Chats & Tatts

"I'm sorry, I can't be perfect." ~ If you're a 90's baby, you definitely know this song's lyrics!

In today's episode of 'Chats & Tatts' Podcast by Aaron Della Vedova, I am joined by Pierre Bouvier, the lead vocalist, frontman, and songwriter of the rock band, Simple Plan. In this episode we talk about tattoos. (of course), friendship, the changing music industry, getting his first record deal and how social media is changing the game.

Simple Plan started in 1999 as a Canadian rock band from Quebec. The band consists of Pierre Bouvier, lead vocals and studio bass guitar, together with Chuck Comeau as the drummer, Jeff Stinco as the lead guitar, and Sebastian Lefebvre as the rhythm guitar and backing vocals.

From the band's new millennium rise to MTV superstardom through a pop-punk modern resurgence, Simple Plan has a record of 10 million albums sold worldwide, record awards, 3.4 million videos online, and 23 years in the music industry.

Today, Pierre takes a look back and reflects on the band's journey of success. From being just a high schooler with the heart to write music who started a band with his friends to now, one of the most successful artists in the music industry.

As it's harder than it looks, find out how Pierre and his band, Simple Plan continue to share music with people with their 2023 lineup world tour! Also, get to know how Aaron and Pierre knew each other for a very long time as they share their tattoo, snow mobile and other experiences together. All this and more when you listen to this week's episode.

What we chat about:

0:28 - Guest intro

3:05 - How to overcome imposter syndrome

11:36 - Pierre Bouvier, Simple Plan's frontman reflects on the band's journey

19:01 - Simple Plan: The beginning of the band

25:17 - Where did the band name come from

27:13 - Simple Plan's 23 years in the music industry

28:20 - How Pierre is living his life before and after the band's success

34:21 - Tips for keeping your singing voice healthy

41:07 - How can energy change

44:08 - Who writes Simple Plan's songs

49:58 - The future of the music industry

57:13 - Reasons why you should care about your craft

1:00:12 - What is Pierre's advice to his younger self

1:02:48 - Pierre reveals his first tattoo experience with Aaron

Quotations:

"I wanna get a band. I wanna write music. I want people to hear it." - Pierre Bouvier

"Tattooing at first is about being very caring, pathetic, compassionate to the person." - Aaron Della Vedova

"The future of the music industry? I feel like it's just inevitable… it's always changing and now we're here. There are ways to capitalize on it, make it your own, and take advantage of the tools but it worked…. You just have to do everything. Push in every direction." - Pierre Bouvier

"In social media, you need to be authentic." - Aaron Della Vedova

Useful Resources:

• Listen to Simple Plan's music on Spotify

Get in touch:

• Follow Pierre on simpleplan.com, Cameo, Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter
• Connect with Aaron:
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chatsandtatts/
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/AaronVedova
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/aaron.dellavedova/
• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@chatsandtatts/featured

Find the fighter in you!

In today's episode of 'Chats & Tatts' Podcast by Aaron Della Vedova, I am joined by Chris "The Crippler" Leben, an American former mixed martial artist, referee, and bare-knuckle boxer. Also, he's a former WEC champion, UFC fighter, MMA coach, and MMA referee!

Chris competed in the MMA from 2002 to 2013, one of the most notable fighters in the Middleweight division, holding a record of 12-10 in his 22 appearances. He was one of the most controversial and outspoken fighters in history due to his abrasive and melancholy personality, which he developed during his childhood.

His love for fighting began in the early stage and he was very keen to learn boxing and wrestling. Fast forward, he was considered one of the most legendary fighters in history today. But it was not an easy road for Chris, as he struggled with big issues and challenges in life, such as drugs, alcohol, divorce, and anxiety.

So if you want to know more about Chris' journey to success and fame, what's it like to live on the edge, his life after MMA, and the real value of his tattoos, head over to listen to this week's episode!

Timestamps:

0:52 - Guest intro

2:17 - The impact of Chris' childhood experiences on his fighting career

12:47 - How Chris became a UFC fighter

15:15 - Fame: Pros and cons of being famous

18:26 - UNCUT! Chris Leben's on drugs, alcohol, parties, and women

22:11 - How Chris overcome anxiety and drug addiction

36:01 - What is success

49:08 - Is fighting a good sport?

