From Pottery to Pedals: My Eccentric Love Affair with Everything Handcrafted and Heart-Pumped

Okay, here's a confession right off the bat: I'm supposed to be this tech-savvy, app-developing, semi-anti-materialist entrepreneur, but give me a hand-thrown ceramic vase or a sleek new bike gear, and I'm as giddy as a kid in a candy store. Weird combo? Maybe. But who says you can’t love code and clay in the same breath?

Why Pottery Feels Like Meditation and Cycling Like Freedom

There’s something mesmerizing about pottery. Maybe it’s the earthy feel of clay between my fingers or the Zen-like focus it demands. Each piece I mold is a break from digital screens and a nod to ancient crafts. It’s not just pottery, it’s a throwback to simplicity in our fast-paced, app-driven world.

Then there’s cycling. Whether it's tearing down a steep trail or pedaling through the quiet streets at dawn, it’s where I find my freedom. It’s not just exercise; it’s an adventure every time the rubber meets the road. Plus, let's be honest, geeking out over the latest sports gear is half the fun.

The Unexpected Joy of Herbal Remedies

Now, if you’d told me ten years ago that I’d be the guy brewing his own herbal concoctions for a sore throat, I would’ve laughed. But here I am, in 2025, all about echinacea and elderberry. Blame it on my wife, Ashley, whose medical background rubs off on me in ways I didn’t foresee. Every little natural remedy we try out feels like a tiny rebellion against the pharmaceutical overload of our times.

My Top Handcrafted Must-Haves

• Ergonomic cycling gloves – because comfort is king (or in my case, queen, since Ashley steals them too).
• Artisanal sourdough from our home bakery – nothing beats the smell of bread baking, right?
• Hand-thrown pottery mugs – each one unique, each one a story.
• Custom herbal tea blends – my secret weapon against the Vegas cold (yes, it gets cold).
• High-performance mountain bike – because sometimes, the road less traveled is a dirt path.

Each of these items brings a touch of personalized perfection to my otherwise tech-dominated existence. They’re reminders that the best parts of life are often those crafted by hand, stirred with a spoon, or pedaled through with grit.

Blending High-Tech with High-Touch

It’s funny how life circles back on itself. Here I am, a full-stack developer with a side-gig in pottery and a weekend warrior on bike trails. Each aspect of my life enhances the other. The focus and creativity I pour into my pottery and cycling help sharpen my programming skills and vice versa. Who said you had to pick just one passion?

In my experience, blending high-tech with high-touch isn’t just possible; it’s the way forward. It’s about creating balance, embracing innovation while keeping our hands dirty—literally and figuratively.