#15 - I'm back!

And better than ever

Hey there!

It's been an absolute whirlwind since my last update, and I couldn't wait to fill you in on all the amazing things that have been happening.

Family Update: First, my daughter Luna is officially a preschool graduate! Can you believe it? She's all set to tackle kindergarten now. We also had a blast cheering her on during her second dance recital—she totally nailed it! We enrolled her in a summer ballet program to keep the dance fever alive. And guess what? Odin, our little Viking, joined a Mommy & Me dance class too! As a family, we've discovered a new shared hobby—karaoke nights! It's incredible to see the kids embracing something we love so much. Oh, and for my 30th birthday (yep, the big 3-0), we headed to the Monterey Bay Aquarium, my absolute favorite place on Earth. Honestly, my dream is to call Monterey home someday.

Personal Progress: Okay, I have a confession to make. Lately, I've been feeling like a hamster on a wheel—constantly hustling without really knowing why. It hit me that I needed to hit the brakes and figure out the bigger picture. So, I took some time for deep introspection and devised a personal intentionality system. Instead of just mindlessly ticking tasks off my calendar, I've divided my time into four key areas:

1. Improve: I'm diving into non-fiction reads, feeding my brain with personal education, completing tutorials, practicing in the simulator, and expanding the depths of my "Second Brain" (inspired by Tiago Forte)

2. Produce: I'm working on crafting killer FPV videos, cooking up awesome content for the newsletter, scouting potential partners, and rocking social media with captivating posts.

3. Refresh: It's all about self-care and family time. I'm finding solace in books, embracing meditation for clarity, creating magical moments with the kids, cherishing quality time with Sara, pouring my thoughts onto paper, and keeping things zen.

4. Maintain: Let's keep the ship sailing smoothly! That means tidying up my workspace, giving some TLC to the aquariums, taking care of our furry friend's porch, running errands like a pro, and making sure our home is a cozy haven.

Drone Adventures: Now, onto the juicy stuff—the drones! Brace yourself because some exciting developments have taken place. My dad came through like a champ and gifted me an iFlight Titan XL5—a beast of a drone that can handle all the bumps and bruises while I hone my skills. But wait, there's more! I managed to snag a custom-built Apex DC from the awesome folks at "Yuranium Produktions" on Facebook. This baby is lightweight and allows for mind-blowing maneuverability. I've been tweaking and tuning both drones, playing around with different propellers and rates to find my sweet spot. Shout out to my buddy Newtrarat for printing my GoPro mounts.

Racing and Projects: Guess what? I finally did it—I filmed my first official race! It was a mind-blowing experience, and I soaked up all the lessons and adrenaline at Delta Speedway. I've got some killer footage to share with you. And get this—I'm gearing up for the next race at Merced Speedway on 7/22. This time, I'll be putting the Apex to the test alongside the XL5. The excitement is off the charts! Oh, and I've been working on creating some epic promotional material for a drone co-op I'm collaborating with. We even got to test out the DJI T30, a precision crop sprayer on steroids. Here's the kicker—I had a little oopsie on my longboard and ended up with a few battle scars: broken pinkie, dislocated middle finger, sprained wrist, and some gnarly road rash. But hey, the good news is my thumbs and index fingers are still in flying shape, so all is well.

Twitch Streaming: Are you ready for the comeback? Drum roll, please—I'm back on Twitch, baby! I've missed the rush of streaming, and I'm determined to make it epic this time. Catch me live at least three days a week as we embark on mind-blowing drone adventures together. I'd love to see your friendly face in the chat!

Alright, that's the scoop for now. Thanks for being part of this incredible journey with me. Stay tuned for more thrills and spills!

Cheers, Turtle