The Keep Rolling Campaign, Hope, and Dealing with Life Struggles
Host: Eric Chow · Guest: DeAndre Wilson · October 16, 2019 · Episode 11 · 72 minutes
Transcribed from the episode audio and edited for names and terms. Speaker labels are assigned automatically and can occasionally place a line with the wrong speaker; the episode itself is the record.
Eric Chow
What is up everybody? Welcome back to the Eric Chow Empowers Podcast. In this episode, I'm interviewing Mr. DeAndre Wilson, a gentleman who reached out to me on Twitter after seeing I had tweeted about this podcast. Less than two days after that initial message on a Friday morning, we ended up recording the episode that you were about to listen to and it is a damn good one. If I had one word to describe how I felt after recording this, it was inspired. If I had one word to describe the story you were about to hear, it is hope. Guys, the story you're about to hear is one of incredible mental toughness, one of determination, one of setting goals, and trying something that is so uncomfortable, scary, and unforeseeable when it comes to the future.
And I said accidentally, as if it was one thing, it is not. It's several things that he's done in his life. And the advice that DeAndre gives in this episode, there is so much that is just incredibly practical and applicable to everyone's life, because truly everyone struggles. Everyone goes through some difficult situations in life. Everyone wants to make their lives better and make a more meaningful life. And the word empower, which is so important to me that you guys know this, it's in that podcast title. And it's an important word to DeAndre's story as well. And you'll hear why. You'll hear how he empowers people.
And yeah, honestly, there's not really much else to say. So I think let's just get right into this episode. So thank you for tuning in. This is episode 11. What's up, DeAndre? Let's start with this whole story about the wheel.
DeAndre Wilson
Okay, definitely. Okay. So my father who had stage four. liver cancer and colon cancer. He was battling all of that as well as you know going through the chemo treatments. So he decided to roll the tire. Let's take his mind off of things to be focused. The community loved to see it. He loved it. People would always say, hey, Jaundrie, I saw your dad and I was like, yep. He had his tire out of it. And you're like, yep, he did. So the community really loved to see and he loved doing it because it took his mind off of everything he was going through. And I was also happy to see that he was still going.
He didn't go without a fight, which is so many times we have illnesses and things going on in our life and we just give up. But when he kept going, so that's the best part of the whole, just that whole time with him to see that. But once he had passed away, I received all of his things, of course. And so the tires set in my garage for four years before even getting it out. And it just kind of hit me one night. You know, I said, I'm overweight. I'm not where I want to be financially or with my health mentally. So I got retired the garage one night.
and just started flipping it and rolling it. I did it at night to build the confidence that I needed as well as the muscle because of full body workout. So during that whole process of learning how to maneuver this thing, it would fall on me. I'd get, you know, little sprigs here and bruises there. Just trying to learn this thing. But eventually the muscle was built, the confidence was built. I just started taking off around. the community just as my dad did. So I definitely wanted to keep the legacy going. And then from there, articles, magazines, features, sponsorships, it's just been a blessing really and truly to have all these things happen.
I'm really close to being able to monetize the tire. It's been quite a process to get people more engaged with it. I mean, this is so unique. I mean, how many times you see something like this? And so I have to convince people that, you know, when I have the tire and I go to these destinations, I'm rolling it to and from. A lot of people thought I would, you know, put it in a truck. That's not the case. That defeats the purpose of what I'm doing. So I remember I gave a presentation. I'm on the local high schools here and they were like, so where'd you park your truck?
And I was like, what truck? I didn't park it. I didn't, I don't even, I don't own a truck. I, I've rolled it. That's the whole point of this. So it's, it's to get people to understand what, what I'm doing now, what I want to be doing and to be able to also engage the impact. And that's important. And, I mean, the results are happening pretty fast when it comes to gauging the impact. I know some will come later. It comes with time. It's good to see what's currently happening and how people are receiving this so I guess through all those hurdles. It's definitely the process, but I'm figuring it out.
So I would say hopefully next year in March when I officially start doing the campaigns where I will pick a nonprofit whether it's candidates related or one that I share our mission statements kind of align where I will start a campaign. They have an entire month will raise money at the end of it. I'm going to pay myself a little bit and then I'm going to give them the rest. So that is how I would start where I'm at and then where I'm going.
Eric Chow
So, okay, so your dad had stage four cancer, two different types of cancer. Yeah, you did. Yeah. And so from his diagnosis, how long until he started rolling the tire?
