I think no matter where you are or what you write people will find and appreciate you.
Maybe you haven't found the perfect path that lead to bushwacking into unknown territories and new creative endeavors.
You're writing. And sharing. Many of us don't have the nerve to even start writing. I've been on Substack and Medium for a hot minute and still won't create anything of my own. Like you, I question what people actually value, relative and what I can offer. Can't figure it out. I gave up. You didn't.
Enjoy exploring the mangroves, saltwater, islands, Everglades, and wildlife. Go tubing and kayaking inland. There is so much to explore and write about... you're spot on, in a quieter more relaxed area of the country.
I lived all over Florida and found my creative juices flowed at optimal. It was magical.
I live in Michigan now. The juices have completely dried up. So now I read, engage, and encourage others to march on.
Best of luck to you, stay consistent, and I'm certain you will find the success you desire and deserve from the wonderful work that you do.
Cole, bravo on your candor! I'm sorry to learn about the doc film "flop." I think you could find other outlets for it. Have you considered for example getting a bigger outlet like the Colorado Sun or Outside CO to share it and link to your newsletter?
FWIW I'm at 1449 free subscribers + 68 paid. My paid ones got to a high of 76 but then several did not renew when their annual subscription ran out. I try not to get too hung up on numbers and appreciate my newsletter for the schedule and accountability to an audience that it gives me. I hope you'll keep up with Cole's Climb! Maybe "Climb" becomes more metaphorical for you in Florida.
Thanks for the suggestions Sarah. I might consider your suggestions by sharing the documentary with these outlets.
Congratulations on your growth as well. I’d consider the subscription stuff to be a wash. Tough times, I’m sure people are needing to cut back on luxury entertainment. It’s happened to me; before I left Colorado I was going pretty far to stretch my budget.
I appreciate you just for sharing what you did. I lost what I always considered my favorite job back in 2008 due to the economy. I worked for the sales department of Volvo Penta (they sell boat motors, among other things), did pretty much everything and LOVED it. I was absolutely devastated when I was let go. I ended up have nine surgeries in the next five years and was in terrible chronic pain. Fast forward to 2023 and I am cigarette free, alcohol free, pain free and drama free! I would have never imagined where my life would be at this moment of this day. You got this!!!
Thank you for sharing your story too... and for your encouragement. Sorry about your loss of an amazing job... but glad for your return to stability! Thank you for reading!
I have missed your writing... there’s something about the way your outdoor musings take me to a reflective place. Best wishes in your FL endeavors. May your day job be fulfilling so that you might inspire us with your Climb.
Hi Cole! Thanks for sharing this information. I can certainly commune with the frustration and most certainly appreciate your honesty. As many have said here, I'm looking forward to your continued writing!
Cole, I love your comparison to the red mangrove - it’s writing like this that draws people in wherever you are. Hopefully the change will be a good one for you - thank you for your honesty about how hard it’s been. And here’s to better days ahead!
Thanks so much. For you as well. The mangrove is such a fascinating plant. The original alternative title was “Mangroves discover Christianity.” The idea of putting all the poison on one, for the benefit of all... interesting that this exists in nature
It’s good to hear your writing voice again. I’m sorry your dreams crashed up against the reality that it’s really freaking hard--way harder than some want to pretend--to build the kind of paying audience that will sustain a life of writing. I like your stuff a lot ... but I like a lot of stuff, lots of different stuff, and I can’t take up a paying subscription with everyone. That’s the hard truth of it. Wishing you the best.
Appreciate you saying so. And I completely understand that there’s a lot of people with their hand out, especially when times are tough. That’s part of the reason I still haven’t turned on paid subscriptions. My goals now more focused on building up the outdoor community we’ve started cultivating here. Thanks for reading and responding!
A lot of people checked out during the pandemic and are still re-entering. It does make things more difficult for those that remained. On the topic of your FL-to-CO move, I think Florida has a lot in common with Colorado even though political issues don't always align (I went the other direction having grown up in Orlando) now living in Fort Collins after an interim location in the Midwest. While I still have not watched your video, as a Colorado Mountain Club member, I appreciated your deep thoughts on outdoors issues so thank you for your efforts. Also, your interest in outdoor issues and the two environments reminds me of "Adventure Sports Podcast" host, Mason Gravley, a FL-to-CO-back-to-FL migrator.
