Chats & Tatts

In this podcast, we delve into the captivating world of tattoo artistry, guided by the incredible talent of our guest, Dave Warshaw. With his keen eye for detail and boundless creativity, Dave has established himself as a distinguished tattoo artist, leaving an indelible mark on the industry.

Join us as we uncover Dave's journey, from his humble beginnings to becoming a sought-after tattoo artist. Through intimate conversations, we'll explore his inspirations, artistic process, and the evolution of his style. Dave will share his insights on the significance of tattoos as a form of self-expression and discuss how he collaborates with clients to bring their visions to life on their skin.

Beyond the artistry, Dave's experiences as a tattoo artist offer a unique window into the stories and emotions behind the ink. We'll delve into the meaningful connections he forges with his clients, the transformative power of tattoos, and the role of art in healing and empowerment. His son, Wolfgang, also joins us, who tattoos Dave on the show!

Whether you're an avid tattoo enthusiast, an aspiring artist, or simply curious about the world of tattooing, get ready to embark on a journey that celebrates the fusion of art, passion, and self-expression featuring our guest, Dave Warshaw and Chats and Tatts host Aaron Della Vedova.

Here is the breakdown:

[00:01:11] Living Purely from the Heart.

[00:03:29] Having Fun in Life.

[00:07:00] Tattooing as a childhood fascination.

[00:10:25] Tattoos and toughness.

[00:16:00] Being an Ace.

[00:19:05] Music and Tarantula Hawk.

[00:21:55] Music as alien communication.

[00:24:09] Tattooing and Divine Intervention.

[00:28:03] Custom tattoo artwork.

[00:33:08] Professional Illustration Career.

[00:34:17] Tattoo artist branding businesses.

[00:38:04] Intention ceremonies.

[00:41:23] Career shift and break.

[00:44:45] Creative store concept.

[00:49:00] Leaving tattooing and creativity.

[00:53:21] Magic of tattooing.

[00:56:10] Tattoo apprenticeship and travel.

[00:58:59] Tattoo removal and AI.

[01:02:21] Automation and Artwork.

[01:05:49] AI-generated art trends.

[01:09:10] Video games and creativity.

[01:12:38] Trademarking voices and music.

[01:16:27] Father-son tattooing dynamic.

[01:21:58] Meeting different types of people.

[01:24:48] Practical advice for tattoo artists.

[01:26:29] Finding artistic voice.

[01:30:09] Tattoos and interesting guests.

Quotes:

"Cutwater hired me to brand the entire company. So when you look at the Cutwater bottles and you see the cool monsters or the Tiki huts or the skulls or any of that stuff, that's all me."

"If I want money, I write Sony money, 55,000 fucking times, Sony money, Sony money, Sony."

"There is magic in tattooing. That's just so different than any other type of art."

"The greatest gift in life is the fact that you have one."

"I'm keeping court with Kings and that's who I run with, dude."

Connect with Dave:

Website: https://www.warshawsprovisions.com/

IG: https://www.instagram.com/davewarshaw

IG: https://www.instagram.com/warshawsprovisions/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/WarshawsPrvns

Connect with Aaron:⁠

Website: http://www.chatsandtatts.com

Tik Tok: https://www.tiktok.com/@chatsandtatts

IG: http://www.instagram.com/chatsandtatts

Chats & Tatts YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/chatsandtatts

Aaron IG:⁠ http://www.instagram.com/aarondellavedova

Guru Tattoo: http://www.Gurutattoo.com

Entrepreneurship: Solving Problems and Finding Success

In this episode of Chats and Tatts, host Aaron Della Vedova speaks to a serial entrepreneur and founder of Ever Bowl, Jeff Fenster. They quickly discuss the mindset needed to succeed in business and how problem-solving is the key to success in business and life. He emphasizes how everyone, from parents to employees, is an entrepreneur at heart and that the key to success is being able to solve problems effectively. They also discuss how many of Aaron's clients and friends are entrepreneurs, and how the COVID-19 pandemic has led many people to become entrepreneurs and find their own voice. The episode is full of good advice for entrepreneurs and those looking to start their own businesses, plus a deep dive into the state of our world with AI, robotics, and the possibility of a dystopia. You are going to want to listen to the end!

