i sit here, reflecting on the journey that led me to this moment. four years ago, everything changed.

i was on a beach in Malibu with my then-girlfriend, smoking weed and eating Jack in the Box. at first, it felt like just another night. but as i stared out at the ocean, a thought hit me hard: is this really the life i want?

the answer was a resounding no.

in that instant, i knew i had to make a change. i couldn’t keep living on autopilot. the habits, the mindset, the people around me—they were all keeping me stuck. if i wanted more, i had to let go of everything weighing me down and step into the unknown.

at the time, though, i felt lost. i had no real hobbies, no clear sense of happiness, and no community to push me forward. i had convinced myself that life was already written, that destiny was set in stone. but deep down, i knew that was a lie.

so, i made a choice. no more drifting. no more waiting for change to happen.

looking back now, i feel proud. the journey wasn’t easy, but every struggle shaped me. i fought through the doubt, the discomfort, and the fear of letting go. i won’t pretend i’m perfect. i still make mistakes, and i still have work to do. but i love the person i’ve become because i had the courage to evolve.

pain shaped me. doubt tested me. growth demanded everything from me.

but i embraced it all.

because to reach heaven, you have to walk through the fire. and i did.

and i can only hope that the fire you walk through is not so chaotic.

but if it is, know where you are going. know it with certainty. and embrace every part of it.