Forged by Fire

I clearly remember periods when money was critically scarce. Especially during the crisis, when many things simply came to a halt. These were not “hard times” like in romantic films. It was a raw reality, where sometimes we had to make a fire outside just to cook food.

But what is most interesting is that I did not feel broken. I stood by that fire and thought:

“This is not forever. The time will come when everything will be different.”

That certainty followed me through every move: Kyiv — Odesa — Bratislava.

Each new city meant stepping into the unknown. Fear, excitement, and a constant question: “What comes next?” I did many things blindly, I doubted myself during my university studies, but I never stopped.

My present: honesty instead of glamour

Today, my life looks simple, but it has deep meaning for me.

• Work: I work as a courier. It is honest work that serves as the foundation for my future.

• Investments: I invest in stocks and index funds. My current portfolio is around €500. It is not about the amount, it is about direction.

• Blog: I share my journey in three languages (Slovak, English, Ukrainian). I do it to communicate one simple idea: everything is possible. Not immediately, not easily, but it is possible.

I do not position myself as an expert who has already “reached the top.” I am a person on a journey, showing it as it truly is — without decoration and without illusions.

What shapes me

My main allies are discipline, perseverance, and the ability to learn quickly.

One moment perfectly reflects my character: a five-day march. 30–40 kilometers per day in 40°C heat on asphalt, almost without water. It was not about physical strength. It was about the decision not to give up. That experience made me understand that I am not someone who stops when things get hard.

My values

• Freedom: For me, financial independence is not about luxury cars. It is the freedom to live where I want, be with whom I want, and not depend on other people’s decisions.

• Responsibility: My word has weight. I dislike when people do not keep their promises.

• Support: Even when many did not believe in me, my wife always stood by my side. Sometimes the belief of one person is enough to keep you going.

Where I am going

My journey is just beginning. I have a clear goal: the USA. Not for the image, but for opportunities, stability, and safety. I want to build a life based on freedom, support my family, and buy my own house.

But above all, I want to leave behind a story — a story of a person who started without advantages or guarantees, but had belief and kept moving forward step by step.

I do not know how fast I will get there. But I know I will not stop. Because at some point, I already made my choice:

“I would rather do something and regret it than not do it and spend my whole life wondering what it would have been like if I had at least tried.”

I am glad you are part of my journey. We keep moving forward.