Several years ago I drank the Crossfit Kool-aid. I trained five days a week, ate a regimented diet, and consistently competed in the Crossfit Open. Now, in my early 40s, I find myself living in a new place every week, without consistent routines, yet still committed to a healthy lifestyle. And I’ve learned an incredibly valuable lesson.

I’ve been fortunate to love some wonderful people over the years. Each of them shaped my life in meaningful ways and taught me valuable lessons I carry with me to this day.

As I turn another year older, I reflect back on what I thought being a grown-up would be like - something like marriage, kids, career, and living happily ever after. Turns out, that wasn’t for me.

These were Jake Chambers’ final words in Steven King’s The Gunslinger as he let go of life and descends into what lies beyond. This line has stuck with me, and caused me to reflect on the worlds that lie beyond on our own.

Over the last month, I’ve leaned into my cowboy era down in Dallas, Houston, and Austin. It’s been a wild ride.

I’ve often felt paralyzed by fear. Whether it’s venturing out on an epic solo hike or talking to that cute girl at the gym, fear has often stood between me and my desires.

Looking back on four years of nomading across the world brings back so many wonderful memories. But there’s a truly special one I’ve never shared with you - until now.

The Day of the Dead is far and away one of my favorite holidays. There is something so incredibly beautiful about honoring our loved ones who have passed and celebrating their lives with such pride and passion.

Here’s a story I’ve never shared before: Back in 2014, I was living a traditional life and working for a truly wonderful law firm. Professionally, everything was going incredibly well. But something inside me said I wanted something different out of life.

It’s been two years since my mom has passed, and I still can’t believe she’s gone.

Today, I turn 42. If life is indeed a story, I can’t escape the feeling that I’m somewhere in the middle (and perhaps a little further). So, allow this to serve as a brief interlude of sorts to reflect on life and what’s been written.

Over the last month, I’ve leaned into my cowboy era down in Dallas, Houston, and Austin. It’s been a wild ride. I’m now back on the road spending the next few months living out in the desert starting in West Texas.

Last month, I hiked the largest glacier in South America. Standing over 240 feet tall and nearly 100 miles long, Perito Moreno is the largest ice field in the world accessible by land and one of the few glaciers that’s still growing.

Ever wondered the mystery behind those giant stone head statues? Me too. So, I embarked on a journey to the middle of nowhere to explore Easter Island.

This story is about penguins in the month of March. Get it? 🙃 A few weeks ago, I journeyed to the “End of the World” to a tiny town called Ushuaia located on the southernmost tip of South America.

It’s hard to believe I’ve been traveling the world for nearly three and a half years now. Over time, I came to realize I started doing the very same things in every new place I lived. So, I took a month break to truly reflect on whether there was more to life than this.

This last year has been pretty rough, and as you may have noticed, I stepped away from writing for quite a while. During this time, I’ve kept mostly to myself and spent a lot of time reflecting about life’s ups and downs. The beauty of new beginnings. The sadness that comes in the end. And how things rarely work out the way we envision.

It’s been about six weeks since I arrived in Bend, largely by accident, and decided to stay a while. Let’s talk about what makes this place so special:

Back in the day, nearly everyone in my generation played The Oregon Trail. It was simple computer game designed to teach school children about the life of a 19th century pioneer by navigating your pixelated covered wagons through the virtual wilderness.

It’s been a year since my mother passed. And while life goes on, it doesn’t get any easier.