Good day all, I hope this finds everyone well today. Today is a rather special day for me, as it’s my birthday…….my 35^th birthday. For many adults, it’s no real concern, just another day. For me, it’s a day to be sure, but it’s a chance to reflect upon the last 12 months of my life, and it’s been an absolute roller-coaster of an adventure, wrapped up in multiple enigmas.

Looking back on where I was a year ago, I had no real direction and purpose in my life. Well, I did but I had no idea where I wanted to go with it all. But in taking advantage of a big opportunity that presented itself, I completely change my life. Aside from the financial improvement, I feel like within my craft, I can accomplish anything. In the last year, I’ve been printed in Sports Illustrated FIVE times, secured my positions with Rice and Houston Baptist and totally re-defined and revitalized my business. While I’m exhausted with the weekly crushes of work, I wouldn’t trade where I am right now for anything.

I do look back on where I was a year ago, and while I miss certain individuals and settings, most notably the student-athletes of Lutheran South Academy, I am confident that those same people would be proud of where I am now and what I have achieved in the past 12 months, well, MOST of the people, not all. For all those who were detrimental, disrespectful and dishonest towards me for so long………I sincerely thank you. I hold no malice towards any of you, but you’ve given me the confidence and fire to live my life my own way and achieve my goals amidst the cancer, toxicity, poison and laziness spewed out. And for those who believed in me when I lost faith in myself, words can’t express how grateful I am to you, especially three very special people who have touched my life and actually SHOWED that anything in life is possible.

One more thing, last year on my birthday, it was my sincere hope that people could come together and make the world a better place to live in. I do apologize for that unrealistic and Disney-themed bullshit. If I have one thing to pass along this time around, it’s this: If you have a dream, make it come true no matter what. If you have people in your life who love you, love them back with all your heart (within reason) and be honest. If things or people make you unhappy or frustrated in your life, fucking cut them loose and don’t look back. To loosely quote Marshall Mathers, “life’s too short to not go for broke."

And that’s that, thanks to everyone for the Happy Birthday wishes, and I hope to have another eventful 35 years, maybe longer. Take care, thank you all and fare thee well.