Leslie grew up in a home marked by instability and abuse. His father was physically abusive, and his mother was abusive emotionally and mentally making life at home very challenging. Leslie's parents would leave for months at a time, leaving he and his siblings at home unattended. His older sister was forced to step up and raise him. One of Leslie's earliest childhood memories is of his sister standing him on the kitchen counter so he could stir scrambled eggs while she cooke

Heidi grew up in Odessa, Missouri, surrounded by a large and loving family. While her father traveled the country building skyscrapers, her grandfather became a steady father figure in her life. She is the oldest of 45 grandkids which meant she had a large family support system. This support system allowed Heidi to reach many of her goals as a teenager and young adult, including making varsity on her high school cheerleading squad, graduating with honors in the field of art,

In 2009, Mr. Joseph Johnson III was convicted and sentenced to 18 years in prison. He ultimately served 16 years of that sentence. During his incarceration, Mr. Johnson became committed to changing his life for the better. He actively participated in treatment classes and rehabilitation programs Pathways to Change and the Gateway Foundation Corrections Program. Through these programs, he demonstrated a sincere desire for personal growth, accountability, and rehabilitation.