[00:00:00] Entrepreneurial Mindset.

[00:06:45] Creative problem-solving.

[00:08:22] Identifying the problem.

[00:13:02] Success is formulaic.

[00:16:37] Building Relationships for Success.

[00:19:26] Asking for help.

[00:22:23] Building relationships through kindness.

[[00:27:35] Learning and giving back.

[00:30:19] Time management for entrepreneurs.

[00:36:02] Productivity vs activity.

[00:40:00] Saying "Yes" to Opportunities.

[00:42:22] Balancing entrepreneurship and parenting.

[00:52:02] Younger generation's work mindset.

[00:55:10] AI and labor force.

[00:58:06] Universal Basic Income.

[01:01:02] Robotics and AI disrupting jobs.

[01:04:18] Dystopian future and AI.

[01:14:43] Handmade vs. Technology.

[01:20:57] Importance of playing with AI.

[01:24:21] Disruptive power of ChatGBT.

[01:28:01] Relationship Bank Account.

Connect with Jeff:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fensterjeff/?hl=en

Jeff's Book: https://a.co/d/73tQ3Kt

Everbowl: https://www.everbowl.com/

Connect with Aaron:⁠

Website: http://www.chatsandtatts.com⁠

Tik Tok: https://www.tiktok.com/@chatsandtatts

IG: http://www.instagram.com/chatsandtatts

Chats & Tatts YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/chatsandtatts

Aaron IG:⁠ http://www.instagram.com/aarondellavedova⁠

Guru Tattoo: http://www.Gurutattoo.com

Today we chat with Andrew Arrabito, a former US Navy SEAL who has dedicated his post-military career to marine conservation efforts. He is the founder and CEO of Half Face Blades which employs veterans and is a company that creates custom knives for outdoor enthusiasts and military personnel, and also advocates for sustainable fishing practices and the protection of marine wildlife. Arrabito's experience as a Navy SEAL has informed his approach to marine conservation, and he is a passionate advocate for preserving the ocean and its ecosystems.

Here is the breakdown:

[00:00:00] Bear encounters.

[00:03:44] Becoming a Navy SEAL.

[00:06:00] Miserable ocean swims.

[00:08:29] Physical toll of military service.

[00:11:33] Hallucinogenics for PTSD treatment.

[00:14:30] The power of DMT.

[00:17:14] Overcoming fear through psychedelics.

[00:20:59] Human fear of tomorrow and yesterday.

[00:23:08] Doing the right thing.

[00:25:59] Transitioning from military to civilian life.

[00:28:36] Custom knife design and business.

[00:31:31] Unique knife handles.

[00:36:03] Warpaw wine.

[00:37:22] Aging wine and hot sauce.

[00:40:11] Truffle hot sauce.

[00:43:08] Creating a team for mental health.

[00:45:58] Grizzly bears are no joke.

[00:50:23] Tattooing takes a long time.

[00:53:50] Tattoo meanings and stories.

[00:55:30] Tattoo pain as torture.

[00:57:51] Drinking and tattooing.

[01:02:25] Falconry License.

[01:02:53] Overcoming life's challenges.

Connect with Andrew:

IG: http://www.instagram.com/specoperator

Check out Half Face Blades Website: https://www.halffaceblades.com/

Connect with Aaron:⁠

Website: http://www.chatsandtatts.com⁠

Tik Tok: https://www.tiktok.com/@chatsandtatts

IG: http://www.instagram.com/chatsandtatts

Chats & Tatts YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/chatsandtatts

Aaron IG:⁠ http://www.instagram.com/aarondellavedova⁠

Guru Tattoo: http://www.Gurutattoo.com

On this episode of Chats and Tatts with Aaron Della Vedova, Jason Hoehn, founder of the highly successful Hollywood jewelry line to the stars, Huckleberry Ltd, shares how he gained confidence in his sophomore year in a Catholic school where he encountered a gang member who tried to pick a fight with him. He also shares his insane story as he began a career in modeling, how drugs shaped his experiences early in his life, the home invasion abduction, and how he turned his life around to become a successful entrepreneur and founder of Huckleberry Ltd.

