My first outdoor camping trip was when I was 15. I was invited by my cross-country teammates who have been very blessed to have parents who see the value in nature and time in the mountains. I was terrified. My family never discussed this opportunity. I’ve never even been on a mountain!

Naturally, it was the day I hiked the highest peak in Vermont. It was the first time anyone in my family has ever gone to the top of Mount Mozdebiwajo (Moosehead Mountain or Mount Mansfield). We had a fire, cooked our food and then I overdressed in my cotton clothes and got into my very heavy Coleman Square bag. I didn’t sleep because the moon was bright and the natural residents of Mount Mozdebiwajo were loud. I love “Winnie the Pooh” and was very excited to hear an owl, “Hoo”. I was enthralled by the power of night. It was another world I have never been immersed in. I believe the owl was greeting me as I was a new guest in it’s home and couldn’t wait to get back.

That overnight sparked the passion to spend more nights under the stars. Many nights outside later, and that night will be one of the most memorable. It is no coincidence why Mount Mozdebiwajo is my favorite peak and why I live and plant my roots so closely too. This started the appreciation for the outdoors and my intrinsic value of being outside and loving wherever I am.

It was after my second Transamerican ride at the end of 2015 that I wanted to live and work in Vermont. After biking through this beautiful country, my spirit yearned to be back in the Green Mountains with my family and friends. My mind needed to put what I’ve learned into intentional practice everyday to slowly create the person I envisioned myself to be. My body wanted to reside in the mountains of Vermont and to move with others who love doing the same.

It is where I have now met the love of my life and we are pursuing our own life together. I am very active (when able), and seek to enhance and encourage others to push their boundaries.

I am now the first Person of the Global Majority (PGM) in management at my favorite local (and employee owned)business in the world (Outdoor Gear Exchange), and I am blessed to have the opportunity to use work to help educate and outfit folks to be outside.

I was born and raised in Vermont due to my mother and Aunt fleeing to the US from Vietnam as refugees after 6 months in the Philippines. My mother was murdered in the summer of 1996 by gun violence and it has been the most important day in my life.

It was the catalyst for my 2011 Transamerican bicycle tour dubbed the “Pursuit of Happiness”. This trip was fueled by wanting to bring attention to mental health and confronting my own. I wanted to come to terms with my trauma through physical exercise and vulnerability. I wanted to embrace life and live in harmony with nature as I tried to confront my demons.

In 2014, I embarked on my second Tansamerican trip called “Wheels of Change,” to embrace the anticipation, and opportunity of adulthood. It is a privilege to embark on such arduous journies. To my family, it seemed unheard of. I wanted them to know that they didn’t need to limit themselves. Ten months later, I was back in Vermont and ready to establish an intentional life.

After consistently covering distances by bike, procuring food, and finding new spaces to sleep, I yearned for a stable routine. I missed my amenities like knowing where to rest to rest my head, where to get food, and a community to share my passions.

Ironically, the more consistent my schedule, the more I wanted to break from those constraints and live an unencumbered and “free” life. Through travel and reflection, I found I am my biggest limiter. Everyday can be an adventure, if I chose it to be.

I hope you choose to make your days intentional and fulfilling, no matter how they look. Be humble in yourself. Whatever you choose to do, do it at your pace and know that you are laying the groundwork for a better you.

I constantly go back and forth between my two favorite three season activities, trail running and bikepacking. I was lucky enough to take a three month sabbatical during August, September, and October of 2020 through work and I planned to be home exploring the roads of Vermont. A huge highlight I had trained/planned for was the Vermont Super8 Grand Depart. It was the first “Grand Depart” (mass start) and I had planned to ride the full route (640 miles, 65,000 ft climbing) and made it even harder by doing the entire route “Unsupported” with the exception of resupplying after 360 miles. Yes, I had all the food on my bike needed to make it and it was too heavy! I ended up crashing out on the first day in first place due to a washed out chicane. I broke my forearm, collarbone, and suffered rotor cuff injuries. I was able to get to Dartmouth Hospital and be treated, but my bike season was over.

Fast forward to May of 2021 and I was back in the saddle but partially tore my right achilles playing basketball with coworkers. My second transamerica tripped ended due to my riding partner rupturing his achilles so I knew I did the same. I saw a doctor and opted for no surgery. Two months in a boot and I was back to walking “normally.” On 8/2/2021 I was playing disc golf after work at a local course and ruptured the same achilles (but in a different location!) and immediately got back into the boot.

Six months later, I can’t run, and haven’t tried biking, but I’ve been spending a lot of times on my XCD Nordic Skis (XC Downhill), and I am trying to get back to what I physically was. Mentally, I’ve never been better. Spiritually, I have a fire that can’t be burnt out. I am so thankful to move again. My recovery journey has been some of the toughest times I can remember but there is more to life than dealing with an injury.

I am getting married in August, spending more time with family, connecting with friends, and not trying to look at life through the rear view. Trying to stay present and enjoy what I can do, and the extent I can do it. My fiancé has grown to love cross country skiing and you will find us at Camels Hump Nordic Area taking in the sights and being thankful for our time together.

I look forward to future adventures, but know that it will be awhile before I can tackle big objectives. Until then, I am relishing the little adventures. I hope staying consistent with movement, positive affirmations, and sharing my adventures, that you are doing the same.

Keep in mind, “Daring Adventures Need Grit”, and you have plenty of it.