Aloha!

Over the last few years I've built up the courage to leave my small hometown of Pana, Illinois and do a bit of travelling. Colorado in 2014, then Hawaii, Europe, Portland, and now Memphis/Southaven MS.

I studied psychology at the University of Illinois form 2010-13. I've been working in various therapeutic settings since graduating: residential care at Cunningham Children's Home, summer camp in Estes Park, CO, wilderness/horticultural therapy at Pacific Quest in Hawaii. I find a lot of purpose working in these settings. I also find it necessary to take a solid break in between occupations!

I'm a simple, kind, and at times quiet person; doing his best to travel and grow as a person so that I can better help others in the future as a counselor/therapist.

“Despite how open, peaceful, and loving you attempt to be, people can only meet you, as deeply as they’ve met themselves.” – Matt Kahn

"The idea is that we as people, can only give to others what we already have within ourselves. If you don’t feel something in yourself, if you haven’t found something in yourself, you can’t, no matter how much you try or want to, give that something to someone else."

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

I look forward to meeting new people as I'm continually surprised by the deeply kind, generous members of CouchSurfing.

I am not financially able to meet my travel goals without the help of you all!

Interests

I love playing, and watching most all sports. I'm always down to play a game of basketball.

I've been playing guitar for ~5 years and hope to continue for the rest of my life.

• traveling
• music
• live music
• guitar
• hiking
• swimming
• caving
• playing basketball
• hiking,
• sports,

Music, Movies, and Books

Love acoustic tunes with a good message/lyrics.
Top 3 is probably: Jimi Hendrix, John Mayer, and The Lumineers.

Favorite books: Shantaram, Into the Wild, and On the Road/books that inspire me to travel.

Currently reading Catch-22 (surprisingly funny)

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

I went west of Missouri for the first time in 2015 (from Illinois), to work at a summer camp in Estes Park, CO. I accepted the role of horseback riding instructor with zero riding experience prior to camp training. Sure enough, I was kicked pretty good on my second day, but I stuck with it to become a confident rider and instructor. This trip was the most crucial adventure to inspiring me to travel and experience new people and placed!

Teach, Learn, Share

I'd be happy to teach all that I've learned on guitar over the past few years. Having taught myself, I've learned a few different avenues to teaching various chords and scales.

I'd love to learn about local history and how the bizarre political world is affecting people around the world. I'm also super interested in learning to cook new meals, and how others implement sustainable living into their lives!

What I Can Share with Hosts

Kindness, gratitude, talk story, an open ear. I'd be happy to cook a simple meal.

Countries I’ve Visited

Austria, Czech Republic, England, Germany, Hungary, Ireland, Poland, Scotland, Serbia