What we chat about:

[00:00:00] High school gang member encounter.

[00:03:49] Modeling and Antonio Sabato Jr.

[00:07:10] Modeling agent hype.

[00:12:24] Illegal drug trade in modeling.

[00:14:21] Best weed in Canada.

[00:16:10] Drugs, modeling, and entrepreneurship.

[00:22:44] Bullying in private school.

[00:26:02] Thai kickboxing at Muay Thai Academy.

[[00:38:35] Home invasion and wealth.

[00:39:15] Making jewelry as a career.

[00:42:25] Million-dollar drug robbery.

[00:47:06] Abduction on Manhattan Beach.

[00:53:08] Lie detector test for drug cartel.

[00:55:18] Spiritual intuition and manifestation.

[00:58:43] Changing your energy.

[01:02:11] Identity and life choices.

[01:05:40] Writing a Book for a Price.

[01:10:35] Cool tattoos vs. meaningful.

[01:12:31] Mickey Mouse, the serial killer.

[01:18:33] Jack of all trades.

Connect with Jason:

https://huckleberryltd.com

Connect with Aaron:⁠

Website: http://www.chatsandtatts.com⁠

Tik Tok: https://www.tiktok.com/@chatsandtatts

IG: http://www.instagram.com/chatsandtatts

Chats & Tatts YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/chatsandtatts

Aaron IG:⁠ http://www.instagram.com/aarondellavedova⁠

Guru Tattoo: http://www.Gurutattoo.com

In this episode of "Chats and Tatts," host Aaron Della Vedova interviews tattoo artist Mike Boyd. The episode begins with a discussion of Franz Marc's artwork, "The Tower of Blue Horses," which inspired Boyd. They continue with a discussion of Boyd's art style and his decision to pursue his unique Picasso style of tattooing. Despite potential criticism, the Cubism artistic movement that inspires his designs has proven to be desired by many around the world. The conversation also touches on social media, modern health, and cultural opinions. Check out Boyd's killer mushroom tattoo he rips on Aaron Della Vedova during the show.

[00:00:00] Avant-garde tattoo art.

[00:03:29] Learning tattoo techniques.

[00:07:56] Tattoo apprenticeship experience.

[00:10:14] Tattooing and art style evolution.

[00:13:41] Watercolor effect and psychedelics.

[00:17:53] Artists breaking through the universal firewall.

[00:22:40] Brexit and UK politics.

[00:24:10] Supply Chain Issues.

[00:28:14] Homelessness in left-leaning cities.

[00:31:15] Mental health crisis among homeless.

[00:34:26] Microdosing with mushrooms.

[00:40:32] Psychedelics experiences.

[00:42:23] DMT and marijuana sandwich.

[00:45:21] Psychedelics and self-improvement.

[00:50:31] Gratitude for being alive.

[00:52:16] The power of hallucinogenics.

[00:56:07] The genesis of the internet.

[01:00:08] Social media addiction.

[01:02:56] Authenticity on social media.

[01:05:40] AI and creativity.

[01:09:25] AI-generated movies and art.

[01:13:09] Becoming cyborgs in art.

[01:20:05] Color theory book for tattooers.

[01:21:56] Large-scale body work.

[01:25:51] Following your heart in tattooing.

Connect with Mike:

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@mikeboyd5654

IG: https://www.instagram.com/mikeboydtattoos/

Tik Tok: https://www.tiktok.com/@mikeboydtattoos

Connect with Aaron:⁠

Website: http://www.chatsandtatts.com⁠

Tik Tok: https://www.tiktok.com/@chatsandtatts

IG: http://www.instagram.com/chatsandtatts

Chats & Tatts YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/chatsandtatts

Aaron IG:⁠ http://www.instagram.com/aarondellavedova⁠

Guru Tattoo: http://www.Gurutattoo.com

In this episode of Chats and Tatts, host Aaron Della Vedova interviews Elliot Sloan, a mega ramp skater, musician, and avid toy collector. Elliot shares his journey of how he became a skateboarder, his deep respect for taking risks, the challenges and focus it takes to accomplish his goals, and his passion for music and collectibles. Aaron also shares his own experience with skateboarding and how he was inspired by Tony Hawk's 900 at the X Games.

