Nic Wilson

Co-Founder, One Love Legacy

I was born in Des Moines, Iowa, in 1997, but my story isn’t defined by where I come from — it's defined by the choice I made to live.  If you had met me 15 years ago, you would have seen a lost soul, consumed by pride, ignorance, and disbelief. I felt like a stranger in my own life, staring at my reflection and seeing nothing but failure. That distorted view of myself drove me to escape reality, leading to a decade of treatment centers, jail cells, homelessness, and numerous suicide attempts.  I thought I was invincible — always ending up back on the streets, substance in hand, ready to destroy myself all over again. But that cycle shattered on January 7, 2021, when I woke up in jail facing 10 felony charges and a potential 117-year prison sentence. I wasn’t afraid of dying; I was afraid of being forced to live.  Then, in February 2021, I was given a chance to try something new. I bailed out of jail and enrolled in Adult & Teen Challenge, a year-long program built on God’s love and redemption. I was skeptical, but after a month, I figured it couldn’t hurt to give life an honest try.  On April 15, 2021, I made the choice to live. And the reason?  LOVE.  As I started to embrace life, I realized we’re all searching for meaning and connection. But I couldn’t see the truth until I began to listen to what God had to say about me. Little by little, I started to feel self-love. I spent the next five years growing in faith, digging for answers, and discovering a deep spiritual purpose.  It wasn’t easy — it still isn’t. But looking back, I see now that life holds so much more than I ever imagined. It wasn’t until I filled the void inside me with God’s love that I finally understood what life is truly about.  When I met Grant, I was still a work in progress. But through prayer, the unwavering support of my best friend, and the love of my family, I kept moving forward, improving one day at a time.  Today, I’m sober, filled with hope, and ready to share the message that saved my life through 1 Love Legacy.  My mission is simple: to motivate, encourage, and inspire those who are where I once was — one moment at a time.  Because if love can change me, it can change anyone.

Grant Hill:

Founder, 1 Love Legacy

My name is Grant Hill, I am from Iowa City. IA. I was born in Russia and adopted into an American family at the age of three. Growing up, I excelled in school and thrived in extracurricular activities, eventually diving into the worlds of politics and business. I built and supported multiple ventures — from direct sales and fitness to photography and nonprofit work. But my heart has always been with nonprofits, where impact matters more than profit. In 2022, my life took an unexpected turn when I went to prison. On the surface, my professional life was a picture of success, but internally, I struggled to embrace my true self. Coming from a small town, I never felt safe exploring who I was in a healthy way, which led me down destructive and ultimately illegal paths. I served 2 years and 9 months, and during that time, I committed to self-discovery. I learned the value of unconditional love from those who stood by me and realized that those who couldn't accept me didn’t define my worth. While incarcerated, I witnessed firsthand the injustices within the prison system, especially the constant erosion of religious programs. Before prison, I never thought much about the rights of inmates, but my best friend and now co-founder, Nic, helped me understand something crucial: when overcoming addiction — whether to substances, destructive behaviors, or cycles of negativity — you can’t just remove the harmful element. You have to fill that void with something positive, or it will inevitably be replaced with another toxic cycle. For many, faith is that positive force. Yet, I saw countless roadblocks placed in front of inmates trying to practice their religion, and I knew something had to change. Throughout my time inside, I connected with people from all faiths and walks of life. I discovered that many started as Christians but abandoned their faith after painful experiences of judgment or exclusion. That void left by severing their connection to God often became filled with destructive beliefs or habits. Our mission at 1 Love Legacy is to help bridge that gap — to bring people back to love, grace, and acceptance through kindness and compassion, showing them that God’s love is for everyone. I’m 28 years old, and far from perfect, but I carry a heart full of passion for helping those in need. My goal is to use 1 Love Legacy as a catalyst for change — to leave a lasting impact, and to prove that no one is beyond redemption. Let’s change the world, together one moment at a time!