The Second Climb

The Second Climb is a deeply personal and quietly powerful memoir of what comes after professional collapse. When international development specialist Johannes Go loses his position in the aftermath of USAID’s dismantling under the Trump administration, he is forced into an unfamiliar pause. What begins as a professional setback becomes a profound journey of reflection, reinvention, and healing.

Through gentle prose and candid storytelling, Johannes invites readers into the quiet space between endings and new beginnings. From the silence of lost routines to the discovery of new ideas rooted in travel, wellness, and creativity, this memoir is not a guide to bouncing back—it's a meditation on starting again with honesty and intention.

For anyone navigating career transitions, personal reinvention, or moments of uncertainty, The Second Climb offers both comfort and courage. It’s a reminder that meaningful new paths often begin not with noise, but with stillness—and that starting over doesn’t require having all the answers.

A memoir for those who are not in a hurry—just ready to begin again, gently.