[00:00:00] Tony Hawk's 900.

[00:03:23] Overcoming fear in skateboarding.

[00:07:24] Becoming a pro skateboarder.

[00:10:43] Life-changing moments.

[00:15:02] Moving to California.

[00:19:09] Overcoming failure in sports.

[00:20:59] Child prodigies and gratitude.

[00:25:54] Conjuring up emotions during meditation.

[00:29:10] The importance of taking action.

[00:30:55] Managing pressure and expectations.

[00:33:57] Forgiving yourself after failure.

[00:38:48] Growing up without smartphones.

[00:41:09] Connecting with idols.

[00:44:35] Tattoos and pain.

[00:48:23] Tattoo pain sensitivity.

[00:53:42] Upcoming events for Elliot.

Connect with Elliot:

YoutubeL https://www.youtube.com/c/elliotsloan

IG: https://www.instagram.com/elliotsloan

Connect with Aaron:⁠

Website: http://www.chatsandtatts.com⁠

Aaron IG:⁠ http://www.instagram.com/aarondellavedova⁠

Guru Tattoo IG: http://www.instagram.com/gurutattoo

Chats & Tatts YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/chatsandtatts

BioMech Pioneer Marcus Lenhard Discusses Decorating the Human Form in Tattooing

SUMMARY

Aaron Della Vedova interviews tattoo artist Marcus Lenhard on his show, Chats and Tatts. Marcus is a tattoo artist from Germany who specializes in BioMech, a type of art that was popularized by HR Geiger and Aaron Kane. Aaron and Marcus discuss the importance of pushing oneself and never getting too comfortable. Aaron also talks about his recent trip to Switzerland where he visited Guer Castle where HR Giger's Restaurant, Bar Museum is located. It is a seed for the BioMech movement, which is a fusion of nature and animation in concept art and tattooing. The movement is inspired by how nature solves problems and is still alive in concept art and tattooing.

Guy Atchison and Aaron Kane were two of the most prolific people in bringing BioMech to the tattoo industry. Guy Atchison's craftsmanship of machines has kept BioMech cool and how the impact of their work on the tattoo community has been massive, changing the way people do tattoos from pictures to decorating the body with shapes that move with the human form.

How The Chat Went Down:

0:00:00 Tattoo Artist Marcus Lenhard on BioMech Art and Tattooing

0:02:32 Conversation on HR Giger's Influence on BioMech Art

0:04:18 Exploring the Impact of BioMech on Tattooing

0:09:56 The Impact of Japanese Water Waves on BioMech Tattooing

0:13:39 Exploring the Art of BioMech Tattooing

0:18:00 Exploring the Evolution of Tattoo Artistry

0:21:28 Exploring the Differences in Tattoo Preferences Between Men and Women

0:27:21 Blackwork Tattoos and the Popularity Among Women

0:29:42 Exploring the Personalization of Tattoo Art

0:31:36 The Process of Creating a Custom Tattoo

0:35:11 "Tips for Long Tattoo Sessions: Strategies for Comfort and Focus"

0:36:53 The Benefits of Taking a Mechanical Approach to Tattooing

0:40:46 Freehand Tattooing

0:44:03 Working Practices and Recent Move to Canada

0:47:00 Honesty in Tattooing: Advice from a 30-Year Veteran

0:53:04 Creative Inspiration Through Reference Prioritization

0:54:53 Nature for Inspiration in Tattoo Artistry

0:56:38 Authentic Artistic Expression Through Nature and AI

1:01:44 The Potential of Artificial Intelligence to Create Novel Experiences

1:06:42 Possibilities of AI-Generated Art

1:09:40 Copyright Infringement and the Impact of the Market on Artistic Expression

1:11:02 The Impact of Technology on Creativity

1:14:06 Technology and Personal Agency

1:17:28 Reflections on Moving to Different Countries and Developing as an Artist

1:18:35 Taking a Break to Find Inspiration and Avoid Burnout

1:20:31 Exploring Psychedelic Experiences

1:28:16 Reflections on Tattooing and Surrendering to Life's Changes

1:31:13 Tattooing with Luxaltera: An Intimate Experience

1:37:37 Artwork and Healing Process

Quotes:

I can just remember running around catching lightning bugs and that sound, picking them off trees. They would emerge from these little bioskeletons, and then the real insect would emerge. And I remember picking up those little things and talk about HR geiger. It looks like where geiger might have got the inspiration.

