Near death experience only further solidifies the truths of TRP

Had to post with a different account bc main account got exposed, but wanted to once again return with a huge, resounding thank you to TRP for making my vacation fucking great.

I recently went on a cruise to celebrate my younger brother's high school graduation. It was a "family vacation" that my parents, aunt/uncle, cousins, and grandparents, along with my best friend and his parents (close familiy friends). I use "family vacation" bc my mom and dad, hardcore certified blue pillers, told me "handle your alcohol, control yourself, don't let Grandma/Grandpa see you all over girls"; Basically, withdraw your masculinity to make others more comfortable.

I did have a lot of fun, get smashed, laid, and had a week of amazing memories with my boys, but I wrote this to point out a truth I realized from something I read earlier on TRP that I don't think gets enough attention: the power complex that arises from natural masculine activity and overcoming of obstacles when facing serious danger.

Let me explain. On an excursion in beautiful St. Maarten, our group of 16 booked an ATV tour of the island. The description said: family tour, good for all ages, not high-thrill. That was bullshit. My cousin and I had the time of our lives, off-roading these quads, drifting corners, seeing who could be the most dangerous.

We get to the top of the tallest mountain in St. Maarten for a 360 view of the island for a couple minutes then head back to the ATV's. Mine won't start though, so our guide, Taz, decides he's going to take the rest of the group down and leave me and my boys at the top so we can fly down the mountain without going slow for the rest of the group.

We wait at the top for about 30 minutes, till he shoots past us, and whips out a fat joint. He smokes us all up and tells us don't try anything fancy, just enjoy the speed. (Side note: Off-roading ATV's down a mountain while stoned might be the most fun a human can experience)

We're ripping it through jungle, mud and dirt, till my quad hits a bump and loses control. My brother and I (on one quad) almost go flying off the cliff of the mountain but are stopped by some god-sent vines that probably saved our lives. I'm freaking out but I gather myself, whip it back on the path, and continue following. Honestly, I scared myself to death, so much I can hear my heartbeat racing in my head and wanted to stop, but that's not an option at this point, so I keep up the pace with the others. I get a little more comfortable and turn the speed back up again.

We catch up with the group where we have a second to stop and catch our breath. Everyone's eating, but my brother and I are still in shock from our life flashing before our eyes 10 minutes ago. Eventually, I calm myself down and we all get back on the bikes and start back to the port. At this point, I'm feeling a lot better, when Taz stops me and gives me his fully manual, 700cc racing quad (mind you, we've been on 450cc-automatic) and lets me take it all the way back to the ship, a 25 minute ride through the countryside of St. Maarten. I have never felt so alive and in awe of the beauty of mountains and valleys, sunlight shining over them like God himself was chillin on the other side of them. I felt so engulfed by nature and happiness of life that you just don't get back home in the U.S.

Back on the ship, I couldn't relax. I wasn't stoned anymore but a feeling I couldn't explain stayed with me. A natural high, stronger than anything I've felt before of pure dominance, confidence, adrenaline. I felt like I could've gone up and captained the ship if I wanted to and nobody would stop me.

I also got laid twice that night, but I didn't even notice. I was obsessed with the feelings that had stayed with me well into the night. I've gotten natural highs from accomplishments like a new deadlift PR, scoring a OT game winner in hockey games, pulling a dime that was shittesting you, but this was something completely new. The feelings from cheating death, and getting right back into the danger and conquering your fears, all while doing 40+ mph down a mountain in the Caribbean with great friends is indescribable.

I'm sure those of you who've been here longer have been in my shoes before, and those who haven't I implore you to disconnect from the rut in your life and explore nature the way we were created to. It's these experiences that humbles you and makes you respect something bigger than yourself, but builds that strong frame and character that defines TRP.

There really is no substitute for life experiences like this, so thanks again RP, I still have yet to prove you wrong.

tl;dr: Almost fell off a mountain on an ATV, scared shitless, stuck it out, and had a life changing experience. Most intense adrenaline rush of my life made me more confident in myself than anything else possibly could.