The background 🖼️: Every time I mention being a coach, I get the same question: Did you run in college? The short answer? No. My running career lasted exactly one week on my high school track team. As a theater kid, I was out of my element, and the coaches had little reason to pay attention to someone with zero experience. But I had fun.

Maybe that’s why I agreed to go on a two mile run with a friend as a freshman in college. The beginning was easy enough - how hard could it be? - until we started to climb what felt like Everest (I’m pretty sure it was a 3% grade). In about 20 minutes, I experienced just about every emotion you could imagine. But all's well that ends well, and this one ended with a big smile on my face. If this is what running was, I needed more.

Change of course 🧭: I sometimes lose myself in reverie about that day. Was it inevitable that I would find running eventually, or was there something cosmic about the circumstances? Either way, every run since has built upon the last, encouraging me to dig deeper. Before I knew it, I was coaching others to do the same. In 2021, I left my corporate tech job to commit to it full time.

Upon reflection, my success as an athlete (according to the freshman I once was, I am basically an Olympian now) and a coach only happened because I let it unfold naturally. When it comes to running, I’ve never burdened myself with expectations. Sure, as I gained experience, I started to dream bigger, but it was never the results that drove me. It was my thirst to discover more.

I wish I could say that’s how I approach the rest of life. Unfortunately for me and my Best Little Boy in the World syndrome, I’ve always been hard-wired to chase prestige. I set impressive-sounding goals without stopping to ask if I actually want them. Unsurprisingly, this leads to burnout and self-doubt

What’s next ⏩: In running, when you hit a plateau, it’s time to change up the training. It’s uncomfortable but necessary if you’re looking for a breakthrough. After months of feeling stuck, both in business and in life, I’m ready for new stimulus.

That’s why I’m launching this Substack—with zero expectations and the same wide-eyed enthusiasm I had on that first run. I don’t know where this will go, and for once, I don’t need to. All I know is I’m finishing this first post with a big smile, ready for more.

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