DeAndre Wilson
You know... I would say it was it was very soon. I remember one day he just kind of came home with it. I would say it was it was very soon because wow, that's always been in shape. It's always been the fitness. And I guess he wanted to do something he clearly knew because he had this he had this goal of he wanted to be able to pull vehicles. So on my Facebook not only keep rolling. campaign Facebook paid as a video of him pulling five vehicles and so again he did that with cancer so he kind of just wanted to do all of these different very unique things and I think the tire I'm a wry got the idea from like say he just came home with the tire one day but I think all of that working together in his mind like I have to do some epic things before I leave
Eric Chow
And so it was shortly after he was diagnosed he was pulling the cars and rolling the time Wow So for him it was part of it was just to get his mind off into cancer and then wanting to do something and wanting to I guess show that cancer wasn't just gonna defeat him as that kind of what it was Yeah, yeah, he wasn't going to go just give up and go without a fight And then so he passed away. I'm sorry about that. Thank you. That was what? Four or five years ago? Five years. Wow. And then so four years later, after you passed, you picked up the tire thing. The new overweight, which is interesting.
DeAndre Wilson
Yeah. So, so I looked at the whole metrics and 235 from my height is obese. Didn't know that. And I felt it, you know, it kind of looked like it. Now, like, looking myself in the mirror. Sure. But I was like, I'm gonna lose weight. You know, he always said it was a full body workout. So I overall don't need a gym membership because the tired itself is a gym. You're trying to do something right there?
Eric Chow
Yeah. But luckily I'm sponsored by gym. So I'm gonna take a manage of that. But getting in shape and then keeping mental health in check, physical health, I mean, all that ties in together and like, right? interesting when people say I could never roll the tire and I'm like, yes you could. It's all about mental toughness. It's like, can you lock in to be able to roll that tire from the destination? And what I mean by that is, if I'm on the tire to the destination, it's easy. But then coming back is a difficult part. And so I could always dwell on, oh my gosh, I wish I was at home and laying on the couch.
I can't wait to get home, but that makes the trip more difficult. So I have to silence that, live within the moment, and then take off. And then it never fails. I'm stopped. People want to take pictures. People want me to tell the story. We talk about it. So I'm talking to people, adding people on social media. It works out. So... We have being able to have the mental toughness and being able to lock in Is definitely key to moving a 230 pound tire for anywhere to two to five hours So depending on where I'm going and then I got to come back 225 pounds two to five hours 230 30 pounds 230 pounds Wow, and I'm rolling like I say from anywhere from two to two to five hours Wow How did you develop that mental topic?
It all started with Starting my first business turntable my brother and I started dad's arcating business. I had to tell myself early on I'm going to do this I have I have no choice I have to make this work and so from going with the first company over the last five years that was kind of like the start of it and then the ultimate test was the tire. The other I would say there was two ultimate tests. The first one was making the company sustainable and then being able to maneuver the tire let alone just roll it. I mean you have to pick this thing up because when you drop it, it was the right to pick it up.
Right. So I think mental toughness for me came in. creating and sustaining these businesses and then finding it within myself that my dad was literally deteriorating what excuse do I have? Yeah, because I think if he can do it like that, that's always in for the rest of us.
DeAndre Wilson
Exactly. And I tell people nowadays, just 30 minutes of fitness, you don't have to do what I do. I get it. It's a bit extreme for for some folks, if you could different people. But I think we all could benefit from at least 30 minutes a day. Walk around a little. Take, pick up two 10 pound dumbbells and go for a brisk walk. But walk, you know, 10 miles a day, something. Do five push-ups a day.
Eric Chow
Something. Yeah, I agree with you. I agree with you. I like to push up one because anyone can do push ups anywhere or squat lunge. I can get up from this call right now and knock out a few if I wanted to. Exactly. Exactly. Like if you don't want to do push ups through squat, through lunges, whatever.
DeAndre Wilson
Something. Or I did some research and I found out you can just stretch for 30 minutes. Cooling on the muscles will help. Alright. Dude, you're stressed for 30 minutes.
