Chasing Dreams with Aimee J.

Lauren Coulson always knew she was going to be involved in the creative arts: She wrote her first book in the second grade, produced short films through middle school, and even had a painting of hers displayed in a show at the Walters Art Gallery in Baltimore. She was lucky enough to earn a full visual arts scholarship to UMBC, and studied film before moving on to graphic design. Her final in her first design class won an international poster design contest and was exhibited all over the world! Lauren is currently in Oklahoma City, where she is employed as a graphic designer at Oklahoma City University. In her spare time she write novels and is neck-deep in the publishing process. She has about more than 12 manuscripts so far! It’s her dream to be able to write full time and spend her life crafting stories.

TWEET: Lauren Coulson - Making Time for Your Art Each Day Now so You Can Do it Full Time Later

For Lauren Coulson The Arts has been a passion since childhood.

If you’ve ever had the idea that creative people are naturally creative, Lauren Coulson would give you ample reason to believe you are correct. Lauren has been working in some form of the arts since she was very young - art, writing, poetry, and much more. As an adult she’s leveraged her interest in the Arts into graphic design, novel writing, and even website design. On this episode Lauren shares her journey, why she pursues so many things at once, and how she keeps it all straight in her own head. It’s an amazing conversation that will inspire you to chase your dreams, so be sure you listen.

Writing more than one book at a time is actually a form of creative leveraging.

As Aimee chatted with Lauren Coulson on this episode she discovered that Lauren actually works on more than one novel at a time. When asked why she does it that way it became clear that when she hits a creative roadblock on one book, she’ll make the switch to another to get the juices flowing again. The practice enables Lauren to keep writing and to get a break from the things that are blocking her at the same time. That’s just one of the amazing tricks Lauren has found to make her more productive and to keep her creativity flowing. You’ll want to hear this one.

TWEET: Writing more than one book at a time is actually a form of #creative leveraging

Daily habits are vital, even if they are small ones.

Never underestimate the power of a check box. That’s what Aimee said after she heard the simple way that Lauren Coulson uses small goals throughout the day to keep herself on track. Writing 500 words at a time. Sketching out a drawing or idea for a logo. Jotting down an idea from one of her dreams in a journal. Those are just examples of the many things that enable Lauren to stay on track as she accomplishes them and move her creative projects forward. You can hear much more from this accomplished creative on this episode of Chasing Dreams.

You have to make a conscious effort to chase your dreams.

Lauren Coulson has made a life out of chasing her dreams. She’s an author, and artist, a graphic designer, and more and has made a life out of chasing her dreams. When asked what advice she had for dream chasers, Lauren quickly said that you have to make a conscious effort to chase your dreams. Nobody’s going to tell you when to do it and nobody’s going to keep you going. It’s yours to do. Be creative and find a way to get there.

TWEET: You have to make a conscious effort to chase your #dreams - on this episode

OUTLINE OF THIS EPISODE:

• [0:46] Aimee’s introduction to her friend Lauren Coulson.
• [3:10] How Lauren got started in art and writing as a child.
• [5:59] Lauren’s beliefs about whether she’d ever have to pick one discipline over another.
• [9:00] How Lauren decided to illustrate her own book cover.
• [10:28] The learning curve of self-publishing Lauren has gone...

Originally from Chicago, Illinois Chantal' Ashante Hill began as a gymnast at 6 years old but began her formal ballet training at the late age of 17. With the heart & the strength of God she persevered to get to her calling which she now calls "Spiritual Ballerina." Chantal' is the Spiritual Ballerina who dances as God’s Vessel to glorify God & draw his people closer to the lives they were created to live. She has trained & performed with Dance Theatre of Harlem-Nutcracker (NYC) Joel Hall Dancers-Authentic (CHI) Performance-Centre du Dansê Marais (Paris, France) Dance Ministry Institute- Nativity: Birth of a King (NYC) Judah International Dance Theatre- Psalms Symphony (NYC) She has been featured & interviewed on Trinity Broadcast Network. Since her interview, she is developing a documentary as a Spiritual Ballerina.

TWEET: Chantal’ Ashante Hill - Forget What People Say, It’s Never Too Late to Follow Your Passion

Even though you might miss the cut-off date, you are never cut off.

