What a great episode, having walked a path similar to the big guy, it really resonated with me.
I’ve worked for a bank, insurance company, and an engineering firm after college. Decided I wanted something different, and went to grad school for Sociology simply because it interested me. Been working for a research institute for the last 15 years. I’m now looking to do something different, because I feel like it’s time to do so.
What I got from the episode (and my own journey) is that life is what you make out of it.
Not everyone can or should walk the path that others think they should walk. You have to walk the path you see in front of you. At the end of the day it’s better to try something different whether it’s successful or not than to walk the wrong path for you.
FWIW I’m currently living in my parent’s basement while I get my divorce figured out.
Something I don’t talk about is that after college I worked at a small CPA firm as an auditor. I was lost. I wasn’t ready for the life and I was struggling technically as an accountant. I got fired after 8 months, I sucked. It took a huge chunk out of my self esteem.
I took a break from work and spent the money I had saved to live in San Diego with my high school friends. Drinking, golfing, making more friends, it was the time of my life. I ended up going to San Diego State for my Masters, took responsibility for my career and now I’m a successful tax CPA at a much better firm.
Man, cheers to you guys for creating something so introspective, to foster a conversation ultimately rooted around perspective(s), and all for sharing. Sorely needed in times like these.
Also. gawd those 4 foot putts, that’s just as relatable to me as our individual journeys to happiness.
I think it’s wonderful that Randy got out of his unfulfilling career as an accountant just to become a CFO. It’s funny that’s how it worked out.
It’s not the work necessarily that sucks, but a great company environment can go a long way. I know firsthand as I am an accounting manager at a pretty great company. I’ve definitely been elsewhere that has made me re-think my career path.
This episode has sparked some great conversation here and made me reflect on my career choices, how I ended up where I am, and what happiness really is in today’s world.
I’ve been lucky in the sense that I knew what I wanted to do with my life as a teenager and am living out that career today. I’m now 32 years old and have been a career firefighter for 7+ years after getting on my local department when I was 18. I did go the college route and also have a degree that I don’t use (History) but right now have a hard time picturing myself doing anything else. While my career doesn’t always make me “happy”, seeing friends of mine who aren’t happy or fulfilled in their jobs validates my career path to some degree. Most days I leave the firehouse in the morning feeling good about what I accomplished the twenty four hours prior. That said I do wonder more frequently what it would be like to change careers and maybe put that history degree to use at some point. Wondering what else is out there is starting to creep into my thoughts more and more. What challenges do I want to take on next?
Ultimately I think that happiness and fulfillment are such personal, moving targets that it is hard to truly achieve. Finding a career that provides both and pays the bills can be a tough task and I appreciate everyone’s unique journey to get there. My story is 100% not the norm and this episode made me take a step back and look at how lucky I am to have landed in this spot and appreciate the work it took to get there.
A guy who HATED practice becoming a basketball coach is something I’m still trying to wrap my head around. Could’ve been @Randy trying to pay it forward and tell kids “don’t make the same mistakes I made kid!”
I too was sitting there wondering what those practices were like.
“I mean, guys, I should probably have you runs laps or suicides right now, but what if instead we just, like, sit in a circle and talk about Cormac McCarthy.”
Damn…what an episode! Inspiring, thoughtful, entertaining, and the ending nearly brought a tear to my eye just hearing the gratitude and joy in @Randy’s voice as he described where he’s at and what he’s trying to accomplish through NLU.
"It’s funny to think why golf stuck and how this is our life right now. It’s a game that you get out of it what you put in, and it means what you want it to mean. And for me, and for us, I think it’s a pathway to explore people, places, and the human condition a little bit. And I know that sounds heavy, and maybe overwrought, but I think that’s the ideal.
I found something, for sure, fer sure. To do what we get to do is an extreme blessing. But I think the cool thing, and maybe the wisdom I’ve learned, about chasing happiness, it’s not a destination - it’s a continual journey. We’re not there, but we’re in a great spot, and I’m where I need to be right now. And that’s a fun feeling."
Bless you guis and I’m glad your personal journeys all ended up “in a great spot”. This content is literally too good to be free, and you deserve some web awards or something for this short film @djpie.
Also - I hope you realize that we now expect similar biographical episodes of Tourist Sauce featuring each of the dads/founders at some point when the circumstances/locations dictate. Definitely love hearing from the parents!
I’m not sure there’s anything wrong with taking time off to have fun. Life is hard. Jobs are… well they’re jobs. Relationships are tough. Not having relationships are tough. Expectations of parents, society, friends, and self are tough. Being in your 20s, hell being in you (pick a decade) is tough. It is okay to have fun. It’s okay to not have it figured out. Clearly, what Randy was doing wasn’t hurting himself or others. It may not have been helpful in a way that can be quantified but it was helpful, certainly
Not going after you, @6thFairway, this is a comment in general. The thing about life is that there are infinite ways to do it and still do it well. Not everyone’s journey is the same and that’s the best part. We all bring our own experience to anything we do.
There are all sorts of songs, movies, books, etc about having a wandering soul, or being a Ramblin Man, etc. I know Randy isn’t alone when he says its about the journey and not just the destination and I’m inclined to agree with him.
Someone said earlier about how they watched the whole episode with a smile. Well I did too. A big dumb, shit-eating grin. That was a top 2 or 3 episode ever. No doubt.
What the hell @Randy? How can a stranger talking about his wandering life and search for purpose while playing golf resonate so much with me? Probably because that’s me still at 38 and it’s apparently many of us here as well. The human connection is real even if it’s mostly done via YouTube and the Refuge.
What you guys have here is so cool, so genuine, so real. And that’s why it works. Keep it up fella’s. Can’t wait to meet ya’ll, hopefully at the next Maxamania.
I was wondering since Randy mentioned one student in particular as “his guy” and knowing this makes even more sense. I absolutely can see how good the Gentle Giant would be, and how important the experience would be for him and the kids he worked with.
A special shout out to the prolific reader @Randy - swing by the Refuge Book Club again, please. We miss you, Big.