Eric Chow
That's easy. Yeah, anyone can stretch. And everyone can stretch. Yeah. Yeah, that's a good one. Okay, I didn't know that before. Yeah, you're stressed. With the, I liked what you were saying about the determination, because part of it for you was like, you were being tested by... the business and buying a higher. So you kind of just like threw yourself in and kind of thought that you would kind of let it work. But you also said like there was the perspective with your dad, which is interesting, like for like a regular person who wants to be determined. Like if the Andre's dad can have cancer and push a tire that is 230 pounds in two to five hours. You can go study for your test. You can go do five push-ups. You can like there's no...
DeAndre Wilson
You can do whatever you buy yourself to do. Yeah. You were trying to say something? No, I was agreeing what you were saying.
Eric Chow
I also think that another thing that I was noticing was like this, what you were doing like a one step at a time sort of thing. Yeah. And I mean that literally through like... as you were building your business and kind of getting into the tire, you just like literally one step at a time, but also as you're pushing the tire, it's, oh man, I got this whole trip back. You know what? No. Screw it. I'm just gonna do it one step. Okay, next step. Okay, and eventually I'm gonna be home.
DeAndre Wilson
You're just gonna be home. So, so this like setting checkpoints for yourself, small checkpoints. So if you know. I'm at a stop sign and I can see the gas station down the street. Okay, that gas station is my current checkpoint, which is a short term achievement. So if I can get here, that gas station, I'm closer to being home. And long before someone has stopped me or my favorite song is playing and I've gone past the gas station without even paying attention. And I stopped and turned around and I'm like, oh, Well, I accomplished my goal for my goal right now, how to set my next goal so that I can see the high school down the street.
Okay, I need to get there. So, yeah, that's an in baby step. So, Jeff, Jeff, nice my brother. We started a turntable. And so we really believe in baby steps. How do we scale the business, take our time, there's no need to rush. So like for a while we just did hors d'oeuvres. That's it. Once we were comfortable with doing hors d'oeuvres, then we started doing buffets. Then once we started doing buffets, once we get comfortable with doing buffets at different levels, then we're going to start doing plated difference. So there's no point in, and this is just how we feel, you know, baby steps has got us where we're at, and there's no point of overwhelming yourself. You just cave at that point.
Eric Chow
Not only is it not being overwhelmed, it's also like, I'm just going to do something. And then I'm going to build up. Exactly. Yeah, absolutely. Because I think a lot of people debate things and they're like pondering, oh, should I do this or not? Just take one step. One step. And if you like it, keep going. If you don't, stop. Exactly, exactly, exactly.
DeAndre Wilson
But the fact that what you just take one step, just try. Yeah. You know, so, and people, we have to get there, just try. Just try. You know, my thing is, there is some pushback with the tire. For example, I've been pulled over by the police with the tire. Or people point in life and say that's stupid. So, you know, individuals that say that stupid, you know, I really wonder, it's like, what do you have going on mentally that you aren't willing to deal with that makes you think what I'm doing is stupid. What haven't you accomplished in your life that gave you the right to share, to be disrespectful like that?
I'm the one that's currently happy and I truly believe that those individuals that say those faithful things have some darkness that they are dealing with or struggling with or heck won't even acknowledge. But they saw the tire and they decided to voice how they felt. And so it's like I talked to people about trying. I talked to people about Talking about what's on your mind. I just went that too long ago. Talk about what's on your mind. And one thing I didn't anticipate with the tire is because I had the courage to go out there with the tire. People from all over the United States will mess just me on Facebook and they were telling me how they felt about the tire, what they were going through personally, what they were going through physically, how cancer has affected them, all these things.
So I'm like, okay. The tire really can bring situations out of people. It's a great icebreaker and so If I ever could see those people again that said the tire was stupid I would like to say hey, why is stupid and what are you doing with I couldn't at the time because I was like at an event and You know I had a group of people over here who were like cheering for me and happy and taking my picture and then this small group over here said what they said So I chose to obviously focus on the group that was supporting me. But if I ever hear someone say no, something negative, I would like to say why.
That's the one thing I would like to get to the bottom of. And I'm pretty sure they won't be able to answer. I'm just sure they would say something along the lines of it just seems harder, you know, whatever the case may be. Then once they say that, I fight that's going to be a common answer, we'll be able to never talk about it. Yeah, you have to do that.
Eric Chow
And even if they don't end up like answering exactly why, at least they'll be challenged. And so they'll be able to go home and be like, oh, I'm going through some shit. I got to deal with it. Yes. Let's hope.
