We moved again... Two plans. We chose pain.

We moved again.

My wrist. My shoulder. My lower back. All reminding me how hard it gets to move.

But here’s the thing… The harder the path, the sweeter the finish.

Let me explain.

I’m not a masochist. I don’t enjoy pain. Yet sometimes it’s worth it.

We spend our lives avoiding it, when it actually makes us stronger.

A few weeks ago, when Enkhi and I were planning to come back to the U.S., we reduced everything to two plans:

A) Ship our stuff with a moving service and fly to North Carolina.

B) Fly to L.A., pick up our cars, rent a U‑Haul, and drive to North Carolina.

Same budget. Different timelines.

Plan A meant everything would be done while we were still in Mongolia. We’d arrive to a finished home.

Plan B meant 8 days on the road. 400–500 miles a day. We carried and moved everything.

Clear choice, right?

Most people would choose A. Makes sense.

We chose B.

Plan A is easy, simple... and forgettable. Plan B is hard, hands‑on, and the kind of story you tell your daughter in a decade from today. Maybe your grandkids too.

We try not to show screens to Kaia, but at mile 286 in Las Vegas, we all watched The Wizard of OZ on the biggest screen in the world, the Sphere.

Years ago I adopted a simple mindset: Easy choices, hard life. Hard choices, easy life.

Did I break routines the last two weeks? Yes

1. No journaling.

2. No newsletters.

3. Workouts at ~70% (until pain said stop).

4. Paused outreach and client conversations.

I made space. For family. For intentional time. For a different kind of difficult.

And I practiced what I coach:

• Let go. Gave myself grace.

• Practiced self‑control and patience.

• Reframed the negative into something useful.

• Had the hard conversations (with myself and with others.)

Conclusion?

We’re ~90% moved into a beautiful home with a lake view and a new family project in front of us.

Will we stay 3, 6, or 12 months? We’re experimenting on purpose—short‑term sprints, long‑term direction.

Because we do have our North Star:

A clear long‑term vision for our life. Multiple income streams. Freedom of location and time. A life we actually live now (enjoying the present,) not one we postpone. Memories worth retelling.

So I write this after two weeks off the page, with seven weeks left in 2025, with sore muscles and a full heart.

I’ll leave you with a question: How are you living right now?

If your answer doesn’t sit well (and you want a change)

I’ve opened 3 spots in The Reforged Leader: a 12‑week sprint to build real momentum to finish 2025 strong and enter 2026 executing with clarity and satisfaction.

In 12 weeks: a clear operating plan, two non‑negotiable habits, and a decision you’ve been avoiding, done.

For people who are ready to do the work to bring momentum to their life, those feeling boxed in by their salary or business. This is not for window shoppers.

Reply “REFORGED” and I’ll send details.

See you on the other side, my friends.

—Your coach and friend, Carlos

P.S. If you’re on Plan A with your life (comfortable, outsourced, forgettable...) maybe it’s time for Plan B.