56:53 - The transition of MMA from a barbaric sport to being the best combat sport today

1:01:54 - Chris reveals the reasons behind his tattoos

1:14:09 - His post-struggle after battling with a serious CoVid disease

Quotations:

"My mantra in my younger life is 'Everything in excess, nothing in moderation. Go fast, kick ass, chug beers, and crank tunes.'" - Chris Leben

"Bad things happen to us in life, the perspective can change it a hundred percent." - Aaron Della Vedova

"You spend your whole life saying yes, and then when you find success, you learn the art of saying no, occasionally." - Aaron Della Vedova

"You gotta manage your time… Time is our most valuable asset." - Chris Leben

Useful Resources:

• Get a copy of the book: The Crippler: Cage Fighting and My Life on the Edge by Chris Leben

Get in touch:

• Follow Chris on trainingcentersd.com, Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter

Connect with Aaron:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chatsandtatts/
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/AaronVedova
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/aaron.dellavedova/
• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@chatsandtatts/featured

I'm a skater. It's that simple.

In today's episode of 'Chats & Tatts' Podcast by Aaron Della Vedova, I am joined by Jamie Thomas, a professional skateboarder, and the owner of Zero Skateboards and Garage Days Collection.

Jamie started skateboarding when he was in high school with friends. His journey wasn't an easy rock as he suffered to be an 'outsider,' slept on the streets, experienced hunger, and fell thousands of times on his skateboard. But these didn't stop him from wanting to belong in the skateboarding community. Then when the opportunity arose from Ed Templeton's Toy Machine, everyone was all over him.

So for over twenty years in the making, Jamis has redefined the culture of skateboarding and being a skater. He showed a great drive, optimistic approach, outstanding work ethic, and remarkable progression that made his skateboarding career an inspiration to aspiring skateboarders across the globe. He earned the respect that once he hadn't.

Today, as the original pioneer of groundbreaking street gnar on the board, Jamie continues to push himself in business and skateboarding, while balancing family and life.

Find out how Jamie faced the challenges to land in the career he's most passionate about, what drives him to do better skateboarding every day, how he fought his inner demons, how faith and Christianity impacted his mindset, and what his future plan is in his career and business.

Also, you don't want to miss this episode because, for the very first time, he'll share the deeper meaning of his tattoos!

Timestamps:

1:21 - Guest intro

2:45 - Jamie's childhood background and skateboarding journey

9:34 - The importance of having a support community

15:26 - Jamie's leap of faith and breakthrough with skateboarding

23:55 - How to conquer life challenges

29:08 - How to start your own brand

33:01 - How Jamie transition from skateboarding to entrepreneurship

43:06 - The impact of the recession on a business

44:17 - Tips and tools to becoming a better version of yourself

51:52 - Why building connections matters in relationships

56:39 - Jamie reveals the reasons behind his tattoos

Quotations:

"I wanna focus on skateboarding. I love it! I feel like 15!" - Jamie Thomas

"I felt like I needed to prove to myself that I had value and that I was worthy of being a professional skateboarder." - Jamie Thomas

"The thing that I'd learned the most was that I'd been humbled and I'd been brought to my knees… what I've been doing the last five years in order to be able to dedicate myself, to the relationships that matter most and humble myself to accept the mistakes that I'd made in the past and to try and learn from them. So they're ultimately not things that I regret. They're things that I appreciate." - Jamie Thomas

"In the late nineties, I became a Christian. I accepted Jesus as my Lord and Savior because I knew that I had some internal demons that I was suppressing and that I was trying to navigate on my own. I reconnected with my faith..." - Jamie Thomas

"...seeing life through a different lens." - Jamie Thomas

Useful Resources:

• Shop Zero Skateboards merchandise here: https://zeroskateboards.com/collections/all-products

Get in touch:

• Follow Jamie on zeroskateboards.com; Facebook; Instagram; and Twitter
• Connect with Aaron:
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chatsandtatts/
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/AaronVedova
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/aaron.dellavedova/
• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@chatsandtatts/featured