A few unconventional arenas where I learned to read the system, manage risk, and perform at the highest level.
I started playing in 1997 and spent years traveling the world to compete. It's essentially a game of resource management and calculated risks. You learn to spot patterns quickly, plan three steps ahead, and think in bets. Plus there's dragons.
In the late 2000s, I went on a run as one of the top players in the WoW Trading Card Game, which culminated in an undefeated performance at the World Championship. I've competed as a traveling pro everywhere from Austin to Amsterdam.
I lived in Vegas for a decade playing cash games and tournaments, including a 12th place finish at the 2022 WSOP. Poker taught me to drop results-oriented thinking. You focus on making the smartest mathematical move with the information you have — and you let go of the rest.
I used to weigh over 300 pounds. In 2016, I hit reset on my diet, went vegan and fell in love with trail running. Now, I run ultramarathons. I love showing up for hard things. You can’t fake running 50 miles.
In 2023, I took my mom and brother to Burning Man. Then the flood hit, and the desert turned into muddy quicksand. We huddled up with our camp, rode it out, and eventually gave an Associated Press interview from a Walmart parking lot. What's life without a little adventure?