I like to get tattoos that remind me of my childhood. And I had a really good childhood growing up in Iowa. Just pure nature. But in Iowa, every so many years, these huge swarms of cicadas would infiltrate our entire neighborhood and make this incredible sound, just, wow.

Your authentic way you approach tattooing, I really appreciate that. Your process, how you interact with your clients, how you like to very carefully gauge where you gather your reference material to keep you more authentic and not just echoing the voices of other artists.

I feel like you have to develop yourself as an artist, and you can become an amazing artist, but once you are an amazing artist, have you also done some personal development in the meantime?

If you arrive at 40, 45 and you feel like, oh, I feel like I'm still 20 because I haven't really done anything but just, like, tattooing and art and tattooing and art and tattooing and art, then at some point you're like, maybe there's space for some other stuff here that makes me grow as a person.

I still draw, I still paint, but not nearly at this pace I used to, only because I'm striking a balance, like, gosh, can I do something else today besides art? Can I go ride? I like the mountain bike, too, and anything. Just go for a walk.

Professional Athlete Turned Sold Out Festival Creator - Johnny Shockey's Fascinating Journey.

SUMMARY

Johnny Shockey is an interesting individual with an interesting life. He grew up in a small town in southern Alberta, and his dad told him at a young age that sports would be his out. He ended up becoming a professional hockey player before leaving the sport and becoming one of the most well-known festival creators in the live entertainment business.

Johnny came to the US from Canada with only $40 in his pocket and eventually, his coach gave him $500 to buy food and clothes. The conversation centers around work ethic and the importance of instilling good characteristics and habits in children, his club, restaurant, and festival career, including the enormously successful Crssd Fest and Under the Big Sky Country Music Festival and Rodeo which he hosts on his 350-acre ranch in Whitefish Montana annually.

From scrappy and broke kid from Canada to night club owner and music festival success story, raising kids with grit, and cattle ranch talk about Wagyu beef, this is an episode you don't want to miss.

TIMESTAMPS

0:00:00 Introducing Johnny Shockey

0:02:11 Johnny's Journey from Canada to the US with $40

0:03:48 Appreciating Humble Beginnings and Creating Character

0:06:20 The Role of Work Ethic and Fighting in Professional Hockey

0:08:20 Reflections on Hockey and Life Experiences

0:10:00 Exploring the Rise of Electronic Music

0:13:00 From San Diego Nightlife to Producing Cross Fest and Under the Big Sky Festivals

0:17:31 Creating a Music Festival in a Small Town

0:20:20 Conversation on Wagyu Cattle and Ranching in Montana

0:22:17 Snake River Farms on Wagyu Beef and Craft Meats

0:26:18 Exploring the Intimacy of Tattooing and Music

0:30:55 Designing a Tattoo to Remember a Pivotal Project

0:32:47 Appreciation for Attention to Detail in Event Curating

0:34:00 Creative Thinking and Upcoming Events

Quotes:

You're pretty artistic when it comes to how you curate your environments, your restaurants, your clubs, and your music events. The detail that you put into them is pretty bitchin.

After 30 years of tattooing, I look back, on all of it, and the thing I'm most satisfied by and proud of is the friendships that were made, my best friends, real people I care about, who I know a lot about.

Craft meats are a real thing nowadays. Just like wines are just like even cheese down to different things that people are really passionate about. So it's how it's curated, how it's grown, how the story behind it. I think the day I was driving by the grocery store and it said, grass-fed wagyu for sale. And I was laughing to myself. I'm like, well, most I think all wagyu is grass-fed. That's fine.

