“Though I’ve made plenty of questionable decisions, there’s one that always comes to mind when I’m asked. It’s not the worst, but it’s one I can laugh about now. In hindsight, the mistake feels obvious: trusting what I believed was “fresh, clear mountain river water” to cook ramen—not just for myself, but for my fiancé, and without her knowing. As it turns out, quickly boiling river water at high altitude doesn’t get rid of all the nasty shit that will fuck up your health! That small oversight nearly ruined an otherwise incredible upcoming trip through Europe and left us both infected with parasites and miserable for months. I don’t think I’ll ever hear the end of this one. Lesson learned.”

“When I look back, so many of the things I’m most grateful for trace back to a decision made right out of high school : Move to Austin, TX. I didn’t know what the hell I was doing or how long it would last. The only thing I did know, was that I wanted to ride my bike with friends and that’s where they were headed. That choice has shaped everything that followed. It brought me the people, places, and experiences that now define my life — my partner, my animals, lifelong friends, and the opportunity to see the world. It’s hard not to wonder how different things might have been otherwise.” – Joseph