Hi, I'm Cole Christiansen!
Hi, my name is Cole Christiansen. I was born in Newport News, Virginia but spent most of my childhood growing up on a historic horse farm in Suffolk, VA. I am the oldest of three children with two younger sisters Paige and Sarah, and all three of us attended the small private high school Nansemond- Suffolk Academy with graduating classes smaller than eighty people. From there I attended the United States Military Academy at West Point where I served as a captain of the football team and earned a degree in engineering management with an infrastructure focus. My time at West Point was the most valuable experience I’ve ever had. I learned more about myself, leadership, being a member of a team, and handling adversity than I had in my entire life leading up to my tenure there. Most importantly I met my best friends and developed relationships that will last forever. Upon graduating I commissioned as a field artillery officer, however my path changed course before I could pack my bags for my first post. I signed with the Los Angeles Chargers in 2020 as a linebacker and differed my five years of service until my playing days are over. I am currently still playing with the Chargers but am excited to serve in the United States Army when the time comes.Behind Bleed Awhile:Playing in the National Football League has been an amazing experience and I cherish every moment I’ve had on the field. However, over the last two years I have had a consistent feeling that I can be doing more than just playing football. I decided while I’m still playing that I wanted to create something special that can build a bridge between the world of athletes, soldiers, and anyone else with a warrior mentality fighting the good fight in their daily lives. A clothing brand that showcases the values these worlds share…grit, tenacity, bravery, teamwork, and a never say die mentality. Bleed Awhile, the name I chose for the company, was inspired by a quote that hung in the locker room at West Point that I touched before taking the field every Saturday. It read, “I lay me down to bleed awhile, and then I’ll rise and fight again”. Nothing has ever touched me like that quote and it embodies everything I want the brand to represent. No matter the adversity we face we are never out of the fight, and when all hope seems lost we lie down to bleed awhile, and then rise and fight again. Beyond building a bridge between the two worlds I’m a part of, I wanted to create a platform that benefits some of the greatest veteran non-profit organizations in America. To do this, Bleed Awhile will use a portion of all sales to help our soldiers and their families.Shop Bleed Awhile!Reach out and let me know how we may be able to collaborate together!
Interested in a collaboration?
Reach out to myself or my team to start a project together.
Thank you!
Thanks! Our team will be in touch soon.