One of the amazing things about Chantal’s journey is that she started dancing ballet around 14 years later than normal. 14 years. Most ballerinas begin at the age of 3 but Chantal’ was 17 years old when she first began to take an interest in ballet. But her natural talent and a conviction that her dancing was gift from God and a calling she was to pursue. She came to believe from the road she’s traveled that even though you might miss some cut off date, you are never cut off. You can keep going in the pursuit of your dreams.

Turning the tragedy into a tool to move toward her dreams.

At a certain point in Chantal’s dancing career she had a very serious injury that threatened to end her dancing forever. She was laid up in recovery for 6 months. It was during that time that she found ways to keep her eyes on the goals she had for herself. She also used the injury to learn some new disciplines that helped her stay in shape so she could return to dancing the moment she was able. Chantal’ has an amazing resilience and determination that you’ll be inspired by as you listen.

TWEET: She turned a tragedy into a tool to move toward her #dreams, on this episode

Getting through the hard times with the help of a strong support system.

Chantal’ is quick to say that nothing she’s been able to accomplish as a spiritual dancer could have been done without the support of her family, friends, and church family. She faced many obstacles that threatened to discourage her, including a devastating injury, but those closest to her continued to encourage her to keep going. It was because of the strength of those around her that Chantal’ never gave up on her dream to become a dancer. You can hear her inspiring story and receive some encouragement of your own as you chase your dreams - so be sure to listen.

I want to break the idea that you can only get by, by working a 9 to 5.

One of the things that saddens Chantal’s heart is when she hears people talking about how much they dislike the work that they do 9 to 5. In her mind, life is too short and too precious to spend it doing things you don’t enjoy. She is out to break the idea that it’s expected and normal for people to spend the bulk of their waking life in a context that is neither fulfilling or profitable. Her story is one full of inspiration and hope for those of you who are eager to break out of the humdrum of your life and chase your dreams.

TWEET: I want to break the idea that you can only get by, by working a 9 to 5 ~ Chantal’ Ashante Hill

OUTLINE OF THIS EPISODE:

• [0:50] Aimee’s introduction of Chantal’ Ashante Hill.
• [3:39] How Chantal’ works on the side to make her dream of dancing happen.
• [4:27] The beginning of her life of movement as a gymnast.
• [7:11] Chantal’s journey as a dancer was very abnormal.
• [8:53] A career threatening injury that Chantal’ worked...

Donald Kelly is a powerful sales trainer, an award winning speaker and host of the most dynamic sales podcast, "The Sales Evangelist". His sales experience expands across a variety of industries including SaaS, IT technical training courses, home security systems, manage IT services, medical and sales training. Donald's mission is to evangelize the method of effective selling to motivate sellers of all levels to DO BIG THINGS!

TWEET: Donald Kelly - How a Kid Selling Candy Becomes the Sales Evangelist

Your natural talents are great but if you really want to excel they are not enough.

Aimee found it very interesting that her guest, Donald Kelly insists that people with natural talent still need to get training in order to make the most of their attempts at reaching their dreams. Donald has tons of natural charisma and talent but discovered on his own journey that the skills he’s learned and has been able to refine over the years are much more than they ever could have been if he hadn’t sought out mentoring and organized instruction. Donald has a ton of great advice for dream chasers on this episode, so be sure you listen.

When he learned the “What to do” part of sales, his sales performance exploded.

Donald Kelly has a lot of experience in sales by the time he landed his first B2B job. That’s when he discovered that he hadn’t really learned much about the real task of selling, he’d just been running on natural ability and talent. As he was trained with the “what to do” part of sales he began to realize that sales is a skill that anyone can learn if they will simply put in the work to learn it and apply the knowledge they have. His own sales career began to skyrocket when he made that important step and he encourages everyone to seek out the coaching or instruction they need to make their dreams come true.

TWEET: When he learned the “What to do” part of sales, his sales performance exploded

Even entrepreneurs and business people need a support team.

You may be talented. You may have impressive knowledge or skills. But if you don’t have a support team around you, you are going to be hindered from accomplishing everything you could. Donald Kelly has learned that the support of family, friends, coworkers or partners, and a good team around you will enable you to excel much more rapidly than you can on your own. His example of getting good support is one that provides a good deal of inspiration, and you can hear how it works out for him on this episode of Chasing Dreams with Aimee J.

In order to be successful, you have to do the opposite of what everyone else is doing.

