2023

Elephant Hills ( Kenya )
Mt. ChampaquĂ­ ( Argentina )
Here are highlights from my year. Enjoy!

Full Disclosure: This page contains links to affiliates, products I've created, and companies I'm invested in.

Overview

This year has been full of incredible experiences! I spent time summiting Mt. Kilimanjaro and Mt. Champaquí, marking off major bucket list items. I also traveled to eight countries, including new adventures in Kenya, Paraguay, and Mozambique. From diving deep into Swahili to staying active with yoga and running, it’s been a fulfilling year.

Highlights

  • Travel with Ji Ji (Tanzania / Paraguay / Brazil) ⭐
  • Travel to 8 countries (4 New)
  • Completed: On Life Bucket List
    • ✅Create A Life Of Love & Travel
    • ✅Summit Mt. Kilimanjaro, Highest Peak In Africa (Tanzania) ⭐
    • ✅Summit Mt. ChampaquĂ­, Highest Peak In CĂłrdoba (Argentina)
    • ✅Hike Mt. Kenya National Park, 2nd Highest In Africa (Kenya)
    • ✅Iguazu Falls (Brazil)
Hiking Kilimanjaro (Monkey Adventures Tour)

Title

For me, travel is not just a hobby; it’s a gateway to discovery and growth. This year, I ventured to eight countries, with highlights like summiting Mt. Kilimanjaro and Mt. Champaquí, and experiencing the vibrant cultures of Kenya, Mozambique, and Paraguay.

Travel allows me to connect with the world, immerse myself in new traditions, and tick off major bucket list adventures. From breathtaking hikes to enriching language experiences, travel has been a cornerstone of my personal journey. It deepens my perspective and reminds me of the beauty and diversity the world has to offer.

Title

For me, fun is essential because it brings balance and joy to life. This year, I explored new ways to unwind and recharge, like taking meditation courses and immersing myself in language learning. From achieving Transcendental Meditation milestones in Mozambique to diving into cultural studies with Swahili, Spanish, and Portuguese tutoring, I found fun in personal growth and enrichment.

Fun isn’t just about laughter and games—it’s about embracing moments that fuel happiness and personal development. Whether through structured courses or spontaneous adventures, fun added a layer of vitality to my year and kept me motivated for what’s ahead.

Title

Health is the foundation of everything I do, and this year, I committed to making it a priority. Whether it was achieving a fitness milestone of 1 million calories burned, completing 40 gym sessions in 60 days, or embracing yoga, I stayed active and focused on my well-being.

Intermittent fasting became a part of my routine, helping me build discipline and balance. Health isn’t just about physical activity—it’s also about mental clarity, as I engaged in therapy and introspection. These efforts remind me that a healthy body and mind are essential for achieving my goals and living fully.

  • 1 Million Annual Calories Burned – Fitbit Versa 4
  • Intermittent Fasting – 12 months complete of 16:8
  • New Eyeglasses (Paraguay)
  • Full Battery of Allergy Tests – No allergies (Kenya)
  • Workouts
    • Gym – 40 workouts in 60 days (South Africa)
    • Gym – 20 workouts in 30 days (Argentina)
    • Yoga – 30 workouts in 30 days (Mozambique)
    • Run – 4 x week (March, April, May, June, July, December)
  • Therapy
Meyers Briggs
1 Million Annual Calories Burned – Fitbit Versa 4

Title

Sleep is one of life’s simplest yet most vital aspects, and I’ve been exploring how to optimize it. Inspired by traditions like Vastu Shastra, I experimented with sleep positions to improve rest and relaxation.

By understanding how directions influence energy and well-being, I discovered small tweaks that led to better sleep quality. This journey has shown me that even the way we sleep can align with a more harmonious and fulfilling life. Sleep is more than rest—it’s a chance to recharge and start each day with renewed energy and focus.

  • Vastu Shastra tradition says head-direction during sleep matters.
    • North & West – Discouraged. Disrupt the body’s magnetic field. Bad sleep
    • South – Promotes relaxation. Sound sleep
    • East – Positive energy. Good health
  • My Results
    • Chronological order (See images)
    • Quality order (4, 3, 1, 2, 6, 5)
1. Cape Town, South Africa – SW
2. Maputo, Mozambique – NE
3. Nairobi, Kenya – NW
4. Zanzibar, Tanzania – N
5. Asuncion, Paraguay – E
6. Cordoba, Argentina – S
Compass Directions

Title

Favorites help define the moments and experiences that bring joy and inspiration. This year, I cherished new destinations like Kenya, iconic natural wonders like Mt. Kilimanjaro, and beloved books like A Natural History of the Senses.

My love for music, films, and technology deepened as I explored new artists, movies, and gadgets like the AeroPress XL coffee maker. Favorites remind me to savor the small and big joys in life—they keep me grounded and motivated to seek out more experiences that spark happiness and curiosity.

