Journey Back to Los Angles: Beginning an unforgettable chapter in my life
Moving back to Los Angeles in July of 2001 lead to an entirely new chapter and connected me in a mecca of Jiu-jitsu (and opportunity), that would lead to a life in Rio de Janeiro. The time spent in LA was very rewarding for all effort applied there. One of a few leaps of faith I have made during my 34 years of life, this journey began with a near 1,000 mile hitch hike from Bend, Oregon to Hollywood, California. My belongings, some spare clothes and training gear I carried in a single backpack.
I remember saying good bye to my stepfather Eddie Swisher, who handed me a $10.00 bill for food along the way. Although at first my reaction was declining the gift, I was greatful for his kindness. There wasn’t much in the form of material belongings to leave behind as material objects meant very little to me. In fact most of everything that was in my possession I had sold or given away over the last couple of years. At that time in my life it was important to be happy with myself, right where I was at. In doing so my focus and motivation was unclouded, giving a direct line of vision to my goals. Necessary steps to overcoming obstacles along my path where apparent and clear in my mind.
It is amazing the freedom one can attain with no attachment to physical belongings and a healthy lifestyle.
The feeling of not knowing what would come next is easy to remember even as sitting here right now. Waking out onto highway 97, facing South on a sunny Summer day of June, 2001 with a smile on my face. I looked up to see white fluffy clouds spread throughout the blue Central Oregon sky as a cool breeze blew against my face. Taking a look back at the street leading up to the stretch of highway where I stood gave that last opportunity to turn around with little effort. I took a deep breath, then exhaled slowly. Not a chance… this was the chosen path and I was determined to see it through.
I remember having made a sign with a black marker on a piece of cardboard, hoping to take the guessing out of any potential driver’s mind willing to pick up a hitch hiker. Having hitch hiked many times before, I was not in the habit of standing still and waiting for someone to take pity. Instead it was my habit to turn the trips into a workout by walking and even running when there where no cars passing. When a vehicle was approaching, I turned around and held out my thumb. If they stopped great, if not no problem as the choice was mine to be out on the road. Everyone is responsible for their own actions in life and that includes me. Knowing that I am the only person to blame if my feet are soar from walking, without any expectation of being picked up kept me going with no let downs as cars sped by. This journey was different though. It was the longest I had traveled by hitch hiking on a single trip and although my mind was made up that reaching the Muay Thai Academy in North Hollywood would happen even if it meant walking, travelling the distance on foot was not my goal. Having flown, ridden the train, taken buses and driven from Oregon to Southern California a number of times I knew it was quite possible to make the trip in a single day. Depending on hitching a ride has many variables and being in the right place at the right time is crucial to being picked up by someone going in the same direction for the longest distance possible.
On that day I must have walked less than a couple of miles before realizing that holding the sign in front of me was going to be my answer to being picked up along the highway. It was the answer and not long after setting off I had hitched my first ride on the way to Southern California.
That action began a chain reaction, eventually leading to a life in Brazil.
If you dream something in life it is up to you to make it reality, no matter how far off or difficult it seems at the time. Believe in yourself and have faith in your abilities, create your future.
