American author Horace Greeley once popularized the phrase “Go West, young man.” It was in reference to westward expansion of the United States in the 19th Century, but in the case of online poker pro David ‘d.quang’ Quang, “Go West, young man” meant a chance for clear air and a new outlook towards online poker.

The Canadian has been on a heater as of late. He passed $3 million in career online tournament winnings helped in part by a fifth place finish in a PokerStars Mountain Series event for $47,000 on April 10.

“I just moved back to Ontario from Vancouver and have been spending a lot of time with family and friends,” Quang said of his recent activities. “I was away from home for two years, so it’s a great feeling to be home again. I was very active and did a lot of outdoor activities when I was living on the West Coast of Canada the past couple of years.”

Quang moved from Vancouver in early November when his lease expired. The original plan was to be in the former Winter Olympics home for a few months, but a few months quickly turned into two years. While in Vancouver, he recorded his largest online tournament score ever, a sixth place finish two years ago in the WCOOP Super Tuesday for over $63,000.

“I moved back (east) because I was missing my friends and family,” Quang said. “Vancouver was supposed to be an isolation trip to better myself and my game. It was a huge difference living out west. I met a lot of amazing people who helped me grow in life. I never felt so conscious, awake, and alive daily in my life. Eating clean and staying active were the keys to this.”

Vancouver is the largest city in British Columbia and has a population of just over 600,000 people. It’s on the coast as well and, according to many, is one of the most picturesque cities in Canada.

“I think Vancouver has the cleanest air of any major city in the world. Breathing seemed a lot easier being close to the ocean and that definitely helps clear your mind and body a lot,” said Quang.

Quang’s first tracked online poker score came all the way back in 2008, a 39th place finish in a $16.50 No Limit Hold’em Turbo on PokerStars. His career took a meteoric rise from there, but he said he needed a change of scenery nonetheless.

“Going out west was one of those ‘I need a change’ parts of your life,” said Quang, the 79th-ranked player in Canada. He was as high as #50 in the world just two years ago. “I had just graduated and everybody from school went off to different cities and countries to work. And I had some free time, so I decided spontaneously to book a one-way flight out west. I knew they had fresh seafood and I’m all into that.”

“I met some really cool, humble, down-to-earth people out west too,” he added. “Being around them taught me how to be more of an authentic person, how to love and care more for each other, how to let go of ego and stay neutral, and how to balance energies in between your mind and body by staying active. I was more conscious every single day and it made me so much happier.”

What will happen now that Quang has returned to his native Ontario? Will his good run, aided by the pristine air and distraction-free environment of the west coast, evaporate?

“I have a buddy who is a health and wellness coach, Mike ‘fitness_g’ Egan,” Quang said. “He’s my neighbor. I’ll be hanging out with him a lot to educate myself on how to stay healthy and fit. I took a small break from online poker as well ever since I’ve been back to reunite with family and friends. This break has helped me regain some energy and passion for the game and I’m ready to start playing again with a whole new mindset.”

On the live circuit, Quang has amassed $434,000 in career winnings, including a $284,000 haul for taking down the 2011 Fallsview Poker Classic Main Event in 2011.

“I’m looking forward to live tours,” Quang said. “Those are what I prepare for, whether it’s playing online or playing live cash games. It’s like a mini-vacation where you get to catch up with all of your poker friends.”

Specifically, look for Quang on the WSOP Circuit and at the World Poker Tour’s stop in Montreal. And despite heading back east, expect him to traverse North America with abandon trying to squeeze in live poker events in between online poker sessions.