About Adrian
Who’s this idiot giving away 50% of his revenues?
Name: Adrian
Job title: Adventurer, traveler, writer(?), questioner of the status quo, evolving life form
Mission statement: “Adventure and Discovery. Truth and Happiness. Love and Respect.”
Shoe size: 12-ish
I consider myself just a dude trying to live an unreasonable life. I realize that if you look up words similar to ‘unreasonable’ you find ‘absurd’, ‘asinine’, and ‘foolish’ (I was never the best at choosing words). Perhaps a better explanation is that I hope to live a full and rich life - filled with engaging and meaningful work and play AND change the world for the better. It’s highly unlikely that it will fit the cookie-cutter of society. In fact, I’m planning to eat all the damn cookies. And for that, some may look at my existence and call it ‘foolish’ or ”unreasonable.’
The Important Stuff
I believe in compassion and self-awareness.
I’m an 8-year-old and 50-year-old trapped in a 24-year-old body.
I love my parents and I’m not afraid to say it.
I love the mountains and being outdoors.
I’m an internationally ranked Sunset Chaser (the Non-Residential Beachside, Non-High Rise Division).
I’m in love with Ultimate frisbee while having an affair with rock climbing.
I love riding my Trek 1000. And watching the Tour de France. And Lance Armstrong.
I’ve worn my yellow LIVESTRONG bracelet for 5 years - even after it became unfashionable.
I love natural swimming holes, flying through the air, gazing into a campfire, snow, day-dreaming, peanut butter, a cold beer after a long day of Ultimate, and teaching.
I can eat 3 Snickers bars and still want more (this goes for most chocolate).
Ok, the bio
2007 - Graduated from Vanderbilt University with a B.S. in Psychology and minor in Business. If I had it to do over again I would mix in more Economics and Philosophy (and still might some day). I walked-on and played football at Vanderbilt in the SEC Conference (the best conference in America, that is) against a lot of people who were much much bigger, faster, stronger than me. Thus, I was a special teamer. I was (and am) a raving lunatic about Alternative Spring Break, a week-long trip of service, which took me to the hills of Xela, Guatemala, Skid Row of LA, and 48 hours homeless on the streets of DC. Each trip was life-changing and unforgettable.
2007 - 2008 - After graduation, I spent 13 months with a large wealth management company, which despite its repute and prestige, sucked some life from me. I jumped shipped shortly after reading Leaving Microsoft to Change the World and The Four Hour Work Week. Ever since I’ve worked more than 4 hours per week but less than 40 thanks to friend and mentor Jeff Gowdy, of J. Gowdy Consulting, LLC, who allows me to learn from and work for his company. He makes companies more sustainable. I’ve been able to balance this with some exciting adventures including a week with my extended family in Florida, a week visiting a friend in Philly, numerous backpacking trips to the Smoky Mountains National Park, a week in Portland bicycling around and attempting to climb Mt. Hood (blast you, I’ll be back!), exploring San Francisco and Stanford University,
2009 - In January, I left the States for a 4-month teaching stint in Shenzhen, China, 2 months traveling China, 3 week riding horses in Mongolia, and 6 weeks in Thailand, Cambodia and Vietnam with plans of heading to Laos, Nepal, and India.
June 2009 - Launched Friendly Planet after battling the idea for sleep.
Birthday Challenge
In January 2009, friends and family donated over $1,100 to the Nashville Rescue Mission on behalf of adrian’s birthday challenge - a day of grueling physical and mental tests to celebrate the 24th calendar year since my birth. I plan on undertaking a new and even more grueling task each year. You should, too!
Top 5 books I think you should read:
- Green Eggs and Ham
- The Four Hour Work Week
- Stirring It Up: How to Make Money and Change the World
- Into the Wild
- The Diamond Cutter - The Buddha on Strategies for Managing Your Business and Your Life
Sometimes I let me my ego get the best of me..
..so you can tell me to shutup…or just say hello: adrian (at) friendlyplanetblog (dot) com
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Hello Adrian, I hope this message finds you well. I spoke with your mom and dad last week and they brought me up to date on your adventures. Perhaps you could stop by one of my Boy Scout meeting the next time you’re home and talk to the boys about your travels. Or better yet come to one of our camp outs.