I’m So Grateful To Have The Most Amazing Friends Ever
Seriously. This adventure would not have been possible otherwise.
I’m currently typing away from a coffee shop in Hollywood, California. In less than 8 hours before I board a flight from LA to Taipei to Bangkok. Feeling a mixture of excitement and nervousness I’m reflecting back at the best 3 months of my life.
Everyday I think back at the best day of my life and know it’s going to be tomorrow.
It wasn’t always like this. I was determined to work harder than everyone, crank out 80 hour weeks, say yes to everything, compelled to do things I did not want to do in hopes of deferred satisfaction. The thought process was if I work harder than everyone for 20-30 years I will be able to retire when I’m 50-60 and have a great life.
This is the classic story of The Business Man and The Fisherman.
Ya. Ya. Ya. That’s all fun and games but I got bills to pay.
You would LOVE to drop everything, and go do you… But you have student loans, you are due for a promotion in 6 months, maybe you don’t have enough saved yet or maybe you are just waiting for the right someone to go along with you.
I’m in the same boat. I’ve worked some interesting jobs during my humble contribution to the labor force. Ironically the last 3 companies were founded by Husband and Wives. Growing out of their homes to ensuring the livelihood of 20+ employees is a tremendous feat and grossing over 7 figures in revenue.
Absolutely loving the first 3 months of every one of these jobs. I asked a lot of questions, challenged the status quo. These companies saw the hustle in me and delivered more challenging tasks but for some reason I still wasn’t happy.
It got to a point where a co worker and I would text each other in the morning and try to beat the other at being late to work. Loser had to buy the other an empanada.
Don’t get me wrong, I enjoy working. I love learning new things, talking about ideas and discovering a better answer than this is the way we always have done it and it works just fine…. I do dislike repetitive tasks that could be automated or outsourced.
The reality is we are all the same.
All of us are 99.9% similar to ANY other human. So why are some rich, some poor? Some happy, some so mad? Well it’s all in our head. TedManFreud and David McRaney know the deal. Maybe I am ignorant or stubborn, I mean if these companies are doing it why couldn’t I? Why can’t all of us?
With more options than any other generation in recorded human history the possibilities are endless. The internet enabling location independent workers “digital nomads” with freedom to work wherever Wifi exists has revolutionized the 9-5 grind.
So on May 17th 2014 I left Fort Lauderdale. Knowing I eventually wanted to make it to California I did not know where this adventure would take me. Thankfully I know some of the best people on Earth and they helped guide me along the way.
Working My Way Backwards since August I’ve had the opportunity to visit Hollywood, California thanks to Jonathan Bouchard.
Thank you Arielle Levav who never ceases to amaze me with her spunk, ambition and positive attitude. Tasha Tavares whom introduced me to the wonderful world of yoga, was my hiking buddy & craft brewery venturer across Colorado, and I can’t forget Ziggy, Bindi and Corona the mountain pups! I am so thankful to call these wonderful girls my friends!
Alan Hardman one of my college roommates at the Phi Delta Theta fraternity house “baser bunks” hosted me in Scottsdale Arizona also known as mini vegas. Everything has changed but nothing has changed. Thanks Light Guy Al.
Kyle Schumacher a mentor and great friend introduced me to the digital marketing community and start up scene in Austin while setting me up in his fantastic apartment in Austin Texas.
You are the man Kyle! Thank you for everything.
Scott Stryker whom I also roomed with in college is a great friend who is killing the Real Estate Game in New York. I am so grate to have spent a week in Brooklyn while attending the Wiki Conference.
Jorge Benzaquen, Justin Flood, Zach Kruger & TJ, and Arthur Frisch whom I stayed with in Orlando prior to starting my solo camping adventures.
Thank you so much for making all of this possible. In a few hours I’ll be on a plane to Thailand and I hope you all can come visit. You definitely have a place to stay.