Troy – July 25 (Final)

Last Day: 25 July

I’m sitting on a blue couch which has been my bed for the past three weeks. It’s between the kitchen and the front door, the room doubles as a common room and my pull-out couch faces a window showing a dreary, grey-skied view. It was so sunny in Stockholm during Rockstar that on most mornings I had to close the curtains because the sun would literally warm me awake. It makes sense that it’s cold and wet right now, as everyone flies away.

On my right is a glass table on which, among other things, is my traveling phone. The traveling phone only receives messages now, and feels helpless when all that’s coming in are parting thoughts from friends, and I am helpless as I watch them go. I definitely cried at Cafe Opera having to shake those guys’ hands farewell, though I’ll see them again.

To sum up Rockstar, it changed my life. Not in a small, bought a new car kind of way. If you can break happiness down into the possession and quality of health, wealth and relationships in your life, Rockstar has given me everything I need to pursue each of these things with confidence in my ability of achieving them.

Nobody hands you a pill for a ripped body, a check for a million dollars or a supermodel girlfriend. But you do get the knowledge which you need to change your diet and lifestyle to live a longer, healthier life. You do get lecture after lecture on how to start and run a highly successful business and meet mentors who graciously offer to field questions (and who we also got to party with after their talks!). And you do make some of the most amazing friends in the world, who I will greatly miss for our time apart. There’s also that little last thing about being able to get a supermodel girlfriend if you want her.

I’m going to miss Ke for our drunken conversations and his intense motivation to achieve things most people perceive as impossible. I’m going to miss Laurent for that weird, magical vibe he’s got and his incredible depth that’s hinted at but hard to come by. I’m going to miss Collin for his ridiculous drunken antics and his ability to lighten up a room. I’m going to miss the Asian Sensation for being racist, black and probably the funniest guy I’ve had to shake my head at in shock (I have to do a weekend at gamecation just to hear you lay it out, Chase ). I already miss Gabriel for his deep passions and awesome sense of humour. I want to throw in Riddler and Prince here too, because they’re definitely Rockstars too – I learned a lot from you guys but more importantly you’re awesome to hang out (and pick up) with. It’s heart-wrenching to know that all these guys are disappearing through Arlanda as I write this.

Everyone else on the project lived a double life as a teacher and a friend. In Bullet’s case he was also a doctor (saving me from strep throat for the win), and he also happens to be one of the coaches I spent a lot of time with and whose company I enjoyed.

Aaron’s another great guy who put a lot of work into the project and the Rockstars, and there’s some vibe about him that made me like him right away. It’s a genuine, open feeling that, when we talked, made me feel like he was holding me fully accountable for my actions and ideas but well and honestly rewarded when I did something well.

Alex blows my mind with his drive to learn and improve himself and his environment. He’s a great coach and awesome wing, and his energy just moves people around him to have a good time.

I’m not sure how much I should say about Dom, but beyond being probably the nicest guy I’ll ever meet and great at what he does, he deserves every good thing he got out of Rockstar and life, and I’m proud to shake this man’s hand.

Vercetti is the funniest and yet somehow most concise speaker I’ve heard on game. Knowledge dropped out of this guy’s mouth and made you chuckle and then write it down and underline it twice. I will never forget the visualization exercise you taught us, because it changed my life.

Farmer we left back in London, but he was an unspoken hero for me. I would not be succeeding at day game on the level I currently am if it weren’t for his teaching, examples and motivation early on in the project. He’s also a really cool, open and honest guy who happens to have a ton of adventures as well. Farmer goes up there as my favourite LS coach and a dude I’d love to chill with again in the future.

I don’t think Mr. M realizes how profound his impact has been on me. If he hadn’t pioneered Rockstar years ago, I wouldn’t be here right now doing the things I’m doing and having done the things I’ve done. There’s something immense to be said for his teachings on game and social circle mastery, but the things he’s accomplished and is going to accomplish in his life trump how many and what calibre girls he’s slept with in my eyes. I have no slight respect for this guy, and it was a pleasure and an honour just to shake his hand.

I want to talk a bit about a Mr. Jeremy Soul, who organized this whole deal. Let us consider how much your average man does for others. Let us now consider that Jeremy Soul, despite hardships and complications outside of Rockstar, cobbled together this group of people I have mentioned above (and I only mentioned about half of the people who taught us or came out with us) and organized 40 days worth of content and training in two different countries and with participants and coaches from all around the world. Let us consider the knowledge and experience he passed on to us, the improvements he made with us, and the effort and dedication he applied towards our goals. Like you said, Jeremy, Rockstar is a giant dot that connects to everything in my future, and I am eternally grateful to you for organizing it and giving me this opportunity. I also consider you a friend, and wish you the greatest future you can imagine.

There are so many people I left out, like the film guys (we’ll have a cold beer back in Canada) and some of the business and other coaches who I’ll leave out for anonymity, but you guys changed my life with your teachings and I’m very grateful.

As I pack my bags and wait for inspiration, the sun cuts slightly through the clouds. It sucks to leave all of these people behind and it sucks that all of this is over, but it’s the most amazing feeling in the world to really and truly know that when I get home I can choose to be whoever I want and to do whatever I’d like. Hope you all had a good ride, and I’ll see you all soon.

Supernova.

-Troy