If you want to go to an amazing venue to see music that has to be right up there with, like, red rock and some of these really famous venues that you created a new one that's brand new, that a lot of people had never been to. And it's gorgeous and it's cool. So congratulations to you on that.

Check out Johnny's Festivals:

CRSSD Fest: ⁠https://www.crssdfest.com/⁠

Under The Big Sky: ⁠https://www.underthebigskyfest.com/⁠

Connect with Aaron:⁠ http://www.chatsandtatts.com⁠

Aaron IG:⁠ http://www.instagram.com/aarondellavedova⁠

Guru Tattoo IG: http://www.instagram.com/gurutattoo

Ekali's Breakthrough: From Sleeping in the Van to Sampling Drake.

SUMMARY

Aaron Della Vedova chats with Nathan Shaw, known as Ekali, who is a music producer, DJ, and EDM trap-style artist. Ekali has worked with heavy hitters from his first song out of the gate which was picked up by Drake. He has worked with Skrillex, Zoo, and Wafia, to name a few. His journey to get to the top of the food chain in the music industry and that first confidence boost he got when Drake sampled one of his songs.

Ekali's love of music started at a young age in Vancouver, Canada. When he was in elementary school a special teacher, Ms. Tomlinson, gifted him a violin that changed his life forever. In high school, he struggled academically and eventually dropped out to pursue music full-time. He joined a band but eventually felt creatively unsatisfied only playing bass.

In the early 2000s, electronic music began to gain popularity, especially in America. This is when the protagonist began to get interested in EDM and started making his own music. His first song was Unfaith, which Drake and Party Next Door sampled, giving him his first big break. He eventually hired an agent in Europe and went on four or five full European tours before becoming a well-known sought-after DJ and producer in America. But it hasn't all been easy, fun, or pretty.

Ekali gets real about drugs, anxiety, and loneliness on the road as a solo artist, and what, or who, is the catalyst for him to course correct and move into the next phase of his career and life.

Tune in. We hope you enjoy this open, honest conversation with the remarkably talented Ekali.

What we chat about:

0:01:55 A Journey from Vancouver to the Music Industry

0:03:20 Ekali's Musical Journey

0:06:32 Ekali's Breakthrough Moment and Early Career Experiences

0:11:09 From Touring in a Van to Making Lemonade Out of Lemons

0:14:06 Touring and Substance Abuse

0:16:34 Touring as a Solo Artist

0:20:19 Balancing a Rock Star Lifestyle with Self-Care

0:21:47 Social Anxiety, Solo Album, and Touring During COVID-19

0:25:29 Impact of the Pandemic on Musicians' Live Performance Income

0:27:25 Navigating Touring and Relationships in the Music Industry

0:28:39 Fiance, Touring Life, Marriage Plans, and AI Art

0:30:21 AI and Its Impact on the Arts

0:32:08 Use of AI in Art and Music Creation

0:33:47 Benefits of Utilizing Technology in Music Production

0:35:23 Exploring AI as a Creative Assistant and His Upcoming Music Project

0:41:04 Meaningful Tattoos and Decorating the Human Body

0:46:11 Upcoming Projects and Tour Plans

Quotes:

I kind of put myself in a box, and the type of music that I make isn't necessarily ideal for dance, which is what these events are all about. Like, really heavy trap and dubstep is really fun and there's a lot of high energy, but there's not as much groove as other genres of music.

There are Instagram accounts with hundreds of thousands of followers, and there are artists who just do AI art, and that's it. And to me, that's a little bit scary because it's sort of eroding the integrity of the art.

I don't think that there will ever be a replacement for human art, but I do think that it's going to make living and prospering off of your art even more difficult than it already is for people who are just beginning, people who are trying to get into the field.

And the environment you're in, it's just like I don't know. I'm sure she trusts you, but I know most women would be like, wow, my husband is traveling around the world surrounded by drugs, alcohol, and women. That's got to be stressful a little bit. Even if they feel completely comfortable and trusting of you, you know, that kind of probably eats at them a little. It would eat on anybody.