I’ll have to look him up. I agree with your assessment that Colorado and Florida are actually pretty similar in an unusual way. Both states have a community that literally lives to be outside. Everything they do is in service of the spirit of adventure. Of course... those adventures are very different.
I’ve also learned there is a shockingly active climbing community here that takes trips up to Chattanooga. Go figure!
Great article Cole! Glad to see you’re back to writing again! Like I said, adventure is where you find it, whether it be in the mountains or oceans. Keep writing and sharing. If nothing more, it’s therapeutic. I look forward to reading about your new coastal experiences... Best wishes in your new location!
I can so relate, Cole. Just remember a weds has to split apart before it grows i to a plant. Congrats on the new gig and life! You can go black panther searching in the Everglades! You’ll find exciting things to do. Congrats!!!
Glad this piece spoke to you, and I appreciate the kind words. I have actually explored the everglades a tiny, tiny bit during my previous stint in Florida. Looking forward to investing in a kayak and exploring even more!
Congrats on the move Cole and best of luck with everything going forward. Growth is a funny thing and we can't seem to force it, that's for sure. You've got a great voice and it seems to resonate, keep at it :)
I appreciate it, Will! I do plan on covering Colorado... and other states... from afar. I’m excited to see where this will take me. As always, I’m happy to have you here as a reader and community member
I think no matter where you are or what you write people will find and appreciate you.
Maybe you haven't found the perfect path that lead to bushwacking into unknown territories and new creative endeavors.
You're writing. And sharing. Many of us don't have the nerve to even start writing. I've been on Substack and Medium for a hot minute and still won't create anything of my own. Like you, I question what people actually value, relative and what I can offer. Can't figure it out. I gave up. You didn't.
Enjoy exploring the mangroves, saltwater, islands, Everglades, and wildlife. Go tubing and kayaking inland. There is so much to explore and write about... you're spot on, in a quieter more relaxed area of the country.
I lived all over Florida and found my creative juices flowed at optimal. It was magical.
I live in Michigan now. The juices have completely dried up. So now I read, engage, and encourage others to march on.
Best of luck to you, stay consistent, and I'm certain you will find the success you desire and deserve from the wonderful work that you do.
Thank you so much for your encouraging words! I appreciate you sharing your story with me. I’d love to hear more about your favorite Florida spots!
Cole, bravo on your candor! I'm sorry to learn about the doc film "flop." I think you could find other outlets for it. Have you considered for example getting a bigger outlet like the Colorado Sun or Outside CO to share it and link to your newsletter?
FWIW I'm at 1449 free subscribers + 68 paid. My paid ones got to a high of 76 but then several did not renew when their annual subscription ran out. I try not to get too hung up on numbers and appreciate my newsletter for the schedule and accountability to an audience that it gives me. I hope you'll keep up with Cole's Climb! Maybe "Climb" becomes more metaphorical for you in Florida.
Thanks for the suggestions Sarah. I might consider your suggestions by sharing the documentary with these outlets.
Congratulations on your growth as well. I’d consider the subscription stuff to be a wash. Tough times, I’m sure people are needing to cut back on luxury entertainment. It’s happened to me; before I left Colorado I was going pretty far to stretch my budget.
I appreciate you just for sharing what you did. I lost what I always considered my favorite job back in 2008 due to the economy. I worked for the sales department of Volvo Penta (they sell boat motors, among other things), did pretty much everything and LOVED it. I was absolutely devastated when I was let go. I ended up have nine surgeries in the next five years and was in terrible chronic pain. Fast forward to 2023 and I am cigarette free, alcohol free, pain free and drama free! I would have never imagined where my life would be at this moment of this day. You got this!!!
Thank you for sharing your story too... and for your encouragement. Sorry about your loss of an amazing job... but glad for your return to stability! Thank you for reading!
