En Garde: Crossing the stream of life

En Garde is a continuation of Todd J. Griffee’s Touché; a Notre Dame All-American Fencer’s Spiritual Guide to Success (Kharis Publishing, 2024). Touché concluded with Todd’s graduation from Notre Dame with one goal unfulfilled - becoming a G-man. En Garde recounts Todd’s twisted journey seeking that goal, and covers 36 years of trials, tribulations, and triumphs which were negotiated utilizing the principles outlined in Touché. The purpose in En Garde is deeper than goal setting; it is sharing Todd’s stories of loss to provide hope to others so they will see they are not alone in their suffering. Like the message in Touché, if God can work miracles in Todd’s life, have faith, God can work miracles in yours!

Endorsement:

I was fortunate to have worked with Todd before I retired from NCIS, where I had the privilege of being both his supervisor and, most importantly, his friend. Throughout our time together, Todd consistently demonstrated a strong work ethic and a positive attitude, regardless of the task at hand. I often found myself wondering how he managed to stay focused and positive, even during challenging times and difficult investigations.

After reading En Garde, I finally understood how Todd managed to maintain his determination and clarity. This book reveals that despite the struggles and hardships we all face, God has a plan for each of us-just as He had a plan for Todd’s life. Todd’s journey shows that we may experience many setbacks, but God is always there to lift us up and help us move forward. En Garde is an emotional journey that reminds us that life is full of ups and downs, both in our personal lives and relationships. However, by trusting in God, we can navigate these challenges, and over time, things will work out.

The book also serves as a powerful guide for understanding and coping with both losses and wins. It teaches us how to respond to life’s goals when we are met with adversity, and provides wisdom on overcoming obstacles. One of the most impactful aspects of the book is the activity section at the end of each chapter. Each section encourages readers to reflect on the material and apply it to their own lives, either individually or as part of a group discussion. It offers an invaluable opportunity to process the lessons and grow.

One powerful lesson from En Garde that especially resonated with me was these words: ＂Free yourself from living in regret.＂ This sentiment reverberates throughout the book, urging readers to release the weight of past mistakes and embrace the journey ahead. The book is a profound reminder that no matter the struggles we face in life, having God’s guidance and the support of our loved ones makes all the difference in overcoming adversity and finding peace Todd’s story and the lessons in En Garde demonstrate that with hard work, patience, the support of family, and-most importantly-trusting in God, we can face life’s challenges and emerge stronger than ever.

-Fidel Arroyo, Supervisory Special Agent (SSA), NCIS, Retired

About the Author:

Todd J. Griffee is the author of the award winning, Touché; a Notre Dame All-American Fencer’s Spiritual Guide to Success (Kharis Publishing, 2024), which outlined his plan of graduating Notre Dame with a National Championship ring, two all-American fencing awards, and a commission as an Army officer. Todd went on to a career in local, state, and federal law enforcement, and is currently an NCIS Investigator and motivational speaker.