The Journey Back...and the 9 truths that shaped me.

There are moments in life when a single image holds an entire lifetime—its triumphs, its wounds, its questions, its quiet truths. This picture is one of those moments for me. It captures not a title or a milestone, but the long, uneven road of becoming: the decades spent searching, breaking, rebuilding, and ultimately learning what it really means to be human.

For me, this picture represents more than two decades of struggle, sadness, growth, and becoming. From a young man starting his career in Grande Prairie, AB—fresh out of university and stepping into my first role as a GIS technician—to ultimately serving as CEO for an incredible company in Calgary… it has been a journey of triumphs, hurt, setbacks, lessons, and transformation.

I’ve celebrated big wins, endured difficult losses, experienced heartbreak and hurt, but did my best every single day to serve my teams and the companies I believed in.

But what strikes me most about this picture has nothing to do with titles, boardrooms or the kilometres run or cycled. It represents the battles I fought outside of work—the deeply human challenges that forced me to search for answers I didn’t yet have.

For decades I struggled with both my physical and mental health. That pain eventually pushed me into years of running and cycling across Canada, searching for “fixes,” for clarity, for peace. And when that wasn’t enough, I spent even more years studying the human condition, trying to figure out how to rise out of the grey… how to feel joy again… how to reconnect with purpose.

In short, how to get unstuck and finally move toward the life I wanted to live.

People often ask about the journey and what I learned along the way. I could share many lists—but today I want to start with the one that I believe provides a foundation for positive change: The 9 Truths of Being Human.

These aren’t quick fixes or cute sayings. They’re not scientific. They’re simply the truths one man discovered while fighting to reclaim his life. And I share them because I hope they might help you reclaim yours, too. Or, maybe, just start you on your own journey...

The 9 Truths of Being Human

1. Dissatisfaction is unavoidable. Every single one of us suffers at some point—physically, mentally, emotionally. Most people feel alone in their struggle, believing they are the problem. They’re not. You’re not. Dissatisfaction is part of the human experience, not a personal failure.

2. We all face challenges. Life will always bring periods of transition, hardship, and pain. Moments of happiness will be interrupted—this is normal, not a sign that you're doing life wrong. Don't give up.. things will get better.

3. We all want to be happy and healthy. Titles, money, possessions—none of it matters if your mind and body aren’t well. Every human being longs for joy, vitality, and inner peace. The sooner you recognize this the happier your life will be.

4. Most of us aren’t equipped. We’re thrown into life without the tools to navigate its toughest moments. And without those tools, we can lose years—sometimes decades—to unnecessary struggle.

5. The world is evolving—fast. Our grandparents had their own hardships, yet many seemed more grounded, happier. Society is shifting quicker than our biology can adapt. To thrive today, we need new skills, new awareness, and new ways of caring for ourselves.

6. Stop trying to change the world first. We often hope the world will shift to make us happier. But it won’t. The real transformation begins within. When you change the way you navigate the world, the world feels different.

7. Don’t waste another day. You get one life. There are no rehearsals, no “retry” buttons. Nothing improves until you take the first step. Jump in—fight for the life you want to live.

8. You can’t outrun your challenges. I tried—believe me. I ran and cycled more than 30,000km across the country searching for escape. But every time I returned home, my problems were still there waiting. The only way out is through.

9. You’re not alone—even if it feels like you are. The journey is hard, but you never have to walk it alone.

If you’ve read this far—thank you. Truly. I hope something here resonated. And if you — or someone you care about — is struggling, please know this: I’m here. And sometimes, everything changes with just one conversation.

If you're ready to talk, to explore, or to take the first step toward a life filled with clarity, purpose, and joy — reach out. Today. Not someday.

Let’s begin your journey to the life you want to live.

Send me a message, start a conversation, or share this with someone who needs it. Your next chapter starts now.

We at Heroes Unleashed want to empower your team or organization to achieve the incredible. It all starts with one conversation. Reach out today and book your free discovery call: https://www.heroesunleashed.ca/contactus

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