I have missed your writing... there’s something about the way your outdoor musings take me to a reflective place. Best wishes in your FL endeavors. May your day job be fulfilling so that you might inspire us with your Climb.
Thank you so much! Glad I can reconnect with you all here. The climb may be metaphorical for now. But I’m excited to continue this journey
Hi Cole! Thanks for sharing this information. I can certainly commune with the frustration and most certainly appreciate your honesty. As many have said here, I'm looking forward to your continued writing!
Thank you so much for reading and weighing in! I hope you’re doing well, also!
Cole, I love your comparison to the red mangrove - it’s writing like this that draws people in wherever you are. Hopefully the change will be a good one for you - thank you for your honesty about how hard it’s been. And here’s to better days ahead!
Thanks so much. For you as well. The mangrove is such a fascinating plant. The original alternative title was “Mangroves discover Christianity.” The idea of putting all the poison on one, for the benefit of all... interesting that this exists in nature
Ok, THAT would be an interesting title - I like it!
😂 thank you very much!
Everything you wrote, researched, and published was great! New home, work, and setting might help rekindle your interests. Good luck, Cole!
Thanks Chris, that means a lot! I’ll have to have you back on at some point to go over the summer outlook! Miss you back in CO
It’s good to hear your writing voice again. I’m sorry your dreams crashed up against the reality that it’s really freaking hard--way harder than some want to pretend--to build the kind of paying audience that will sustain a life of writing. I like your stuff a lot ... but I like a lot of stuff, lots of different stuff, and I can’t take up a paying subscription with everyone. That’s the hard truth of it. Wishing you the best.
Appreciate you saying so. And I completely understand that there’s a lot of people with their hand out, especially when times are tough. That’s part of the reason I still haven’t turned on paid subscriptions. My goals now more focused on building up the outdoor community we’ve started cultivating here. Thanks for reading and responding!
A lot of people checked out during the pandemic and are still re-entering. It does make things more difficult for those that remained. On the topic of your FL-to-CO move, I think Florida has a lot in common with Colorado even though political issues don't always align (I went the other direction having grown up in Orlando) now living in Fort Collins after an interim location in the Midwest. While I still have not watched your video, as a Colorado Mountain Club member, I appreciated your deep thoughts on outdoors issues so thank you for your efforts. Also, your interest in outdoor issues and the two environments reminds me of "Adventure Sports Podcast" host, Mason Gravley, a FL-to-CO-back-to-FL migrator.
I’ll have to look him up. I agree with your assessment that Colorado and Florida are actually pretty similar in an unusual way. Both states have a community that literally lives to be outside. Everything they do is in service of the spirit of adventure. Of course... those adventures are very different.
I’ve also learned there is a shockingly active climbing community here that takes trips up to Chattanooga. Go figure!
Great article Cole! Glad to see you’re back to writing again! Like I said, adventure is where you find it, whether it be in the mountains or oceans. Keep writing and sharing. If nothing more, it’s therapeutic. I look forward to reading about your new coastal experiences... Best wishes in your new location!
Thank you so much! I already have a few fun ones lined up! I appreciate your support!
I can so relate, Cole. Just remember a weds has to split apart before it grows i to a plant. Congrats on the new gig and life! You can go black panther searching in the Everglades! You’ll find exciting things to do. Congrats!!!
Glad this piece spoke to you, and I appreciate the kind words. I have actually explored the everglades a tiny, tiny bit during my previous stint in Florida. Looking forward to investing in a kayak and exploring even more!
Oh dear, watch out for the crocodiles!! I saw one and a bunch of alligators. Be safe!!!
I will!!
I will make a point of watching the documentary
Much appreciated. I'd love to know your honest thoughts on it, whenever you do get around to it. Hope things are treating you alright back up North!
Congrats on the move Cole and best of luck with everything going forward. Growth is a funny thing and we can't seem to force it, that's for sure. You've got a great voice and it seems to resonate, keep at it :)
That’s so kind of you to say. Appreciate you dropping by and reading!
I appreciate it, Will! I do plan on covering Colorado... and other states... from afar. I’m excited to see where this will take me. As always, I’m happy to have you here as a reader and community member