Hey Warriors. It has been a long time since my last post. I’m doing well and I have some news to share, along with some encouragement.

Since my last post I have taken a job in Germany and I plan on being here for at least three years. I consider my move as my magnum opus of anxiety recovery (although anxiety has tried to resurface and make me doubt my growth). I have left Ohio behind for now, selling most of my things and putting a pause on coaching tennis. So far so good my way, but I still miss home quite a bit.

What dropping everything and moving has taught me about fear

Most people would probably think I am crazy for leaving my friends, family, tennis and my home for an entirely different world, but it was in contrast to that belief that I decided to come to Deutschland. I was happy in Ohio, but there is always a little nagging voice in the back of my mind about forcing myself out of my comfort zone. So far I have done a really good job with that :). I have comforts here, but my mind is scrambling to find a routine and make my new world feel like home. My warrior self has been the relaxed and patient teacher, where my fear self has been going wild and doing fear self things. I consider my warrior self as the babysitter while my inner fear child burns out all his energy asking what if questions. Monitoring my fear and embracing it has helped me to grow through this experience. We can only become better by confronting the things we know make us 100% uncomfortable and realizing we are stronger than our fear.

Be proud of yourself when you confront the unknown

One of my biggest struggles coming here has been taking the time to reflect on how far I have come through my anxiety journey. The old me from 10 or 15 years ago would have NEVER even considered working in a different country, but now I am exploring every corner here in Deutschland. The picture above is of a town called Rothenburg (I have been there recently). I’m still working to calm my fear self, but each time I can take a breath and just realize how this move will help me long term.

Why I moved and when I will return to America

A major catalyst for making this move has been to truly “put my money where my mouth is” so to speak and live the life I want to show that can be lived, with or without fear. A question that keeps popping up in my mind is “am I really that guy or just all talk?”. I figure the best way for me to prove to myself that I have mastered my fear is to confront this unknown adventure and learn the lessons I am meant to learn. So far the ride has been scary, but I’m settling in slowly. I will return home in a few years to get back into the tennis scene and possibly coach again.

I’ll be posting more on here now that I am in my apartment. Until next time I hope you all find something uncomfortable for you and confront it.