Things important to me:
[Authenticity] 🧠 being true to oneself and not hiding behind a false front. Loving kindness is part of it. And of course allowing others the space to be true to their own self and allowing them to be seen.
[Daring] 🫀if I want something I need to put that into action, and go through the dicomfort of learning new skills or braving the unknown. Cf "the man in the arena" quote.
[Travel] 🧳 is understanding and seeing the world for what it is. Having as accurate of picture of the world as one can. And of oneself. So reading is like internal travel.
[Humble Spirituality] 🐉 religion could be standing in front of the unknown and daring to look at it without flinching. And about trying to make the world a better place. (I don't follow any religious dogma. It's more a declaration that there's so much in the Universe we do not understand yet.)

Nerding:
* Literature in general & Science Fiction in particular
* CrossFit
* Coffee
* Emotional intelligence
* GTD methodology
* Biology as a science & Longevity/Health in particular
* Relationship alternatives & capitalism alternatives

I live with my partner, so requests go through him also usually. He’s a postgrad in biomedicine. 😁

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

Social connection is the important part. Love sharing a dinner or beer or coffee and talking soulfulness or humour.

’The shared meal is the smallest social institution. ’ (Aristotle, The State, although there he may have said it’s the smallest political institution)

Interests

• literature
• coffee
• fitness
• working out
• crossfit
• biology
• history
• languages
• science fiction

Music, Movies, and Books

Chasm City - Alastair Reynolds, Sapiens - Harare, The 15 Commitments of Conscious Leadership - Dethmer/Chapman, Grapes of Wrath - Steinbeck, the Commonwealth Saga - Hamilton, the Expanse - Corey.

Currently reading: Nattdjur - Sosa
”The Ethical Slut” - Hardy & Easton (seems absolutely superb)
Studied engineering, english literature and history of ideas in Uni. Perfect for an SF writer. ;)

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

I've spent some 10 years building a gym, or a CrossFit box, from scratch into an impressive little institution of strength and conditioning here in Helsinki.

Teach, Learn, Share

Recently I've trained in videomaking - and connecting about that, or helping out with a video project you might have is def something of interest.

I write speculative fiction as a hobby.

Helsinki: really chill and relaxed, perhaps not touristy, but there's plenty to offer.
* Some history in the sea fortress of Suomenlinna
* a bunch of public saunas with access to sea bathing year-round (cf: Sompasauna)
* Nuuksio national park, easily visitable with bus from Helsinki. The heart of Suomi lies in the woods and lakes. That's where you find its authentic self.
* Mustikkamaa is an island of the Helsinki city core which is finnish nature in miniature perfectly walkable in a 40 min walk, so if you can’t get to Nuuksio do this mini excursion instead. Sompasauna is in the vicinity for skinny dipping.

Museums, if you like such:
* Natural History one here. It's small but pretty, with a sweet dinosaur room on the top floor.
* Ateneum: national art gallery, with nature paintings and some about the national mythology/epic, the Kalevala.
* Oodi : the city main library, mainly architecturally cool. free for anybody. Same with the University main library and national library.

Bars:
* Kaisla beer house, good draft beers and knowledgable staff.
* William K in Sörnäinen - same as above
* Tin-tin Tango is a good café in Töölö
* Regatta is also a very sweet café, although very popular so there is often a long line, weekends especially.

Gyms:
* CrossFit Sörnäinen - my own gym, we love visitors. Book in advance by whatsapp on 0452393921/crossfitsornainen.com
* Töölön Kisahalli - cheap and city owned
* Töölönlahti has outdoor pullup bars good for calisthenics. Lemme know if you want a workout partner.

What I Can Share with Hosts

If you host me, I’d love to connect over food or whatever your schedule allows. Can help cooking or teach some Functional Fitness if that is interesting. 😁

I'll share in costs of food, help clean up. Tricount is an app I use at home for cost sharing.

Countries I’ve Visited

Andorra, Denmark, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Portugal, Spain, United Kingdom, United States, Vatican City State

Countries I’ve Lived In

Finland, Sweden