Today we’d like to introduce you to LaDeirdre Forehand.
Hi LaDeirdre , thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
My journey into the maritime industry began in 2019 when I stepped into a world that was completely new to me. I started at entry level as an Ordinary Seaman, determined to learn, grow, and create a better future for myself and my family. Over the years, I worked my way up to becoming an Able Seaman, gaining experience aboard different vessels, earning additional credentials, and learning firsthand what it truly means to build a career at sea.
As my career grew, I realized that my journey was bigger than me. I began sharing what I had learned with others who wanted to enter the maritime industry but didn’t know where to start. That passion eventually grew into Mariner Hustle, a platform and community built to educate, motivate, and help aspiring and current mariners navigate this industry.
From there, I expanded Mariner Hustle into e-books, educational resources, content, and merchandise through Mariner Hustle Co. My goal has always been to create something that represents the hardworking men and women who sacrifice time away from their families to work at sea. My brand is built around the words “Anchored in Purpose, Driven by Faith,” because those words represent both my career and my life.
This year changed me in a way I could never imagine. I lost both of my maternal grandparents this year, Papa-Daddy and Granny Girl, just three months apart. They were a huge part of my life and a major part of my “why.” Losing them reminded me that time is precious and that the dreams God places in us are meant to be pursued.
Even through grief I made the decision to keep building. Mariner Hustle has become more than a business or a brand to me. It represents sacrifice, perseverance, faith, purpose, and legacy. Everything I have experienced, from starting at the bottom in this industry to becoming an entrepreneur and helping others find their way into the maritime careers, has brought me to where I am today.
I still believe I’m only getting started. 💙⚓️
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
It definitely has not been a smooth road. Building a career in the maritime industry comes with sacrifices that people don’t always see. Being away from home for weeks or months at a time means missing birthdays, holidays, family gatherings, and important moments you can never get back. I’ve had to learn how to keep going even when I was tired, homesick, discouraged, or questioning whether the sacrifices were worth it.
One of my greatest struggles came this year when I lost both of my grandparents. They were such a huge part of my life and the reasons why I worked so hard. Trying to grieve while continuing to build Mariner Hustle, run my business, create content, and still show up for the people who look to me for guidance has been one of my toughest challenges.
Entrepreneurship has brought its own set of challenges. I’ve had to learn along the way by investing in myself, learning from my mistakes, making adjustments, and sometimes starting over. Through every setback and every lesson, I continued to believe in the vision God gave me and trusted that each step was preparing me for where I’m meant to go.
But every challenge has taught me something. I’ve learned that perseverance doesn’t mean things are always easy. Sometimes it simply means you keep moving forward even when life looks completely different from what you planned. My faith has carried me through so much of this journey, which is why “Anchored in Purpose, Driven by Faith” means so much more to me than just a slogan. It’s how I choose to live.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I am a merchant mariner, entrepreneur, author, mentor, and the founder of Mariner Hustle and Mariner Hustle Co. My work is centered around helping people understand the maritime industry and showing them that there are real career opportunities at sea, even if they are starting from scratch.
I specialize in breaking the process down in a way that everyday people can understand. Through my social media platforms, e-books, educational resources, and one-on-one guidance, I share information about maritime credentials, training, entry-level opportunities, career advancement, and what life at sea is really like. I don’t just talk about the good parts. I talk about the sacrifices, the long days, being away from family, and the realities that come with choosing this career.
Mariner Hustle has also grown beyond education. Through Mariner Hustle Co., I created merchandise that represents the men and women who work on the water and the sacrifices we make to keep this industry moving. My brand carries the message “Anchored in Purpose, Driven by Faith,” which represents everything I believe in.
What I’m most proud of is the community I’ve built. When someone tells me that one of my videos helped them get their TWIC card, apply for their Merchant Mariner Credential, find a job, enroll in training, or simply believe that this career was possible for them, that means more to me than numbers or followers ever could.
What sets me apart is that I’m teaching from experience. I started as an Ordinary Seaman and worked my way up to Able Seaman Unlimited/ Crane Operator, so I understand what it feels like to start at the beginning. I’m still an active mariner, still learning, still growing, and still experiencing this industry firsthand. I’m not afraid to tell people the truth about the work while also showing them what is possible when they stay committed.
Ultimately, I want Mariner Hustle to be bigger than me. I want it to become a resource, a community, and a legacy that continues opening doors for future mariners. This is more than content or merchandise to me. It’s a movement with a purpose.
So maybe we end on discussing what matters most to you and why?
What matters most to me is faith, family, purpose, and legacy. Those four things are at the heart of everything I do.
My faith keeps me grounded and reminds me that even when I don’t understand the journey, I can still trust God through it. Family has always been one of my biggest motivations. Losing both of my grandparents this year changed my perspective on life and reminded me just how precious time really is. They were a huge part of my “why,” and now I carry their love and the lessons they taught me into everything I’m building.
Purpose matters because I never want to simply exist or work just to make money. I want what I do to have meaning. Through Mariner Hustle, I’m able to use my own experiences to help someone else find a career, change their circumstances, or believe that something greater is possible for their life.
And legacy matters because one day, I want to look back and know that I built something that outlived me. I want Mariner Hustle to represent more than my personal success. I want it to represent the people I helped, the doors I opened, and the lives I impacted along the way.
That is why “Anchored in Purpose, Driven by Faith” is more than a slogan for me. It’s the foundation of how I live, how I work, and how I continue moving forward.
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Pricing:
- • Mariner Hustle E-Books: Digital resources designed to help aspiring mariners understand the industry and navigate their maritime career journey. Pricing varies by title.
- • Mariner Hustle Starter Bundle: $37. Includes a mini e-book, resume template and entry-level maritime job leads.
- • Mariner Hustle Co. T-Shirts: $24.99. Available in sizes Small through 3X. Sizes 4X through 6X are available by custom order.
- • One-on-One Maritime Coaching: 30-minute Basics Session is $97.
- • One-on-One Maritime Coaching: 90-minute Deep Dive Session is $197.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://payhip.com/marinerhustle
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/marinerhustleshiptalk
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/1EMTfBLgqP/
- Twitch: https://twitch.tv/marinerhustleshiptalk25
- Youtube: https://youtube.com/@ShipTalk25
- TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@marinerhustle_25
