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At 18, I was managing a Wendy’s. Years later, I earned a record $496,900 in a single bowling season.

by with No Comment Xpandfy

This as-told-to essay is based on a conversation with Kyle Troup. It has been edited for length and clarity.

Growing up, my parents used to pay me if I could beat them at bowling. I got $5 if I beat my mom, and $20 if I beat my dad, Guppy. He was a professional bowler with the Professional Bowlers Association (PBA), and my brother and I often went to PBA events with him.

Around the time I was 13 or so, I started beating my dad so often that he dropped my pay down to $10 per victory, then $0. I figured I must be getting pretty good.

I wanted to be just like my father — and not because he was a professional bowler. People loved him, whether he was bowling or not. He was a cool, popular guy who often hung out at the bowling alley bar after his games. He loved his life and career, and it was clear he was having a lot of fun.

I started working at Wendy’s early in my bowling career

At 16, I started bowling with the PBA. In the first few years, I didn’t win much money at all. Still, the experience of bowling for money and spending my own income to bowl taught me a lot.

Around the same time, I started working at Wendy’s. By 18, I was a manager there, and still making next to nothing bowling. I’ve always been good with money, so I was getting by, but one time when money was tight I remember thinking “What could I be doing if I wasn’t chasing the dream of being a professional bowler?”

After a minute, I realized I didn’t need that answer. I was going to be a professional bowler, and that was that.

A record-setting year helped establish my financial future

By my early 20s, I started winning more tournaments and, therefore, earning more. By 2016, I made about $44,000 — enough to leave my job at Wendy’s.

Then, in 2021, I had a great year. I won the PBA Player’s Championship and earned a record-setting $496,900 that season. That’s not much compared to many other professional sports, but for me, it was a blessing.

I worked with a financial advisor and invested a lot of that money to build the foundation for my future. Bowling is a physical activity, and I know I won’t be able to do it forever. Since 2021, I’ve felt financially set. That allows me to go out and be the best version of myself each week I’m on tour.

Becoming a dad has given me purpose beyond bowling

About five years ago, I met Breanna, and we got married last year. She had two kids who were about 6 and 11 when we met. Becoming a dad to them has given me perspective about what’s important in life. My life isn’t about bowling anymore; it’s about my kids.


Couple getting married

Courtesy of Kyle Troup



The PBA tour schedule can be hard on the family. I’m gone for about three to four months, traveling around the country for competitions. I’ve always had that schedule, but being away from my kids took some emotional adjustment.

I used to stay in hotels while I was on the road, but that was draining: I was always in a hotel, a restaurant, or a bowling alley. Now, I stay at Airbnbs with my best friend, who’s also a professional bowler. Being in a house means we can cook healthy meals and generally feel more at home, even when we’re on the road.

I’m happy with what I’ve achieved

I would love to win a title again, since it’s been a few years. At the same time, I can see that I’ve already achieved a lot, from winning Player of the Year to providing for my family to raising money to help more kids explore the sport.

Now, I want to give back to this sport. I’m happy it’s getting more attention, including the new HBO series. I get to play a game for a living, and I really enjoy what I do. That’s a blessing in my life.




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I took a risk moving to Phuket as a single mom. It paid off.

by with No Comment Xpandfy

This as-told-to essay is based on a conversation with Cheska Hull, 40, a British reality TV star and PR professional who relocated to Phuket. Her words have been edited for length and clarity.

My move to Phuket was about choosing a fabulous place to live while continuing my freelance career.

I feel like I’ve been part of the island’s community for years. I’d visit annually for a couple of weeks at a time, maintain friendships, and get to know local business owners.

Every trip had me dreaming about potential jobs and interesting opportunities. I’m a PR specialist who has always worked in the luxury sector, across food, beverage, and hospitality. In London, I specialized in private members’ clubs.

That work also led me into radio and television, where I starred in the reality show “Made in Chelsea” for nearly four years. It helped me understand the evolving world of influencers and celebrities. Having lived on both sides of the PR and fame spectrum, I gained a deep understanding of that industry.


Cheska Hull posing at the Children with Cancer UK Fundraising Gala

In May 2011, Hull was a member of the original cast of the reality show “Made in Chelsea.”

Provided by Cheska Hull



I happened to be born in Thailand

My parents lived in Phuket in the 1980s, when my dad was head of Standard Chartered Bank for Phuket, which is why I was born here. We moved back to England when I was young.

Being born in Thailand didn’t simplify moving back as an expat. I still had to go through all the same steps as everyone else.

Initially, I came on a DTV digital nomad visa while freelancing for my UK clients. I told all of them, “I want to live in Thailand. That’s my dream.”

I wanted the best of both worlds.

There were a few reasons for the move

I’ve always been drawn to the famous Thai “sabai sabai” — take-it-easy — lifestyle. But when it comes to business, I’m driven. I could never just move to Phuket and not work.

Even between projects, I was constantly networking, talking to people, and pushing for collaborations with brands I’d worked with before. Now, I get to do what I’ve always loved in a place I love.

My son was also at the right age for a big change. As a single mom, the stress came from knowing how significant the move was and wondering, “Have I made the right decision?” My main priority in life is his happiness.

If he hadn’t been happy, I don’t think we would have stayed. But he’s 8, and he was able to fit in quickly — learning some Thai at school and thriving.

There was another catalyst, too. At the time, I was engaged to be married and realized that wasn’t the path for me anymore. Once I called off the wedding, the door felt wide open.

Nothing was holding me back.


Cheska Hull and her son in Phuket, Thailand.

She says her 8-year-old son is learning Thai at school and has fit in quickly.

Provided by Cheska Hull



Finding my career groove in Thailand

Browsing jobs in Phuket started as a guilty pleasure. Through meeting people and networking, someone told me about a new opening at Anantara, a hotel I already knew well. It seemed perfect. And so now, as cluster director of public relations, I have a work permit.

I’ve had to quickly learn Thai workplace customs, like addressing colleagues respectfully using “khun” before names or navigating the widespread use of nicknames. It’s about understanding a different culture and being respectful within it.

One of my favorite rituals happens every Friday during my team’s morning meeting. We go outside to a huge tree in front of the hotel with two spirit houses. We all take incense, make a prayer, and privately speak to the spirits. It’s so different and unique, I find it special.

It’s a meaningful part of their culture that I’ve come to love. I can’t imagine trying to get everyone in London to do that, they’d laugh.


Cheska Hull stroking a horse on a beach in Phuket, Thailand.

She plans to stay in Phuket.

Provided by Cheska Hull



Thailand is my long-term plan

There haven’t been many hard parts to settling in. The main challenge of living on a small, seasonal island like Phuket is traffic. You get used to a calm pace, and then suddenly there’s a massive influx of people. But that comes with the territory in hospitality and tourism, which is ultimately what we want here.

My move to Thailand is long-term. Looking back, there was an element of risk. I came with a bit of an “Eat, Pray, Love” vision. I knew I loved it here and wanted it to work, but I also told myself, “If it doesn’t, you can just go back.”

For me, the quality of life, the people, the food, the weather — just about everything about Phuket — makes it a place I want to call home forever. Island life simply couldn’t be better right now.

Do you have a story to share about living abroad? Contact the editor at akarplus@businessinsider.com.




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