Nik:  I had so much fun at home. I love Wisconsin. I love the open landscape, the clean air, the clear lakes, the sound of Loons, the smell of cedar and pine. I love my family. And I know how lucky that makes me because not everyone has the kind of family they want to spend a lot of time with. But I do. They make me laugh harder than anyone and they’re my biggest supporters and I am theirs. I love visiting home because it keeps it real. Keeps me real. When I get a little full of myself (a survival mechanism in LA-you have to buy your own hype or nobody else will), a trip home always puts everything into perspective. But this last trip was bittersweet. Time is passing. It won’t stop for me or my family or the guys fishing at 6am on Lake Minocqua. The sun will rise. The sun will set. And so it goes. The reality is that I sacrificed marriage and kids for a career. My desire and determination to “make it big” was so laser-focused that I completely avoided creating a family like the one I love so much. So I guess my advice to you, Alex, is to practice balance. Work hard. You’ll have to work harder than you ever have to get to the top, but remember to have fun. Explore LA and go on lots of dates. Don’t get caught up in the safety of long-term relationships that you know aren’t going the distance. Keep an eye on every part of your life and ask yourself if it’s balanced. Because when you get to be my age, and you will because time won’t stop, you don’t want to watch your parents from across the room, a little bit older each time you see them, and wonder if they’ll ever get to hold your kids and spoil them rotten.
Alex:  This really got me thinking. I was unaware of the importance of balance. I’m ready to work harder than I ever have. I’m still learning how to live a balanced life and it’s not always fun or easy but I know it will be worth it. Thank you, Nik, these words couldn’t have come at a better time.