"RMBL.NAUT"

In October of 2018 I was going through what I now refer to as a "level-up moment".

A level-up moment being a period of time in your life that requires you to find the next gear; the shedding of your former skin and the transformation into something supposedly

better and stronger.

We have all had these moments in life at one point or another that demand more from us,

we either answer the call or we do not.

My level-up moment was called fatherhood and although I was ecstatic about becoming a father, I was having a really hard time enjoying life at that moment. I had been diagnosed with bipolar disorder that same month and I was spiralling down a rabbit hole fast, failing to keep myself afloat. I was struggling with valuing myself and accepting all of my eccentricities. I was taking a nosedive, stuck on autopilot, and instead of putting my hands on the controls, I simply closed my eyes.

What a perfect time, right? Fatherhood mixed with mental illness.

Suicidal thoughts while simultaneously laughing and watching Baby Shark with my daughter, something was not adding up.

One day my therapist asked about the different ways I try to express myself; I did not have a great answer for her. At that moment I was not expressing anything about myself really, I was numb and disconnected. She mentioned from her experience with patients that the way a person dresses can often reflect the way that person feels. I took a moment to look at my clothing and I realized that everything I had on was extremely oversized and baggy, far beyond the point of being fashionable. The clothes I was wearing were not complimentary to me, or anyone who really valued themselves for that matter. I decided that changing my clothes was worth a try. Maybe actually giving a fuck about what I look like could spark a change, but what do I wear? What do I start with?

The first logical thought that popped in my head when I got back home that day was,

"How can I express myself through clothing if i'm wearing someone else's brand...?"

"If i'm going to wear anything, it's going to be ME!"

Call it a stroke of genius, but out of that simple realization I decided to create the astronaut logo; something that reminds me everyday that i'm GOING UP!

A logo that encourages me to rise to every occasion and to appreciate the view when I do.

A logo that tells me i'm meant for more, for greater.

The first set of clothes I made for myself were military themed in color and they looked like someone's occupational uniform. Why? Cause there was work to be done.

I started seeing myself becoming a better father to my daughter, a better husband to my wife, a better family member, a better business owner, and most importantly

a better James Leija.

This logo was never meant to be worn by you, it was meant for me, but I cannot deny the impact this brand has made over the last 7 years. Many people like myself have found solace in this brand, even before truly knowing the roots of why it was conceived in the first place. I will continue to make clothes for myself and the community who support it. I will continue to express myself on this website and through this brand that has now expanded into several different designs in which I share the same enthusiasm.

I hope this offered you, the reader, a small insight into how I operate as a person and how this brand operates. Thank you so much for reading this.