Hello, everyone! Just introducing myself to the group... my name is Cory, I'm 26 years old and live in a small-ish city east of Columbus in Ohio. I've been following Steve and the Nerd Fitness crew for years (I think I discovered this place via Chris Guilleabeau's Art of Non-Conformity) but only recently purchased a membership to the academy. I'm loving things so far, but I know that the key to my success is really going to be having a support system built up around me to keep me accountable. I tend to isolate myself from friends and family, especially when I'm focused on a task or a challenge like the ones presented to me in the Academy, so I'm reaching out to you here on the forums and on the Facebook group to keep me in line!
Along those lines, I'm posting my first Epic Quests. I structured my big goals around 5 areas and then envisioned what I might look like when I've completely leveled up my life!
Goal 1: Socioemotional
I am a genuinely happy person who is not afraid to meet new people and to form close relationships with others.
(Example quests along the way include consistently taking my medications for generalized anxiety and depression, challenging myself to meet new people and remain in contact with extended periods of time, and to get out of the house more often to experience life in the company of others.)
Goal 2: Strength Training and Weight Gain
I am a reasonably strong guy, weighing in at just over 125 pounds*, and since beginning my journey, I've tripled my strength!
(Example quests along the way include milestone weight gains on the way to my target weight of 125 pounds, as well as completing the workouts and challenges in the Academy.)
*I know - I'm pathetically underweight! I'm 5'7" so I can get by without looking like Jack Skellington, but my size has always been a thing that I am not altogether proud of. I realize, though, that there are people struggling to lose weight and that this sounds like a champagne problem, but...
Goal 3: Financial Stability
I am debt-free and live within my means, with a budget that allows me to experience new and unique things from time to time.
(Example quests along the way include paying off my credit card balance, paying the rest of my current car loan, establishing a household budget, etc.)
Goal 4: Sleep Quality and Energy
I feel energetic every morning after getting 7.5 to 8 hours of high-quality sleep each night. I don't get tired by 3 PM and feel like I can work at my full potential at any time of the day.
(Example quests along the way include increasing my average number of sleeping hours from 6-ish to 7.5-8, making my bedroom more suitable for high-quality sleep, adjusting my diet to eliminate most sources of sugar, and taking some vitamins and supplements to assist in not feeling so drained and groggy by mid-afternoon.)
Goal 5: Side Business
I have a side business creating and producing content online that is tailored to my interests and expertise. My audience is widespread and engaged, and my network of professional contacts is vast and willing to help me with any project, and trust that I can and will do the same for them.
(Example quests along the way include producing episodes of a podcast that I have been formulating and developing for waaaaaaaay too long, as well as attracting a community of listeners who are willing to pledge their support on Patreon. Shameless plug: educreators.org if you're at all interested in the fields of education and education technology!)
Thanks to Steve and the Nerd Fitness crew for this opportunity - I look forward to meeting more of you in the future!
-Cory
