Back on The Path (Again Again)
I'm so back.
I had big plans for this blog when I started a little over a year ago. I was on a great path with my fitness, things were going relatively well — and then everything changed.
I got a few long posts up on the site and felt like I was building momentum. But soon after, things took a turn. A large company acquired the small startup I was working at. They had held off on making any major changes for a while — until January 1, 2024. The transition was immediately challenging. I wish I could describe it more clearly, but let’s just call it what it was: overwhelming.
Corporate Chaos and Personal Strain
There was a lot to learn, tons of new people to meet, and even more to do. It became too much, and I paused this blog. The stress and anxiety from work bled into my personal life — I exercised less, slept poorly, and on top of it all, I had a newborn at home. I was trying to navigate this new corporate environment while parenting a four-month-old. It just kept piling up.
Then in April, I found out I was being laid off — part of a 10% company-wide cut. It wasn’t performance-related, but damn, it still stung. I was completely shocked. My final day was May 1, 2024.
The Job Search and Lingering Stress
I immediately began a job search that lasted until September. I felt incredibly lost — the job market was (and still is) difficult to navigate. I did manage to regain some consistency in my exercise routine, which helped, but I faltered when it came to eating well. Like many people, food is my stress comfort.
Even being home — where technically it should be easy to exercise — was tough. I constantly felt like I should be spending more time on the job search. Should I lift weights or send more resumes? Hit a workout or message people on LinkedIn? That push and pull wore me down.
A Spark of Hope
In early summer, though, I had a small but meaningful victory: I biked 50 miles in one day, completely solo. That felt amazing — a spark of hope in the midst of a rough season.
Slowly, my infant started sleeping better (he’s a great sleeper now, thankfully), and that helped me begin recovering from the chaos of 2024.
A Major Turnaround
In September, I landed a job with a small startup, and things immediately began to improve. I wish I could say that my mood and happiness weren’t tied to employment, but the pressure of being a father to two young boys and needing to provide was immense.
I’m so grateful for my incredibly supportive wife. Not long after starting that job, another twist came: I got recruited to join a much larger company — alongside a group of 15 or so former colleagues. It was like my luck flipped overnight. That’s when I was able to truly get back on track.
Progress and Support
Since January, I’ve lost 10 pounds, been going to therapy more consistently, and I’m lifting regularly. I feel much happier and more stable. I also increased my depression medication dosage, started seeing a nutritionist and a fitness coach, and even joined a Monday men’s workout group.
I have so many great posts and fitness experiences to share, and I’m looking forward to documenting them — starting now.
What I Learned
Here are a few things I’ve learned during this time:
1. Reach out for help. That includes friends, family, therapists, and even adjusting medication if needed.
2. Clean eating, exercise, and sleep are critical. I hate to admit this, but I’ve had to relearn this over and over. Life will always throw challenges at you — you’re better equipped to face them when you’re physically and mentally well. That’s really what this newsletter is about: building and sharing that mindset.
3. Give yourself grace. Sometimes life just hits hard. It’s okay to step away. It’s okay to recognize you can’t take on all the things you want to accomplish and not feel guilty about it. Focusing on the fundamentals will eventually bring you back to The Path.
Looking Ahead
This year is going to be amazing — in fact, it already has been. I’m excited to share what I’ve been up to these past few months. Let’s freaking go!