My word for the past year has been alive.
Here are the moments where I felt it most.
When I was helping others be at their best
Whether that was leading Victory Club workouts, working with someone on their jumpshot, or helping founders sharpen their pitch in real time — these are the activities that fill my cup.
After these moments, I almost always wanted to throw my hands in the air victoriously or give someone a high five. Something about being in service of someone else's breakthrough makes me feel like I'm doing exactly what I'm supposed to be doing.
When I was immersed in the beauty of the world
Sunday, early morning at 3am. I laid with my head in the long wild grass atop Timber Top trail. I stared outside the frame of the tent at the great expanse of the universe.
The depth of the stars, the call of the nearby owl, the faint trace of the milky way. I thought: I have everything I need.
When I was writing and building and sharing things
Especially when I tapped into something I deeply care about and got into the flow of just sprinting at my objective, I felt limitless.
And then when I'd finally ship something — a piece of writing, an app — I'd feel the bead of sweat roll down the side of my torso. My body could literally sense the momentum building. That's a powerful feeling.
I've realized that the oscillation between "Who could possibly have it better than us?!" and "Oh boy, we're just getting started" is what gives me life. Holding two feelings in tension is the best.
There is a song I've had on repeat for the past few months called Anyways. It goes something like this:
Don't stop now
Still got that dreamer in your eye
When you were too scared to go on stage
But played anyway
Here's to 26.