I’m a little different.
I’m an athlete, musician, designer, health coach, realtor, producer, consultant, adventurer.
For much of my life, I’ve felt out of place. I don’t fit in a typical category. I don’t feel like an athlete. I don’t feel like a musician. I don’t feel like a designer or businessman. I’m a strange combination of lots of different things. For years I struggled with that and felt restless focusing on one thing at a time. I wore the musician hat for several years, releasing 4 albums and touring the country with my band AG Silver. But never really felt like I fit in “the scene.” As I eased out of that life, I dove into Triathlon and won a bunch of local and regional races. I loved it and trained hard, but never felt I fit with the intense, single-minded devotion of my peers. I’m a designer and creative director and started a creative agency focused on branding and packaging in the wine-industry. I’m a health coach and marketing consultant. I love helping individuals and businesses set goals, strategize and realize their full potential. I’m proud of the work I’ve done, but neglecting my other interests feels out of balance.
I’m an eclectic, hodge-podge, jack-of-many interests and I’m finally embracing that as a strength. I want to do it all. And doggone it, I’m going to try.
False Start.
In 2019 I set off to start tackling some of the adventures that were stirring in me. I intended to highlight some of the coolest places and adventures in Michigan while attempting 3 World Records as part of a campaign called “The Adventures Of Mr. Michigan.” Those plans hit a major snag when I was hit by a car while cycling on May 16, 2019. While laying on the asphalt in a great deal of pain I thought: “What am I doing? Should I just hang it up? Play it safe and eliminate risks?” And then I thought, “No you fool. You only get one life. Make it epic.”
The crash was a major setback that required surgery to put my right arm back together and 9 weeks of rest and recovery. But I resolved to do everything in my power to chase a swimming, biking and running record in 2019 if my body allowed.
Comeback.
4 months after the crash, on the last weekend of Summer I set off to tackle my first 2 World Records 3 days apart. On Friday, Sept 20 I completed the first-ever swim to North Manitou Island (7.4 miles in 2:50). 3 Days later I partnered with 4 cycling friends to set a new World Ultra Cycling speed record across Michigan (205 miles in 8:16; 24.8mph avg). It was a weekend of redemption and it felt like I was on the right track.
I’ll be honest, the crash almost derailed me. Instead it added fuel to my fire to pursue my version of a meaningful life. I determined to tackle one thing each month that I’m proud of.
A month after the swim and bike records I organized a Sub-2 Marathon Relay. 44 other runners joined me for a day of fun on the track. I ran 26 legs of the relay and we got it done in 1:49:32. The fastest co-ed, multi-generation marathon relay ever. What a blast!
The following month I made good on a dream my wife Necia and I have been putting off for years. We started a band! In November 2019 we entered the studio to record our first single and Lady & Gentleman was born. Our first song and video debuted in February of 2020 and we’ll be releasing a new song and video each month.
2020.
May 16, 2020 marked the one year anniversary of the car crash that changed my life. It nearly took my life, but instead it gave me an opportunity to pause, reflect and choose how to live the rest of my life. I wanted to do something special to commemorate the day. An SUV nearly ended my life, so I thought it would be fitting to join forces with a vehicle to bury the hatchet between car and bike. With my dad driving the lead vehicle I biked 100 miles in 2:57 with a moving average of 34mph. It was an awesome morning of reflection and commitment to pursue a life worth living.
2020 is shaping up to be an awesome year. I have my eyes set on a handful of new records and lots of other adventures along the way. In addition to releasing new music and videos each month, the main athletic goals are:
1) Swim across Lake Michigan (60 miles from Wisconsin to Michigan)
2) Set a World Record for cycling 100 miles (in under 2:50).
3) Set a World Record for Everesting (climbing 29,029 feet).
I’m also scouting out some trail FKTs and hope to attempt one or 2 of those in the fall.
In addition to all of this music, athletic adventure stuff, I’m also still designing, coaching and trying to be the best Dad, husband and friend I can be. My belief is that living into who I am and following through on ideas and goals that are fun and meaningful to me will make me a better person and better able to support, inspire and serve others.
I’m sharing my story in hopes that it inspires others to pursue their own curiosities. We’re all weird and wonderful. My idea of fun, may sound like misery to others. What captures your imagination? What goal or idea is stuck in your head? Do it. Don’t wait for a car to hit you and shake you awake.
Living an “epic” life isn’t about living on the edge. It’s about pursuing a life worth living. Not idly standing by and letting life happen to you, but taking control of your life, setting meaningful goals and pursuing them. Not goals that society says you should chase, but goals that make you feel alive. Worth getting out of bed for.
My hope for myself, and for you, is to live a life worth documenting. Create a story worth telling. You only get one life. Make it epic.