I’m it.

Ok, per Rich’s post. Here goes:

1. I like lots of things, but nothing as much as Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. I run Norcal BJJ Academy and it consumes me. I had my first introduction by being soundly beaten by someone I outweighted by 50lbs over 9years ago. After that rather humiliating experience, I knew I had to learn it. Once I saw that it really amounted to a physical chessmatch, I was hooked. Incidentally, I also love chess. If you do to, check out Best Lessons of a Chess Coach. Fantastic book.

2. I have tinnitus. I broke my ears playing too loud in a band in college. Seriously dumb. I pay the price every day. If you see me at the bar, movies, restaurants with earplugs in, now you’ll know why. And no, there is no cure, no treatment, nada. So far my best results have been with masking via the DTM System that I was a beta tester for nearly 10 years ago.

3. Both my parents were in the medical profession. My father is a practicing dentist and my mother gave up a career as a pharmacist to raise three kids. Good for us, bad for her ;).

4. For a long time I was into fitness and nutrition. I cut back on my “research” in the last few years once I found what worked for me. It’s pretty simple. No grains, lots of veggies, some fruit, lean protein and short intense varied workouts. I recently added Kettlebells to the workout and love them. The credit to this style goes to lots of people but check out crossfit, Performance Menu, Art De Vany, and Rob to start.

5. I have always loved entrepreneurship. I have started a few companies, none of which ever went beyond the garage phase. I learned a lot in the process and had fun while I was at it. I guess I am always thinking about what’s next. That’s how I stay passionate. To this day I get a little sad when I see small businesses go under (think dry cleaners not funded start-ups, those aren’t really small businesses).

6. I am big on balance. I have a wife and two kids and I am not sure I could forgive myself if I didn’t give family it’s due. In the end, we get way too caught up in jobs, titles, and material things. They are all so transitory. I think a lot about old age and death. It is a constant reminder to not sweat noise like “who owns what” or “who gets credit”. No one owns anything. Work is a part of life, just a part – and it should be fun, if it’s not ask yourself why.

7. I have traveled a fair bit and even lived in Geneva for a while. I would love to travel more. One of the best trips I ever took was skiing in the French Alps at Val D’isere. If you get over there stay at the Barmes De L’Ours – It’s incredible. Tell em’ I sent ya. While were at it, I need to learn another language. Language changes people. It can open you up. Italian or Spanish. Check back with me next year.

8. My father grew up on a farm (a real one – milking cows in the morning, bailing hay, planting crops, you get the idea). Farm life gives a person a firm grounding in how nature really works and what a work ethic is all about. I thank my father for some of those lessons. I worked for a summer on the farm. I was paid minimum wage. I was the only one in the crew (of about 30) who spoke english. It was lonely, hard work. I’ll never go back. Oh, I also dealt 21 at Harrahs in Tahoe – much easier. Hit on 16 (if dealer shows 7+ of course).