When Aimee asked Donald Kelly what his best recommendation or advice was for those who want to chase their dreams, he was quick to respond that every person who wants to make a difference has to make sure that they are doing things differently than everyone else is doing it. He doesn’t mean that you try to be weird in order to be different but that you need to put your particular personality or spin into it. That’s how you stand out and how you bring something that’s truly of value to the niche. When you’re able to do that you attract the people who learn best from your style and approach to the subject.

TWEET: In order to be successful you have to do things differently from what everyone else is doing

OUTLINE OF THIS EPISODE:

• [0:49] Aimee’s introduction to her guest, Donald Kelly.
• [3:00] The things Aimee appreciates about Donald’s personality and how he fell into sales.
• [7:10] The “schools” Donald went to in order to be equipped for sales.
• [12:54] The beginnings of Donald’s podcast.
• [15:10] Can Dream Chasers succeed if they stay the same as they always have been?
• [19:55] The team Donald leans on at this point in his business...

Today’s guest is going to be super appealing to anyone who longs to be a writer. His story is one from starting at the bottom and working his way all the way to the top of his industry. Brian Millikin was most recently a writer and Consulting Producer on the Syfy series HAVEN, based on a book by Stephen King. Brian was on HAVEN for the entire six-year run of the series in various roles, eventually becoming a Staff Writer. A native of Richmond, Virginia, Brian attended UNC-Chapel Hill. On this episode you’ll hear his entire story: how TV became his best friend growing up, how writing became his passion, and how he’s working on new projects to bring joy to the lives of others.

TWEET: Write or die: How Brian Millikin became a successful TV writer, on this episode of #ChasingDreams

Good storytelling is about the characters.

Thinking back to the television shows that he loved as he was growing up, Brian Millikin recognizes that the shows he was most drawn to were the ones that did a great job of centering every episode around the life and development of one of the main characters. It wasn’t enough just to tell the chronology of exciting events, it was the emotional connection with the characters that pulled him into the drama and made him a fan. On this episode Brian chats with Aimee about the incredible power of emotion in storytelling and why it’s the one thing that can’t be overlooked.

TWEET: When writing is “emotion first” and centered around the characters, it’s a winner ~ Brian Milliken

Can a writer rise to the top on natural talent without going to school?

It’s very difficult to predict what could happen in a hypothetical circumstance and Brian Milliken is careful not to be too categorical as he talks about the kind of education a television screenwriter needs. His path took the route of traditional education in college and internships and while he knows that many of the opportunities he had came directly through his involvement with those educational institutions he’s not convinced that every writer has to follow that same path. You can hear Brian’s story and how he imagines the same level of success could come to other writers, on this episode of Chasing Dreams.

You can outwork anybody, no matter your background or level of talent.

Though he’s had a very successful career as a television screenwriter, Brian Millikin realizes that his innate talent is not as obvious or strong as that of many other writers. What set him apart was his willingness to work hard for the dream he had set before himself. It was that hard work that he credits with getting him to the pinnacle of success in a very crowded and competitive field. Brian’s advice about hard work is refreshing in a day when so many people feel that the successful accomplishment of their dreams should come simply or easily. He’s got some common sense, incredible advice for anyone who has a dream, so be sure you listen.

TWEET: I was the first to arrive & the last to leave every day but was the happiest I’d ever been ~ Brian Milliken

OUTLINE OF THIS EPISODE:

• [0:48] Aimee’s excitement about today’s episode with Brian Millikin.
• [2:38] How the desire to be a storyteller grew in Brian.
• [8:26] Write or die… how a passion for writing and love of TV led to script writing.
• [19:02] Focusing on writing in college.
• [26:43] A writing internship after college in Hollywood.
• [30:24] Seeing the SyFy show “Haven” come to life from beginning to end.
• [37:20] Getting a break to write an episode of the show and become a staff writer.
• [42:23] Do writers need to go to school or can they rise on natural talent?
• [46:47] How writers can handle the cost of living in Hollywood.
• [49:57] Resources Brian recommends.
• [51:41] How...

Darrell Darnell is a self-proclaimed nerd with a passion for all things tech-related. With a degree in computer programming, it was natural for Darrell to find himself in the tech industry. He spent 19 years working for a bookstore, where he went from part time employee to director of ecommerce. Throughout this insightful chat with Aimee, Darrell discusses everything from his unexpected love of TV shows to how he first found podcasting to his path to entrepreneurship. Today, Darrell runs Golden Spiral Media and Pro Podcast Solutions, where he focuses full time on consulting and podcast services for other podcasters.

