A Tale Of Two Strangers United By Medium

Introducing Chris Compton. From Navy Blues to Self-Improvement Advocate. A man everyone should meet

It all started when I published this article self-improvement article right here:

It's probably one of my most straightforward articles, but it resonated with Chris Compton, an American aged 59, and he reached out to me.

He suggested we explore each idea in the article and develop it as a collaborative series. I went back to re-read my article and eventually saw what he saw.

You see, an African proverb says “What an old man can see sitting down, the youth cannot see standing up or climbing on a tree.” I guess this was the case here.

About me

Chris was kind enough to write an introductory article about me — which I really loved. You can read it here:

I am a 36-year-old Nigerian national living in Ireland. I left Nigeria to pursue a graduate degree abroad in my early thirties. Back in Nigeria, I would say I was comfortable with myself, my work and my income level at the time. I was working in the IT department at the biggest e-commerce company in West Africa and later switched to a bank, working from their head office. I could pass as an okay guy. But I always wanted more.

I felt like a local champion. I wanted to play in the global space. I was helping build technology products for Nigerian users. I wanted to build for a global audience, but first I needed to mix up with people around the world to understand how they think. I needed international education and exposure. A Master’s Degree abroad was a guaranteed way to make it all come together.

It was a very difficult decision to quit my job and abandon all my friends, family and everything I had ever known to go and start my life over again as a student, thousands of miles away in Europe.

Change is difficult. Change is necessary. Change is frightening and rewarding ~Chris Compton

It took me almost three years to save up for the Master’s program. I had to defer my admission twice because I couldn’t raise all the money I needed on time while catering for my Black Tax responsibilities. I had to sell my car, home appliances, and other personal items to make up the entire amount I needed for relocation. Making life changes is very difficult. But these were necessary sacrifices for my reinvention.

Fast forward a few years, I graduated, got married and now live in Ireland with my wife. I can comfortably say that my life is way better than the one I left behind. But it took me a lot of sacrifices and the decision to make a change to arrive at a place I can call better. Like leaving my already-established life to become a student again. Like leaving my comfortable suit and tie office work to work late nights in warehouses.

I now work with a company that builds products for users worldwide. I have also had the opportunity to work with people from all parts of the world — America, China, Russia, India, Brazil, Poland, I can’t count. This has been the story of my metamorphosis.

With so many experiences in my short lifetime to share, which have shaped my perspectives uniquely, I started looking for ways to share these experiences with others, which is why I started writing on Medium where I met Chris.

After exchanging a couple of emails with him, I realised that Chris also had very uncommon stories of several self-reinvention efforts, although uniquely crafted as a result of age and geography, both tell a remarkable story of human resilience, courage and a relentless pursuit of personal growth. Now let me tell you about Chris.

About Chris Compton:

At 60, Chris Compton isn’t your typical picture of someone starting anew. Yet, here he is, brimming with an infectious enthusiasm for life and a newfound passion for writing and sharing his experiences.

His journey, however, wasn’t always paved with such vibrancy. It’s a story of self-discovery, courage, and the unwavering belief that it’s never too late to rewrite your story.

Chris’s early life was a tale of unfulfilled expectations. He joined the Navy at 19, following the well-trodden path laid out by societal norms. “I was an immature 19-year-old,” he reflects, recounting his decision to join the Navy. “I felt lost, couldn’t find my footing…joining the Navy seemed like a good idea at the time.”

His initial steps into military life were fraught with challenges. “I hated the structure…I was unhappy most of the time,” he admits. But the structured, regimented life of a sailor clashed with his free spirit.

While he acknowledges the travel and diverse cultural experiences the Navy offered, it ultimately left him feeling unfulfilled and yearning for a life more aligned with his own desires.

However, it wasn’t long before Chris realised that the military wasn’t his calling. “I knew from day one,” he confesses, “but I acclimated…I convinced myself that I was succeeding.” It took fifteen years for him to muster the courage to break free from the confines of expectation and forge a new path. “I suddenly saw that I was in charge of everything in my life,” he recalls. And thus began his transition from sailor to civilian at the age of 34.

The transition was far from smooth sailing. With a family to support, Chris faced daunting challenges. “I had very little money and no skills,” he recounts. Yet, through sheer determination, he carved a niche for himself in bail bonds. “I loved it,” he admits, reflecting on his brief stint running a bail bond company.

The allure of entrepreneurship beckoned, leading him to embark on a journey fraught with risks and uncertainties — starting his own business. Each experience, while not always smooth sailing, became a stepping stone on his path to self-discovery.

It was during this period of self-discovery that Chris stumbled upon Medium.com, a platform that would become his sanctuary for self-expression. “The platform seemed like home to me,” he recalls. With each article he penned, Chris unearthed newfound clarity and purpose. “I have done a lot of interesting things,” he muses, “I have learned a lot…I want to share.” His articles resonate with readers, not just for the content but also for the honesty and vulnerability with which they were shared.

Chris’s interest in self-improvement stems from a lifelong pursuit of personal growth. He readily admits to early missteps, guided by societal expectations rather than his own desires. But through introspection and a willingness to learn, he has emerged with a profound understanding of himself and a desire to share that wisdom with others.

The opportunity for connection and shared perspectives drew Chris to collaborate on self-improvement articles. He believes that by sharing our stories, we can not only inspire each other but also gain different viewpoints and broaden our understanding of the world. He says, “More than 90% of everything we think about is lost inside of us and no one else ever hears our thoughts.” This collaboration, he hopes, will bridge that gap and foster meaningful connections.

Looking back, Chris is proud of his courage to take the leap and rewrite his story, even in the face of uncertainty. He encourages others to embrace their fears and take control of their narratives. “It’s your story,” he says, “You can either write an interesting part for yourself, full of adventure and connection, or you can plod along, getting through each day, and HOPE that someone else writes a supporting role for you that brings you joy. Do the first one.”

Looking ahead, Chris’s vision for the future is nothing short of inspiring. “Five years from now I will be a sought-after speaker,” he envisions, “I will have cycled across the United States…I will have helped a lot of people live better lives.” With boundless optimism and an insatiable thirst for adventure, Chris embraces each day as an opportunity to make a difference. Now you can see the reason I was so drawn to his positivity and energy.

How We Plan To Collaborate:

Chris’s journey just like mine attests to the human spirit’s ability to reinvent itself. It’s a reminder that life is a constant process of growth and evolution and that it’s never too late to embrace new beginnings and chase your dreams, even at 60. As Chris himself says, “Everything you want in life is on the other side of a tough conversation. Start yours today.”

Remember that Chris and I connected over his article, “20 Interesting Self-Improvement Facts You Should Know.”

We are each going to write about the twenty facts in the article. I will approach the topics from the point of view of a mid-thirty Nigerian living in Ireland, and Chris will write from the perspective of an American aged 59.

We hope our collaboration will help us find new and interesting ways to look at our self-improvement journey while providing useful information for our audience.

We welcome your comments and participation as we tackle this collaborative project.