I’m just a small town kid born and raised in Northern Virginia that’s been fortunate enough to explore different parts of the world and expand my perspective over the last 8 years while traveling around the US, Brazil, Colombia, and Peru.
My childhood was not so different from the millions of children around the US that grow up in the suburbs of any major metropolitan area. I lived a very privileged life growing up, yet I always felt like there was something missing.
Looking back, it’s hard to pinpoint the exact moment that set me off on this journey and led me to writing the words that you are reading right now.
Traveling to the wonderful Zion Canyon in Utah, taking a Portuguese course, ending my time playing football, and deciding to go on a semester abroad in Rio de Janeiro before graduating college definitely played a huge role in propelling me toward living a more simple life filled with travel, family, friends, unforgettable moments in nature, learning, connection, and purpose.
I still vividly remember the moment I arrived in Rio de Janeiro in 2015 for the first time. Out of nowhere I cried when I saw the Christ the Redeemer statue on the Corcovado mountain overlooking the city and the ocean. In the moment, I had no idea why those tears dripped down my face.
Now that I’ve progressed on this journey, I believe that deep down my soul was finally expressing true gratitude through tears of joy. There was a part of me subconsciously that knew so much growth and self discovery had yet to come.
Over the past 5 years travelling, I’ve lived in Rio de Janeiro, Sao Paulo, Florianopolis, the Peruvian Amazon, and Cusco for extended periods of time.
While traveling I found teaching English as an AWESOME way to go where I want and also make a positive impact on the people that I interact with.
I’ve taught English in the favelas of Rio, in my hometown to immigrants from Central America, at a private English school in Sao Paulo, and currently online through my own private program which I call English Fluency Coaching.
The reason I love to help people learn English is because I understand the advantages of communicating in English in today’s society and I can relate to my student’s struggle with learning a language.
When I was in high school and college I faced a lot of roadblocks learning Spanish (and even communicating clearly in my own language English) and thought about giving up on learning languages until I lived in Rio and gave Portuguese a shot.
Coming back full circle, now I’m able to communicate effectively in Portuguese, I’m in the process of improving my Spanish skills, and I consider myself a rather good communicator in English. I think spending 5 years teaching English and practicing Portuguese helped;).
Through my method of learning, I’ve learned how to be a better communicator and have improved my quality of life significantly. What used to be my weakness is now one of my biggest strengths that I carry with me wherever I go.
Recently, I’ve learned to channel my communication skills into the field of digital marketing. My weekdays are currently split between writing, creating online content, and coaching my English students.
Through these streams of income, I’ve been able to travel around South America comfortably since the cost of living is way less than the US down here.
In the next decade, I’m looking forward to growing as a digital marketer, storyteller, and communicator and surrounding myself with a powerful Wolfpack. Like-minded dreamers and conscious leaders that believe in a better future through collaboration.
A lot of the personal growth that I experienced in my life I attribute to traveling, meditation, writing, meeting amazing people and mentors, reading books, listening to podcasts, discovering ayahuasca, learning how to love myself, incorporating gratitude into my life, and stepping outside of my comfort zone.
This process has taught me that if you want to change or heal the world just focus on healing yourself. I’ve learned to dream really big and start extremely small by changing my daily habits.
Besides the activities that I mentioned above, I enjoy exploring the world like a child, trying different foods, hiking in nature, dancing through the streets, writing poetry, singing to the moon, and watching the stars.
I believe we were given this life to allow the soul to experience itself fully. So, through the ups and downs of life, I’ve remembered to have fun, keep it light, smile, and appreciate it all. This entire experience is truly a blessing.
Though I had a lot of “friends” in high school and college, I’ve made tighter and stronger bonds with the friends that I met while traveling since I now have a clearer understanding of my identity, and I’m so grateful for everyone that’s played a part of my journey from the past.
I wouldn’t be here expressing myself if it weren’t for the moments and experiences that led to today.
Over the course of my travels, I’ve worked a lot on understanding what gets me up each morning and gives me energy. My why. My mission. My purpose. The things I want to be remembered for when my physical body leaves this world.
And this is my mission:
To deepen my connection with ALL by embodying my core values of self love, gratitude, and courage, and to empower others to share their medicine with the world.
Writing in the form of journaling and poetry has been a very helpful tool for healing my relationship with myself and facing my biggest fears over the past couple years.
Therefore, my intention is to use this blog as a form of written medicine. I find that I often have so many ideas and stories in my head, and it would be therapeutic to release them instead of allowing them to fester within my mind.
May what I create give you a better understanding of who I am and some of the tools that I’ve used along my journey of becoming who I am today.
May these creations guide you to become the hero of your journey.
May the words you read on this page empower you to unleash the divine creator within.
Thank you all for coming on this journey with me!
Thank you Wolfpack!
Ahooouuuullll
If this message resonates with your heart and soul, I invite you to join the Wolfpack, a global community of conscious leaders that are devoted to embodying the change we wish to see in the world, living fully, protecting the planet, and HOWLING OUR TRUTH.
As a part of the Wolfpack, you will receive weekly insights and poetry from me, as well as opportunities to cultivate meaningful connections in our online gatherings.
It would be an honor to share this journey with you!!
With love and gratitude,
Zach