TWEET: Knowing when to follow your #passion and do what you love, on this episode

A first glimpse at podcasting.

Darrell discovered podcasting early on. In fact, he’s had a show since 2008, which was when podcasting was in its infancy. The story of how he found podcasting was quite unexpected for Darrell. A casual TV watcher, Darrell and his wife found themselves bona fide “Lost” addicts from the very beginning of the show. He loved the show so much that he would spend time on “Lost” forums discussing the show with other fans. That’s where he found something that would change the course of his life forever: a Lost Podcast. It was hosted by his now-friend and podcast guru Cliff Ravenscraft and his wife Stephanie. For Darrell, his love of podcasting was evident from the very start.

Building a business around podcasting.

After “Lost” ended, Darrell made it his mission to find a new show to obsess over - preferably a JJ Abrams show. He discovered “Fringe” and decided to launch his own podcast about the show. The show would grow like wildfire - so much so they even had stars of the show as guests. From there, Darrell started Golden Spiral Media with a partner and started to launch other shows. At first, there were 3 shows. Now there’s a network of 30 shows under the umbrella of Golden Spiral Media. Darrell talks about what it was like to make start the business in 2013 and how they’ve managed to grow it exponentially since then. He shares insight into the decision to hire hosts to take on shows when they realized they couldn’t do it all themselves, and how he stared Pro Podcast Solutions as a result of his work in Golden Spiral Media.

TWEET: Building a business around #podcasting, on this episode of #ChasingDreams

The transition into full-time entrepreneur.

The decision to take the plunge into full-time entrepreneurship wasn’t an easy one. Darrell explains why it was tough to take the leap and what made him finally make that transition. He also talks about the fear of leaving his stable job because he had to provide for his family. Darrell shares how the company evolved and why he places a high priority on building relationships as a means of growing the business. He also gives insight into some of the shows they work on today and how he’s managed to streamline operations in both businesses by hiring the right team.

Why you should only focus on your next step.

As they close out their chat, Darrell discusses when he first realized he might want to become an entrepreneur. He shares insight into his goals for the future and what he enjoys most about what he does today. Darrell also talks about how his dream evolved quite unexpectedly from a TV show and why it’s important to pursue something you love and see what unfolds. In closing, Darrell leaves us with some advice for fellow dream chasers: Don’t get caught up in a 5-year or even a 1-year plan. Just focus on the next step.

TWEET: When it comes to #dream #chasing, it’s important to focus on the next step

OUTLINE OF THIS EPISODE:

• [1:04] Introduction of Darrell...

After a 28-year career at ABC News, Melvin McCray knew it was time to chase the dreams he’d held in his heart for so long. And so, after retirement, Melvin focused on his passions and his purpose by continuing to produce inspiring documentaries through Media Genesis Solutions and launching the non-profit Harlem Digital Media Training Program. Throughout his chat with Aimee J., Melvin discusses his incredible experience at ABC News, as well as what led him to focus on working with high school students in retirement. He talks about the rewards of working with kids, as well as what it was like to win the White House Student Film Festival for the film Mentoring in Harlem.

TWEET: Visualize your #dreams to make it a #reality, on this episode

It’s never too late to chase your dreams.

Some people might see retirement as a chance to kick back, travel, and relax. That’s clearly not how Melvin sees it. In fact, he’s busier than ever. Melvin discusses what was behind the decision to continue dream chasing in retirement and why he finds himself doing the most rewarding work of his career. He also talks about how the work he did at ABC prepared him for the visual storytelling he does today, as well as how it’s helped him boost the confidence of kids who truly needed a boost. Melvin shares how he first discovered his love of humanitarian stories, through the work he did at ABC on a project called “Person of the Week” - and why that changed his path forever.

Go wherever your creativity and passion lead you.

Melvin goes on to talk about how he got into working with high school kids, in addition to the work he does at Columbia with graduate students. His goal was to teach those kids the same skills he teaches Columbia students, giving them access to tools they may not otherwise have ever accessed. Melvin talks about the value of working with schools that have students that face many obstacles and how he sees the students change as he works with them. He helps them see the world differently, and as a result they begin to see themselves differently.

