How I Got Where I Am Today....

A friend asked me that about a week before I embarked on my little adventure. Feeling like a smart-ass, I told her I got in the car, drove north on the freeway, took a couple turns, pulled in the driveway, parked, walked into my office, and there I was. Apparently, that wasn’t the answer she was looking for. ;-)

So I thought about it. How did I get where I am today? Every step that brought me closer to today was so subtle and naturally progressive that it’s hard to pin-point really what started it all. If I had to pick a catalyst, however, I can give you an exact date — May 29, 2001. That was the day I walked into my apartment after returning from an incredible week in Kona, Hawaii. My very first thought was that I didn’t want to be there, but didn’t know where I wanted to be. That’s when everything changed for me. Or maybe not changed, more like, became apparent.

I had been living in Los Angeles for just over three years at that point. Same apartment, same job, same daily commute, same routine, same, same, same... Being away from my life the way I was living it showed me how I didn't want to live it, and gave a little insight into how I did. If you asked me what it was about Los Angeles that I liked or disliked from that point on, I couldn’t give you a definite or immediate answer either way.

Blue on green nothing in between.

Don’t get me wrong, I had a lot of good times there, some great memories, and some wonderful friends that I will cherish dearly for the rest of my life. It was just time for a change — a big one.

I couldn’t call it post-holiday blues because that feeling of not being where I wanted to be stayed with me. Instead of slowly fading away it kept growing and growing. The frustrating part was that I didn’t know where to go or what to do.

Fast forward a year to a little restaurant in Studio City. I was having dinner with a good friend of mine who could see that I needed a big change as well. He put a bug in my ear about venturing to the Southern Hemisphere. Australia has the same climate as Los Angeles without the smog. New Zealand has world class training. I have a mobile and universal talent. All the things I liked most weren’t indigenous to Los Angeles. I have relatives and a good friend in Australia, and I have a good friend in New Zealand. It wouldn't be like I was going to a foreign country all alone and knowing no one.

I had been planning to sign up for Ironman New Zealand in March 2003, so after some thought, decided I would make the end of the year my walkabout kick-off. I would leave LA and go back home to Canada for the holidays. After the holidays, I would go to New Zealand for some hardcore training, and after the race, I would move to Australia.

It was exciting, but then it got a little scary. That’s a long way from home, and even though I was already living a long way from home, I was close enough to hop in my car and be home for dinner the next night. Getting home from Australia is a little more involved. ;-)

As it turned out, moving to Australia was proving to be quite the undertaking — and pricy. It all got to be too much and I started to trip out a little. Now I would only spend six months to a year in Oz, go to Tahiti for a 1/2IM in October then go travel around Europe for a few months. This plan included spending two months in Spain where I would again do the hardcore training thing and race Ironman Lanzarote in 2004.

Yeah, that was a good idea until I did Ironman USA. Holy hills, Batman! I think IMLanzo will have to wait a few more years as the vertical on that course is equal to climbing halfway up Everest.

After a few more plan revamps, I decided on three months in New Zealand and at least three months in Australia. I have no idea how long I’ll stay in Australia or where I’ll go from there. I’m just going with it and seeing what I see.

I suppose in a way, I’m really just bored. I have nothing better to do. I don’t have anything or anyone to ground me. Funny that. I originally got into triathlon because I was bored. ;-) Triathlon and the whole triathlon lifestyle has brought so much to my life that now I can’t imagine not ever being a part of it in some way.

So that plan was set — sort of.

I sold my car to unload the payments and save some cash. I bought a beater that was worth less than my bike and hoped it would last the next seven months. A couple months later I had to buy another beater — this one was a better beater though. ;-)

I gave notice to vacate my apartment and turned in my resignation. I also included a proposal (with huge help and thanks to my brother!) to continue working for my company on a contract basis. They waited until the last day, but they accepted the proposal. That was a huge relief since my travel budget was, well, in typical Wy fashion, a little thin. ;-)

So many people tell me they wish they could do something like what I’m doing, or that they could afford to do it. I’m the first to say you can do anything you set your mind to, and also to say money is no excuse. I firmly believe that if you really want to do something, you will. It really is as simple as that. Truth be known, I’m completely winging this whole thing! As a good friend says, "the worst thing that can happen is you return to your old life". I can live with that.

Pretty big adventure to just “wing it” some might say. I suppose so, but not really. I truly believe that the Universe looks out for us. One way or another, whatever happens, happens for a reason and always works out for the best. Looking back over my life only strengthens this belief and further roots my trust in the world around me. Even the dark parts were some of the best times — they taught me the most and helped in making me who I am. You know, that character building thing. ;-)

My brother is the same as I in that respect — no fear of the world. However, unlike me he prepares a little better. ;-)

A good friend asked me how long it takes to develop this faith in the world. I really don’t know. I’ve always believed it. The question kept me thinking though — how did I develop this faith, this confidence that I could do anything I set my mind to? Perhaps it was drilled into me by my Mom. As I was growing up she always told me that I could do anything I wanted to do, and everything I wanted to do she supported 100%. No matter what. When I showed horses, she never missed a show. When I wanted to be a rock star, she was there when I sang on stage. When I wanted to start my own business, she was there. When I did my first Ironman, she was there... all day. ;-) Whatever I wanted to do, she was always there. My Mom's support instilled a confidence that I carried with me on every adventure I embarked on in my life — and everything always worked out.

So that’s how I got to where I am today — packing what I can fit into the trunk of a convertible with a bike in the back seat and a surfboard on the roof. I have some very good memories and wonderful friends in Los Angeles. I'll miss the weekend rides with my SoCal tri crew and evening beach walks with my soul sister, but my time here is done. Where I’ll end up only the Universe knows — maybe it doesn’t. No matter, living in the unknown is truly living life in the moment. At least for me.