Onward, to Colorado.

Hey everyone, for whatever reason GoPro Studio software is not running on my computer – I think the recent update either has a bug or my computer can no longer meet the demand. Anyhow, since I will not be able to do current Vlog updates I’m going to write this instead!

Currently we are in Boonesville, Missouri and the trip has been absolutely awesome. Mom and I are having a blast and the comfort level of the ride is perfect. I mean, as perfect as perfect can be when you’re driving a 15 foot Uhaul towing a car haha. But seriously, the rides have flown by and prepping food has been a LIFE SAVER. Haha. I buckle my Berkey water system into the front seat of mom’s car for easy access and it allows us to have water on the go and in our hotel room! Winning.

Earlier today while we stopped in Illinois for gas and to eat lunch there was a huge corn field across the road with signs up posting about something – said locally tested and local soil. Ha. Considering 92% of all corn is GMO I doubt this was any different. I ran over and took a picture with the sign and also made some video footage with it haha. But seriously, I’ve seen the red danger/poison signs everywhere – it’s sickening.

The first night we left on Thursday, we didn’t leave until 4PM cause mom and I had been up ALL night before because of nerves and just last minute packing and excitement. Oh and I spent a few hours with Erica. So anyhow, we got to Asheville and thought we would stop there so we checked out a few hotels but they were more than what we were wanting to spend, BUT, while we were looking for the hotel we got turned around into a dead neighborhood street on a hill and I had to make an attempt at backing up this huge truck and trailer. I FAILED. But this dude came out and whip it around like a beast. He was cool kid, haha. He said he only helped so his pizza wouldn’t be cold when he went to go pick it up. Ha! Good times man. I have zero experience backing up a trailer – especially on hill, next to a ditch, in the darkness of the night haha.

We ended up leaving Asheville and drove for about another hour and half through the Smokey’s and the roads were all winding and it was dark and then started to rain. Mom was stressing out hahaha. It was all good – the adventure thus far has been grand. We ended up staying in Tennessee that night – I think. I’m too tired and a little stoned so it’s hard to remember, ha.

Last night we stayed in Kuttawa, KY. The room was nice and we were right next to the pool! Unfortunately they did not have a gym so I didn’t get to do my programmed routine but I did do some yoga and handstands and pool sprints with intermittent bouts of callisthenic routines in between sprints.

The drive today has definitely been the most fun and scenic. We went through Kentucky, through Illinois, and we are almost out of Missouri and about to be in Kansas! We are in the home stretch and if all goes well, and it will, we will be in Colorado tomorrow night!

I AM SO EXCITED.

Everything I have worked for and sacrificed for the last ten years has all accumulated to this. I’m finally conquering one of my biggest goals in life. I’m leaving behind everything I’ve ever known and venturing off into the unknown – a place that is completely foreign. Foreign people. Foreign weather. Foreign culture. Foreign altitude. Everything is going to be different and I couldn’t be more happy about that. I am so excited to be tested. To see what I am made of. To make my goals become reality. To show to myself and to the world that you can do anything, you only have to set your mind to it and you will accomplish it so long as you hold yourself accountable. A very valuable lesson that I learned from the great Mike Dolce. I’ve had plenty of goals and dreams in the past and tried to attain them. Key word there is tried. I tried but I did not hold myself 100% accountable. In the last year and a half I have completely changed how I see things and handle obligations.

I got tired of the complacency and the what-ifs. Yes, I want to finish schooling and get my degree and even pursue a higher education in exercise science and nutrition, however, I have ALWAYS wanted to learn Muay Thai and have a pro fight. I do not want to wonder what-if. I want to look back and know I tried. I want to know I lived the fullest life possible. I want to have an abundance of memories – not things.

This decision and this trip is the greatest decision I have ever made. I’ve really come intimately aware of myself, my goals, my happiness, and my overall perspective on life. I know the people I need and want in my life and I know what I want and how to get it and nothing will ever stop me from reaching those goals and maintaining healthy relationships with those that I care about.

People probably think I’m crazy for what I’m doing – moving across the country to a place where I don’t know anyone. No family. No friends. No one.

This is it.

“...the sea's only gifts are harsh blows and, occasionally, the chance to feel strong. Now, I don't know much about the sea, but I do know that that's the way it is here. And I also know how important it is in life not necessarily to be strong but to feel strong, to measure yourself at least once, to find yourself at least once in the most ancient of human conditions, facing blind, deaf stone alone, with nothing to help you but your own hands and your own head...” - Primo Levi

This is my test.

Plus, I’ve convinced mom to come with me. The greatest success yet. She will finally be somewhere new. A fresh start for her too. This is our new chapter. I am going to build my future while I simultaneously help my mother rebuild her health, her vitality, and her life. We are going to conquer anything that gets in our way.

This trip has definitely repaired some damage and we gotten along better than we have in a long time. We’ve been talking about life, jamming out to music, listening to podcast, and talking some more and it’s just been great.

In an interesting side topic, I’ve also not stopped thinking about Erica and talk to her basically all day long. It is so bonkers to think that we only met like 3 weeks ago. What a brilliant soul. A magnificent human being. A true warrior. I literally have the best conversations with her and our humor together is uncanny. The last two weeks felt like they flew by in Sumter because of her – It is so hard to believe that you can meet someone that will give you a new perspective on life and the universe. Someone that can so greatly influence you. The universe has spoken to me many times as of late and as opportunities arise you have to decide what your REACTION will be. What will you decide?

Will you just sit idly by and make excuses as to why you can’t do something? Or will you stand up headstrong and proud and take the opportunities that are presented to you?

The decision is yours.

As for me, I know what I want and I’m chasing it. I’m getting after it and nothing will stop me. I am not going to let any more opportunities pass me by – whether it’s in work, life, love, or anything else.

Onward,

To COLORADO!