TWEET: Go wherever your #creativity and #passion lead you

Why it’s important to focus on things you believe in.

Melvin shares more about how things changed when he started working on the “Person of the Week” project for ABC. He discusses the shift he felt when he was able to share such inspiring stories, knowing the viewers were changed by the stories. Melvin talks about why he doesn’t work on projects unless he believes in them. He also shares what made this project different: it allowed him to journalistically tell a story while gaining the secondary benefit of sharing the story of someone doing a humanitarian gesture. The result? Other people will be inspired to do the same thing.

The ripple effect of sharing inspiring stories.

One Melvin saw for himself the ripple effect of sharing inspiring stories, he knew he had to continue to chase that feeling. He found new ways of sharing similar stories in retirement, which led him to the Harlem Digital Media Training Program. He was the students gain confidence and gain skills that would forever change the course of their lives. Melvin talks about some of the skills he teaches them, including - and perhaps most importantly - how to visualize your dreams. Melvin shares why it’s so important to learn to visualize your dreams and how it can truly create a mental shift that makes it possible. Melvin’s final piece of advice? Visualize what it is you want to achieve, see yourself already having achieved it, and that makes it possible.

TWEET: The #ripple effect of sharing #inspiring #stories, on this episode

OUTLINE OF THIS EPISODE:

• [1:04] Introduction of Melvin McCray.
• [3:34] Life after retiring from ABC...

Leanne Brown is the creator of the viral sensation, Eat Good and Cheap: Eat Well on $4/Day. Originally created as a master’s thesis, Leanne found success with her book quite by accident. Throughout this chat with Aimee J., Leanne discusses her connection with food, the evolution of the book, and how she found her purpose. She also gives insight into maintaining focus on her purpose and why it’s important to continue to find ways of connecting with her audience. It’s clear Leanne has created something special. What’s even more clear is that Leanne is passionate about helping others and has truly made an impact.

TWEET: Bringing everyone to the #kitchen #table, on this episode of #ChasingDreams

Connecting with your path.

As a child, Leanne loved all things creative, including (and perhaps especially) the fun dishes that came to life in the kitchen. Her connection with food was clear, but Leanne never wanted to pursue a career in culinary arts. Leanne’s creative leanings led her to earn her bachelor’s degree in art and go on to do work that she enjoyed right out of school. Once she discovered the food studies program at NYU, Leanne knew she’d found her calling. She attended NYU and passionately gained as much knowledge as she could. Leanne was drawn to cooking all along, and began watching YouTube videos to learn more about cooking. In sharing meals with her friends, she realized her main passion was pretty clear: Leanne loved sharing how to make food. For Leanne, it wasn’t just about cooking for friends, it was about teaching them to make the dishes. That’s where she found her path.

The evolution of a book that would change lives.

When the time came to write her master’s thesis, Leanne would end up with the book that would change everything. The book evolved from her master’s thesis and she immediately knew she had to find ways of sharing it with others. Her goal wasn’t to make money; it was to share it with people so she could make a real impact on their lives. Leanne decided to start a website and began sharing recipes there in the hopes that she could help people without a lot of money learn to eat well. The website would immediately garner a great deal of attention, eventually going viral after being shared on Reddit. All of a sudden, Leanne was an internet sensation.

TWEET: Connecting with your true #path and staying the course, on this episode of #ChasingDreams

Maintaining a focus on the original purpose.

Once she realized her book truly mattered, Leanne decided to launch a Kickstarter campaign so she could get the book to the masses. She would hit her original goal of $10k in just a day and end up raising a total of $144k by the time the campaign ended. Leanne used the money to publish her book and ended up sharing it with non-profits at cost and even for free in some cases. From the start, she knew she wasn’t in this to make money - she was here to help people. Leanne stayed focused on reaching the masses and helping people overcome their fear of cooking. She started getting emails from people who shared how the book changed their life. According to Leanne, this is the greatest reward of all.

The future of Good and Cheap.

Over time, Leanne’s audience continued to grow. Today, she is sought out for public speaking engagements and workshops, something Leanne never imagined she’d enjoy, but it’s something she truly loves. She discusses why it’s so important to connect with people through workshops and events, and the rewards she feels as a result. Leanne gives insight into what she sees in the future and why her goal is to get people to understand that they deserve to eat good food. In closing,

John Kenney is no stranger to hard work. In fact, the journey to finding his purpose was filled with many late nights, long days, and hard work. John’s passion for music came at a young age, when he was drawn to the fiddle. He grew up listening to John Denver and other country stars, which attracted John to the fiddle/violin. There was only one problem. It was very expensive to play the violin. After discovering the high cost, John was disappointed and gave up on music entirely until high school. That’s when John would discover his true passion: the piano.

