Hey Reader,

Thank you so much for signing up for the very first Age's Adventures newsletter!

Because this is a brand new endeavour, I do not have a set structure yet. I want to build this community with you, so I am relying heavily on your feedback. For any comments, suggestions, or criticisms, please email me directly at newsletter@agesadventures.com.

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Now, let’s dive into what has been happening behind the scenes.

New Year, New Me!

When I rang in the New Year for 2026, I was not expecting a major life upheaval.

The year started normally. Nothing stood out. I was simply hoping for a good year and looking to better myself.

Boy, was I in for a surprise!

On February 4th, I received unexpected news. The company I had worked for, for almost 21 years, was restructuring. My position was being eliminated. My official last day would be March 4, 2026.

I wasn't entirely shocked, but it was still a surprise. My original plan was to finish out the month, take April to reset, and then figure out my next career move.

Life had other plans.

On March 31, 2026, I was told that I had malignant cancer.

My life changed forever on that day. Suddenly, I was facing the exact thing I always worried about, but assumed "only happened to other people." Right?

My focus instantly shifted to one goal: getting this cancer out of my body.

The Battle and the Aftermath

I underwent two major surgeries on my nose. The first, on April 30th, removed two cancerous growths in my nostril, along with necessary cartilage and tissue. The second, on June 29th, cleared out the remaining microscopic remnants to give me clear borders.

Today, the cancer is gone. I am incredibly happy, but truthfully, there is no real feeling of relief yet.

This is only part of the journey.

Because the surgeries removed supporting tissue and cartilage, my nose is slowly collapsing in on itself. I will require another major reconstructive surgery to replace the cartilage and reset the structure. Follow-up surgeries may also be needed.

The Silver Lining

Look, having a collapsing nose isn't ideal, but I'm trying to look on the bright side here:

• I am now 10% more aerodynamic when hiking against a headwind.
• It is a great excuse to buy more outdoor gear (for "medical protection," obviously).
• It makes it much harder for mosquitoes and blackflies to fly up my nose while I’m on the trail.

What Comes Next?

On top of everything else, there is always the risk of recurrence. I will be closely monitored over the next five years to make sure I remain clear.

Because of all this, I haven't focused on looking for a traditional job yet. It is something I will need to consider soon—unless, of course, I become a YouTube Superstar!

I don't know what is in store for the rest of the year. We have just over four months left of 2026. From here on out, I am holding out hope that any future surprises are strictly good ones. 😁

Thank you for being here at the start of this new chapter.

— Age

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​P.S. If you want to see the real-time updates, behind-the-scenes moments, and the adventures to come, make sure you are subscribed to the YouTube channel at @agesadventures.