2016 came as a surprise to me.
From feeling lost and depressed to empowered and living out what I can only describe as a dream. Pinch me, is this real?
I moved back in with my parents after 14 years of living on my own for a short term stay. We didn’t know what our plans were but they involved getting out of Vancouver and figuring out what to do later. Moving back home almost felt like the world had beat me. I was depressed and had no where to go and no plans for the first time in a long time. Little did I know that this would be the change my life needed.
We had planned to stay with them for a month. The month turned into 3 and then into 10. It wasn’t roses everyday but we made it work. I can’t thank them enough for taking us in and helping us get to today.
During this year, I met a now good friend and student Shaun who convinced me to teach him Jiu jitsu. I was reluctant but said I would give it a go so on March 1st, I opened Rossland Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. As a purple belt, I never thought I would be teaching other people… I know how much I don’t know and that is terrifying to me. I am still waiting for the day that my students realize I am an imposter but I hope I have given them enough fair warning! haha.
I can’t thank Shaun enough. Shaun was my first student and biggest supporter. He brought his kids and friends and in turn they all brought their kids and friends and now we have more than 1% of the population of Rossland training Jiu jitsu. I feel privileged to call him a friend and to have been able to award him his Blue Belt on Dec 17th, almost a year to the day that I first rolled with him.
Alex and I bought the most amazing house. It’s super artsy and most people say it has character. The previous owner did such an amazing job fixing it up before we moved in and now we feel at home. It is perfect.
Through the year, I have met amazing friends in Rossland. We were able to throw our own mini festival called Family Reunion. It was a success and we will be doing it more. I can’t believe how different the culture in Rossland is now from when I grew up here.
I love that I still get to use all the skills I have built in business on something that I am super passionate about. It doesn’t feel like I have worked a day since getting here even though I am constantly working. I guess what they say is true, “do something you love and you will never work a day in your life”
I was able to see a great friend get married to his amazing wife Riva and shared music, love and laughter at festivals with many friends old and new. Alex and I made a road trip to Denver to see our amazing friends Jon and Amanda. We were able to camp the whole way there and back and it made Alex and I stronger.
The fact I can wake up and go snow boarding before going to do jiu jitsu is unreal. I have never felt so at one with nature.
Alex is still the love of my life. She found her passion for skiing and I have seen her mental health increase every day. She is confident and is blessed to be doing what she loves for a living. I believe she is going to accomplish everything she wants and more. She gave me 2 tattoos last year and I am excited (shocking to me) to have her tattoo me more. She is amazing and I feel lucky everyday to get to spend my life with her.
I am very excited about 2017 – everything is growing and I am now living a life that is focused on what I love, the people I love and the adventures I love.