TWEET: Finding your #dream through #dueling #pianos, on this episode of Chasing Dreams

A passion for the piano.

John’s attraction to the piano was motivated by something that wasn’t uncommon for a 16-year-old boy: girls. He decided to learn to play the piano to attract girls. With such a non-musical motivation, John didn’t expect to truly love the piano. But, that’s just what happened. John was passionate about the piano and found himself practicing during any free time he could find. He discusses why he loved piano so much from the start, and how it ended up boosting his confidence and really helping him in all areas of his life.

Discovering dueling pianos.

After high school, John sought out educational opportunities within music. He applied to music schools throughout Michigan and was accepted to many. John decided to play in bands instead of going to school, which lasted about 3 years. During this time, John worked to hone his craft and grow as a pianist. Over time, John would end up playing with a variety of bands and musicians, until one day a friend suggested he check out a dueling piano bar in a nearby city. That suggestion would change the course of John’s life forever.

TWEET: Finding your #purpose and building a #life around it

Finding his way to Walt Disney World.

Over the next several years, John would work as a dueling pianist and found himself truly loving the path he was on. He worked at the bar where he first discovered dueling pianos, but would always search for better opportunities to continue to grow and evolve as a musician. On his honeymoon at Walt Disney World, John discovered the dueling piano bar there, Jellyrolls. He was immediately taken by the atmosphere and the energy there, and knew right away he wanted to work there someday. 6-7 years later, there was an opening there and John was invited to audition. He discusses what it was like to audition and how he ended up landing the job. According to John, this job would change everything and help him connect with his why.

Going out on your own.

Over the next 7 years, John worked at Jellyrolls and loved every minute. He loved living in Orlando and truly enjoyed the experience of working at Walt Disney World. This experience gave John the confidence to take a leap of faith: going out on his own. He’d spent a couple of years refining his idea and finally made it happen. John went out on his own and launched Orlando Dueling Pianos. Through this business, John is able to perform at weddings and other events, which he says is incredibly rewarding. He also discusses how wanting to spend more time with his daughter influenced his decision to branch out. In closing, John offers some advice to fellow dream chasers: enjoy the ride; the journey is what it’s all about.

TWEET: The #courage to go out on your own, on this episode of #ChasingDreams

OUTLINE OF THIS EPISODE:

• [0:59] Introduction of John Kenney.
• [1:50] Developing a passion for music.
• [4:46] John’s attraction to piano and his love of practicing.
• [6:22] Gaining confidence through the piano.
• [7:28] The pressure of college and the role of music in college.
• [10:38] The Jack of all trades, and the master of none.
• [12:46] Going off on his...

For classical hip-hop artist Brandnu, dream chasing wasn’t always easy. After coming to the US from Nigeria, it was clear that there were a lot of expectations placed on Brandnu. His passion for music started early, but he put that aside to be an athlete in high school. In college, Brandnu reignited his love of music and secretly created an album. After sharing the album with his less than supportive parents, Brandnu agreed to continue college and get a degree in Chef and Restaurant Management. This decision led to a couple of years of darkness for Brandnu and a desire to honor his truth and pursue his passion and purpose. He knew his calling was music and it would give him a platform to give back, so Brandnu worked hard to make his dream a reality.

TWEET: Changing the world through #music, on this episode of #ChasingDreams

The power of giving back.

From a young age, giving back was at the core of who Brandnu was. He attributes this passion to his parents, who taught him the value of giving back to others. Brandnu shares the connection of giving back to his music and how he continues to make it his “why”. He also discusses the culture shock of arriving to the US and how it derailed him from his passion for music and giving back. Brandnu shares why he had to learn to be comfortable in his own skin in order to be able to truly embrace his dreams and pursue them. He talks about his experience as a high school athlete and the pressure of the expectations to become something he wasn’t.

Going from dream chasing to darkness and back again.

