I got scuba certified, booked a solo trip to Cancun 4 days later, and accidentally left all my cash in the car at the airport. I arrived in Mexico with only a credit card, no cell service, and had to figure out how to find an ATM, all while navigating a new place alone. It was one of the most freeing and terrifying adventures of my life—and it taught me how resourceful I really am.

I later spent seven days diving off the coast of Belize, including the legendary Blue Hole. I dove five times a day, morning till night, completely off the grid. The stillness and silence under the surface gave me a kind of peace I hadn’t felt in years.

Every Saturday morning, I bike with a group of close friends. We ride 20 to 40 miles together, just catching up and enjoying the day. Once a year, we do a 120-mile destination ride from Connecticut, riding for 8 to 9 hours, pushing ourselves and having an absolute blast.

I love people-watching while traveling. Give me a quiet seat with a view, a good coffee, and a bustling street or plaza, and I could sit there for hours, imagining the stories of every passerby.

I used to be a big-time skateboarder in high school. One day, I held onto a friend’s motorcycle to go faster—hit close to 20 mph before the board flew out from under me. I tumbled, shredded my arms and knees, and broke two fingers. My mom never knew.

I’m a passionate home cook. Some of my favorite dishes come from family tradition, like my mom’s lasagna and her mother’s famous chocolate cake. These are the recipes I break out during the holidays—they connect me to my roots and the people I love.

I’m a longtime F1 racing fan. I surprised my kids with a trip to the British Grand Prix at Silverstone. We spent three unforgettable days immersed in the full race experience—from practice laps to the final race. It was a bucket-list trip for all of us.

I find real joy in photography. One of my favorite memories is capturing Denali while visiting Alaska. That photo now hangs in my office—a reminder of the calm and awe that nature brings.

I once feared public speaking so much that I avoided any opportunity to stand in front of a group. Now, I’ve spoken to audiences of over 2,000 people, led national conferences, and served as President of the National Career Development Association. The growth has been unreal.

I go to bed at 9 p.m. sharp and wake up early. At 5:30 a.m., I walk my dogs while the world is still quiet. It centers me. That ritual clears my head and prepares me for whatever the day brings.

I journal every night. I reflect on the day, celebrate wins—even the small ones—and map out what I want to feel proud of tomorrow. It’s a simple practice that has helped me turn failures into fuel.

And yes—I’m someone who firmly believes toilet paper should roll under, not over. No shame in the strong opinions that make us human.