Happy Birthday Paul! | 30 by 30

It’s not everyday a guy turns 30 - especially the most important guy in your life! So in honour of Paul’s big birthday weekend, I asked him to share his “30 by 30” bucket list :) Some made me laugh (like #11 and #24) and others made me eye rollllll (looking at you #14). Scroll on down to read about the cool and crazy things Paul’s been up to in his 30 years on the planet!

1. Hiked Mount Katahdin Knife’s Edge in Maine - Parts of the trail are only a couple of feet wide with several-hundred-feet drop-offs on either side.

2. Went skydiving - My stomach still drops every time I watch the footage.

3. Jumped off Albert Bridge - Did I mention it was in April? Hello icy Mira River!

4. Drove across the country - Lots of good chats and bad country music with my brother Brendan.

5. Married my beautiful wife Sarah - Read all about our special day on the blog :)

6. Competed in university varsity soccer - Capturing 3 atlantic titles AND national medals!

7. Became an uncle (4 and counting) - I even get to be godfather to sweet little Ruby!

8. Watched the Perseids meteor shower - SO worth staying up all night.

9. Became a licensed drone pilot - Somehow! Despite the ridiculously difficult testing process.

10. Cliff jumped in Ingonish - Squeakers Hole ain’t got nothing on me!

11. Was a three-peat champion of the annual “Martin Christmas Ping-Pong Tournament” - It came with a trophy and everything.

12. Purchased our first home - Nothing like that front-door view of the Sydney harbour!

13. Completed my first triathlon - Did I say first? I meant ONLY. Never again.

14. Went horseback riding - It didn’t quite fit my vision of galloping through a field with a sword as if riding into war.

15. Grew our family - Have you met our new pup, Wally?!

16. Had a two day canoe trip on the Mira River - We camped on random islands at night!

17. Went to Disney - This was a super special Christmas present from my parents for our entire family of ten.

18. Refereed university-level soccer - I have nothing against the under-12s but this is the real deal.

19. Did an Easter polar bear swim - A ten-year tradition with two buddies. Want to join us next year?!

20. Earned my BBA - #cbualumni

21. Travelled to all Canadian provinces but one - Who goes to Manitoba anyway??

22. Received “Academic All-Canadian” honours at Holland College - Truth be told I was there for the soccer.

23. Rode some crazy roller coasters - Including the Leviathan, Canada’s highest and fastest.

24. Dropped 40 pounds - My nickname changed from BigFatPaulie to BigFastPaulie :)

25. Ate Jungle Jim’s “Insanity” wings - You know they’re not messing around when they make you sign a waiver.

26. Went on an all-inclusive vacation - Twice! To Cuba and the Dominican Republic.

27. Played basically all the sports - I didn’t say I played them all *well*.

28. Went to a HABS game - All time favourite hockey team!!

29. Launched Martin Media Productions - Woohoooo!

30. Got my first tattoo - Yesterday for a 30th birthday present!

And there you have it - Paul’s “30 by 30”! I can’t wait to see what the next 30 years bring this kind, smart, adventurous man of mine. And I hope you’re inspired to tackle the next thing on YOUR bucket list!