Side Quests - 3 Days Off Edition

Just recently we received three days off in a row after our final Jägermeister Cup game on July 26th. It is always strange to go three days without a team practice, but sometimes it is necessary to disconnect from the routine. I really wanted to take this opportunity to spend time with my teammates outside of the field, explore the areas around Monterey, and grow We Move Mentoring. 

After our cup game on the 26th, we ended up getting back home at around 3:30 a.m. We usually stay the night in the hotel after away games but since this game was only a 5 hours drive away from Monterey, it made more sense to drive back straight afterwards. On the 27th, I woke up just before 10 a.m. and started individualizing a lesson plan for a We Move Mentoring client’s first session with me. The topic of the day was the power of reflection; it is one my favorite lessons because there is so much to unpack and being able to self-reflect is the foundation for everything. 

Afterwards, I went straight to the steam room and hot tub at Montage gym. I usually go Sundays through Wednesdays for recovery, but avoid it later in the week to keep hydration levels high before games. After going home and cleaning up from the gym, I played some video games with my close friends Ryan and Noah. Sometimes you just have to game with the lads, its such a nice way to stay connected and have some banter.

One of the things that I have learned with starting my first business, We Move Mentoring, is that it is so easy to underestimate the amount of hurdles you will face, the time it takes to research, and especially the challenge of marketing your brand. I am thankful that I have people in my corner like my parents, best friend, girlfriend, and the rest of my close family to help give me ideas that will lead me to grow as an entrepreneur.

After conversations with them, I realized that a lot of the content that I have been putting out on social media has been very business centric which is necessary, but only up to a point. I was not putting enough time into making content that shows everyone who I am as a person, what my life looks like, etc. Basically, I wasn’t building trust and letting people get a feel for me. 

My girlfriend, Ellie, and my best friend, Ryan, both told me I should make more videos of me speaking, showing my personality, and sharing behind-the-scenes moments. After being honest with myself, I couldn’t agree more. So, if you get tired of hearing my voice or seeing my face on Instagram, you can blame them. 

After brainstorming some content ideas on the 27th, I got frozen yogurt from MYO Frozen Yogurt and watched one of my favorite childhood shows over FaceTime with Ellie—Star Wars: The Clone Wars. This show is just top tier; Avatar: The Last Airbender is another favorite of mine. If anyone wants to discuss the ins and outs of these shows, you know where to find me.

Monday, July 28th, was probably the best day I’ve had in Monterey so far—it had a little bit of everything. I started the morning sending We Move Mentoring emails, then trained with Diego (Guti), Ethan, and Pierce at 9 a.m. We got good touches in and finished with sharp patterns to goal. Afterwards, we washed up quick and hit the road for Big Sur.

We couldn’t have picked a more perfect day to head out there. It was sunny and the temperature was just right. We stopped off at River Inn for breakfast burritos and then took the path toward Big Sur River Gorger.

The day consisted of me slipping and falling in the water, napping in the sun, eating snacks with the boys, and exploring nature. Honestly, what else would make a better day? I just don’t think there was anything that we could have done that would have made us feel even more alive.

Exploring outside and climbing around with people you enjoy being around is what life is all about. It is what humans are supposed to do. This experience really solidified my desire to have a house (or one of my houses) close to nature like this so I can explore with my kids someday. 

To wrap up the day, I went to the steam room and hot tub at Montage, then met the boys at Guti’s house to go to In n Out and grub. I think what allowed this day to feel really special is that we were still productive. Even though we had our fun, spent quality time together, and explored a new area, we had a portion of the day where we were committed to improving our craft. We were still focused on our goal of being the best that we can be. 

For my last day off, I started out by going to the facilities and training with more guys from the squad. Playing for Monterey Bay has allowed me to be around like minded players who just want to work and improve. I haven’t always had teammates willing to show up on their days off, so I’ve taken full advantage this season.

In our session, we did rondos, passing patterns, and some crossing and finishing to end our time out on the field. It was some sharp, tidy work to get us ready for the rest of the week and refine parts of our game. 

Then, of course, back to Montage. After the hot tub and steam room, I went home to do my lesson about reflection with a We Move Mentoring client. It is really special to do one-on-one mentoring sessions with people because I have an opportunity to impact their lives and help them chase after their goals. It is very rewarding to hear about how my clients are able to apply what they have learned throughout our time together in professional settings but also in their personal lives. At the end of the day, we are defined by who we are as people, so being able to constantly grow on a personal level is what we want. From my experience, if you take the time to improve as a person, you will find yourself taking leaps forward in your profession.

These three days off gave me a mix of football, business, nature, and time with friends. They were the perfect example of how fulfillment comes from multiple parts of life, not just one. Stepping away from the usual routine actually brought me closer to my goals. Here’s to many more times like these.

We Move,