I don't own a single portrait from my high school or university graduation, I didn't even attend my university convocation. I have always had a sense that although these occasions may have seemed important to me and family members of mine at the time, the adventures that awaited my freedom from the chains of the educational system would be much more significant factors in how I would live, and look back on my life.

The other day I looked at the year book from my graduating class in high school, the only year book I purchased throughout my 5 year stay at Bayridge Secondary School. Friendship to me has always been more than the number of signatures on a piece of paper. I still remember the awkwardness associated with asking my friends to sign them for me, strange.

The PIB (Philosophy in Brief) section of my grad write up was the inspiration behind this blog. The quote was taken from the final verse of The Road not Taken by Robert Frost. "Two roads diverged in a wood, and I - I took the one less traveled by, And that has made all the difference."

Two years ago I was presented with a choice, two avenues with two absolutely different journeys lay in front of me. I could continue living the way I was, dedicated to keeping good grades, making good impressions with potential bosses, becoming more unhealthy, more stressed, and further isolating myself from those who truly cared for me until i was too old to do any different. I chose option B. I became a nomad, carving out my own unique existence pursuing a dream and searching for adventure and happiness. There is no doubt in my mind that this was the only path for me.

Although some may have gotten the impression that I had abandoned them, or simply not cared enough to say goodbye, that is not the case. Again, friendship to me may be a little different than most. I don't have to speak, see, or be with someone every day to consider them my friend. I prefer meeting up with friends after being away for a while and finding that we have grown and experienced so much since our last encounter. Having said that, I did manage to keep in contact with a few of my good friends along my travels.

Many of my friends are currently students, or are university graduates who have landed positions in successful enterprises. Most of these people are overworked, under payed, stressed, and somewhat unhappy. As sad as that is, it is also a constant reminder that the road less traveled by was the right choice for me. As my friend Evan said, "I know my path, and I am walking it. I have always walked it."

I have met some really genuine and cool people in Toronto, but for the most part this city is filled with story toppers, name droppers, and people more interested in how they present themselves than who they truly are. Even though I have always been somewhat of a hermit, I have made a conscious decision to save my friendship for those in the city who attempt to make the most of the finite time we have allotted to us on this earth before being concerned with their image and status.

Training wise things are great. I am in the best shape I have ever been in and cannot wait to get in the ring again in 3 weeks. I have some of the best grapplers and strikers in the sport to work with. There is literally a "who's who" of the sport present at every training session, it's unbelievable.

My weight 3 weeks out.

Another pic.

Now the bad news. I got a staph infection Monday night after shark tanking it (drilling five minute rounds with a new guy in every two minutes for 4-5 rounds) and spent the night in the emergency room. I got the right antibiotics and have been working my strength and conditioning like a mad man. I got a phone call from my friend Kevin who had suffered a very serious staph infection (among many other set backs) earlier this year and he really inspired me to work my ass off even more for the next 3 weeks, I am going to be a completely different man when I step back into the ring.

Picture of Kevin's Staph infection from www.mmanews.com

The path of resistance knows no shame.

I can picture my brother's Ford F150 waiting in the street to haul everything away perfectly. My bags, stuffed to the point of breaking and the rest of my personal belongings scattered across the living room as I franticly search to make sure that I have everything I need before I leave (I have a horrible tendency of leaving things behind). Quick hugs, handshakes, and goodbyes will be exchanged between my roommates and me; I have been in this situation many times before.

As natural as all of this may seem at the moment, deep down I know things are going to be different this time around.

With tomorrow being the end of my lease, I have begun to reflect on the time I have spent here. I have been living in Ottawa on and off for the last five years, a city whose purpose has grown throughout the years as I have, until now. .

Ottawa has been home to periods of self-destruction, and self-growth. I have made friends that will last a lifetime (Primrose Bro's/ FIT family), lost loves, stepped outside of my comfort zone, and shied away from relationships in this city. For the time being, there is nothing left to discover here.

At first Ottawa was merely a city in which I had decided to attend school, and for three years, it represented nothing but stress. Although the pressure I felt during school, and my reaction in these moments of stress was responsible for many low moments in my life (primarily the abandonment of physical health and the lack of attention to personal relationships), it also represented moments of great satisfaction.

