CURRENT MISSION

To travel, host, meet cool people and stay sane while doing so!

ABOUT ME

Former alpine ski instructor (true)
Gymnast (not true)
Competitive amateur sailor (true)
Archer (not true)
Opera singer (not true)
Got accidentally knocked to the ground by a United States President (true)
Came within inches of colliding on skis with a comedian who portrayed a United States President on TV (true)
Body builder (not true)
Coached a Rhodes Scholar on a university varsity athletic team (true)
Former prime time anchor at the local NBC affiliate (not true)
Loves Thai food (true)

PHILOSOPHY

My life philosophy is NOW, which stands for "No Opportunity Wasted"
Like many folks, I've missed out on far too many opportunities and adventures, and today is the day I'm changing that. If a door opens, I'm going to walk through it and see where it leads me.

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

HOW I PARTICIPATE IN COUCHSURFING

I hope to make friends and connections, and to pay it forward, and step up to help anyone to the best of my ability. I'd also be happy to host anyone traveling to the Twin Cities area (Minneapolis/ St. Paul, Minnesota)

COUCHSURFING EXPERIENCE

I've couch surfed with friends for many years around the United States and in recent years in Australia, but hadn't tried it yet on the fly in unfamiliar territory until 2013 when I backpacked in France. I had my first (very successful) experience couch surfing in Paris.

Interests

Sailing, skiing, trekking, biking, exploring

• dining
• instructor
• flying
• traveling
• cycling
• sailing
• skiing

Music, Movies, and Books

A favorite movie: The Princess Bride
A favorite TV show: LOST
A favorite fiction book: Night Fall (Nelson DeMille)
A favorite Non-fiction book: The Last Lecture (Randy Pausch)

Some random favorite music: Steely Dan, Ingrid Michaelson, Carly Simon, Diana Krall, Doobie Brothers, David Gray, Little Feat, Jack Johnson, Loggins and Messina, Louis Armstrong, Pat Metheny, Santana, Stevie Ray Vaughan, Sting, U2, Sara Bareilles, Sea Level, Meredith Fierke, Allman Brothers, Charlie Mars, Weather Report, Erin McCarly, Goo Goo Dolls, Tristan Prettyman, Herbie Hancock (Like I said... random) ;)

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

I competed in, and then managed a 24 hour sailing race for cancer for eight straight years in Australia.

Teach, Learn, Share

Health challenges have opened my eyes to new possibilities. I'm a cancer survivor (very rare cancer called GIST), and I live with Multiple Sclerosis. I'm not 'disabled' although I do use a cane. I am very comfortable talking about my experiences, and why I'm still moving forward, and still smiling.

Countries I’ve Visited

Australia, Bahamas, Canada, France, Japan, New Zealand, Switzerland