Welcome back y’all! Just wrapped up a killer wedding weekend in the stunning Gig Harbor, Washington - shoutout the newlywed Gagliardis! LET’S GOOO!!

Great vibes, summer weddings, old friends, new friends, unexpected surprises - all celebrating the love of two special people.

Does it get any better?

Then I explored Seattle yesterday with new friends I met at the wedding followed by a night sleeping on a boat - cheers to spontaneous adventures.

If you tuned in the last three weeks, we just wrapped up a 3-part series, DUI-to-Transformation.

In case you missed them:

Part 1: The DUI That Changed Everything
Part 2: The Deeper the Fear, the Greater the Freedom
Part 3: 8 Lessons from 8 Years Without Alcohol

This week - we’re reflecting on my sabbatical journey and one of the main reasons I wanted to do this in the first place:

To explore my natural curiosities and allow myself to focus on things that truly matter to me.

My meaningful work.

Now let’s get into it ⬇️

When I first set out on sabbatical over a year ago, I bought a one-way ticket to Bali and began backpacking around the world.

I love new adventures, learning new cultures, trying new things, and pursuing things I’ve always dreamed about.

I’m really doing this, I would often think as a chicken bus whipped through mountainous towns in Guatemala, narrowly avoiding death with every turn.

While traveling Bali, I was practicing yoga every day - it was my therapy.

My way of life.

Naturally, I became curious about doing a Yoga Teacher Training (YTT) in order to share this gift with the world, which ultimately led to me becoming a yoga teacher.

This was never part of my “5-year plan,” but a simple curiosity continued to grow through action and experimentation.

The YTT also sparked my interest in a Meditation Teacher Training (MTT), which I’m now sharing with the world in 1:1 and group meditation services (hit reply to this email if interested).

In addition to travel and exploring these new curiosities, the extra time during sabbatical has also enabled me to prioritize doing things that are meaningful to me.

More specifically, I spent the last three months:

Here’s the backstory ⬇️

During MTT my parents decided to move to Mississippi and sell our childhood home.

I was heartbroken. My home of the last 24 years was being uprooted, and my parents would no longer be there.

But- what an opportunity to be able to help.

I had the time and space to focus entirely on helping them move cross-country and make the transition as smooth, safe, and meaningful as possible.

So I booked the first flight home after meditation training in Bali and dedicated the next two months to helping my parents move:

I also spent a week painting my entire Oregon home to get it ready for sale - a project I absolutely loved and saved me $7,000.

While I could have made things work if I had a 9-5 working job, this was a full time job.

At this stage of my life, this was my good, meaningful work.

Helping the people I love most in this world with one of the biggest transitions of their lives.

And I wouldn’t trade this time or experience for anything.

While the move was big, there were also many unexpected curiosities and interests that developed.

I found that I absolutely loved painting my house. Going to bed proud after a long day’s work and waking up excited to see the progress from the day before.

I found that I loved landscaping and building a garden for my parents’ new house. Watching things come to life, working with my hands, sweating my ass off and going to bed exhausted.

I remembered how much I love road trips, seeing the country, and using my feet to explore the great outdoors.

And I found that I’m obsessed with being an Uncle - witnessing my baby nephew Leo grow by the day, playing with him, laughing endlessly, stroller walks, and being a Funcle.

Every morning felt like Christmas knowing I get to see Leo Man.

Sometimes I think - how did my parents just happen to move during my sabbatical? When I could so freely help out with one of the biggest transitions of their lives?

Serendipity?
Divine timing?

Not sure.
But I don’t care.

All that matters to me is I was able to do it.

And I’m incredibly grateful for having this experience.

Memories I’ll cherish for the rest of my life.

Lastly - sabbatical has granted me the opportunity to explore new ventures.

For example, I just hosted my first ever collaboration event last week: Yoga + Smoothies.

After recently partnering with Emerald City Smoothie, I wanted to bring something new and exciting to my local yoga studio, Asha Yoga & Wellness.

It went exceptionally well, I learned a lot, and equally important - I discovered how much I love bringing people together in the health and wellness space.

Another curiosity worth exploring.

Sabbatical has also provided me the opportunity to write consistently, publish newsletters, and say yes to life -

Like spending an entire week in the mountains of North Bend, Washington trail running, hiking, swimming, biking, and rock climbing.

Yet another reminder of the places, people, and activities I want more of in my life.

It’s truly been a powerful period of my life.

Saying yes to things that matter.
And no to things that don’t.

Explore your curiosities.
Prioritize the things that matter to you.
And do them.

You don’t have to take a sabbatical, quit your job, or buy a one-way ticket to Bali.

But you can dedicate small pockets of time - weekends, evenings, mini vacations - to going all in on something you’ve always wanted to do.

And I will say - sabbatical has definitely provided me the time and freedom to focus on things that matter to me and say yes to new life adventures.

So if you’ve ever thought about sabbatical… give me a holler.

Either way - go do the things you want in this world,
that set your soul on fire.

Life is too short not to.

Tip: Over the last three weeks, I’ve encouraged you to make a searching and fearless moral inventory of resentments, fears, and guilts/shames holding you back your life.

This week, it’s the final portion of our inventory work - and time to shift the to the things you love about yourself.

Action: Write down 5-10 assets / positive characteristics you love about yourself.

Why it matters:

💻 Recent Newsletter Posts

🎙️Seeds of Success Podcast (Spotify)

🎙️Seeds of Success Podcast (Apple Podcasts)

🎬 YouTube | 📸 Instagram | 📱TikTok | ✍️ LinkedIn | 📈 Substack

✍️ Goal 1: Write 49 Newsletters
Realized: 29/49

🌎 Goal 2: Travel to 34 countries by age 34
Realized: 25/34

💰Goal 3: Earn $50k in self-generated revenue
Realized: $12,182

Got this far? Hit reply and let me know something that stood out to you.

I love hearing from you and always respond.

Lastly, can you please send this to one person you think might enjoy it?

Sharing the newsletter is the #1 way that will help it grow.

Thanks for supporting the mission 🚀

See you next week 😎