Is The Dream Still Alive?

I’m 37 years old, with a fulfilling and flexible career that provides a superb income. My family — my wife and our two kids — is financially secure. This stability has given me the freedom to return to one of my long-time passions: No-Limit Hold’em.

That said, I won’t be using my income to jump straight into midstakes. I might get crushed there. Instead, I’ve decided to approach this journey with humility and discipline — starting with just $30 and slowly rebuilding, refining my style of play, and regaining my edge.

In the past, I mostly played 6-max cash games and managed to beat NL10 over a decent sample. But that was ages ago, when the games were much softer. Today, even microstakes require a serious approach — consistent study, mental focus, and high performance.

To gain and maintain the poker edge, I believe I first need to be physically and mentally resilient. My poker success will be built on ambitious (read: brutally demanding) life goals designed to keep me sharp, healthy, and disciplined.

[ ] no alcohol
[ ] no cigarettes (tobacco pipe permitted)
[ ] no pizza
[ ] no fastfood / junk food
[ ] strength training at least 2x per week
[ ] ≥7000 steps/day (measured weekly)
[ ] ≥10, 000 burned calories/day (measured weekly)
[ ] sauna + cold pool/shower at least once a week

Now, poker is much difficult to beat nowadays, even at microstakes. Why? Because overall the pool plays better overall, rake is higher, and rakeback deals are almost non-existent. I don’t know if this is just me, but NL10 is a huge reg fest. Therefore our poker goals should also be very tight:

[ ] play only if the mind set/mood is right
[ ] play the most profitable games/formats
[ ] if playing CG, table select ruthlessly
[ ] review all my hands from every session
[ ] post analyses of key hands/spots here
[ ] study my opponents OR ranges and equities in general at least 3–5 hours/week
[ ] monthly performance summary (leaks, strengths, progress)

Additional optional goals:

[ ] engage poker study/coaching group
[ ] prepare a “Playbook” for common spots (3-bet pots OOP, BB defense, push-fold, etc.)
[ ] create a mobile/PC based app for drilling preflop ranges and equities
[ ] create a mobile health optimalization app
[ ] record poker videos
[ ] play some live poker

GL to me!