Welcome to The Road! A newsletter about life while covering the Toronto Maple Leafs.

For the last three years, I've covered every home and road game, now I want to bring you, the readers, with me for the ride.

TAMPA — So here it goes.

Throughout my entire career, I’ve always ventured to use my skills and interests and leverage them in a way that I can bring something different to the beat. Unfortunately, it doesn’t always go according to plan. And most people who have worked in journalism and sports journalism have fallen victim to it.

It was 2017 when I lost my job for the third time in four years. The circumstances behind all three of those situations were very different. But the feeling was the same. It felt, unfair.

Having been a Toronto Maple Leafs beat reporter since 2011, I never questioned my love for my job. But now, I was 35 and had to fight my way back in. Again.

After that third time in transition, I struggled to find another gig. Despite my decade of experience as a reporter, I couldn’t find anything in the industry that fit my skill set and qualifications. I knew and felt at the time that this industry, for all intents and purposes, was broken.

The truth is, had something made sense for me to escape the industry, I probably would have left. But it never came. I knew what I wanted to do, and what I should be doing. But it felt, impossible.

Between 2017 and 2021 I worked some freelance, but nothing that ever felt sustainable to make an honest living. But I used that time to learn a few things. I learned the importance of side hustles and developed other skills that could help tide me over. Among those things, I learned how to travel well while at a very minimal cost.

The pandemic, for many, was career-changing for me. It helped me recalibrate my focus to getting back to what I wanted to do. What I should be doing.

In January 2021, I was given an opportunity at The Hockey News to get back out on the beat. I was, and still am, eternally grateful for what they have allowed me to do. But what I really love about my arrangement is that they let me do it my own way.

I operate as a business. The travel is covered by myself. I make it back in revenue and partnerships that have made for the best work arrangement I’ve ever had.

In an industry that is struggling, I’ve picked up some tips along the way that can be helpful and in addition to talking about my journey covering the Maple Leafs, I intend to fill this newsletter with all of the life and work hacks that I’ve picked up along the way.

I’ve been the only reporter/outlet on the Leafs beat that has travelled to every game home and road. And now, through this newsletter, I want to take you — the readers — with me.

Paid subscribers will get access to me while on the beat through Substack’s chat feature. In there, you’ll get to be a part of my Maple Leafs content creation process and have access to me with any questions you may have.

But really, this is for anyone who has chased a dream, whether you’re an entrepreneur trying to establish yourself or someone who is struggling to find their way after struggling with job loss for a sense of career identity.

I remember how awful I felt about myself for years when I couldn’t find happiness in my work. But I wouldn’t have it any other way. I’ve learned so much in the down years that it has set me up for better days ahead.

The road is always uncertain, but like the newsletter, the journey will be worth it. Thanks for coming along.