There’s a version of me I strive to bring forward every day—not the perfect version, not the polished one, but the strongest, clearest, most grounded version. The version of me that can be counted on. The one that stays calm under pressure, makes the hard decisions, and puts others before myself when it matters most. I work in a field where mistakes carry weight, where lives can hang in the balance, and where the difference between chaos and clarity often comes...

I believe preparation is more than a safety measure—it’s a lifestyle. Whether you're heading off-grid for a spontaneous adventure (my son calls these side quests) or responding to a real-world crisis, having a Go Bag ready is one of the simplest, smartest ways to take control in the face of uncertainty. Also known as a Ready Bag, Grab Bag, or Bug-Out Bag, this compact, pre-packed kit is designed to sustain you for 24 to 72 hours. It’s not about fear or...

There are moments in life when our experiences push us so far beyond our personal narratives that they no longer fit within the framework of what we know. We find ourselves outside the edges of our understanding, standing in uncharted emotional and psychological territory. In those moments, we may try to make sense of what we feel, but the truth is, our internal tools—our reasoning, our resilience, our perspective—may not be enough. And that’s okay. Think about climbing Mt. Rainier. You...

The Nature of Progress Life has a way of teaching us patience, especially when it comes to healing and personal growth. Whether you’re recovering from loss, rebuilding after failure, or overcoming a physical or emotional struggle, one thing remains true: progress isn’t linear. We like to imagine healing as a steady climb upward, with each day bringing us closer to wholeness. But in reality, it’s more like a dance—two steps forward, one step back. And sometimes, that backward step feels like failure....