I am a guy who wants to be a hero; I want to save the world! Judging by how slowly I've progressed over the years, I have a lot to learn. Right now, I'm deciding how to spend the next few years of my life, because I can barely think of a plausible path on making the world a much, much better place.
Recently back from Thailand, I've at least learned that traveling and being really uncomfortable makes me grow faster than anything else, so I'm trying to do more of that.

As I hinted earlier, I like the concept of heroism, people achieving great things seemingly far outside of their natural abilities, and sometimes things that most think impossible. I think I can figure out heroism, or at least one way to get there, through a combination of skill acquisition, religious experiences, statistics, sports psychology, cognitive behavioral modification, and philosophy. As you may have guessed, I'm starting by making myself as heroic as possible first. So, I'm really travelling for two reasons; to test myself and see if I'm progressing (being naturally shy and non risk taking), and hopefully meet heroes and semi-heroes, and learn directly from them.

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

Along with the travelling reasons listed above (test myself meet people with heroic qualities). I find people who let you into their houses are generally pretty open. I like conversations about values, life goals, hopes and dreams, and I like getting to it right away! Also, I like friendly, warm, trusting people who are optimistic about life, both how it is and how it could be. In my very brief travel history, I've found the traveling culture meets all of the above. I pick couch surfing specifically because it's the primary travel platform I heard about first. Also, I don't plan on spending very long at each destination, so the tacit short stay time is perfect.

Interests

Skill Acquisition - This is one that kind of came about recently, but it is the one I am most interested in currently. What constitutes a skill? Is there a universal method for improving skills? If you can transform a desire into a problem solvable by a trainable skill, then you've probably got it made.

Emotions - As the primary motivators which let us do anything, I find them very interesting. I'd love to find a way to better control and understand my emotions and emotions in general. Also, my emotions (especially those derived from music and stories) have given me most of my goals and defined much of character.

Adventure and pushing myself - I've always liked the Theodore Roosevelt style of improvement, where if you throw yourself into difficult situations with enough energy and intelligence, your body and mind will eventually adapt, allowing you to not only handle it, but enjoy it. Sounds good for heroism right?

Exercise - Great for endorphins, and lets me test my progress and understanding of the above three.

Psychology and Mathematics - My two favorite sciences. The former for as best we can empirically increasing our knowledge base on what drives and matter to us, and the latter for making things empirical at all (like using statistics to verify claims)

Philosophy - Done right it's like poetry, let me see the world differently in the first place.

• culture
• poetry
• exercise
• traveling
• socializing
• music
• surfing
• sports
• history
• mathematics
• psychology
• statistics

Music, Movies, and Books

Music: I like the upbeat songs that you can dance to (Shut Up and Dance), songs that inspire you (Rocky Theme), songs that make you feel meaning (Hopes and Dreams/ Save the World), and songs that make you consider all of your failures and successes (Wandering Flame). I love listening to one song a hundred times in a row, in remixes changing pace. Music is definitely one of the primary conduits I have for feeling certain emotions.

Books - Walden, The Joyous Wisdom, textbooks on Decision Making, Behavioral Modification, Psychology, Learning Theory, and Mathematics, The Rise of Theodore Roosevelt, Exploring the World of Lucid Dreaming

Video Games - Final Fantasy X, Undertale

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

Bungie Jumped off of a crane in Thailand twice, both facing forward and facing backwards. Definitely a memory that gives me a little extra courage when I need it.

Teach, Learn, Share

Teach: I've learned a lot about the psychology of productivity, both how to get intrinsic motivation and generate extrinsic motivation without spending any more money than you usually spend, I've even developed a system for it which I personally use every day! All you need is excel, a pen, and a lot of paper. I'd be glad to share it with you ;)

Learn: Any way you've consciously become extraordinary in an area you care passionately about . I'd specifically love to meet people with extremely high energy who can work on a project tirelessly for days in a row, especially if you started out as a low energy person. How to be optimistic about life and how to love people more would also be great.

Share: I'm not skilled in crafstmanship, but if it's unskilled labor, then you're in luck. Dish washing, cleaning? Making chicken with a super easy to make five minute sauce and a crockpot? Mowing a small lawn? Snowplowing a driveway? I'm your guy.

What I Can Share with Hosts

Besides what I've offered above, the most valuable thing I can offer would actually help us both. One of main projects is overcoming fear to pursue what your heart really desires, so, if you're down for it, I'd love for us to both confront a fear with each other. If you're afraid of heights but would like to zipline, I'd really like to go with you, and I think I can motivate you to do it, too! That person you have a crush on? I'll go with you, ask someone out first, and give you a little vicarious courage! This is all completely optional of course, but the times when I've felt alive and most like "myself" are when I confront a longtime fear, and I bet you'd feel the same.

Countries I’ve Visited

England, Peru, Thailand

Countries I’ve Lived In

United States