Be yourself, be adventurous

I grew up in a very risk-reverse family. Although my parents’ home was only 0.5 miles away from many beautiful lakes, I was never allowed to swim because my parents were worried that I would be drowned. Not wanting to worry my parents, I always followed a safe path in my life. Staying safe became my habit — a regretful one.

I have wanted to be an entrepreneur since 15. However, it took me another 17 years before I took the plunge. I used to think that it was the lack of technology skills that prevented me from being an entrepreneur.

However, even after I worked my way up to Google Brain, one of the most renowned tech innovation labs, I was still unable to make up my mind to be an entrepreneur. I was frustrated, distraught, and unsatisfied.

Fortunately, I eventually found my way thanks to a pivotal moment in my life. In Nov 2021, my little Angel Adalyn was born and gave me a whole new perspective on life. I was in the same position with my parents 30 years earlier — Do I want Adalyn to be safe for me, or be herself?

I didn’t want to make a decision for her. I wanted to show her how I would do for myself.

I am also so grateful to meet DROdio who showed me how to be an adventure dad. I started by stocking up camping gears and did long road trip with my SUV. Eventually, I became a #Vanlifer and a proud owner of Winnebago.

_{Jing is with his families in their first trip in their Winnebago Van}

Both being a Dad and being a vanlifer changed my perspective. I started to embrace adventure and explore new worlds in my life.

Eventually, it led to a wonderful new adventure to build Storytell.ai with two amazing partners DROdio and Erika. We had so much fun together to bring Storytell.ai from an idea to where we are.

_{Jing, DROdio, and Erika in a Halloween Party organized by an investor}

We also build our venture as an adventure.

_{DROdio’s (Right) and Jing’s van (left) parked in the Storytell.ai’s Tahoe Offsite (Dec 2022)}

_{Jing was working at a Catamaran for our Storytell advisor & user offsite at BVI. Thanks Elon! (June 2023)}

_{Jing and Storytell advisor Asa and user Phin sailed at BVI. Jing and Phin also shipped an MVP on the ship.}

We are still small, but we are fearless. There is always ups-and-downs in startup building, but there is also so much fun of experiencing adventure together with a group of like-minded friends.

I am proud to be be an adventure Dad and adventure CTO.

If I ever build a time machine to tell younger myself one tip. I will say to him: Be yourself, be adventurous.