The Shift We Chose

Before I get into this week’s story, I thought I’d take a moment to share a bit of ours again.

Not because it’s about us but because maybe someone reading this is in the same place we were:
Pushing hard.
Doing all the “right” things.
Still feeling like something’s off.

If you're new here welcome.
If you’ve been here a while, thanks for walking this road with us.

Either way, I hope this reminds you that you’re not alone.
And that change is possible even if it means stepping way outside your comfort zone.

It didn’t start as a grand plan. It started with pressure, the kind that builds slowly until something gives.

I was about three weeks out from stepping on stage for a bodybuilding show. Months of discipline and mental grind were coming to a head… and right then, family issues popped up that couldn’t be ignored. I had to take a leave from work.

At the same time, Kaitlyn lost her job after a situation that never should’ve gone the way it did. And right on top of that, we were already deep in a battle with the school system, fighting for our kids’ well being and education, and getting nowhere.

That’s when we stepped back. Not just to catch our breath, but to ask the bigger question:

Is this the life we want to keep living?

Comfort Wasn’t Enough

From the outside, things looked solid.

We weren’t in debt. We weren’t house poor. We lived within our means and kept increasing our income each year. We had savings, investments we thought we were doing it all “right.”

But it didn’t feel right.

We were always running, juggling, pushing, trying to get ahead.

And somehow… falling further behind in the things that actually mattered.

Time as a family was rare. The connection between us was stretched thin. Our health; physical, mental, and emotional was starting to show cracks.

We weren’t unhappy. But we were stuck. Stuck in a routine that left no room to grow.

Selling the House Was the Test

The house didn’t sell right away. It sat on the market for 3.5 months, after we had already spent two months prepping it. No income. Still paying all the bills. We dipped into savings. We lived lean.

That waiting season taught us patience the hard way. And when it finally sold, it hit us deep. That house held everything: both our kids grew up there. It was our first home. Every memory was in those walls.

But we knew what we had to do. And once we committed, we moved.

We reinvested, cleared space, and took the biggest leap we’ve ever made:

We moved to Mexico for four months.

What Mexico Gave Us

We skipped most of winter, but what we really gained was time.

Time to slow down. Time to see each other again. Time to rebuild our rhythm as a family.

Homeschooling wasn’t easy at first but it’s been a gift. We’re learning alongside our kids. We’re sharpening skills we forgot we had. We’re having deeper conversations around the dinner table.

We’re not just teaching anymore we’re growing together.

So Why This Life?

Because we were made for more than survival. More than comfort. More than rinse and repeat days where your spirit slowly fades out.

We chose this path not because it’s easier but because it’s real.

We’re still building. Still figuring it out. But we’re doing it together awake, aware, and on purpose.

That’s the shift. And we’re just getting started.

Thanks for being here and taking the time to read this.

If anything in our story hit home for you or if you’re in a season where you’re questioning the path you’re on don’t be afraid to reach out. Whether you’re ready for a shift or just need someone to talk it through with, I’m here.

And if you’ve already made your own bold move?
I’d love to hear about it.

Our stories have power especially when we share them.
Until next week,
Stay sharp. Stay grounded.
– Josh, Kaitlyn Kayden, Olivia and our fury friends