I. Introduction
So, I just turned thirty.. should I be freaking out? Am I supposed to feel anxious or sad?
It’s definitely a bit strange to see a “3” in front of my age for the first time, but at the same time, I’m energized.
When I think about crossing this milestone, it reminds me how fast time goes and how important it is to stay present. I spent a big chunk of my twenties with my head down, hyper-focused on building my business (or in video game terms, “Grinding”).
Grinding is a term common within video game culture that describes time spent where a player repeats a general (and often routine task) in order to gain rewards like in-game currency, in-game experience, player stats or other reward types.
In my ‘grind’, I overlooked chances to slow down and enjoy what was happening in the moment. One of the biggest lessons I’ve learned—and want to keep learning—is that life can’t just be a giant to-do list. There’s value in novelty and exploring the “side quests” that make each day feel fresh. Moving into my thirties, I want to keep that sense of curiosity, keep saying “yes” to new experiences, and continue teaching and mentoring others along the way.
II. Looking Back on My Twenties
From University to Entrepreneurship
So many of our biggest ‘firsts’ happen in our teens and early twenties that these memories dominate, making our early years feel disproportionately long compared to the rest of life. Once routines set in, time will blur—unless we shake things up with new experiences.
In my early twenties, I was still lifeguarding & finishing up my university degree. After a decade of aquatics, it was all so familiar: the pools, the summer schedules, the routine. But when I decided to leave that behind and start my own business, that was when I felt scared. Suddenly, there was no “set path” to follow, no safe, predictable job. It was just me and this newborn business.
Lifeguarding was a pair of golden handcuffs. Not only was I making $32/hour… it was also my social circle. Was I about to lose friends? Would I still be invited to parties? Leaving the safety of University, a job I loved and an abundant circle of friends was scary—as transitions often are.
Side Quest: A fun fact about my early 20s is that my team won the BC Lifeguard Competition Circuit Championship. The sport of lifeguard competitions is a mixture of fitness, first-aid and aquatic rescue simulations.
Interestingly, those early years of Longhouse don’t feel long ago at-all. It was new.
I traveled to Japan in 2018, and it awakened me to how much novelty plays into ‘living longer’. Despite that trip only being a month long, the memories I can draw upon outweigh the rest of that entire year. In hindsight, I see how much I thrive with novelty.
Achievements & Accolades
What I’m known for is creating Longhouse Branding & Marketing. The story of my twenties is pouring everything into making it grow beyond 7-figures, receiving awards like “Young Entrepreneur of the Year” and “Young Indigenous Entrepreneur of the Year.” I’m proud to represent young people and Indigenous communities, even though I sometimes wrestle with labels overshadowing the actual work I do. Ultimately, I want to be recognized simply as a good businessman and leader, period. However, visibility is important. If I can be a role model to others who then go on to take a chance on themselves—I’ll be happy.
I’m excited to show the world, and especially other young or Indigenous people what you can accomplish once you strip yourself of socially defined ceilings.
Warrior or a Teacher?
As much as I enjoy competition in some areas of my life, I’ve come to realize I’m way more of a teacher than a warrior. Growing up, I competed in over 60 judo, wrestling and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ) tournaments. I won a lot of medals, but it was always a battle to get on the mat.
Performance anxiety can affect even the most experienced performers & competitors.
What really excites me is mentorship—I’d way rather teach a BJJ submission (my current favourite being the north-south choke), answer questions about business, share life advice, guide someone who’s curious or just starting out in something I’m passionate about.
Someone making real progress because of a conversation or insight you shared is the quickest way to medicate your self-doubt and imposter syndrome.
III. Confronting Imposter Syndrome
Pride vs. Unfinished Promises
People assume I’m proud of what I did in my twenties. The short answer is absolutely, yes. I started a company, grew it into the millions, and was humbled with awards along the way. But the long answer is more complicated. I still struggle with promises I haven’t kept—like fixing my sleep schedule (it’s awful) or nailing down a solid morning routine. It bugs me that I haven’t figured it out, especially since it would make me a more worthy mentor and leader. Sometimes I feel like, “Who am I to give advice when I can’t even wake up on time?”
It’s a funny correlation but the more ‘success’ I’ve experienced, the larger the feelings of being an ‘imposter’ has grown.
Self-doubt is just part of the human experience. The real question is whether you’re going to let imposter syndrome stop you.
Seasonal Triggers & Time Passing
There are certain times of year—New Year’s, the back-to-school season—when I feel a weird anxiety about not having achieved everything I planned. It’s like a reminder that time is marching on, whether I’m ready or not. But I try to channel that anxiety into motivation. If I’m not where I want to be, then it’s on me to do something about it. Dwelling on what I haven’t done only slows me down. A little urgency can be healthy if it keeps me moving forward.
As an aside, May is a notable season where my anxiety spikes—stemming from nostalgia. It took a lot of self-reflection to pinpoint the cause but it’s always around the time of year our seasonal summer pool ‘Al Anderson’ would open. This was my happy place where I’d work with friends, make great money and made an impact as a swimming instructor and team leader. Hearing the same birds for example or seeing the same colours launches me back into a reminder of the past life I gave up.
