Disclaimer: Melissa edited this, it wasn’t done by a professional, when it does get edited by a professional, it won’t just be a good interview, it will be outstanding. 

I had no idea who this guy was before I saw his band play on the Solar Powered stage at Warped Tour, but I could tell by watching that Mike Ski of the A.K.As, he was the real thing, he was living in the moment up on that stage, totally tuned in, tapped in, turned on – it was amazing.  You could tell that this guy was  "born for performing", he was born for connecting, he was born for inspiring others… he was on a mission to do exactly what he wanted. This guys story inspired me, he’s just a guy who tried the 9-5 and realized that it wasn’t in him,  he just does his own thing.  That’s so amazing.

FYI It was my intention from the beginning to show real people who are figuring it out along the way, not just people who were already successful. You’ll see many more interviews on LIPB that feature real people who are working to pay the bills just so they can fund their dreams, who haven’t forgotten what it’s like to be passionate about living. It’s an important distinction I want to make in the film.  If you really want it, JUST DO IT. Follow your instinct and its going to work itself out in your favor – even if you have no idea what that looks like.

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Disclaimer: Melissa edited this video herself. She trained as a life coach, not a film editor, give her a break. When the film comes out, it’ll be edited by someone who is not only passionate but persistent in their capacity to edit.

I’ve known Kevin Lyman since my pre coaching days, when I was a bus driver on the Warped Tour. (That’s right, I was a roadie!) We go back some, however, I had no idea that he "owned" the Warped Tour for at least a year, and just now am starting to realize that he does a bunch of other music related stuff as well, I never thought to ask, and he’s just not one to brag. He’s pretty easy going – just check out how he let me usurp his tour bus!  Believe it or not, this was one of the first times I really talked to him about what he did and why, before this interview most of our conversations consisted of "off the road" topics, like our kids, or how to help the environment, or fishing…  In fact, every time I ask Kevin what he’d be doing if Warped Tour wasn’t around, he says he’d be a fishing guide!  Which, I guess, according to Kevin is all he could be, he says he’s been an entrepreneur for so long that he’s terminally unemployable, and he seems ok with that. 

Now me, I had to let that sink in a little.  It’s a lot to wrap my head around.  Thinking like that is scary – There is no plan B.  Tatiana DeMaria said the same thing.  Now, I’m a fairly successful coach, and I still think, "well, if this coaching thing doesn’t pan out, I can always go work for XYZ company."  But what Kevin is saying… working for himself is so ingrained, not only would he not go back, but no-one in their right mind would take him.

Is that what happens when you take that leap from doing to survive to doing what you love?  Is that a good thing?  I’m leaning more towards yes, but truly can’t make up my mind.  And I guess that’s what the whole crux of the film is about. "Is the planned life worth living?"  Is being 100% invested in what you are passionate about worth the risk?  Maybe Kevin will agree to be on my panel about it at SXSW and we’ll find out. (there is still time to vote for it, I’d be ever so grateful if you did)

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Disclaimer: Melissa herself edited this video, had this professionally shot video been edited by another professional you would have no choice but to riot in the streets about being cheated of your dreams…. that’s how good it would be. Instead, you get Melissa’s editing skills – improving, but sketchy.  Videography by Tom of NotMTV.tv, music by TAT

My good friend Kevin Lyman, graciously accepted my self made invitation to stay on his tour bus for a few days and interview him.  What he didn’t know was that I would end up hijacking his bus and absconding his tour videographer,  Tom of notmtv.tv in the process.  Well, OK, I didn’t either… but it happened.  (sorry Kevin) 

What was wonderful about getting to ride along on the Warped Tour is that apart from getting some peace and quiet ( I know it’s hard to believe but I have 3 kids at home – Warped Tour pales in comparison) and getting to see my friend Kevin and his sharp and witty right hand Sarah,  I also had a great revelation. I  mentioned it in detail in a previous post but will sum it up for you here: I didn’t have a camera, I didn’t have a tape, I didn’t have a camera crew, I got a camera, a tape, a camera crew, a whole bunch of new friends, 4 more interviews than the ONE I intended  to get,  and it just kept getting better, culminating that evening with me standing backstage at Rage Against The Machine in front of 80,000 adoring fans that night at Lalapalooza.  How rad is that?

Moral: Sh*t happens, but when you just open yourself up to the fact that there may be more possibilities out there than you can see – they start showing themselves. 

One of the interviews is the one above with Tatiana DeMaria of the band Tat.  When the tour’s pit reporter Erin told her about my project Tat got so excited about the philosophy behind it she just lit up… that’s when I knew I had to interview her.

She says some amazing things, and watching the video one can’t help but to love her, but I do wonder what kind of uproar is going to come of people watching it when she mentions that she chose not to go to college so she could follow her heart, she mentioned that she’s young and has time to make different choices.  Wow, I think, she’s really taking a risk.  Would the people that you know be afraid to take that kind of risk,  afraid to open that door to face the danger AND the possibility in it?  Would you?

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