DeAndre Wilson
Let's hope. I want people to deal with what they're going through. Like earlier this year, the rapper Nipsey Hussle was shot in queue. And I saw that video on Twitter and the and I for the first time had empathy for that guy that killed him because Because when I watched that video he like went over in Kipnipsey So not only did you take his life? You not only did you disrupt what he was doing in this family's life you took his life his family's hurt His parents are hurt. Us as hip hop enthusiast are hurt. And then you go over and kick him. That man is dealing with something dark.
And I just hope that an individual in Evansville, like I can help them talk about whatever. And that's what the tire really does. I'll roll in a neighborhood. Someone will stop me and they'll ask, yo bro, how do I do such and such? You know, whether it's dealing with alcohol abuse, wanting to start a business, looking for daycare, trying to come up with, you know, a secondary income. I mean, I get a wide range of things from like not so bad to like extremely bad. you might need professional health. And I'm trying to direct people all over as best as I can. So, that's why I really like, I really like, emphasize, like, mental health, mental toughness. That's all that is important.
Eric Chow
What would you say to someone who might be listening to this and might be struggling or knows someone that's struggling or wants to do something, knows someone that wants to do something, or might, or I mean everyone's gonna want to do something, everyone's gonna struggle in the future, so maybe they're good right now, but what would you say to that person?
DeAndre Wilson
So honestly, if it was, if we knew someone, or if someone approached me, or even listening, I would first start off by saying find someone that you can trust that's not going to judge you. That's gonna just listen. It starts with listening and that's what I found out, rolling the tires at these individuals that are talking to me, want someone to listen. Don't say anything until the very end when they present the question, then in the meantime, just listen. So those times where I'll set the tire down and we'll sit on it and they just talk. I drink my water and I just listen and I don't say nothing.
Because there's so many other people probably criticizing and judging and offering trying to fix a situation before you even know what you're trying to fix. Yeah So I would say find someone that you can trust that you can talk to and their only job is to listen and if you ask them a question, hopefully that individual knows kind of fast where to point that individual to get further help.
Eric Chow
Yeah, I like it. I think that just in my own life too, when I've had people there to just listen, you don't need to yell, don't yell at me, don't criticize me. You don't even have to say anything. I don't need advice. Sometimes it's just like someone there to listen to me and say, maybe just give me some acknowledgement. Show that they're like maybe not understanding what I'm going to be empathizing something. Yeah, something Exactly And I think you're absolutely right like a lot of people they try to talk they try to solve I'm I used to be like that too. I used to be the person who always wanted to give advice. I was that guy Yeah, and eventually I realized that's not always what people need
DeAndre Wilson
So yeah, yeah, absolutely. I'm a score mentor. And so my problem was I wanted to help entrepreneurs before I even knew how I was supposed to help them. And I had to take a step back and I'm like, you know what? I'm going to shut up. And chances are, as an entrepreneur, when you talk about the situation out loud, you're probably going to end up fixing and just being there to listen. And I've said to a lot of my clients before, I'm like, what you saw was your own problem. I'm glad I was here to listen, but you figured it out. And just to see that light bulb turn on and then go out there and fix it and do what is beautiful.
Eric Chow
Yeah, and I like that. I think I've done that for some people too. When people rant, I might ask them some questions. I'm not giving them any answers. I'm just asking them questions to clarify. And then eventually they come to their own conclusion and they're like, hey, thank you. I'm like, I didn't do anything. Exactly. I just pointed out. I just, I just, I didn't know what you were saying.
DeAndre Wilson
So I asked the question and you figured it out. Ask questions to help people get to the bottom of it. Yeah. I like that. So we have to do it as mentors.
Eric Chow
Yeah. I've done it for myself too. This is actually kind of funny. You have like imaginary conversations in my head Where I pretend I'm talking with somebody else, but it's just me. Yeah, so in like having an imaginary conversation Actually solving problems. I don't know something about the conversation just helps.
DeAndre Wilson
Yeah, that's that's actually how I learned this new conversation and I do the same thing. I you know people say I think all entrepreneurs talk to themselves whether it's in turn like how you described it or it's out loud. I do a combination of both but I do talk myself through certain scenarios and situations and like I ended up figuring it out.
Eric Chow
I think that just goes to show that we really have all the answers.
DeAndre Wilson
I think we do. Yeah. Are close to it.