When it came time to attend college, Brandnu finally felt like he could pursue music - if only in secret. And that’s exactly what he did. He attended college while secretly putting together an album - something he was very proud of. So much so, he decided he needed to share it with his parents because he felt that he finally found his true calling in life. After being met with less than enthusiastic responses, Brandnu’s father struck a deal with him: finish college and get a degree, and his father would foot the bill. To this day, one of Brandnu’s biggest regrets was taking that deal, which would lead to a period of darkness that would span 2 years.

TWEET: The pressure from others to give up on your #dreams, on this episode of #ChasingDreams

Before you can achieve the dream, you have to start putting some work into it.

Brandnu discusses the realization that he had to put in a lot of work in order to turn his passion for music into a career. He did so over a period of 7 years after college, working tirelessly in his music “cave” after spending his days working a variety of jobs to pay the bills. Although he didn’t have the support he craved from his family, Brandnu would find support in friends along the way. During the 7 years he spent making music, Brandnu would build an extensive catalog. This would become the foundation of the sound Brandnu shares today. He gives insight into why it was so important to spend that time putting work into his dreams and how it helped to shape him in the artist Brandnu is today.

Focusing on your WHY.

As they close out their chat, Brandnu shares with Amy his top piece of advice for fellow dream chasers: focus on your why. He expands on this advice by saying this: put up a picture or a saying - something that will remind you why you’re doing this; that’s what will sustain you during the no’s, the closed doors, and the disappointments. Brandnu also discusses his why: using this platform to shine a light on different causes that have influenced him on his journey. He also talks about a book that has made a huge impact on him in his journey: NLP: The Essential Guide to Neuro-Linguistic Programming. Throughout this chat, it’s clear Brandnu has found his calling and is pursuing it with...

Brian Drury is an avid traveler with an extensive travel log covering more than 16 countries. In addition to his globe-trotting adventures, Brian is a coach and motivator who is focused on helping others get exciting results through his coaching program. His goal is to show young adults that they can create the life of their dreams by changing their thinking and taking action outside the box. In this chat with Aimee J., Brian discusses how he found his true purpose in life and why that helped him to become the owner of his happiness. He also shares how he helps others do the same through his business, Overcome Graduation, LLC.

TWEET: Tips to help you #overcome #graduation so you can chase your #dreams

What impact do you want to make on the world?

From a young age, Brian knew what his story should be. Go to school, get good grades, go on to college, get good grades, and then land a great job. That’s what he thought his life should be. But Brian realized there was one pretty significant problem: he never took the time to figure out what he wanted to do with his life. He discusses why this has become such a problem for millennials and how he broke the mold and blazed his own trail. Brian also delves into what it was like to find himself working a job that wasn’t making him happy and feeling pretty hopeless - and what his brother did to turn it all around.

Going beyond learning lessons and actually applying them.

From the turning point that came in the form of an uplifting video, Sean Stephenson’s Dance Party, through the process of redefining his life, it was clear to Brian that he was on the right track. He went from feeling lonely and lost to working towards connecting with his true self and true purpose in life. The result? Brian started absorbing personal development materials, TED Talks, and connecting with people that helped propel him forward. Brian discusses the 4-year journey that helped him launch Overcoming Graduation and begin coaching others to become the owner of their happiness. The biggest lesson along the way? Realizing that he had to do more than read about how to make life better; he needed to actually apply those things.

TWEET: Moving beyond learning the #lessons into applying them to your #life

Courage is not the absence of fear but the triumph over it.

Brian discusses how he became the positive, motivating guy he is today - and what it was like realizing he had lost sight of the abundance in his life. Brian goes on to give insight into the value of cultivating a positive mindset and the influence of those around you, as well as why it’s so important to surround yourself with the right people in order to create your best life. Brian shares some challenges he’s faced along the way, including an especially difficult trip to Paraguay, and how he’s learned to deal with challenges in a more productive way through meditation, personal development and physical wellness.

Becoming the owner of your happiness.

As they close out their chat, Brian goes into the concept of being the “owner of your happiness” and why he’s so passionate about helping others through his coaching program. He also shares some insight into the inspiration behind his book, The First Step, and the organization he donates to with every book sale. Brian has a tip for anyone chasing their dream: if there’s something you want to do, do it now. He leaves us with his number one piece of advice for fellow dream chasers, courtesy of his father: If you don’t know where you’re going, any road will take you there. Brian closes with a few extra tips to help you get started:...