This Still Exists? 7 Year Catchup
After a 7 year hiatus, and by popular demand from my reader, I’m putting this back in the universe.
At the moment, I don’t really have an audience in mind. My mom will probably read this if I tell her to. Feels good to write and reflect. I decided to catch up on the last 7 years of my life. The timeline focuses on major life events and documenting my changes in health & wellness. Here are some highlights in order (for the most part):
* I finished studying abroad! Went on a 25 day trip with my (still) good friend Eric and explored France, Italy, Spain, and Portugal. We were also in London for the 2011 Royal Wedding. And got to this famous Banksy piece while the paint was drying. Cheerio
* The Packers and Cardinals both won the Super Bowl and World Series respectively in 2012. My dad raised me a huge sports fan. That was a special year. Picture above is when my sister and I drove down to St. Louis for game 7 of the World Series. We watched at an outside bar next to the stadium. After the birds won they opened the gates. A celebration I’ll never forget.
* Graduated UW-Madison in 2012 with a BBA in Marketing. During that time I made some incredible bonds, was a tour guide for 2 1/2 years, celebrated halloweens, partied a lot (you’ll see how my life has since changed), and grew as a person.
* Moved to Chicago to work for Ford Motor Company
* Took bad habits from school to post-grad life and was tired, overweight, unfit, and often sick due to poor sleep, excessive weekend drinking, work stress, life anxiety, and a diet that could be summed up as “trying to eat healthy”. Didn’t really know what that meant #boblems
* Got to a breaking point and started going to a semi personal trainer and logging my food intake. This shifted to a more plants and “less legs the better” meat consumption mentality. I lost about 20 pounds in just a few months. Started getting more active. At some point during this time I also remembered watching the documentary Forks Over Knives. I didn’t take immediate action, but it was definitely a catalyst to make me think differently. It ultimately changed my life.
* Went to Europe for the 2nd time with my sister and one of my best friends from growing up. Went to Italy, Croatia, and Spain. I also survived a 19 meter jump from a bar on a cliff in Dubrovnik.
* Gained confidence and energy during my transition into a healthier life both physically and emotionally
* Fell in love in Chicago
* Went Pescatarian and gave up dairy in February of 2015
* Got into rock climbing and yoga
* Had a Bob Mitzvah for my 26th birthday (13th anniversary of my Bar Mitvah). Will probably be the best party I ever throw for myself
* Got a few promotions at work. Continued moving down the path I thought I wanted
* Took my GMAT. I was going to go to grad school!
* Went back to the camp I grew up on for a reunion. My dad was the director there for over a decade. That place was magical and helped shape me into someone who loves nature, adventure, and meeting people from all over the world. This was a special trip back to my summer roots
* After two years, the most serious relationship in my life to date ended. She was a great person and I will always care about her. But we weren’t right for each other and we knew it. I learned so much from her from yoga to patience to getting in more in touch with my emotions. Still, I took this change rather hard for a few months. That time transition time was important and I’m grateful for it
* Started meditating for 20 minutes every day in December of 2016. I’ve continued to do so ever since
* Made a plan to forgo grad school, leave Ford Motor Company, and move out West. Went on a soul searching trip with my two best friends from college to SF, Portland, and Seattle. After that, determined I was going to leave my job and move to the Bay Area
* Went 100% plant-based in June of 2017. And became passionate about everything from the environmental impact of animal agriculture to the health benefits of a plant-based diet to having more compassion for all living species including the 56 Billion innocent animals that are slaughtered every year for human consumption
* Left Ford after 5+ Years in October of 2017. Fresh off a promotion. I knew it wasn’t the right place for me and that I wanted to follow my heart. During my last few months I couch hopped around Chicago to save money. Very thankful to my friends who helped out during that time.
* Signed a sublet in San Francisco without a job. Was interviewing with Impossible Foods at the time. Got an offer 10 days before I planned to move to SF
* Started working for Impossible Foods in Sales Operations. Then unexpectedly had my position eliminated after 5 months there. It was an amazing experience and taught me a lot about working for a high growth food startup and working for a mission driven company
* Ran a half marathon
* Celebrated one-year of being 100% plant-based by going to Seed Summit & Eat Drink Vegan 2018 in LA
* Wrote this post after several months on the job hunt with many irons in the fire. I remain optimistic that I’ll find a role at another startup that’s going to help change our broken global food system. My goal is to work somewhere that has plant-based/clean meat alternatives that are delicious, cost effective, accessible, and made for main stream consumption
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I haven’t decided what/if I’ll continue to post here. It feels good to write. I suppose I do have some ideas focused on the plant-based food movement, health & wellness, and other things that interest me. This feels less forced than writing a study abroad blog to show off to my friends and ensuring my family that I’m alive. Thanks for reaching this far. Eat some plants today.
B☺B
