What upppp world! Coming to you live from my AirBNB in Antigua, Guatemala 🇬🇹
We made it - just wrapped up a week in Louisiana visiting family and meeting my baby nephew Leo.
Meeting Baby Leo for the first time - how was I supposed to leave?
Uncle Duty Checklist:
✅ Get thrown up on
✅ Change rancid diapers
✅ Bottle feedings
✅ Bath times
✅ Witness him eat, sleep, and poop - all at the same time
✅ Stroller walks (life goals)
✅ Naturally laugh at his laugh
✅ Cry when saying goodbye
And a personal fave - reading him the “Finding Joy in Nature” book I bought him on last year’s National Park roadtrip.
I left with a full heart after extending my trip and delaying personal travels.
Wasn’t ready to leave.
So I didn’t.
Extra time with family is always a no-brainer.
Something I’ll never regret,
And worth every penny of rescheduling.
Which brings us to today’s newsletter, inspired by a dear friend, and one conversation that changed my life forever.
I’m glad you’re here.
✨ Do it now, while you can ✨
September 10, 2025 - Yoga Teacher Training (YTT) in Bali. A friend and I were chatting in-between sessions when she told me she has thyroid cancer.
The same cancer that killed her father.
She’s 40.
We shared tears and laughs as she told beautiful memories of her dad, her best friend.
She also expressed a deep sadness, regret, in not doing a specific bucket list item they always dreamed about.
I sat across the table with a heavy heart. Listening. Feeling the weight of her loss.
Too often we learn how short life can be.
Gone in an instant.
This was one of those moments.
Naturally, I found myself really missing my dad in this moment.
Reflecting on memories, life, and the things we always talked about doing.
Then it hit.
Notre Dame.
For years my dad and I talked about going to a Notre Dame football game.
(I had a little Fighting Irish dude on my laundry hamper as far back as I can remember)
Years came and went, but it never happened.
This conversation, however, inspired me.
To stop talking about it,
and do it.
Before later turned into never.
And never turned into regret.
That same night I called my mom, coordinated schedules (to keep it a secret), and started planning.
(I believe it’s important to act on inspiration - when it’s hot, when you have momentum - because inspiration is fleeting - take advantage)
I had subsequent plans to travel after YTT and finish the year in Africa.
But a bucket list item with dad?
Easy decision.
Was I nervous about the finances with no job or income?
Absolutely.
Did I question if I would ever go to Africa if I didn’t go now?
Of course.
When I’m 85 and reflecting on my life, would I regret this trip with dad?
Not a chance.
I also have an unwavering belief in myself that I will always be able to figure things out.
No matter the circumstances.
So I cancelled my personal travel plans, bought the Notre Dame tickets, texted pops to block his calendar, and the trip was booked.
If not now, when?
Text to Dad telling him to take PTO. And yes - Mariners were hot at the time. Go M’s! 😂
Two months later, we landed in Chicago, got the rental car, ready to see the laundry hamper come to life.
Then I revealed the news ⬇️
Surprising pops with the news. Off to South Bend!
The drive to Notre Dame was picturesque:
Glass-painted skies
Glistening sunset
Midwest flats
And pre-game radio
Quality time with pops not worrying about a thing, enjoying every second.
Also crushed a Subway sandwich, cookie, and Dunkin’ cold brew.
Small wins.
Read to rock the rental - open roads, painted skies - South Bend here we come!
I’ll spare you the details the trip, but here’s everything in a nutshell:
🎰 Four Winds Casino (if you know my dad, you know he loves himself a good casino - couldn’t tell if he was more excited about this or the game)
🍪 Cookies in bed
📸 Notre Dame campus tour
🧤 Bought some ND gear
🕯️ Lit candles & honored loved ones at The Grotto
⛪️ Wrote in the journal at the Basilica of the Sacred Heart
🌭 Ate $2 hot dogs in a campus park
Truly felt like Rudy.
Dad lighting a candle for a loved one at The Grotto
Then we bundled up for the sideways snowing beatdown
☘️ Notre Dame: 49
⚓️ Navy: 10
(Grandpa was in the Navy, so this game was extra special)
Fight on Irish!
It was one of the most special weekends of my life.
Father and son.
Doing life together.
