I’m writing to you as I stuff my face with a fruit tart - eating my feelings, after just hearing about how heavy the weights are on the semifinal CrossFit workouts that were released seconds ago. Hang with me. It’ll come full circle. Promise. I throw boomerangs, remember? Yes, John. And many end up in other people’s backyards. Fair enough. I also got a sitter so I could sit down with my thoughts instead of doing bedtime. Because every parent knows after bedtime, the only thing you want to do is sleep.
I’ve been thinking about this “welcome” letter all day after the high volume of subscribers. On one hand, I want to impress you with my writing. On the other, I don’t believe that I’m actually that great of a writer. I’m not self bashing. I’m being completely honest (in a healthy way) and maybe that’s what I can provide. Honesty. Truth. It’s what started all this.
“The Angry Therapist” blog was not known for its stellar writing. It was the tone and me pulling the curtain back to document me rebuilding my life. People related to a crazy Korean with a broken heart tired of punching clocks and living in his head. It was the first time I wrote for me. Not to sell anything. And I believe people (many of you) related to my story.
So that’s the energy I want to channel tonight.
I am 51 now. 52 if I live in Korea, which is why I live in the states. Yes, I am also a dad as you can tell by my jokes. My daughter is four. I have a wonderful life partner, who is also a therapist. We live in Altadena, a tiny suburb I never knew about or would even consider if I did, growing up in Los Angeles. A lot has changed since my divorce, not just the weight standards in CrossFit competitions. When I found CrossFit fifteen years ago, we were flipping tires in alleyways and a 225lbs deadlift was heavy. Now they want us to do lunges at that weight. Yes, times have changed. Things have evolved. Social media wasn’t a thing. Blogs, YouTube, and a faster way to surf the net called broadband. That was then. Today, cars are driving themselves and our new reality is virtual.
That being said, nothing has changed. Here I am at a trendy coffee shop blogging (technically) on a random Thursday night. Still documenting. Still trying to do something cool with my hair. Still building communities. Still complaining and stressing out about CrossFit competitions. Still inappropriate at times. Still curious, learning about life and love, and trying to make my dent in this world. The same thing I was doing fifteen years ago.
Hear that wisping? That’s the boomerang. It’s coming back.
I am here, fifteen years later, as the same guy who entered this space. It doesn’t matter if the platform is different. It’s me. And I have gone somewhere and come back. I have more to share. More revelations and insights about this crazy thing we call life. I miss Prince.
Anyway, I hope you stay.
Here’s what you’ll be getting.
Notes (daily texts)
Exclusive articles since I only blog here now.
Discount codes to things like my retreats.
And a catalog of thousand of articles (premium members), because chances are, you’ve missed many.
Oh and exclusive short form audio shares that are not on my podcast (premium members).
Buckle up.
Let’s ride.
It's uncanny how relatable I find some people here on Substack. I've never heard anyone else talk about eating their feelings, yet, I've used the term for years.
Nice to meetcha, John. Thanks for the intro.