FEATURE
who lets people do the job, and trusts them
to do it. “That’s the mechanism of a great
team—if everybody is self-motivated and
doing what they need to be doing and it all
works together.”
THE PATH HOME
“I don’t know whether it’s getting older or
what, but I like to think that it’s me finally
growing up and figuring this out.”
Traveling back and forth between the coasts
for work, Ken has limited time at home, so
when he and Virginia have time to steal
away, they enjoy going to Vegas, eating at
their favorite restaurants, going to shows,
and relaxing together away from life’s
everyday details and stressors. They’re
looking forward to returning to Vegas to
celebrate their fourth wedding anniversary
this September.
They also still love to watch sci-fi shows
and movies together—even revisiting
Battlestar Galactica every once in a while.
Ken has noted a marked shift in his social
life. “I used to be so focused on keeping up
with my friends, my poker game… these
days, all I want to do is spend time with
her,” he says. “She’s my best friend. She’s
everything to me. In the past, I never
understood when people said that. True, I
have a sales job where I get to meet and
interact with people all the time in my
business life, but when I’m home, I can
just be present with her, and it’s awesome.”
And he continues to savor the fact that his
story isn’t over yet. “I’m still learning more
about myself than I ever knew. I don’t know
whether it’s getting older, or what, but I like
to think that it’s me finally growing up and
figuring this out.” To be honest, he says, “I
never thought it could be this good. I really
didn’t.”
Away from work and the bright lights
and noise of Vegas, Ken can often be spotted
in Provo Canyon, perched atop his bike,
speeding down a dusty, winding path. With
his triathlon days behind him following a
hip injury, he says he can’t run like he used
to but still keeps busy “cycling like a crazy
man.” He loves cycling and climbing some
of the nearby mountains—never quite losing
his passion for high-intensity sports.
“Some of these climbs take me an hour
and half, two hours,” he says. “And your
heart rate is like 150 to 170 the whole
time. It’s insane! But, by the time you get
to the top, you just feel so good. It’s like
meditation for me. When your body is
under that kind of extreme physical stress,
everything goes away. You’re just totally
wired on endorphins. They are really pushing
you, freeing your mind to whatever thoughts
may come. Up there, I can think more
clearly than any other time. I see a path. It’s
really, really, really good for me—and not
just physically.” FN
Issue 2, 2019 | FRAGRANCENOTES.ORG | 13