(Updated August 2023)

CURRENT MISSION

Host travelers in Lisboa and continue to give back to the Couchsurfing community that makes traveling around the world possible without being rich.

ABOUT ME

American living in Portugal with my fiancée Susana and our Portuguese-American 3 year old daughter Leah Flor. My passion is running, I've done 5 official marathons and I'm always trying to get faster. Recently I also got into trail running. When I'm not racing I run to explore, I love getting lost in new places and finding new roads or paths. One of my obsessions is to run all the roads in the Lisboa metro area, currently over 97% done: https://citystrides.com/users/15559/map I also like biking, cooking, a good conversation over drinks, and reading.

PHILOSOPHY

I'm willing to listen to your point of view unless you espouse hate. I have firmly-held beliefs on fairness, equality, inclusivity, anti-racism, and collective action. I'm always trying to read and learn more. One of the best ways to do that is to meet people with different backgrounds, such as through the Couchsurfing community.

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

HOW I PARTICIPATE IN COUCHSURFING

I first tried out Couchsurfing on a backpacking trip around Europe with my sister in 2011, staying with 25 different hosts over 2 months - we had some amazing experiences! In Florida and Boston I hosted as much as I could from 2011-2020, and used Couchsurfing many times on a backpacking trip around the world in early 2018. We took a long break due to the pandemic and early parenthood, but have been fortunate to host a handful of times in 2023, when our schedule with work, family, and our own travel allows it.

COUCHSURFING EXPERIENCE

I first learned about Couchsurfing in 2010 and I've been surfing and hosting since 2011. I'm fortunate to have the time and space to participate and I really cherish all the experiences I've gained from hosting people from around the US and the world.

Interests

I run almost every day and have tons to say about it. Other than running I am a big fan of baseball (Tampa Bay Rays) and football (Benfica). I play fantasy baseball and basketball so I pay particularly close attention to those leagues. For my day job I write about science, and topics I'm interested in include cancer therapies, health, microbiome, and nutrition. I'm always willing to discuss these topics; in fact you might have to get me to shut up about them.

• concerts
• cooking
• running
• board games
• reading
• traveling
• cycling
• hiking
• backpacking
• snorkeling
• sports
• baseball
• rock climbing
• racquetball
• swimming
• table tennis
• history

Music, Movies, and Books

I like to think I have eclectic tastes in music, I listen to a lot of genres but generally prefer rock. Usually I'm streaming an internet station from here in Lisboa that is very good: www.radiofutura.pt

I really haven't watched many movies the past few years, more TV shows when we have the time. Some recent shows I like are Righteous Gemstones, Succession, Curb Your Enthusiasm, White Lotus.

I read both fiction and nonfiction, usually switching on and off of things that are recommended to me by friends or that catch my eye at the library. The last two books I finished were The Jakarta Method by Vincent Bevins and Dracula by Bram Stoker.

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

Being in Portugal during the Euro Cup 2016 knockout stages, watching all the games in various little bars and tascas around the country, culminating in watching the final in a park in Alfama on a projection screen to witness Portugal win the title over France. So incredible to be in the atmosphere of a capital city during an international championship victory - we didn't sleep that night and then flew back to US at 9 AM the next day!

Teach, Learn, Share

If you're a novice runner I can give you advice on making a training plan to build up and avoid injury, and general things I've learned for how to make running fun and not miserable. I love talking about food, cooking (but I suck at baking), science, and nutrition. I'm down to learn whatever you're passionate about. I know a bunch of card games, my favorite one is yaniv.

What I Can Share with Hosts

We are fortunate to be able to offer travelers a spare bedroom that can sleep 2 people. Clean sheets, a towel, do a load of laundry in our machine, hang out, come and go as you please (spare key), fruit on the counter, water from the tap.

Countries I’ve Visited

Australia, Austria, Bahamas, Belarus, Belgium, Canada, Cayman Islands, Czech Republic, Denmark, Egypt, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Indonesia, Italy, Jamaica, Malaysia, Mexico, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Singapore, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Thailand, Tunisia, Ukraine, United Kingdom, Vatican City State

Countries I’ve Lived In

Portugal, United States

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