Eric Chow
Yeah, yeah, we might not have everything that's true and obviously we all need to ask for help and that's what you're saying like find someone who trust obviously we need that but I think I Mean we can't listen. We can't do the listening part for ourselves We can't be the first thing is listening to us.
DeAndre Wilson
We need somebody else to do that but no problem sometimes that can be done by ourselves You can't be yeah, absolutely. I think my favorite quote is by Mary J Blige She said it's one of her songs called My Life. Then she said, life is what you make it. Now we've heard that before, but when it came from marrying, it just hit differently. So I felt like it's really you make it. Like you're in control every single minute. And so it just when it came from her, like I've heard that before, it's nothing new, but it just when it came from Mary on a track, I was like, that's destiny.
Yeah, it is. Yeah. I think let's let's talk about it. What is that line mean to you? To me, it is every day waking up, seeing some new challenges, being uncomfortable, figuring out how to solve the problem and then getting comfortable. Like I like being uncomfortable. What that means for me is being an entrepreneur. And Figuring out, okay, how can I make money off of my passion and I'm not trying to get rich by any means But I want to be comfortable where I can unleash travel I don't need fat house with the pool and maids own you know that because that's another level of stress I'm not trying to compare for But a nice home with the ability to travel.
I think that's beautiful So being on, so life is what you make it. I'm uncomfortable. I'm in control to where I can wake up and figure it out and get to where I need to be. And can anyone stop me or tell me other ones? Because I've already, so like, so like my love language is words of affirmation. And so I've already told myself I can do this. I'm great. I'm the goat. I'll make this work. I'll figure it out. I know where the resources are at. I know who the talk is.
Eric Chow
I've already coached myself. So life is what you make. I love it. I love it too. I really like that last, but you said too. Like your own biggest fan. Yeah. I think that's just so important. It's a lot of people are the biggest criticizer of themselves. Yeah. I think yeah, definitely need to need to change that.
DeAndre Wilson
That's that's just self-love right there self-love self-love self-care is important All of those things are important.
Eric Chow
Yeah, you said the love languages. I know what that means I don't know if all my listeners do so why don't you you want to explain or I explain it You okay, so I just took a test for this first time so I'm not too familiar with it.
DeAndre Wilson
Okay So we can both explain we can both just tackle it together.
Eric Chow
Yeah, so the five love love languages is why I think it's a guy named Gary Chapman, I believe and Basically the idea is we all show and receive love differently. Yeah, and You know the way that I prefer to receive love might be different from I can't say you because I'm also with affirmation from my family. Yeah, for my I might be the way we receive love might be different from my parents and so sometimes that gets into conflict because You know if I want to show love to somebody but that isn't their primary love language They'll appreciate it, but not as much as What their actual language is?
Yeah, the love languages are words of affirmation which happens to be DeAndre and mine Yep, acts of service. Physical affection, so that's what the kids, the gifts. Yep. Forgetting what? And then assisting the projects. Isn't that acts of service? Oh, I'm sorry. Yeah, I'm sorry.
DeAndre Wilson
What is the other one? I always forget the last one.
Eric Chow
It's not even like I forget to save one every time. I just get four out of five. Every time. Yeah. You don't hold up. Let me let me look for words of affirmation physical gifts affection I always forget it too This sucks happens every time Yeah, one day I'm gonna get them all five. All right. I think I'm a good Okay. Oh quality time That's it. That's what it is. All right. There we go So you you took a test to figure out which one was yours. Yeah test you know Yeah, so there are tests out there that you can take. And I think also if you understand what those five are, you can probably just kind of figure it out.
Physical touch is really simple. That's the, you need the hugs, you need the hat on the back, that sort of thing. Words of affirmation is just like encouragement, words of encouragement, words of advice, more encouragement I think. acts of service is just someone doing something nice for you that you need to ask for. Gift is pretty self explanatory. Quality time is just, I think one distinction is like that's not, that may not be just like sitting down and watching a movie. It's doing something together.
DeAndre Wilson
That's what quality. Yeah. That's all five. Yeah. So, yeah. That's what's helped me. Where does the affirmations help me?
Eric Chow
I think it's good for you especially because you're able to just encourage yourself. Like, yeah, that's obviously awesome to get it from other people too. to be able to get it from yourself. Because like you can't really do quality.
DeAndre Wilson
Well, I guess you could do quality time with yourself a long time. Yeah. Hey, naps. Let me tell you. A good hour to have naps with the fan.