I am aware that the piece of paper awarded to me at the end of my scholastic career is not a reflection of my intelligence (or lack there of). It does however represent a time of struggle and personal triumph, and in the end, I am proud of the journey.

Ottawa has also been the city in which I have made the truest friends I have ever known to date. I have been able to grow alongside, and at times watch my roommates expand their horizons throughout my stay here. I feel blessed to have been involved in any of the memories they may have of this city, and the time we have spent here together.

Pic of most of my roommates partying.

To my family at FIT MMA (home gym to a number of Canada's top mixed martial artists and many future champions), I owe you more than I can explain. Jason Motard and Farmer Brown took me in when others had lost faith and never gave up on me. When I was given the opportunity to prove my talent and achieve a dream of mine, I had the complete support from everyone at the club. As a fighter, it meant a lot to have their respect. Stephan Lamarche has treated me like a brother from day one, and is the definition of a true friend to a tee. Louis "Le Kid" is a maniac on the mat and I cannot wait to see what the future holds for him. I will be back, when, and for how long is hard to say at this time.

Picture of Fit Family after Stephan and my win in halifax KOTC show.

However, I have a feeling the next time I return to this area, it will be for battle. Last week I signed, faxed, and finalized my contract with the Freedom Fight organization. I will be fighting Mathieu Boncoeur (the UGC 145lbs champion) for the number one contender spot at 135lbs. This fight will take place July 26th at the Robert Guertin Arena, a venue only minutes away from the city and people who I have just mentioned. I will be ready for war.

My older brother's living room in downtown Toronto will be my new home for a while. It is closer to work, my management, and surrounded by a number of great gyms. I will be sleeping on the same couches I did as a young child. The war torn cushions will be comforting in a strange new city. I look forward to beginning a new chapter of my life, being surrounded by new scenery, new people, and the potential of getting closer to those I already know.

I will write an update on my whereabouts and training regime once everything settles down.

I have been through many ’phases’ in my 23 years. When I was younger I was straight edge, a punk rocker, a skater, a jock, a student, and now, it seems as though I have become somewhat of a wanderer.

Although my external appearance has undergone many changes (most of which occurred between the ages of eleven and nineteen), many aspects of my personality have stayed the same. As I matured I realized that all of these things were a part of who I was, and that I did not need to abandon other aspects of my personality depending on what one of these "looks" I was portraying at the time. It took me a while to realize that the clothing I wore was zero reflection of who I was or how I felt, and that I could be all of these things at the same time while staying true to myself.

Throughout the past two years of my life I have felt like somewhat of a nomad, never staying in the same place for an extended period of time. I have been in many cities, met countless people, and found myself in a number of situations that have taught me a lot about who I am. I am grateful to have had the opportunity to learn from many different people in many different circumstances.

As a fighter I have learned techniques from many of the best jiu jitsu, judo, wrestling, thai boxing, and MMA practitioners across North America.

As a person, I have learned how to try to come to terms with the way I am. In many cases, this knowledge was gained from the same people.

The solitude of the road has been a blessing in many ways. However, at the same time, it has been a heavy burden on me. Have I been running away from my past in an attempt to bury my mistakes, or have I embarked on a journey of self discovery and enlightenment? These are the types of questions one has too much time to think about while traveling alone.

At certain periods it was as though I was forced to analyze where I was, what I was doing there, and who this place had made me become. It is impossible to lie to yourself. Life would be too easy if that were the case.

There is no other option than to get to know yourself, and to try and come to terms with the person you have become. Once you have accepted this reality, you can begin to weigh your options truthfully, and decide whether or not a particular place is for you, and how settling down or packing up everything and leaving will affect you and your goals, whatever they may be.

I believe the different places I have been and the people I have met during these travels have fit together in a strange puzzle that has shaped my outlook on this world, and my place in it. No matter how negative or positive my experiences have been, I have taken something away with me.

The other day I asked myself, has the time come for me to settle down, gather my thoughts, and allow myself to get attached to my surroundings and those around me? I think so. It is time to drop the anchor.

To those I have left behind, I have not forgotten you; your knowledge will accompany me along the way. To those I will meet in the future, perhaps there is a reason I have gravitated toward you. Time will tell how long we will be together.

I move when my heart says move.