Not only is July 4th my favorite holiday, but now I have another reason to celebrate around this time of year. July 2nd will make my first anniversary of me moving to California. And what a year it has been. I feel that most can agree with me if you have made any type of significant move, whether it is starting a new job, or buying a new home, or just relocating. I have definitely have gone through the ups and downs in trying to start a new life here in LA, which is not easy at the age of 34.
I love when people ask why I moved to California all the way from Ohio. “Oh, did you move for a job?” Or “Do you have family here?” My response is neither. “Nope. I moved for the weather.” (If you have ever lived in Cleveland, you will understand my eagerness to move before the next winter). Their reaction is always that blank stare of shock, followed by a head nod and a smile. And as I reflect on the year, I can unequivocally say that I have never felt more at home. I’ve always wanted to live in warm weather year round and to wake up and see palm trees everyday. Is California perfect? My answer is no… But, really, what place is? The people that I have met here and the places I have seen will never be taken for granted and I only wish for others to experience the same. Too often do most of us find ourselves caught up in a jaded routine– stagnant and wishing for things to be different. I ask you, my dear captivated readers, ‘Why Not??!!’ Anything you seek out in your life is possible.
My adventure to California all started 2 years ago when I planned a vacation to LA with 3 of my friends. We had stayed with a friend of a friend who lived in Hollywood. This extended friend started out as a stranger to me and now she happens to be a client of mine and very close friend. Since my friends and I were all fitness buffs, we wanted to do a workout tour of some of the major gyms in the LA area.
The first stop was Gold’s Gym in Venice which is the Mecca of Bodybuilding and where Mr. World Fitness himself, Arnold got his start. I remember how in awe I was (and still am) of this place. So many Legends have set foot in that gym, and there I was trying to survive a ‘Body Pump’ class. After the gym, we chowed down at ‘Sauce’, which I highly recommend for healthy eating. We then ventured down the Venice Boardwalk, visited Muscle Beach, did some shopping, and caught some vitamin D at the beach. Venice was an area that was so new to me and today I’m happy to say I work there. I currently work at Paradiso Crossfit, which is literally a block away from Gold’s Gym, the beach, and I frequent ‘Sauce’ every other week. The fact that I get a discount to eat there because of where I work also keeps me going back.
It’s funny how life comes around full circle, that an episode of ‘déjàvu’ is really a fateful ‘meant-to-be.’ Looking back, my Cali trip was like a small preview of what was to come in my years ahead. It’s almost eerie to me how the things on that trip correlate to how my life is now. No matter how bad LA traffic is or congested this city can be, seeing the sunshine amidst the palms or catching sight of the Hollywood sign can make me smile and appreciate how far I have come. I know that I am on the right path… I do miss my family and friends, but overcoming my fears and living the life I have always imagined was worth all the risk. Who knows what this next year will have in store for me, but I welcome the unknown with open arms as I continue on my journey. What’s your next adventure?
jackie tadych 