Dear Fellow Change-makers, Co-Explorers & Global Bridge-Builders,

What happens when you hit “pause” and take an intentional time off?

Do you know that feeling? The one where you've got a solid "5-year plan" all laid out, but a quiet voice wonders, "What if... instead?"

Back in 2015, as a 25-year old, my intuition told me to leave New York, learn to code, and move to the center of the tech boom, Silicon Valley.

But then, a fork in the road appeared. Should I learn to code in New York, or should I do it while exploring the world?

At age 25, adventure won. I hopped on a plane, chasing the Caribbean sun and escaping New York winter.

What followed was a 4-month sabbatical that reshaped my path and empowered me to ask deep questions that uncovered what mattered most. Imagine:

🏝️ Working as a deckhand on a private super-yacht (while learning to code)

⛵ Racing in the world famous St Barths Bucket Regatta

🌍 Connecting with and learning from inspiring leaders and business owners from around the globe.

🔥 Having incredible adventures that sparked your passions and inner fire.

🧑🏻‍💻 Conducting informational interviews that ultimately led to my dream role in Silicon Valley toward the end of the break.

Throughout my career, I ended up taking several more of these sabbaticals. Each intentional break brought me closer to pursuing my purpose, my ‘Ikigai’.

The bold decision to leave New York and embark on this 4-month sabbatical was profoundly influenced by a meeting with Arianna Huffington in 2014.

I met her at Advertising Week, and then at the Gilt Groupe office. She gave me a signed copy of her new book Thrive: the Third Metric of Success: Well-being, Wisdom, Wonder, and Giving.

That simple, yet profound question became the compass for my sabbatical. How can I pursue metrics of success beyond money and power: “wisdom”, “wonder”, “well-being”, and “giving back”.

This question echoed in quiet moments while I was walking home from late nights out in New York.

It followed me as I boarded the sailboat, chasing the horizon, unsure of where I’d ultimately land.

It found me again, in the early mornings of Saigon, sipping matcha and rebuilding my life, my community, and my career — on my own terms.

✨ In this very first episode of the Empower Circles podcast, I tell my story — a journey from burnout in NYC, to sailing the open sea, to eventually landing what many would call a “dream job” in Silicon Valley.

Are you in a season of life where you're craving a pause, a reset, or a deep dive into your purpose? Do you want to unlock what truly lights you up and design your next move in the most adventurous way possible?

Then you'd want to tune into Episode 1 of the Empower Circles Podcast, where I share the full story of this transformative journey of adventures. It's available now on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you podcast.

What would your dream reset or intentional pause look like? Hit reply and let me know.

Let's unlock our purpose, together.

Your fellow seeker,

Henry

In 2015, I was dancing in the streets of San Juan, Puerto Rico, during the Calle de San Sebastián festival. Live music on every corner. Strangers offering hugs and homemade coquito. Locals pulling me into dance.

There was no script. Just joy, chaos, and connection.

In that very moment, I realized what I’d been missing while chasing perfection and prestige living in New York.

So I walked away from my resume. From my LinkedIn titles. From “the plan.”

I said yes to four months on the open ocean with strangers who became chosen family.

And it changed everything.

I hiked volcanic mountains in Hawaii.

Battled literal storms in the Caribbean.

And found answers to these questions that transformed my life forever:

I realized that “freedom”, “adventures”, “learning”, and “growth with community” were all important values I wanted to honor in my life and career.

So, as I talked to friends and contacts in the Bay Area, where I ultimately landed, I was much clearer on choosing a role and industry that aligned with these values and passions of mine.

Empower Circles isn’t just a podcast — it’s our global living room.

A space for real conversations with leaders, entrepreneurs, builders, and creators around the world.

If you’re navigating a transition, asking bigger questions, or yearning for more — more depth, more connection, more alignment — you belong here.

This season, we’ll explore:

Join us each week for inspiring stories, guided reflections, and tools to empower you to step into the most authentic, powerful version of you.

🎓 Speak & Empower: Master your voice + story

🎙️ Have a story to share? Just reply to this email, or leave a comment on our YouTube video. Let’s level up, together.

Welcome to Empower Circles.

This is where our next chapter begins.

With power and purpose, your fellow seeker,

Henry

Founder, 10 Nexus

P.S. Know someone standing at a crossroads? Forward them this letter. Sometimes one story — one yes — changes everything.