Though I spent a good chunk of the past decade podcasting about personal finance and career advice, I’ve always loved writing about personal development and growth. Blogging about life experiences and learnings was my first online passion and I wanna get back to that.
I wanna get back to having fun.
That why I’m on Substack. It reminds me of the blogging ecosystem in the late 2000s and early 2010s before things got all toxic and brandy brand brand. People were just people and you didn’t question if there were hidden agendas even if they had them.
I wasn’t thinking about booking speaking gigs or sponsorship deals nor building courses and programs that garner five figure launches. I simply wanted to create spaces people enjoyed frequenting — even if sometimes for controversial banter.
So 15+ years later, I’m getting back to that. This is step 1. You’re here for the origin story.
Here are a few things to know that’ll heavily influence what I share here:
I’m a Masters Track & Field Athlete: Track is my sanctuary. It’s a place to focus, release stress, and challenge myself in a way I don’t get to elsewhere. I also consider it a powerful reminder that age is just a number, and our potential exceeds our thoughts.
I’m Embracing (Acquired) Neurodivergence: It turns out my brain isn't wired the "typical" way thanks to some early life experiences. cPTSD and ADHD come with their fair share of challenges, but they're also the reason I'm so driven, creative, and empathetic…sometimes to my detriment.
I Work in HR in Big Tech: By day I’m an employee coach and consultant at The Googs. It’s tough and rewarding work, but more importantly it funds my training and travel for track and field, offers poignant insights into the human experience, and provides access to most things I need to achieve my life goals.
Now some quick story stuff.
From Sobriety to National Champion
I spent most of my adult life (and several of my teen years) struggling with alcohol even as I accomplished dope shit. My journey took a huge turn in July 2020 when I quit. That marked the beginning of my physical healing journey and the first step toward doing something I never thought I’d do again.
When I celebrated one year free from alcohol, I committed to getting back into track and field after a 15-year break because I finally had the physical and mental space to train.
The first season back was a painful reality masterclass, but the payoff of winning a national championship in the triple jump for my age group made it more than worth it. Now I'm in my third season and considering a trip to world championships in Sweden later this year.
This Isn't About Giving Advice
Expect a mix of victories, failures, and everything in between. This is about documenting my journey through health, wellness, and a whole lot of healing. This includes putting to words many of the things we think but don’t say aloud.
Some posts might be inspired by training days or competition. Others might explore what it's like managing a demanding career with a neurodivergent brain. None of it is about telling you what to do. Instead I wanna spark those "aha!" moments that get us to look inward and move forward.
It's Never Too Late
My story is proof that it's never too late to reclaim your passions, rewrite your script, break cycles, and break free from whatever's holding you back. Whether it's an athletic goal, a creative project, or a simple desire for more balance, the potential is there. We just have to be courageous enough to take those first few strides.
R