Following being a plumber for nearly 20 years and running a successful company for a decade, there was something missing and life was lacking real purpose. Living somewhere with the great outdoors outside my window and doing something with my warm people skills sounded far more fulfilling. But I was confused. And lost. My inner voice said soldier on. Life is good. You have it all. …but the steam ran out. Life wasn’t aligned with my true values. Although at that time, values were beyond my wisdom. Life was doing what life should look like based on what was all around me. As a kid there was no magical life calling and school wasn’t my thing. Get qualified in something which you can fall back on and sign up for the hustle and bustle, was the inspiration I saw around me by family and friends. A smart and logical choice was made. Get a trade. There are no regrets, because that career decision got me to where I am today and I’ve been very fortunate. The universe has always had a plan for me and it’s been a beautiful ride. But in 2023 the feeling of being lost became all encompassing. Burn out from trying so hard in something with no purpose or passion. Failed relationships and a cancelled wedding had taken its toll. Anxiety, depression and overwhelm were all too regular states of being. Something had to budge. Then, the turning point. A special chat with a close friend. She persuaded me to chat to my business partner, about taking time out. He was my closest friend for so many years, he supported me and knew me inside and out. He insisted I go follow my dream for a year and see what happens. I love that man. The feeling that my life could drastically change was there and the thought of it was mind boggling. Removing myself from my life situation was essential to get some clarity. And that’s exactly what happened. By taking that step to follow my passion of climbing and surfing around the world, the valve slowly started to open. Immediately I met people who not only felt like my tribe but also saw a different side of me, the side of me which wasn’t free to be itself in the London rat race. In nature I become ME. By experiencing different cultures and seeing alternative ways of living, the possibilities began to present themselves. Like a butterfly starting to shed its skin, there was a whole new beauty beginning to bloom. It took time and by no means was it easy to start with because anxiety and loneliness were never far away. The personal development work had to be done at the same time. Daily mindfulness rituals were my anchor to keep me sailing in the right direction. Learning to relax and love myself was the mission, and to unapologetically and authentically be wholly me again, was the goal. Something that was unconsciously dumbed down for nearly 2 decades. There are no feelings of resentment for that because I only see beauty in the process. I love an analogy a friend once said to me “life isn’t a straight line, it squiggles and sometimes even goes backwards”. This couldn’t be truer. On this journey I met people who were on the same path. All having our Eat, Pray Love moment and basking in the joy of it. All filled with a sense of wonder for what the future could look like. My mind began to bounce and creativity was able to flow again. I felt free from the shackles of what society says we should do, what we’re so scared to step away from. I was getting ready to take life in any direction that looked exciting and fun! Not just what was logical or guaranteed to give me security. One lesson learnt by now was that everything always works out alright in the end, and I was confident it would carry on doing so. So doing whatever the hell I wanted to do and living somewhere amazing was the plan. As a kid there were no dream job ideas and I didn’t always know where I fitted in. Was I a skater boy or a trendy towny?! A middle child, born to be a renegade and maybe a lone wolf at times. Now all worn as a badge of honour. And I own it as my authentic self. I’m proud of where I’ve got to and excited for where I am going next. As my dad has always told me, you’ve got to love yourself first. Now I finally understand him. And I do x