Old Geoff would've loved being in Vegas on the first weekend of the NCAA tournament. That version of me—the one who lived and breathed sports betting—would’ve had bets placed on every game, parlays lined up, and would’ve parked himself in front of a massive sportsbook screen for hours. It used to be one of the most exciting weekends of the year for me, but for all the wrong reasons.
When I made the arrangements for this trip, the last thing on my mind was the Tournament. I actually forgot NCAA basketball was even a thing. I’d only watched one game all season—and that was my school, Illinois. That’s it. I wasn’t following stats, brackets, or point spreads. Honestly, all I cared about was seeing Bert Kreischer and Nate Bargatze in the same weekend. That was the real win for me.
As I walked through the casino floors and heard the roar of crowds cheering on buzzer beaters and upsets, I couldn’t help but think of how different this trip would’ve looked a couple of years ago. Back then, I would’ve justified the trip as a “sports vacation,” but really, I would've just been chasing action—looking for the next high, the next win, the next chance to feel in control. But this time, it was different. I was present. I was relaxed. I laughed until my face hurt watching two of my favorite comedians. I soaked in the moment without the weight of bets hanging over me.
I’m incredibly grateful for the growth, for the recovery, and for the clarity. I’m thankful that I’ve created a life where I can enjoy something like Vegas without it being tied to gambling. A trip that would’ve once triggered anxiety and chaos now brought laughter, joy, and peace.
Old Geoff might’ve loved the buzz of the tournament, but I’m learning that new Geoff loves something else—freedom.
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