IV. Embracing Opportunities & Side Quests
The Power of Saying “Yes”
If I had to give one piece of advice that changed my life, it’d be: say yes to opportunities. Whether it’s speaking at a community fundraiser or volunteering for the Chamber of Commerce, a single “yes” can lead to a massive project, a new connection, or an unexpected partnership. If you feel stuck, push yourself to accept an invitation or take on a challenge you’d usually avoid. That’s how growth happens.
Finding Novelty Amid Routine
I often compare my life to the video games I played growing up—RuneScape and World of Warcraft—because in those games, there’s always a main storyline but also seemingly endless ‘side quests’. For a while, I was so heads-down on building a marketing business that I forgot the side quests in real life. But if you think about it, that’s where the real memories come from. It’s the spontaneous trip, the random hobby, the new thing you do just for the sake of doing it.
Discipline and focus are crucial, sure. But so is giving yourself permission to explore something purely because it excites you. Otherwise, years can blur together, and you look back wondering where all the time went.
Being Authentic in Your Approach
Another big lesson from my twenties: authenticity beats any script. When I broke my shoulder—on a pair of Heelys, no less—and couldn’t type or do sales calls the way I normally would. Something compelled me to just be real with our sales leads. “You can’t see me right now but I’m all hobbled.. I messed up my shoulder.. Want to see the video?” Ironically, that turned into one of my highest sales months ever because people saw me as a human, not just another salesperson with a rehearsed pitch.
I’ve also seen that bringing up stuff like WWE, RuneScape, or Survivor in casual conversation helps people open up and connect. Everyone’s tired of “How are you? / Good, how are you?” We can do better. Sometimes those little quirks are what make people decide, “Hey, I like this person. I trust them enough to do business with them.”.
With the growth of Artificial Intelligence, authenticity is guaranteed to be crucial in growing your brand.
The Role of Curiosity
I have a simple formula I like to use:
(Asking Questions + Taking Chances = Innovation).
So many good things happen when you ask the “random” questions that spark new ideas. At networking events, I’ll skip “What do you do?” and go straight to “What do you do for fun?” That leads to genuine conversations, and genuine conversations lead to real relationships—both personal and professional. Curiosity means staying open to whatever might happen. It keeps life interesting and paves the way for unexpected opportunities.
V. Looking Ahead to the Next Decade
New Chapters & Evolving Roles
So, I’m 30 now. Marriage and maybe starting a family feel like the next big chapters, and I’m excited. Being curious and open has served me well so far, so I’m going to keep that going. I don’t plan on ever fully “retiring”—I’d love to teach someday, whether in a high school English class, at a university, or maybe through podcasts. Sharing what I’ve learned is the best way I know to keep life interesting.
Investing in People & Ideas
I’m also venturing into Longhouse Investments Corp, which lets me invest not just in products or services but in people—people who have ideas and the passion to make them happen. One key thing I learned in my twenties is that investing in others can be just as powerful (often more so) than investing in yourself. Sure, there’s a risk that an employee might leave to start their own company. But when you actively support someone’s goals—help them buy a house or sharpen their leadership skills—you build real loyalty and respect. Even if they do move on, there’s a high chance they’ll go out of their way to help you in return.
On the flip side, there’s a “crabs in a bucket” mentality where people try to keep others down out of fear or ego. That never works in the long run. If you can cultivate a place where everyone genuinely wants to see each other succeed, you end up multiplying the impact you’d have on your own. It’s a cool feeling when your entire team pulls together and grows together; and it’s definitely one of the things I’m proudest of creating in my 20s & motivated to carry forward into each of my remaining decades.
If you haven’t seen crabs in a bucket.. They never let another crab escape. One will climb to the point of almost escaping only to be held back by its fellow crab.
Staying Present While Planning the Future
I still make plans in two- or three-year chunks—it’s how my brain works. But I’m also more aware than ever of how crucial it is not to lose sight of the day-to-day. If I focus only on what I want by 35, I might blink and find myself at 40 wondering where that time went. Each day is part of the process, part of the story I’m writing. I don’t want to miss it.
VI. Conclusion
Turning 30 gets labeled as this huge rite of passage, and maybe it is. But it doesn’t have to be scary or sad. For me, it’s just a reminder to keep learning, to keep saying yes, and to keep nurturing relationships. Here are a few takeaways I hope land with you:
- It’s Okay to Feel Weird About Aging: We all do, but don’t let fear overshadow the opportunities that are waiting for you.
- Say “Yes” More Often: Take that speaking gig, volunteer opportunity, or random invite—you never know where it’ll lead.
- Balance the Main Quest & Side Quests: Chase big goals, but give yourself room for fun and spontaneity.
- Be Authentic & Curious: Real connections start when you drop the boring script and get genuinely interested in others.
- Invest in People: Empowering others will grow your impact in ways you’ll never pull off alone.
- Stay Present: It’s good to plan for the future, but don’t let today be forgettable.
To anyone older, you already know this but age milestones aren’t a countdown to doom—it’s a step to whatever’s next for you.
Approach these milestones with curiosity, hope, and a willingness to try new things, maybe that’s the antidote to our anxieties & imposter syndrome. The journey matters just as much—maybe even more—than your next milestone.
Make a promise to live fully at whichever milestone you’re at with an openness to side quests, gratitude for the people who place their trust in you, and commitment to keep the promises you’ve made to yourself.
