Chasing the Olympics: Milano Cortina 2026 with Author and Event Traveler Bryan Michael

What does it take to actually go to the Olympics? Not watch it from your couch, but pack your bags, book your tickets two years in advance, and show up on a mountain in northern Italy with your family ready to experience one of the greatest spectacles on earth? This episode married DINK (Dual Income, No Kids) couple Nathan and Alicia sit down with their good friend Bryan Richards, who writes under the pen name Bryan Michael, to find out.Bryan is a Charlotte-based crime thriller author and a guy who has made a habit of traveling specifically for big events, from the Daytona 500 to the ACC Championship to the Mille Miglia in Italy. This past February he took his wife Shannan and their son to the Milano Cortina Winter Olympics, and he came back with stories, hard-won logistics advice, and a perspective on the Games that goes way beyond the sports.We talk about how to navigate the lottery system, why you need to book your accommodations the moment they become available, what it costs, what to pack, and why the zones matter more than you think. We also talk about what it feels like to stand in a crowd of people from a dozen different countries all cheering for the same athlete coming down a mountain, and why that matters right now.Plus Bryan talks about completing his first book, Blood Debt, breaks news on his upcoming thriller Past Due, the second book in the Miller Family series, talks about what it really looks like to go all in on a creative dream, and shares what he has learned about building an audience from scratch.If you are thinking about the LA 2028 Olympics or any future Olympics, this episode is your head start.In this episode:How Bryan planned a two-year Olympic trip on a real budgetNavigating the lottery, zones, and ticketing systemWhat he would do differently on accommodationsThe moment that made it all worth itGoing all in on a creative passion and what the grind actually looks likeWhat is coming next for the Miller Family thriller seriesRESOURCES:GUEST: Bryan Michael, Author of Blood Debt available on on Amazon and Past Due (coming April 2026) Website: bryanmichaelauthor.com Socials: @bryanmichaelauthor on Instagram and Facebook Autographed copies and book club discounts available on his websiteOLYMPICS: Milano Cortina 2026 Official Site LA 2028 Olympics Official SiteATTRACTIONS: The Duomo - Cathedral of Santa Maria del FioreMilan Ferrari MuseumMaranello Lavino Olympic VenuesOUR LINKS: Our Website: marryingyourpassions.com Our Blog: marryingyourpassions.blogspot.com Follow us: @marryingyourpassions on Instagram and Facebook Check out Alicia's Reviews on Google Maps Check out Nathan's Reviews on TripAdvisorMarrying Your Passions is hosted by Nathan and Alicia Adams, a married DINK couple (Dual Income, No Kids) who travel, run marathons, scuba dive, and eat their way through life together. Whether you're a DINK couple, empty nester, or anyone ready to adventure NOW, this podcast is for you. New episodes every other week. Subscribe, leave us a review, and keep adventuring!