My story began in a small village called Panenský Týnec. At the local primary school, I first encountered a computer. This encounter directed my steps to Prague to the electrotechnical school. From there, my path led to the Faculty of Electrical Engineering at the Czech Technical University, where I graduated in 2003. I went through several jobs after my studies before I landed in Kolín at Rockwell Automation.
Three careers
Shortly after Rockwell moved from Kolín to Prague, Roger joined the company to lead the team. He was a UK-born guy but had lived most of his life in Canada. My first big business trip was to Florida and Roger flew with me. He told me about his career outlook during the flight. I grew up in an environment where people had one vocation and that was what they devoted their lives to. But Roger said that you should keep multiple paths open and work on three careers. At the time, I was reserved about it. It was only over time that I began to realize that I was doing it. My three careers at the time were technology, sports and management. Three careers is a good approach. When one path closes, whatever the reasons, two others are not entirely new. This approach has allowed me to make big changes in my life.
Sokol (Falcon)
After the Velvet Revolution, the Sokol organization, which had a strong tradition in our family, was restored. It was the Sokol where I began to gain my first experience in working with people. It started innocently enough with summer camps, where I grew from a participant to a trainee and later a leader. Over time I became a qualified trainer. Since I was eighteen, I have been in the gym and have mostly enjoyed working with children. Over time I have become more and more involved in running the organisation. In 2010 I became the County Mayor (regional unit) and in 2013 I was elected to the CSO Board, the highest body of the association. At that prompting, I joined the Business Institute to get a closer look at the management of organizations. My critical thinking, which had served me well as an engineer, began to run up against not only the shortcomings of the organization but more importantly, the unwillingness to address many things. After two years of painstaking and almost futile work, I created the Vision 18 project and published my views in the hope that there would be enough others to start changing things gradually. The project has generated a strong response, but at the highest levels a negative one. I got a taste of what politics is and what it means to go against the system. It was a good experience and my initiative certainly helped Sokol. Even though it was the right thing to do, I was politically removed so that those who rejected my ideas in the next election would benefit from them. Bitter, but I'd do it again. I'm left with experience, a gym and a job that gives me instant joy.
Journey
I heard about Santiago de Compostela many years ago in a documentary and completely forgot about it. In 2016, the Journey called me. That year, our HR gave her notice, saying she was going to Santiago and when she returned she would decide what to do next. I didn't know Paul Coelho's book (Pilgrim, The Magician's Diary) or the movie (The Way, 2012), those came in hindsight, but the idea of adventure was awakened in full force. It was also a time when I needed to deal with the experience of the Sokol board. In late August 2017, I packed my backpack and embarked on a pilgrimage, not in its religious sense, but rather in a Zen-like return to the simplicity of life. I turned off everything, media and phone. I just was and went. My Journey began in Lourdes and, after crossing the Pyrenees, wound through northern Spain to the end of the world. It was an incredible 55 days. I love to remember them. Thinking back on it, I think that somewhere in here is the beginning of my transformation.
Improvisation
After returning from the Journey, changes began to come. I never wanted to spend time in the city. Now I thought I'd give Prague a chance and found an apartment. It didn't take long for me to change jobs. Then the idea of learning to dance came up and through dance I met improvisation. At first, the unassuming-looking self-development pastime contained playfulness, laughter, and the most powerful possible journey towards myself I have ever known. I fell under its spell and it began to transform me. The Covid virus entered the improvisational beginnings, changing everything and everyone. The improv community was an invaluable support during a challenging time. The stage continued to allow me to discover hidden strengths and talents. Improv gradually became a passion and prepared me for the next change. In 2023, the first tutor academy opened. The year-long self-training went to the very core of my inner motivations and fears at times. I worked on myself and grew.
Quo Vadis
At the end of the training, things started to change at work and I realized that I had reached the end of the road in the company. I quit my job and went on a self-development course aptly named Quo Vadis. As if it had been waiting for me, the timing was incredibly close. Quo Vadis was nine days of action-packed experiences. I was recapitulating, naming and looking for a way forward. On the last evening, I walked on hot coals. I wouldn't have believed it possible. After the course came a long period of rest, learning, reflection and new fears about whether I was on the right path. However, the projects and challenges coming up gradually reassured me that I was.
Present
Today, I am trying to stand on my own two feet and capitalize on everything I have learned. In February 2025, I became self-employed. I realize that my portfolio is wide open. I like variety and enjoy bridging worlds and finding similarities in fields that are seemingly unrelated. I still like to return to programming and enjoy tutoring and gaming. Out of the corner of my eye, I squint for a deeper dive into psychology and technical projects. I'm curious to see where the next challenge will come from and what will be the next milestone in my journey.
