My Story

So I kicked off as this rookie lawyer in some tiny but gorgeous town out in the sticks. No legal dynasty behind me or anything - just me figuring it out. But, frankly, I just couldn't hack it there.

Rolled into Athens maybe three years back, didn't know a damn soul. Had this wild idea about getting my master's and arguing cases in criminal court.

Wanted to really stretch my legs. Live on my own terms. Break free from this cramped existence that was pretty rough most days.

Crashed on some two-seater couch way out in the western attican burbs . Every morning I'd hop the first train in, catch the last one back, spending all day buried in books at the Niarchos Foundation.

Waited around three whole months for anyone to even call me back about work.

First two places? Door slammed right in my face. Third one? Even worse - they practically threw me out. "Hey kid, this ain't your sleepy hometown where you can sneak home for afternoon naps." Three-fifty every couple weeks. Twelve brutal hours daily. "Forget about that master's." "You'd be better off trying for the prosecutor thing instead."

Never felt so crushed. Honestly, never felt so damn exposed and freezing. Should I crawl back home to all the "told you so" folks saying it was some kamikaze mission? Or stick it out and see just how much worse things could possibly get?

And believe me they did get worse. Until suddenly they didn't.

Got lucky when the storm hit hardest. Stayed standing because these incredible people basically carried me. Giants who didn't shut the door on me.

Regular folks who believed in me and had my back. Friends who really get it, who say "hey brother, I got you." We're all hauling our rocks up these mountains we've dreamed up. Together, with all these battle scars that shaped us and keep shaping us - making us who we are.

That's how I stumbled into real life and learned the ropes.

Never lost faith though. This rock-solid belief that even now, when everything's falling apart - and everyone's just looking out for number one - you won't get swallowed up by the void either, dear Greece.

Why am I rambling about all this?

Because it's the only way I can properly thank all these amazing people who made me who I am today. Who told me "don't buy into all that defeatist bullshit and settling for less."

Because lives actually mean something when they're real.

And when tough times are putting you through the wringer, always bet on people. Because sure, some folks will try to tear your life apart, but others? They'll stitch hope right back into it with who they are and how they live.