futurae.

#76: Make a post about future plans – Dreaming of being a world-class analyst or an entrepreneur in five years time? Looking to start studies at a university? Write the plans down; it’s interesting to read them later on, and it gives new ideas to other people as well.

After the whirlwind of the last few months, finding perspective and a moment to breathe has been a challenge all on its own. From here on out, it’s only up. Upon graduation from wrestling school, there’s been a consistent question in the back of my mind: What now?

There’s a buffet of options available to me and at the risk of sounding cliche, I’m armed with a limitlessness that I’ve never had before.

Thankfully, I’ve been lucky enough to be surrounded by people who not only share the same passion as I do – but encourage me to be better every single day.

The world of independent professional wrestling is much like living in the world as a traveling punk band. My roommates and I pack a car every weekend and drive 3+ hours to any town in hopes of being able to perform. The food is cheap. The crowds are raucous. The highways are long. But that’s exactly how we like it.

In January of this year, I got my first taste of road life. A quick hour trip to a town south of the state. A local VFW housed the wrestling ring while locals with all shapes and sizes came to watch the spectacle. Cheap pizza was had after. On the drive back, I knew this was exactly what I wanted with my life. Adventure. Thrill. I was more determined than ever to make this my reality.

Fast forward to present day? My weekends are spent doing just that. As The Alchemist Paulo Coelho once said, “Fight for your dreams and your dreams will fight for you.”

As I’ve accomplished my short term goal of completing wrestling school, my new goal is to begin making the moves necessary to create a career out of what I’ve learned. I’m unique, I’m hungry and I have the drive to succeed.

Through my journey, the one thing that has touched me most is the support and love I’ve received from people across the spectrum: friends, family, acquaintances and even strangers.

On a website where I can send and receive anonymous messages, I checked into my inbox and found this series of messages from a total stranger, even after our conversation ended.

To say I was absolutely taken aback would have been the world’s biggest understatement.

With all of this love, support and resource – there is no stopping me in pursuit of my next goal. I’ve got all the tools – all that’s needed is my fearless action going forward. I’m putting this list together as a concrete reminder of what’s left to do by the end of this year. Decide. Commit. Succeed.

Goal #1: Compete in my first singles match.
Goal #2: Perform in front of a crowd in my home state.
Goal #3: Work with someone experienced and better than I.

Your move, 2017. I won’t settle for anything less.