Raymond Smithson's Photo

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  • Last login about 2 months ago

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Overview

  • 35 references 23 Confirmed & Positive
  • Fluent in English; learning Chinese, German, Spanish
  • 41, Male
  • Member since 2010
  • Cofounder of Inspire Garage, business and career developm...
  • International PGCE + business and medical biology
  • No hometown listed
  • Profile 100% complete

About Me

CURRENT MISSION

life

ABOUT ME

Originally from the United States and lived in Taipei, Taiwan for 10 years. Been back in the US for about 3 years now.

I am a venture capital scout and like to coach startups on their pitch. I do quite a few pitch events to connect investors and startup companies in Utah. I also run a small consulting business where I teach business communication skills trainings to tech companies in Taiwan.

I am passionate about languages, and am semi-fluent in Chinese, conversational in Spanish and German.

I am an inquisitive person who loves to learn new things and see the world as a giant puzzle. Interested in hearing stories of travel and off-the-beaten-path adventures! Earth is full of amazing people and places!

PHILOSOPHY

The greatest gift we have is the gift of life, and the brain that allows us to understand the true meaning of being alive. Life is a precious and fragile thing, and the ability to be aware of our own existence and the world around us is truly a remarkable thing. It’s amazing that we can even begin to understand the beauty and complexity of the universe, question our place in it, and strive to improve our lives and the lives of those around us. It is through our ability to think, to feel, to dream and to create that we can truly appreciate the gift of life. It is a reminder to us to make the most of the time we have, to cherish each and every moment, and to leave a positive impact on the world and the people we share it with.

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

HOW I PARTICIPATE IN COUCHSURFING

Mostly CS Meetups right now because my schedule is kinda hectic. But, I can host sometimes. Just ask!

COUCHSURFING EXPERIENCE

CouchSurfed in Europe, Asia North America and Africa . All experiences were amazing!

Interests

Scuba diving, wild edible plants, berries and mushrooms, fly fishing, learning, camping, culture, sciences, languages, hitchhiking, backpacking, skydiving, adventure, running, exercise, healthy eating, paragliding, outdoors, campfire cooking, wilderness survival, 4 wheeling, travel, life, exploring, traveling, baseball, TED talks, meditation, Startups, entrepreneurship, international business, getting off the beaten path.

  • dining
  • cooking
  • meditation
  • traveling
  • survival
  • outdoor activities
  • backpacking
  • camping
  • scuba diving
  • skydiving
  • baseball
  • paragliding
  • world cup
  • business
  • teaching
  • history
  • international relations
  • hitchhiking
  • adventure travel
  • beaches
  • travel
  • traditional food
  • exploring
  • exploring new places
  • traditions
  • ted talks
  • international trade
  • international food
  • 4x4
  • online business
  • international business
  • campfire cooking

Music, Movies, and Books

I enjoy reading or listening to books about science, psychology, culture, religion, technology, medicine, genetics, and evolution. I don't watch tv often, but when I do, I like to watch the Discovery Channel, Science Channel, History Channel, Travel Chanel. I also like to watch TED and other programs that promote greater understanding. One TV show that I really like is Alone.

I listen to all sorts of music, if it sounds good or I can link it to a memory. Please share with me some cool music from your country, I would love to hear it!

Some books I like:

Thinking Fast and Slow, The Blank Slate, The Better Angels of Our Nature, The Selfish Gene, What Technology Wants, The Singularity is Near, $100 Startup, The Lean Startup, Bold, Grit, The Information, Deep Work, Flow, The Inevitable, How to Create a Mind, The Innovators Dilemma, The Longevity Plan, Moonwalking With Einstein, The Kaizen Way, Peak: Secrets From the New Science of Expertise, The Productivity Project, River Town: Two Years on the Yangtze, The Runaway Species: How Human Creativity Remakes the World, Sapiens: A Brief History of Humankind, The 4-Hour Work Week, Meditations by Marcus Aurelius, How to Win Friends and Influence People, The Psychedelic Explorers Guide, How to Train Your Mind, The Science of Enlightenment, Altered Traits: Science Reveals How Meditation Changes Your Mind, Brain and Body, The Simulation Hypothesis, The Surrender Experiment, How to Change Your Mind, Atomic Habits, The Chemistry Between Us, The Dhando Investor, The Three Pillars of Zen, The Hitchhikers’ Guide to the Galaxy, The Science of Mindfulness, Indistractable, The Mindful Athlete, Abundance, Hard-Boiled Wonderland and the End of the World, The Next Pandemic, The Culture Map, AI Superpowers, Factfulness, The Future is Faster than You Think, Understanding Complexity, Waking Up, The Myth of Multitasking, TED Talks Official Guide, The Challenger Sale, The Psychology of Selling, DMT: The Spirit Molecule, China in Ten Words, Crushing It, Ending Aging, Side Hustle, The Startup Way, The Innovator’s Dilemma.

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

I had an unforgettable weekend in Spain where my friend and I participated in the 700-year-old tradition of running with the bulls in Pamplona. The adrenaline rush was immense! After that, we joined a group of friends and headed to San Sebastian, where we relaxed on the beach, swam in the crystal-clear water and indulged in some of the best tapas/pinchos in all of Spain. We even camped on the side of a mountain with a breathtaking view of the beach. To top it off, we returned to Logrono and witnessed Spain win the World Cup for the first time in history. The energy and excitement during the event was unparalleled, it was truly an amazing weekend.

Teach, Learn, Share

I love to teach and learn by conversation.

What I Can Share with Hosts

Conversation, food, friendship, experiences,

Countries I’ve Visited

Austria, Belgium, Canada, China, Croatia, England, France, Germany, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Malaysia, Mexico, Morocco, Myanmar, Namibia, Nepal, North Korea, Norway, Philippines, Scotland, Singapore, Slovenia, South Africa, South Korea, Spain, Swaziland, Sweden, Switzerland, Taiwan, Thailand, United Kingdom, United States, Vatican City State, Viet Nam

Countries I’ve Lived In

Austria, Spain, Taiwan, United States

Old School Badges

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