It like, at my peak, I was playing, I think, close to 150 shows a year, so it was very busy. And coming out of COVID my first tour back, I think I played about 30 dates on the tour, and that was over the course of two months, so it was show every other day. But I got burnt out real quick the past few years. I'm getting older, and I'm finding that I want to spend more time at home now, and luckily I'm able to have that luxury. I can afford to just play a show here and there and then spend more time at home with my loved ones and making music.

Connect with Ekali: http://www.ekalimusic.com

YT: @Ekali

IG: http://www.instagram.com/@Ekalimusic

Connect with Aaron: http://www.chatsandtatts.com

Aaron IG: http://www.instagram.com/aarondellavedova

Guru Tattoo IG: http://www.instagram.com/gurutattoo

"Deep Sea Fishing - A Life-Long Dream For Grant Morgan" SUMMARY Aaron Della Vedova, host of the podcast Chats and Tatts, welcomes his guest, Grant Morgan. Grant made some bold moves to realize his dream and encourages others to find the courage to find their dreams and pursue them even if it changes over time. Grant, AKA Captian Morgan, grew up on a ranch in North County, San Diego, and used to go fishing with his father. His father had access to the reservoirs for the orange groves, and they would fish for largemouth bass and other freshwater fish. As they got older, they started to explore the nearby beaches and eventually started to fish there too. He becomes obsessed with fishing, and it is a huge part of his life. Grant recounts how his passion for fishing began at age 13 when he started taking Power Squadron courses with his father and became the captain of the boat. His brother became the first mate, and together they learned the necessary skills to become competitive deep-sea fishermen. They eventually bought a 26 foot boat and then a 30-foot boat, which they used for fishing trips. After college, the speaker worked for the Winter Olympics and various other events before taking a voluntary severance from AT&T, where he had been the VP of an outsourcing business. He decided to focus on fishing rather than take a job in Dallas, which he found unappealing due to the lack of ocean. He went to Mexico, ended up on a fishing boat and what happened next is a moment you just can't make up. Listen to find out how Grant went from Deep Sea hobby fishing to becoming the master. What We Chat About: 0:02:34 From Ranch Kid to Professional Angler 0:04:17 How a College Fund Led to a Career in Fishing 0:06:23 Leaving Corporate Job to Pursue Passion for Fishing 0:10:58 Taking a Risk in Costa Rica 0:14:57 Fishing the Biggest Tuna Tournament on the West Coast 0:16:53 Tournament Fishing: Winning Big Money 0:18:35 Exploring Southern California Bite and Kite Fishing Techniques 0:22:36 Fishing for Giant Bluefin Tuna 0:24:19 The Rebound of Bluefin Tuna 0:30:26 Kai Fishing Technique with a Tournament Specialist 0:32:19 Understanding Currents, Structure, and Bait 0:35:33 Water Temperature, Hard vs. Soft Bottom 0:39:27 Parallels Between Business and Sport Fishing 0:41:09 Japanese Fish Preparation Techniques for Sushi 0:45:37 The Benefits of Sustainable Fishing and the History of Sushi 0:50:56 The Benefits of Plant Medicine 1:00:38 Exploring Ego Death and the Gift of Being an Individual 1:03:09 Nature of Existence and Ego 1:14:01 Geometric Pattern Tattoo Design 1:23:58 Professional Fishing and Limited Charters 1:27:07 The Power of Positive Thinking Quotes: I'm working. We're trapped in a room. We aren't on our cell phones or just me. And you talking about life, and bonding, and I think you're a perfect example of the thing I'm most grateful for in this 30 year career is at the end of it, I have friends like you in this world that are friends for life. That's where they are hitting either other animals or rooting around in the mud. They feed at the bottom in thousands of feet of water and come up to kind of warm up and digest. We caught this one in like 1200ft of water with really deep, deep set rig. It's a new technique. Connect with Grant: IG: @staysaltysandiego Connect with Aaron: http://www.chatsandtatts.com Aaron IG: http://www.instagram.com/aarondellavedova Guru Tattoo IG: http://www.instagram.com/gurutattoo