Beau’s Blog
Embracing the adventure: The Greatest Summer Ever
As I approach my senior year of college, I find myself reflecting on the experiences and opportunities that lie ahead. This pivotal moment in my life has ignited a fire within me, urging me to make the most of the time I have on Earth. It is with this mindset that I embark on a journey to embrace a lifestyle starting with "The Greatest Summer Ever." More than just a lifestyle, it represents a philosophy, a celebration of life, and a chance to create unforgettable memories with my father.
Carpe Diem Mentality
Life is a gift, and it's crucial to seize every moment. With "The Greatest Summer Ever," I want to inspire others to embrace a similar mindset. It's about encouraging people, especially young individuals like myself, to step out of their comfort zones and make the most of their lives. As I enter adulthood, I want to cultivate a lifestyle that revolves around making memories, experiencing new adventures, and living without regrets.
Bonding with My Father
One of the core values of "The Greatest Summer Ever" is the importance of familial bonds. Growing up, my father has been my guiding light, teaching me valuable life lessons and instilling a sense of adventure in my heart. Through this journey, I want to create opportunities for us to explore the world together, deepen our connection, and create lasting memories. Whether it's embarking on road trips, hiking in nature, or trying new activities, I believe that shared experiences with loved ones are the ones we cherish the most.
Inspiring Adventure and Exploration
"The Greatest Summer Ever" is not just about one specific season but rather a mindset that transcends time. I want to inspire people of all ages to embrace adventure and exploration in their lives. This summer, I aim to curate content that encourages individuals to break free from their routines, seek new experiences, and discover the world around them. From travel guides to tips on embracing a positive mindset, "The Greatest Summer Ever" will be a platform for inspiration and motivation.
Celebrating Life's Simple Pleasures
Living life to the fullest doesn't always require grand gestures or extravagant plans. Sometimes, it's the little things that make a significant impact. "The Greatest Summer Ever" will emphasize the beauty of embracing life's simple pleasures. It could be as simple as enjoying a sunset by the pool, sharing laughter with friends, or savoring a delicious meal on steak Sundays. By highlighting these moments, I hope to remind people to appreciate the present and find joy in everyday experiences.
As I prepare for my final year of college, I am filled with excitement and determination to create "The Greatest Summer Ever." This journey symbolizes my desire to seize the opportunities that life presents and make every moment count. Through shared experiences with my father and an emphasis on adventure, exploration, and cherishing life's simple pleasures, I aspire to inspire others to embrace their own journeys. The greatest adventure awaits, and it's time for all of us to live life to the fullest. Join my father and I on this incredible journey of self-discovery, creating unforgettable memories, and making every day the best day of our lives. Let's make it the greatest summer ever!
Steve’s Blog
“Widow Maker”
My physician wrote those two words on my heart imaging scan results completed as part of a routine physical. Apparently, my left anterior descending artery has begun to calcify. If it ever closes completely or releases a blood clot, it’ll probably be fatal – hence the name widow maker.
The good news -- it’s in the early stages and doesn’t require surgery. I know the condition exists and can keep an eye on it. The bad news -- it’s not reversible, and it’s penalizing me for every bad decision I made in the past and will make from this day forward. Poor diet, stress, sedentary lifestyle are all contributors and are no longer an option for me. For now, I’ve been prescribed a statin to help slow its progression and encouraged to maintain a healthy lifestyle.
The diagnosis sucks but that last bit of advice stung even more. Maintain a healthy lifestyle? I’ve been a runner my entire life and still run up the hills near my house 3-4 days/week. I’m a non-smoker. I only eat between the hours of noon and 6pm, have eliminated sugar and processed food from my diet, and never miss my daily regimen of vitamins, fish oil and other supplements that all middle-aged dudes are supposed to take. At age 54, I currently weigh 170 pounds – the same I weighed in high school. When I mentioned this to my physician, he said I’m making all the right lifestyle choices and to keep it up, but I’m paying a price for past transgressions (I used to eat cereal for breakfast and dessert after every meal) and some things are simply out of my control due to genetics.
“Some things are out of your control.”
I try to keep things in perspective and I’m grateful that we caught it early; however, this is the first time I’ve had to face my own mortality due to a diagnosed health condition. Despite eating clean, exercising, fasting, etc. there’s a hidden clock ticking within me, and I don’t know when the final alarm is going to go off. None of us do.
However, having awareness of my own impending mortality brings clarity. This diagnosis has served as a wakeup call to stop putting off all the things I’ve wanted to do with my life. Time is a non-renewable asset, and I’ll admit that I’m guilty of letting too much of it slip away. So, I’ve decided to embrace the moment. Carpe diem! I’m going to make this the greatest summer!
I have three amazing kids. My two daughters are now “adulting.” One is a certified financial planner and the other is a NICU nurse. I’m extremely proud of them and their professional lives are off to a great start. My son, Beau, just turned 21 and he is about to enter his senior year in college, and this is his last “free” summer before starting his career. I’m viewing this as a fantastic opportunity for us to solidify our father/son bond that we’ve been forging over the years. He’ll always be my son, but he’ll never be 21 again, so he’s joining me on this adventure.
How would you describe your perfect day? Would it be seeing your daughter get married? Sipping fine wine in Tuscany? Walking a pristine beach in Hawaii? Or something simpler, like spending quality time with your family while cooking ribs on the grill? We’re going to do all those things this summer and much, much more. Here’s an example of a typical week we have planned this summer:
Steak Sunday – It’s a tradition at our house to cook steaks every Sunday. I’ll walk you through the process of preparing and cooking the perfect steak!
Margarita Monday – I have a margarita recipe that has won every margarita competition it’s ever entered. I’ll share it with you!
Tattoo Tuesday – we’re inviting our followers to submit tattoo designs to commemorate our best summer ever, then Beau and I will get the winning tattoo! (It’ll be my first one)
Workout Wednesday – Beau is a fitness fanatic and he’ll share how he gained 25 pounds of pure muscle in the past year. I’m on the other end of the spectrum and trying to lose weight, so I’ll share the safe and easy way I lost 25 pounds in just four months.
Deep Thoughts Thursday – We’ll get into the nitty gritty of life and address how to achieve health, wealth, and happiness. We’ll include special guests to share their personal stories and advice.
Fishing Friday – We’re headed to the Gulf of Mexico to see who can catch the biggest fish! The loser must kiss the winner’s largest fish.
Supercar Saturday – we’re renting a supercar for the day and will put it through its paces. Will it be a Lamborghini, Bugatti, Ferrari? Tune in and find out!
The best part of all is that you’ll be joining us on our journeys! We’re going to document the entire thing on social media, interview amazing guests on our weekly podcasts and take suggestions from our followers as to what our next adventure ought to be. And I promise this won’t be one of those “look how fabulous my life is” influencer feeds. I certainly don’t have all the answers and the advice I will dispense is intended for my son’s benefit. I simply want to step off the hamster wheel for a while, embrace this moment in my life and hopefully pass along some wisdom that Beau can use as he wraps up his degree and plans his career. We’re going to tackle some hefty topics that all fathers and sons should discuss, including mental health, relationships, careers, etc. You’ll hear perspectives from both sides: me at the end of my career and him at the beginning of his. You’ll learn a lot along the way, and so will we. Each week, we’ll answer questions submitted by our followers during the podcasts – so please engage with us as we embark upon having the greatest summer ever!