The dream I was scared to want is now the thing I am creating.

Hello Wonderful Human!

As a little kid, I remember watching Rudy with my dad and brother. It’s been a story I’ve carried with me throughout my life.

To this day, I still listen to the movie soundtrack and visualize Rudy training in the mornings, falling flat on his face and getting right back up, studying in the afternoons, and working late-night shifts to make his dream of playing football for the University of Notre Dame a reality.

It gives me goosebumps every time I turn it on.

I grew up on Notre Dame. It was what I knew.

When it came time for college applications, I applied to Notre Dame.

I played it safe.

I left my application up to chance.

I did what everyone else did: filling out the essays the same, doing only what was asked, taking no extra action.

No added effort.

I downplayed to friends and family that I cared. Yet, deep down I hoped it would work out.

The day came.

I didn’t get in.

In that moment, I learned the soul-crushing cost of playing it safe.

When I arrived at Michigan, I set my sights on playing college soccer. By my sophomore year, I found a way to get a tryout for the team.

That spring semester, I walked on to the Michigan men’s soccer team.

Day in and day out, I competed at the highest level. It was my first taste of what it meant to be a high-level athlete.

As I’ve spent this last week on the farm here in Maui, the old version of me has been spun around, flipped on it’s head and broken down.

The protective outer layer of bliss and laddy dah is gone.

Going with the flow was suffocating my heart. I was playing it safe. Safe from hurt.

And so, a dream I've dismissed as childish, as crazy, as impossible, is now the truest thing I know.

I am committing myself to becoming the man who plays soccer for the University of Notre Dame in 2026.

I am coming to contribute.

Feel free to read that again, or not :)

At the start of September, I’m flying to Buenos Aires, Argentina to find a semi-pro soccer team to play for.

If you know anyone plugged into the soccer scene there or frankly, anyone down there, I’m all for intros. Thank you!

With Love!

Double B