorite websites, PWTorch.com. The Torch covers the pro wrestling business in a journalistic and analytical fashion with a variety of voices. 

The Torch began as a mailed newsletter in the Fall of 1987 by sixteen year old founder and editor Wade Keller before he earned his journalism degree a few years later, never breaking from his Torch responsibilities. In 1999, he launched Torch’s website. And in 2015, Wade was inducted into the National Wrestling Hall of Fame for his contributions to the pro wrestling industry.

In 2000, I was finally able to scratch a years-long itch to play drums. Soon after I began writing for the Torch, my approach to writing began showing some interesting parallels to drumming that, to this day, have not ceased.

An avid wrestling fan since the age of four, I was privileged to write about something I loved that contrasted with the cathartic and solace-seeking ramblings I had been crafting my whole life.

Writing for the Torch was also my first experience being published. Wade afforded me the opportunity to find my voice without restricting me. An immense appreciation of learning from him and other colleagues quickly developed, only deepening over time.

Almost as quickly, something else set in: I love writing more than the hobby drumming became—I wanted to make it my life.

In my time with the Torch, I was grateful to learn the vast differences of rest and recuperation for creativity versus what I was accustomed to from physical work and exercise. And, how to think and write in the moment for the big picture that will stand the test of time.

A few months later, the desire to write about multiple subjects and genres began sprouting. With how all-consuming and fast-paced the wrestling business is, my personal and writing journey was too nascent to maintain my health to do it all while also working a job for financial stability. Having lost myself in previous jobs, I vowed not to do that again.

In November 2017, I stepped away from covering wrestling to pursue my curiosities to make writing my life while being healthy about it.

During these pursuits in a myriad of ways, a consistent theme kept resonating with me: everyone who became successful how I wanted to be had an unflinching belief in themselves, and did it their way.

I was enlightened and further motivated—both ideals were already alive and growing within me. That same spirit led me to learning and playing drums as independently as I could as a kid; without a driver’s license or car, and barely any money or borrowing ability.

In January 2019, I took the next and major step of betting on myself. I learned how to build a website from scratch and launched this site, craigelbe.com. Here, I have not limited myself while learning and sharing as I go.

By then, I was working a better-for-me retail job. But, in early 2021, after three years there, a shift away from retail work at a store became more than obvious. However, I wasn’t ready to write for a living yet.

I confided my struggles to a coworker who is also a writer. Understanding my plight, he made me aware of Instacart, so I signed up for it. Within a month, the next obvious thing revealed itself: I needed total autonomy to blueprint then build bridges to where I want to be.

My retail experience of versatility and many responsibilities, plus my recent years of intense personal development, beautifully paved the way for me to be successful with the change. Throughout 2023, to further challenge myself, I added DoorDash, Shipt, and Uber Eats. 

I have learned how to consistently check in with myself, engage well in all sides of criticism and accountability, and how and when to tweak my habits and systems for steady education and evolution.

My traumas, insecurities, triggers, etc. have been identified, and I have learned and unlearned how to properly address and handle them, with integrity and respect to everything.

With a great balance of life experience to pair with an insatiable curiosity, I am still just in the starting blocks. 

Telling a wide array of stories in numerous varieties is my life’s calling. After all the years of intentionally investing in myself and my craft, I am ready to earn a living with my non-complacent, well-honed voice and attitude.