  • New Country
  • Nature
  • Animal
  • Devices
    • AeroPress XL Coffee Maker (Amazon)
    • JavaPresse Manual Coffee Grinder (Amazon)
    • Roku Ultra Streaming (Amazon)
    • GoogleFi Global Sim Card (Google)
  • Social Media
  • Movies
    • Before Trilogy (Prime Video)⭐
    • The Fablemans (Theater)
    • Indiana Jones & The Dial of Destiny (Theater)
    • Peanut Butter Falcon (Max)
    • The Banshees of Inisherin (Max)
    • Triangle Of Sadness (Max)
    • Dinner In America (Max)
  • Books
    • A Natural History of the Senses – Diane Ackerman (Amazon) ⭐
    • I Will Find You – Harlan Coben (Amazon)
    • The Five People You Meet in Heaven – Mitch Albom (Amazon)
    • Born Standing Up – Steve Martin (Amazon)
    • Principles: Life and Work – Ray Dalio (Amazon)
    • All the Light We Cannot See – Anthony Doerr (Amazon)
  • TV
    • The Kominsky Method (Netflix) ⭐
  • Music
    • Hi Ren – Ren (YouTube) ⭐
    • Anywhere With You – Maggie Rogers (YouTube)
    • Sweet Sounds Of Heaven – Rolling Stones (YouTube)
    • Padam – Kylie Minogue (YouTube)
    • Vampire (Live) – Olivia Rodrigo (YouTube)
    • Did You Know / Ocean Blvd – Lana Del Rey (YouTube Music)
  • Software
    • Coinbase – Secure online platform for buying, selling, transferring, and storing crypto
    • Cloaked – Cloaked allows you to generate unique, secure emails & numbers ⭐
    • Robinhood – Invest in stocks, crypto, and ETFs at your pace and commission-free ⭐
    • Mubi – A global streaming service, production company and film distributor dedicated to elevating great cinema. Add some ‘fine art’ to your streaming library
    • Notion – Capture thoughts, manage projects, or even run an entire company
  • Apps
    • Fluent Forever ( iOS / Android) – Learn Any Language & Never Forget It
    • Notion (PC, iOS / Android) ⭐
  • Games
    • Spider-Man: Miles Moralis (Steam) ⭐
Athletic Club & Social (South Africa)

Title

Creativity is the spark that fuels my passion for innovation and expression. This year, I updated my websites to inspire and showcase my projects, published 74 YouTube videos, and expanded my GitHub portfolio with new games and tools.

Whether it’s creating educational content or exploring artistic endeavors like poetry, creativity has been my outlet for sharing knowledge and ideas with the world. For me, creativity is about transforming thoughts into tangible work that connects, inspires, and leaves a lasting impact.

Title

My worldview is grounded in the belief that we are all born perfect, with life offering opportunities to rediscover that inherent beauty. This year, I reflected on personal growth, authenticity, and aligning my actions with my spirit.

Following my heart has been a guiding principle, leading me closer to my own sense of purpose and perfection. Through introspection and learning, I’ve gained clarity on what it means to live a fulfilling and meaningful life, centered on being true to myself and others.

~ ~

We are born perfect (not wrong, not sinned, not bad) and during our life or lives, we rediscover that perfection. Each individual works at a different pace in rediscovering that perfection and that pace may change over time. Our spirit is perfect and our mind and body try (or not depending on the situation) to follow that perfection. Being authentic (to our spirit) is the most direct path to realizing that perfection. The more we can be true to our spirit, the closer to our own perfection we are. Following our heart (i.e. spirit) is most perfect. ⭐

My Diagram

Decision-Making

Found Video

  • Resistance To Big Dreams – Steven Pressfield. The more resistance you have to a life goal, the more important it is to accomplish it.
Resistance To Big Dreams – Steven Pressfield

Title

Volunteering is how I give back and connect with the world around me. This year, I mentored 14 students, committed over 1,000 contributions to open-source projects, and shared knowledge through educational presentations across Africa.

Volunteering isn’t just about giving—it’s about creating opportunities for others while expanding my own perspective. These experiences remind me of the power of community and the importance of contributing to something greater than myself.

  • 14 Students Mentored For 16 Weeks ( Web3 / Video Game Development ) ⭐
  • 1162 Open-Source Project Commits ( Web3 / Video Game Development )
  • Presented game dev education throughout Africa, inc. Nairobi GDC (Kenya)

Title

Earning is about building sustainability and creating opportunities for growth. This year, I balanced active work with passive income streams, releasing new Udemy courses, launching Asset Store packages, and monetizing my YouTube channel.

I also secured exciting projects that aligned with my expertise in Web3 and game development. Earning isn’t just about financial rewards—it’s about cultivating a career that reflects my passions and allows me to make an impact.

Grant Proposal to Power Learning Project
Udemy Courses Created

Title

Investing is a way to secure the future while exploring innovative opportunities. This year, I diversified income streams with fractional investments in fine art, expanded my crypto portfolio, and used tools like Personal Capital for wealth management.

By aligning my investments with my goals, I’ve built a foundation for long-term growth and stability. Investing, to me, is about creating a meaningful legacy that balances risk, reward, and purpose.

  • Added streams of active and passive income including; interest, dividends, stocks, ETFs, commodities, mutual funds, US pensions, EU pensions, crypto, publishing royalties, affiliate programs, advertising income, real estate maturity, startup equity maturity, & active business
  • Private investment, equity investment, crypto investment
  • Tooled wealth management via PersonalCapital.com. Highly recommended!
  • Tooled retirement planning via iTrustCapital.com. Highly recommended!
  • Fractional Investments in Fine Art via Masterworks.com ⭐
    • Dark Milk (1986) – Jean-Michel Basquiat
    • Agency Job, Gleaners (2009) – Banksy
Dark Milk (1986)
Agency Job, Gleaners

Title

Giving is how I align my values with action. This year, I supported causes like Greenpeace and the Godot Game Engine, made microloans through Kiva.org, and donated to organizations in the countries I visited.

Giving is about creating a ripple effect of kindness and support in the world. These efforts remind me of the importance of generosity in fostering change, both locally and globally.


What's Next, Sam?

Stay tuned for more!