Origin Story

I grew up in a rural Alaskan town in the 1980's, and entertainment options were scarce. We had a couple radio stations, and if we rotated the TV antenna just right, and it wasn't covered with snow, it was possible to get decent reception on three channels. I mostly chose to immerse myself in any reading materials I could get my hands on and would often stay up into the late hours of the night, tucked under my blankets and reading by flashlight. I loved books from a young age, but comics were my passion.

I was thrilled by the idea of an entire, sprawling world outside the confines of my adolescent cocoon and enthralled by the courage and tenacity shown by the heroes. What really intrigued me though, were their origin stories.

Most of my favorite heroes started life as nobodies. There was nothing particularly interesting about them until life threw them a curveball and they were forced to adapt and respond. Universally, there was a major life hurdle they were forced to overcome in order to fully embody their power. And once they did, everything changed. Since I was also living the life of a nobody, the idea held obvious attraction for me.

I was very shy and insecure as a child and into my teenage years. Physically, I was on the "husky" side and my friends enjoyed assuring me that I would end up being the heaviest of the group when we got older. In high school I worked hard to cut the fat and build muscle until I finally had a physical vessel I could be proud of. And then the acne started. 

Almost everyone has suffered from acne at some point in their life, but the disfiguring variety I suffered from seems to be reserved for a relatively select few and leaves a distinct mark on both the body and the spirit. To endure it during some of the most formative years of my life was a special kind of hell. At its worst, when I was about nineteen, a friend asked whether I was considering taking my own life to end the suffering. 

But I persevered instead. I decided that if I couldn't rely on my body, I would rely on my mind. I consumed anything that would help me see past my own perceived limitations. Books like "Think and Grow Rich" and "How to Win Friends and Influence People" were a revelation. They helped pull me out of the prison of my circumstances and gave me a new perspective on life.

I knew that my path was waiting for me somewhere outside Alaska, but I had no idea where it was or what it was going to be. All I knew was that I needed to move, even though I was scared. Especially because I was scared.

That time is now 25 years and many thousands of miles behind me. In the meantime, I've made my way to Switzerland where I finally settled down and built a beautiful life and a successful business. I've lived that portion of my hero's journey and the outcome has been more spectacular than I ever could have imagined. Now it's time for the next chapter, and I'm equally scared.

 It's time to share my story. It's a tale of transformation, healing, learning and love. I've viscerally experienced what life can take, but especially what it can give. And in a time when so many are suffering and looking for something to hold onto, I hope some of the lessons I've learned along the way can serve as a lifeline for those in need.

We've all experienced circumstances that seemed impossible at the time, only to somehow, miraculously, find a way through. Life is often hard, and the weight of responsibility can feel crushing at times. Whether that weight breaks your back or helps you to grow stronger is completely up to you.  

Starting as a nobody doesn't mean you need to finish that way. We all have an undiscovered hero inside of us, an alter ego just waiting for the chance to emerge. Whatever you may be going through now, no matter how big or small, is an opportunity to build your super-powers. As you stack one small victory on the next, you'll notice your powers increasing. And then, one day, it won't be you and your alter ego anymore. It'll just be you.

So come and join me on this journey. I've still got a long way to go and it's always nice to have company. I have no idea what the next years will bring, but I'm determined to go out and meet them head on, just like the heroes from my comics would have done. And please share your stories as well. There's nothing new under the sun except our own, unique experiences and there's always a lesson there, just waiting to be found. So let's start digging.