Life & Work with Luis J Ruiz of Canton

Today we’d like to introduce you to Luis J Ruiz.

Hi Luis J, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
Let me start by saying I’m 42 years old. I was born in Mexico and moved to the United States at a young age. Growing up, I often felt like the black sheep of the family. Life didn’t always come easy, but little by little, things began to change for the better.

The first major turning point in my life was meeting my wife. She is one of the hardest-working and most responsible women I know. Not long after, we were blessed with our baby girl, Chelsea. She was born prematurely, weighing just 2 pounds. That season changed me forever. It gave me perspective, strength, and a deeper sense of purpose.

I went through the entire immigration process and eventually became a proud citizen of the United States, something I will never take for granted.

At 35 years old, I asked myself, “Why not chase the dream I’ve always had?” I wanted to become a firefighter. So I went all in. I went back to school to earn my GED while working two jobs. I trained hard, physically and mentally, and stepped into the fire service with everything I had.

But life also brought deep challenges.

In 2022 and 2023, we experienced heartbreaking loss. We lost our newborn daughter after just four days, and then I lost my father on Father’s Day. Those were some of the darkest moments of my life. My faith in Jesus Christ carried me through that valley. It gave me the strength to stand firm and not fall back into old habits.

Hard work has always been part of who I am. I’ve worked two jobs most of my life, doing whatever it takes to provide for my family.

Through the fire service, I met John, a great man with an incredible family. He and his wife have three beautiful daughters. Their oldest was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes at a young age, which has brought its own challenges. John has always had an entrepreneurial mindset. When he shared the idea of StationAid with me, I brought it home and talked it over with my wife. The more we discussed it, the more we realized it aligned perfectly with who we are and what we believe in, fitness, wellness, recovery, and serving others.

So we went all in.

It hasn’t been easy. There have been stressful days and real challenges. But we’ve truly embraced the journey, especially because we’re surrounded by supportive families and an incredible staff who believe in the vision just as much as we do.

And we’re just getting started.

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
One of the biggest struggles we’ve faced with the business has been financial. More than anything, it’s been getting the word out and letting people know we’re open and here for them. It’s not easy competing with bigger companies that have large advertising budgets and the ability to run constant promotions.

But from the beginning, this has never been just about making money.

Yes, we want the business to succeed, but for us, it’s about changing lives. It’s about helping people feel better, recover stronger, and live healthier. It’s about building relationships and making real connections in our community.

That’s the same reason we became firefighters.

We love the feeling of helping someone on their worst day. We’re willing to give our all for people we’ve never even met before. That heart to serve doesn’t turn off when we take off the uniform, it carries into StationAid.

At the end of the day, this is about impact. If we can make a difference in someone’s life, even in a small way, then we’re doing exactly what we were called to do.

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I love the fire service and everything it stands for, the brotherhood, the loyalty, and the way we show up for each other without hesitation. When one of us needs help, there are no questions asked. That bond is rare. It’s built on trust, sacrifice, and shared experiences that most people will never fully understand.

Over the years, I’ve completed extensive training and earned multiple certifications within the fire service. I’ve learned to operate chainsaws, hydraulic rescue tools like the Jaws of Life, work complex rope systems, train for swift water rescues, respond to hazmat incidents, and so much more. The learning never stops in this profession. There’s always another skill to sharpen, another level to reach, another way to be better for the people we serve.

And that’s not even mentioning the EMS side of the job. That part challenged me at first, but it quickly became one of the most fascinating aspects of what we do. Understanding how the human body works and knowing how to respond in critical, life-or-death moments pushed me to grow in ways I never expected. It stretched me mentally and emotionally.

The long hours and extended shifts can be tough. Missing holidays, birthdays, and important family moments is never easy. That’s the sacrifice that comes with the calling. But I love the mission. I love the job. And to me, the sacrifice is worth it.

John and I have talked many times about how hard it can be to miss special dates with our families. But the blessing is that we have their full support. Their understanding, strength, and encouragement are what make it possible for us to continue doing what we feel called to do.

And that support means everything.

Do you have recommendations for books, apps, blogs, etc?
Growing up, I was never really into reading. It just wasn’t something I connected with. But not long ago, I started reading the Bible with my daughter, and that’s been a big change in my life. Now there are times when I read it on my own, and it’s become something personal, a way to reflect, grow, and strengthen my faith.

I’ve learned a lot through mentors over the years. I truly believe you can learn something from almost everyone you meet, and I try to carry that mindset with me daily. I pay attention, I ask questions, and I stay open to growth.

I’ve also gone to counseling several times, and that’s helped me more than I can explain. It gave me tools to process challenges, understand myself better, and become stronger mentally and emotionally.

But one of the biggest outlets for me, outside of my faith and Christian music, is the gym. Training clears my mind. It’s where I process stress, build discipline, and reset mentally. The gym isn’t just physical for me; it’s therapy, focus, and strength all in one.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.stationaidga.com
• Instagram: @stationaid
• Facebook: StationAid