Follow me on YOUTUBE! Do it NOW! No, Seriously. RIGHT NOW!

I've been in China for a year and a half and I have created almost 50 videos about my life and experiences there. Here is a quick summary of all my videos. Subscribe to my YouTube Channel!

Subscribe to my YouTube Channel!

Travels

I have explored many different cities in China, including my home city of Beijing.

• Hainan
• Datong
• Shanghai
• Qingdao
• Harbin
• Zhangjiakou
• Tianjin
• Huashan
• Xi'An
• Chengdu and Chongqing
• Shaolin
• Luoyang
• Leshan and Chengdu

I have also visited Korea and Japan since I've been here. So many more amazing places to go and visit!

Subscribe to my YouTube Channel!

Food

I like food. Doesn't everyone? Yes. The answer is yes.

Subscribe to my YouTube Channel!

Culture

One thing China is NOT lacking is culture. I lived in Europe for 10 years and traveled to over 30 countries, but never have I experience anything like China. Culture shock has been a close friend of mine since I arrived.

Subscribe to my YouTube Channel!

Language

Why did I move to China? Besides wanting to experience the culture, eat the food, and travel, I really want to learn the language. And what better way to learn than through immersion? Or so I thought...

Subscribe to my YouTube Channel!

Daily Life

So what is life like in China? Just like anywhere else in the world, but the Chinese version of it... plus air pollution, Chinese Festivals, and interesting daily interactions with Chinese people.

Subscribe to my YouTube Channel!

Train with TMax

After launching a fitness-in-the-park community in Pamplona, Spain, I decided to try it again in Beijing, and with much more success than I anticipated!

Subscribe to my YouTube Channel!

Becoming Famous

Now that more people are meeting me and realizing how awesome I am, I'm getting new opportunities to show off my talents and participate in interesting events.

Subscribe to my YouTube Channel!

How did I create all of these videos? I filmed them on my phone, then edited them on my phone, and then shared them from my phone. If you want to make super sweet videos like me, check out this video tutorial!

Read More

This American's Eating Habits

"Don't use machines - Become one" -Crossfit NATO

Some people ask me how I maintain my lean figure and what I eat to fuel my workouts (coffee with coconut oil and heavy cream). Of course, genetics plays a role in my musculature, but genetics has nothing to do with my work ethic in the gym (though I workout a lot less than you probably think) or my discipline in the kitchen. I am constantly experimenting and trying new things to make myself stronger, healthier, and feel better. I do my best to refrain from passing judgement on something until I try it for myself. 

I am amazed at how often people say a diet or lifestyle doesn't work, without ever having tried it. I like to try the different philosophies of eating to see for myself how my body responds, and then apply the principles that work for me. I like to try different foods and those that I enjoy and see the most benefit from, I incorporate into my diet. 

Read More

This American Records A Year with Spanish Wine

On February 8, 2015, I began tracking the different Spanish wines that I was partaking in, at the behest of Emilio (the dad) of my au pair family. It was a great idea and I did my best to track every wine that I tried, up to February 8, 2016. I tried well over 100 different wines, but I was only able to track and record just under 70 different wines. I always drink responsibly and enjoy in moderation. 

Below are 10 of the recorded wines, not necessarily my favorites, but I like the labels so they made the cut. There are a lot of pictures, so if you want to view the complete slideshow of the almost 70 wines, go here. 

Read More

9 American Foods That You Can't Find in Spain

I did it again! I made another infographic, but this time about everyone's favorite subject: food! Highlighting some of the common and popular foods found in America, that Spain just doesn't seem to have.

To see the dynamic and interactive version, click here.

Read More

An American Party in Spain

Back in December 2014, when I moved to Spain, I was greeted with fiesta after fiesta. As I spoke with the locals, they wanted to know about me and what I thought of their culture and parties. I always struggled to answer their questions (mainly because my Spanish wasn't that good yet), so I decided that one day I was going to throw a party to show them how we (Americans) get down. I planned the whole event, with food and music. Eight months later, I still hadn't done anything past the planning stage. 

Virginia and Leo's backyard, AKA: party central 

Read More

Battle of the Kitchens: España vs USA - Round 2

Since I moved into the Linzoain's home, I haven't noticed many differences in the manner of cooking or food choice, between Mariasun and I. But, after several months, I've picked out some idiosyncrasies in the way we run our kitchens. Here is the much anticipated follow-up battle to the last bout, between Virginia and I, of Battle of the Kitchens: España vs USA. 

Mariasun's kitchen vs Mine: 

1. Mariasun does not own a microwave, nor will she ever buy one. She is not a fan of the radiation and I can respect that. However, sometimes, I need to warm up some leftovers or make some popcorn, and using the stovetop or oven just take way too long. I'm a busy man, with all of my stuff and things that I have to get done, and stuff.

Read More

XVII Semana del Pincho de Navarra

Synopsis: I run into a bar last week to grab a quick pintxo and I see a pamphlet on the counter for a festival of pintxo taste testing, happening all over Navarra, with most of the participants being in Pamplona, called Semana Del Pincho de Navarra. Along with my "Pintxo Pals" we hit the streets on a few different days, to try as many as we can of the 76 bars/restaurants participating. 

Below, I only describe the dish, but a lot of them have clever names in Spanish. For more information on the event, and the original names, check out their website. Three reviews. 

All dishes are rated using the Timchelin 5-star system.

Day 1: Three reviews. 

Pintxo Pals

Read More

15 Interesting Foods This American Has Had While Eating in Navarra

My first two weeks here I could tell I was gaining weight. I couldn't help it since I had to try every new food that I saw and everyone around me was enabling this behavior. Now, I have finally realized that I will be here for a year and I can take my time trying all the new foods. So, until I go out and try more new foods, I will share the 15 most interesting foods I've tried while living in Navarra.

1. Pintxos - So this is a pretty broad category of foods that many below fall into, but pintxos is the word used in Navarra and Pais Vasco for tapas which are small dishes, usually served at a bar. There are so many kinds and very few that I haven't liked. I had the opportunity to enjoy the Semana del Pincho de Navarra.

Read More

Battle of the Kitchens: España vs. USA

Now that I've lived here for over a month, I have raided Virginia's refrigerator enough times to know the differences in the staples that she keeps versus what I would normally have in my fridge. Some things are wonderful new additions that I will likely incorporate in my fridge, and others will stay in her repertoire only. I am beginning to understand that Virginia's fridge is not your typical Spanish fridge, since Maria Asun's fridge is more similar to mine. Here is the showdown and the 12 differences of Virginia's kitchen vs. Mine.

Read More