Three Years: Sobriety Rocks

Three years ago, I made a decision that changed the entire trajectory of my life and it wasn’t just moving to Terlingua, buying a pizza place, or building new businesses. It was quitting drinking.

I didn’t quit because I hit rock bottom. I didn’t quit because something catastrophic happened. I quit because I was tired. Tired of feeling anxious. Tired of waking up foggy. Tired of seeing photos of myself and not feeling like the woman I knew I could be. Most of all, I was tired of spending energy on something that was quietly taking more from me than it was giving.

When I look back at old pictures, I don’t feel shame. I feel compassion. She was doing the best she could at the time. She was navigating stress, ambition, entrepreneurship, and life the way she knew how. But she wasn’t fully aligned. She wasn’t clear. She wasn’t operating at her highest level.

And deep down, I knew I wanted more. I knew I deserved more.

Sobriety didn’t magically make life easier. It made me sharper. It gave me clarity I didn’t realize I was missing. It gave me my mornings back. It gave me my discipline back. It gave me my edge back.

Entrepreneurship requires energy, real energy. Not hype. Not motivation. Sustainable, focused, consistent energy. When I stopped drinking, I stopped negotiating with myself. I stopped needing weekends to “recover.” I started showing up more intentionally, in my businesses, in my marriage, in my health, and in my faith.

The physical changes came. The mental clarity deepened. But the biggest shift was internal. I trust myself more now. When I say I’m going to do something, I do it. When I set a goal, I pursue it without compromise. There’s a quiet confidence that comes from keeping promises to yourself.

Three years sober isn’t about what I gave up. It’s about what I gained.

I gained presence.

I gained momentum.

I gained discipline.

I gained peace.

If you’re sober curious, hear this: you don’t need a dramatic story. You don’t need a rock-bottom moment. You don’t need permission. Sometimes the strongest move you can make is choosing clarity, even if everything on the outside looks “fine.”

For me, this decision was about alignment. About building a life that matches the vision I have for myself. About removing anything that dulls my focus or shrinks my potential.

Three years in, and I can confidently say it’s one of the best decisions I’ve ever made.

Clear. Focused. Grateful.

And just getting started.

If you ever want to talk, feel free to reach out. I know sometimes that's all it takes to make a decision. Love you.

-M

Mesa De Anguila - Worth the Climb?

Some hikes don’t ease you in and that’s exactly why I love the Mesa de Anguila Trail. This trail is a full-body, lungs-burning, legs-on-fire kind of workout, and it rewards every step with some of the most stunning views in the Big Bend region.

One of the best parts? The trailhead is located right in Lajitas, which makes it incredibly accessible if you’re staying nearby. From here, the Mesa de Anguila trail can technically take you all the way to Santa Elena Canyon, but for this hike, we stick to an out-and-back route of about four miles total. And trust me, that’s plenty.

The hike starts off deceptively easy. You actually get to pass through Lajitas golf course on the way there. The trail is mostly flat as you move toward the base of the mountain, which makes it feel like a great warm-up. But don’t let that fool you. Once you hit the climb, it’s straight up, which is steep, steady, and demanding. This is where the cardio kicks in, and there’s no coasting your way through it.

As tough as the climb is, the payoff is immediate. Once you gain elevation, the views open up in every direction. You’re looking out over the vast desert landscape of Big Bend and the bend in the Rio Grande, with layers of mountains, winding terrain, and that endless West Texas sky. It will absolutely take your breath away, in more ways than one.

This is one of those hikes where you earn the view and that makes it even sweeter. I highly recommend Mesa de Anguila if you’re looking for a challenging workout paired with unforgettable scenery. Just know what you’re signing up for: this one is tough. Bring plenty of water, pace yourself on the climb, and give yourself time to soak it all in once you reach the top.

Hard hike. Incredible views. Worth every step.

Let's do it again soon! - M

My Biggest Mistakes as a Business Owner

No one talks enough about the mistakes, only the wins. But if I’m being honest, my biggest growth as a business owner didn’t come from what I did right. It came from what I did wrong.

One of my earliest mistakes was trying to do everything myself. I thought being a good owner meant being involved in every detail, every decision, every problem. What it actually did was slow growth, create burnout, and keep me stuck in the weeds instead of leading. Learning to delegate and trust others didn’t happen overnight, but it changed everything.

Another mistake was waiting too long to make hard decisions with people, systems, and direction. I told myself things would “work themselves out,” when deep down I already knew the answer. Avoiding discomfort only made situations more expensive emotionally, mentally, and financially. Clarity always comes faster when you’re willing to act.

I also underestimated the importance of systems and consistency early on. I relied too much on motivation instead of structure. Motivation fades. Systems carry you when you’re tired, overwhelmed, or unsure. Once I learned that discipline beats inspiration every time, business became more sustainable.

One of the hardest lessons was realizing that growth costs something. Time. Comfort. Certainty. Relationships. There were moments I questioned myself constantly and days when belief was the only thing I had enough of. I thought success would feel cleaner. It doesn’t. It’s messy and uncomfortable, but worth it.

And maybe the biggest mistake of all? Thinking I had to have it all figured out before starting. You don’t. You learn by doing. You earn confidence through repetition, not perfection.

If you’re building something and feeling behind, overwhelmed, or unsure, you’re not failing. You’re learning. Mistakes don’t disqualify you from success. They’re part of the process.

I didn’t grow despite my mistakes. I grew because of them.

And I’d do it all again. And, always, thank you for the support!

-M