STORIES FROM THE ROAD
For eight years, I worked hard to build a career where I could make a real difference in the world. But in June 2024, I was medically separated after a series of back injuries—an unexpected shift that completely changed both my future and how I saw the world.
A lot of people in my position might’ve jumped straight into something new—school, a job, anything to fill the sudden void of purpose and community. I chose to pause. I leaned on my savings, gave myself space to continue healing—physically and mentally—and took time to reflect instead of react.
In the years leading up to this transition, I hadn’t traveled much. But I grew up constantly traveling and moving across multiple continents and countries—so the pull to reconnect with the world was second nature. I dusted off my old, yet new to me, Canon 7D and hit the road. First came a summer in Northern Europe, then a fall in Oahu. But a bigger idea was brewing in the background: driving from San Diego to Prudhoe Bay, the northern start of the Pan-American Highway.
I spent the holidays in San Diego getting my rig ready for the journey. I upgraded my camera gear, my outdoor setup, and loaded up on all the bells and whistles to get even a dumb guy like me out of the dumbest situations.
I wasn’t just chasing a destination—I had a few goals in mind:
Hone my outdoor skills in backcountry disciplines I’d never been able to fully dive into before.
Connect with people everywhere I go. Travel is education, and the people you meet are the best teachers. Every conversation can stretch your perspective and deepen your empathy.
Become a better photographer. I don’t know if this is what I’ll do forever, but it’s something I see real value in. Not everyone gets to travel, but maybe through my lens they can experience a sliver of it—feel the stories, the places, the people. No gatekeeping, just sharing.
Of course, right off the back, it was clear this trip wasn’t destined to go perfectly—and it shouldn’t have. Delays happened. Plans shifted. But eventually, I hit the road. And these are the stories that followed.