Hi there! My name is Katie and I am a 32-year-old writer and college professor living in southern Ohio.

I’ve been thinking a lot lately about what it means to live adventurously. And I’ve realized it doesn’t necessarily mean climbing Mt. Kilimanjaro or flying out to Machu Picchu. At its heart, living adventurously means living day-to-day with courage and curiosity, with the willingness to try something new.

Thirteen years ago on a cold February day in downtown Columbus, I had my first panic attack. I struggled on and off with acute anxiety, agoraphobia and panic attacks in the years since.

And while I’m now living a life I wouldn’t have dreamed possible twelve years ago, I’ve learned a lot. One of the things I’ve learned is that fear contracts, while adventurousness expands.

I’ve learned that anxiety can be a blessing if you accept its effects without accepting its limits.

And I’ve learned that if every day, you kick out the boundaries of your fear a little more, you will find yourself living an epic life.

I recently quit my job after three years as a criminal prosecutor, and in between teaching college classes, I’m chasing a more adventurous life.

My story? I’m in the middle of it right now. Just kicking out the boundaries a little more every day.

I hope you’ll join me!