Is it correct to have two dependent clauses and one independent clause?

I am now trying new things, including this blog, a thank you to all those who helped me get to where I am today by sharing their stories, and my way of paying it forward by sharing my stories.

Without looking up the official grammatical rules, personally, I would feel much better about this:

I am now trying new things, including this blog—a thank you to all those who helped me get to where I am today by sharing their stories; it is my way of paying it forward by sharing my stories.