Breaking Hands Breaking Glass

What happens when an unstoppable force meets an immovable object?

In my case, I found out the hard way about a month ago: you break your hand.

No, it wasn’t some grand, heroic moment—it was me versus a concrete wall. And spoiler: the wall won.

But as I’ve reflected on that moment (and healing from it), I’ve come to see it as a metaphor—not just for the obstacles we face in life but for the very nature of passion itself. Passion, like an unstoppable force, drives us to pursue the impossible, to challenge what seems unchangeable. But what happens when it meets resistance? When it collides with fear, doubt, or real, physical limits?

Sometimes, passion wins. Sometimes, the wall stands firm. And sometimes—if you’re me—you come out of the fight with a broken hand and a deeper understanding of what passion truly is.

Passion and Breaking Walls

At the beginning of this year, I started exploring this question: What is passion?

It began as an idea for an artist retreat, born from a conversation with a dear friend. We imagined gathering in a vibrant, inspiring place—somewhere like Portugal or Miami—where we could reignite our creative sparks. But when summer came, life had other plans. Instead of an exotic destination, we stayed here in the Bay Area and crafted what I like to call a shitty first draft of an artist retreat.

It wasn’t glamorous or perfect, but it was real. And in its imperfection, we began to unpack the question: What is passion?

Impostor Syndrome Meets Brilliant Conman Syndrome

Breaking my hand forced me to confront not just a physical wall but a mental one I’ve struggled with for years: impostor syndrome. It’s that voice that says, “You’re not enough. You don’t belong. You’re not ready.”

For a long time, I tried to fight that voice. But somewhere along the way, I stopped fighting it the traditional way. Instead, I've been leaning into brilliant conman syndrome.

Do I always feel ready? No. Do I sometimes feel like I’m winging it? Absolutely. But will I show up anyway and figure it out as I go? You bet I will.

It’s not about faking it—it’s about recognizing that no one feels completely ready, and that’s okay. It’s about trusting yourself enough to grab hold of the opportunities in front of you, scrappy and unapologetic.

The Physics of Passion: Gratitude for the Walls

This Thanksgiving, I’ve been thinking a lot about walls. Concrete walls, emotional walls, the walls of doubt and fear we build for ourselves.

Here’s what I’ve learned:

• Walls aren’t just obstacles—they’re lessons. Breaking my hand reminded me that brute force isn’t always the answer. Sometimes, you need to step back, reassess, and find a new approach.
• Passion is about persistence. Even when you don’t have all the answers, passion is what keeps you moving forward.
• Gratitude transforms walls into stepping stones. When I stopped focusing on what I lacked, I saw what I had: a supportive community, opportunities to create, and a resilient spirit that refuses to quit.

Coming Home to the TOP 100

Breaking my hand wasn’t just a physical wake-up call—it was an emotional one. It made me realize how much I’ve been craving home. For me, home isn’t just a place; it’s a feeling. And one of my homes is this community we’ve built through Pineapple EMPIRE and the TOP 100 Project.

The TOP 100 isn’t just a project—it’s a celebration of resilience, innovation, and collaboration. It’s a space where we break barriers, build connections, and grow together. For me, it’s a reminder of why I do what I do, and why passion—no matter how messy or imperfect—is always worth pursuing.

The Physics of Passion: What is Passion? (Answered)

So, what is passion?

Passion is the unstoppable force that drives us to keep going, even when we hit immovable objects. It’s messy first drafts, broken hands, and scrappy persistence. It’s rediscovering the art of play and finding joy in the process.

For me, passion is this community. It’s Pineapple EMPIRE. It’s the TOP 100. And it’s the bruises, setbacks, and walls I’ve encountered along the way—because every one of them has made me stronger.

Stronger Than Ever: What’s Next?

This spirit of resilience and gratitude is the foundation for what’s coming next. I’ve been working tirelessly behind the scenes on Season 3 of Pineapple EMPIRE’s TOP 100, and I'm so excited to begin this next chapter with you.

This isn’t just a list—it’s a celebration of the people shaping the future of aviation, aerospace, and the New Space Economy. It’s a call to action for all of us to break through walls, glass ceilings, and redefine what’s possible.

Cool things are coming very, very soon. Thank you for being part of this journey, and stay tuned—we’re just getting (re)started.

Mucho aloha,

Matthew Higa

P.S. I'm making T-shirts. Let me know if you want to wear my bones around town as a reminder that every crack, every wall, and every scar tells a story worth wearing.

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#StrongerThanEver #PhysicsOfPassion #RediscoverPlay #Onwards&Upwards #HigherFurtherFaster