Michael Halyard, a Duval-to-Dade County combat veteran, chaplain, and entrepreneur, has transformed the challenges of family addiction and service-related trauma into a compelling mission of hope. Known widely as CHAP “The Hope Dealer,” Halyard draws deeply from his lived experience to empower others confronting their own battles with pain, purpose, and identity. His message is rooted in authenticity, reminding people that healing is possible and that every story carries the potential to inspire—no matter how heavy the past.
Through his emerging brand, Halyard Dockside Coffee, along with his music, writing, and speaking, he is cultivating a platform where everyday conversations become moments of connection, courage, and renewal. Blending the familiar comfort of a good cup of coffee with an uplifting message of resilience, Halyard encourages communities to rediscover hope in the most ordinary places. Today, he continues his lifelong service by motivating others to rise above their circumstances and carry their own light forward.