I have long possessed an insatiable thirst for life, largely driven by an unapologetic love for humanity. Human connection and lived experiences are my sweet honey nectar, my “raison d'être.” Raised in Columbus, Ohio, I was shaped by the paradoxes, mysteries, and uncertainties that dance within our world. My curiosity was stoked by two incredible parents—my mother, a masterful reading specialist, and my father, an intellectual force and university administrator. Though they’ve transitioned to the next spiritual realm, their wisdom runs deep in my veins, guiding my path with every step.By my mid-twenties, I was on the fast track, landing a senior leadership role at a 288-bed hospital in the beating heart of Chicago. But ambition alone couldn’t quench my drive—I craved more. I later ventured into journalism and public speaking, sharpening my skills as both a communicator and a thinker among intellectual rebels.Now, in what I consider my legacy years, I’ve found a new mission as a writer and philosopher through the Chocolate Taoist digital community. Here, I pour my passion into spreading Taoist wisdom for a life that’s richly interconnected and boundlessly expansive.I’m a nomad by soul and spirit—urbane, contrarian, and fiercely rebellious. Yes, Columbus is where I was born, but Chicago is where I found my true calling. For years, I’ve claimed no fixed locale because everywhere and nowhere feel like home. What lights my fire? The sultry beats of the musical duo Marian Hill, flipping through the pages of Fast Company and Chicago Magazine, striking up electric conversations with strangers at edgy coffeehouses martini bars, and the exhilarating rush of NHL hockey. And, of course, I wear my Ohio State roots proudly—loyal to the core, a forever member of Buckeye Nation.Philosophically, I lean into Libertarianism and Taoism, driven by the sacred triad of Connection, Expansion, and Lifestyle Freedom.My guiding lights? The Zen-like mastery of Phil Jackson, the profound brilliance of public intellectual Cornel West, the relentless fire of the incomparable NBA basketball player Michael Jordan, and the raw authenticity of the late culinary critic and author Anthony Bourdain. These figures are more than mentors—they’re muses for a life lived boldly and unapologetically.Let’s journey together into the realms of deep thought and boundless exploration. There’s a whole world of philosophical frontiers waiting to be conquered—join me, and let’s discover and break through them together.