Have You Found Your Panama?

Have you found your Panama? What if you’ve already found what you’ve been searching for?

A children’s book made me think about that.

The Story

Two friends went looking for paradise, leaving their home.

A little tiger and bear set off to find Panama, convinced it was the most wonderful place in the world.

It smelled like bananas, after all.

The Twist

After a long journey, they finally found Panama.

Except they hadn’t, but simply returned to their own home.

And somehow, it seemed more beautiful than ever since they lived under the illusion that they had found paradise.

My Journey: I came to America with a 45-pound suitcase.

No network. A new language. A new country, new culture.

I wanted to build something and prove I could make it.

For decades, I kept moving the goalposts.

Another race to win, more clients to add, more trainers to hire. If you want the hard side of that chase, read The Coach Who Tried to Break Me.

There was always something more to achieve.

The Realisation

At 50, I wonder whether I’ve already arrived. Actually, I am pretty sure I did.

A thriving gym. A great team. A happy, healthy family.

Maybe Panama has been right in front of me for years.

My Panama?

Trips home to Germany. Watching the Bundesliga. Smoking a brisket on my terrace.

I’m allergic to bananas, so the smell of brisket will have to do.

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Don’t get me wrong: I’m not done chasing dreams.

But I’m learning to appreciate the ones that already came true. That is also how I think about training after 50: do the work that fits where you are now.

Have you found your Panama?

Maik

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