Day 9: Somewhere Between Time Zones

Today is one of those days where you don’t really know what day it is.

Just movement.

The Goodbye

Alarm at 3:00 AM.

Got the boys to the airport. Bags checked. Hugs a little longer than usual.

And then just like that… they were gone.

That part hit.

There’s something about going through something big together, and then watching them head back to normal life while I keep moving forward.

Pride. Gratitude. And yeah… a little sadness.

But mostly pride.

Watching your kids do hard things with you… not just hear about them, but live them… there’s nothing like it.

The Travel That Doesn’t End

Then it was my turn.

Three hours waiting for my check-in counter to even open.

Flight from Geneva to Istanbul.

Long layover.

One last stop to get cash before heading into Russia.

And now…

More travel ahead.

From what I understand, when I land:

• About a 2-hour interview

• Followed by a 3-hour drive

Which should get me to the hotel around 4:30 AM… again.

Leadership Lesson: Endurance Isn’t Always Physical

We talk a lot about physical toughness.

But days like this?

This is a different kind of endurance.

Uncertainty.
Delays.
Waiting.
Navigating systems that aren’t yours.

And still showing up steady.

The Beauty of Being New

Everywhere I go right now feels unfamiliar.

New sounds.
New language.
Different smells.
Different food.
Different ways of doing things.

And there’s something powerful about that.

When everything around you is different, you start to ask:

What is me… and what is just what I’m used to?

It strips things down.

You get clearer on who you are when the environment doesn’t do the work for you.

Leadership Lesson: Discomfort Reveals Identity

When you’re out of routine, out of culture, out of familiarity…

You don’t get to operate on autopilot.

You choose how you show up.

That’s where identity gets built.

Connection Without Words

One thing I’m always reminded of when I travel:

A smile works everywhere.

No shared language needed.

No perfect words.

Just presence.

Just openness.

And suddenly… you’re not so far from home.

Leadership Lesson: Connection Is a Choice

You can walk through the world closed off.

Or you can engage.

Even in places where you don’t understand everything.

Especially there.

What’s Next

I’m excited.

Tired, yes.

But excited.

Next stop: Mount Elbrus.

Another mountain.
Another challenge.
Another opportunity to see what’s possible.

Final Thought

Today was long.

A lot of travel. A lot of transition.

But underneath it all…

A quiet reminder:

We are far more adaptable than we think.

The adventure continues.