All thanks to one of the most special people and friends I met last year.
Full of life, love, and laughter. Living every day like it’s her last.
She’s a beautiful soul and reminded me, once again, to cherish and appreciate life.
Who, by the way, recently left her corporate job to pursue life: YTT, travel, DJ’ing, just got back from a trip to Africa
Living life on her terms.
(This is not me saying to quit your job - but to go do the things you want to do in this life - with who you want to do them with - to live with no regret, no holding back)
So if you’re still reading… here’s your Call-to-Action ⬇️
🌱 Your Call to Action (CTA)
I hope this moves you to action. Yes, you.
To go do the thing you’ve always talked about doing.
🌱 CTA: what’s one thing you’ve always wanted to do?
Something that’s been on your heart for years.
That gives you butterflies when you think about it.
Something that, dare I say, you would regret not doing when your time comes…
Maybe it’s backpacking Europe.
Bungee jumping in New Zealand.
Seeing Rüfüs du Sol live at The Gorge.
Volunteering at an orphanage in Africa.
Or maybe it’s not so extreme… like hosting Thanksgiving dinner.
Learning to play the piano.
Speaking Spanish.
Or climbing the mountain in your backyard you’ve stared at every day.
🌱 CTA #2: Now that you’ve identified the thing, what can you do today to take action on this dream?
Learn Spanish? Download Avita.
Host Thanksgiving dinner? Text your family now and tell them you’re hosting.
Sky dive? Call the shop and schedule it.
Leave a voicemail if they don’t answer.
Football game with your dad? Book the ticket.
Send the text.
Make the call.
Have the conversation.
Shit, just schedule the conversation.
Keep it simple.
Keep it doable.
Then do it.
Stack some wins, create momentum, and go do the things you want in this life.
I imagine you won’t regret it.
✍️ Extra Credit
Before moving on with your day, I encourage you to PAUSE.
Literally stop reading and think about this.
Just like that conversation stopped me.
Grab a pen and paper. Write down any ideas that come to mind.
Go crazy. Let your mind run wild.
There’s no right answer. Only you, the pen, your imagination, and your heart.
P.S. - the game was supposed to be a secret, but my Dad is obnoxiously hard to surprise.
Once I texted him, he immediately started researching dates and potential events.
He literally said, “Are we going to see Notre Dame versus Navy??”
And proceeded to hum the Notre Dame fight song at the dinner table 😑
That said, I sold him on the idea that we were going to see some comedian in Chicago…
Never heard of the dude in my life - but dad seemed to take the bait lol
Mindfulness Tip of the Week 🧘♂️
Want to start a meditation practice? Keep it simple.
Action:
Identify a dedicated meditation spot (I use the ground in my room)
Download an app to get started (I use Insight Timer)
Set the timer for 2-3 minutes and go for it
(of course, you don’t have to use an app… I like tracking my streak. I’m currently on 113 consecutive days meditating at least 5 minutes)
Tip: it’s a practice. your mind will wander. gently bring the mind back to breath. no judgment. no beating yourself up. PRACTICE bringing the focus back.
And watch that practice branch into other areas of your life.
Use: grounding, spirituality, insights, higher being, reduce stress/anxiety, mind control
🧠 Podcast I Loved This Week
One of those episodes where you stop, pause, & reflect every 10 minutes.
Questions to consider:
What feels like PLAY where for others it feels like WORK?
Where do you feel completely in flow?
How can you CHOOSE to be happy, more often, in any given moment?
*P.S. - Chris Williamson said this was one of his most impactful conversations he’s ever had. Figured it was probably worth the listen.
And it was.
🔥 Content Corner 🔥
🎯 2026 Goals Scoreboard
✍️ Goal 1: Write 49 Newsletters
Realized: 6/49
🌎 Goal 2: Travel to 34 countries by age 34
Realized: 18/34
💰Goal 3: Earn $50k in self-generated revenue
Realized: $1,105
Got this far? Reply and let me know your biggest takeaway.
Or if you feel up to it - I’d love to hear the thing on your heart.
I always respond.
Finally - thank you. Many of you have shared the Seeds Newsletter, either forwarding via email, text, or sharing on social media.
If you have someone you think would enjoy it, any forwards are much appreciate 🙏
See you next week 🚀
