#8: Collecting For Passion Over Profit | Travis LaVanway

In this episode of The Collector’s Compass, we’re honored to spotlight Travis LaVanway—better known in our community as MontanaNorseman.Travis first joined Collectors MD after winning our second Collector Appreciation Giveaway, but it didn’t take long for him to become a cornerstone of our community. Since then, he’s been a constant presence—attending every peer support meeting, contributing daily in our group chat, lending his time to help with administrative tasks, and offering encouragement to collectors navigating their own struggles.In this conversation, Travis shares what collecting means to him at its core:“For me, collecting is getting cards that I like and that make me feel happy. They do not need to be expensive, just expressive. They also do not need to impress others as my collection is what makes me feel good, not the world.”We’ll explore Travis’s deeply personal collection—from cards tied to his grandfather’s influence and his own U.S. Army service, to tributes honoring a Marine friend he lost to suicide. His story reflects what “collecting with intention” looks like when it’s grounded in memory, meaning, and legacy.Whether you’re someone who has struggled with compulsive behaviors in the hobby or you’re simply looking to reconnect with the joy of collecting, Travis’s story is a reminder that the cards we hold matter most when they reflect who we are—not what others think.Subscribe, comment, and join the movement. And remember to collect with intention, not compulsion.Watch The Episode On YouTubeLearn More & Join The Movement:Website: collectorsmd.comSocials: bio.collectorsmd.comWeekly Meetings: bit.ly/45koiMXContact: [email protected]: @collectorsmdIG: @collectorsmdFollow Travis:IG: @montananorsemanHelp for Problem Gambling: Call or Text 800-GAMBLER#CollectorsMD | #RipResponsibly | #CollectResponsibly