Eric Chow
It's a great quality time. Yeah. Yeah. That's a good one. Let's talk about this whole thing about discomfort. So. Obviously uncomfortable to do entrepreneurship. Obviously uncomfortable in the beginning for you when you were you wanted to do the rolling the tire. You did it at night. So no one would see you, no, no at first and then you started doing it. But actually wait, before we talk about that, the first time you took the tire out and in like public during the day, when people saw you, how did that go?
DeAndre Wilson
How are you feeling? I felt great. Obviously sore. Yeah. I didn't even make it as far as I planned to because it was like every other house or every other block, if you will, was stop me to talk about it because one of the objectives for the tire is community conversation. So the point of is to me to roll the tires through neighborhoods, through the community, to have a conversation with you. Just that simple. So the very first time I went out, I was going to leave my house and go to the trail system. I didn't even make it. I was talking to everybody before long, the sun was down.
I was like, you know what? I need to get home to work the next day. It's how you get home, but I didn't even make it that far, but I would say the very first day was successful because now people are Knowing it seeing it and they're like, huh? This is gonna be unique and over that period of time where I'm at today is kind of grown into what it's become today Yeah, and what has it begun?
Eric Chow
The con English what hasn't become today for you?
DeAndre Wilson
Like so many people messes me on Facebook and they have their all interpretation of the tire So for this segment of people it's a symbol of hope and that's what's become the day for other people it is this new fitness workout plan, so that's for them For another segment of people it is Something that we can relate because I saw my dad doing it And so there is this point of like transferring the trust over. For other groups of people, it may be a way to be able to trust this guy because he's doing something so intense. So now we can talk to him about a lot of things.
So I really don't know if for really what it's become because it's hit so many different segments of people. A lot of the older generation that hang out on their porch or hang out outside are like, I remember when we dad used to do it and I love seeing it. So personally, I don't know what it's become, but based off what people are telling me, those different social groups, I know it's something for everyone. It's hit home for different people. I really like the fact that people find to be a symbol of hope. I also like the fact that people have now found it easier to talk to me and to trust me and to ask me a wide range of questions. So those will apply like my favorite too. I would say fitness probably next. I mean, if fitness is fitness, but it's cool.
Eric Chow
I do want to share this with the audience. Yeah. How DeAndre and I connected. Yeah, let's let's let's let's share this because I think this kind of connects what we were just talking about. Okay. It was DRock, right? Yeah, yeah. So DRock put out a tweet and DRock is a filmmaker for a guy named Gary Vaynerchuk. Yeah. And DRock put out a tweet that said, if you have a podcast. What is it about? And I said something about how I want how my whole thing is to empower to empower people to live meaningfully consciously and authentically that was those are my three words Mm-hmm and I tweeted that and then DeAndre you responded.
Yeah, and you were just like hey, man. I'd love to be on We have no we live we this is the first time. I mean you guys don't know we're on video call This is the first time I've seen this face. Very first time. This is... I did no idea who this guy was before... what, two days ago? Two days ago, yeah. Yeah. Yeah. This is just... and then he just messaged... he just said like, I really love it. Can I be on? I'm like, I'll DM him and chat a little bit. And then now we're here. I mean, this is just incredible.
DeAndre Wilson
The power of social media, we use it the right way.
Eric Chow
Yeah. And I think that... This is also to me because I didn't know about your campaign. Yeah, and to me I just keep hearing you're empowering other people Like yeah, it means different things but in some way shape or form you are empowering someone whether to work out whether it's to have hope for their Perce someone that someone in their life who has cancer? Yeah, whatever it is. Maybe it's just empowering them to face their struggles. Yeah. Yeah However, they're interpreting it and that's just incredible to me.
DeAndre Wilson
Yeah, definitely definitely. I would say as soon as the courier impressed, that's the link that's in my Twitter volume. I got a hundred and eight thousand views and I forgot how many shared roughly 500 shares and people from Massachusetts and California and New York were messaging me on Facebook saying This is how you impact so so yes, I do agree that it all comes back to empowering I do agree with that so okay What what what are your socials? You got Facebook seems to be the main one most people contact you on so well well Facebook and and LinkedIn okay Yeah, so the Andre Wilson on both of those platforms and then Twitter and Instagram is DeAndre D Wilson
Eric Chow
I'll link all of it in the description guys.
DeAndre Wilson
And that's my social media handles, but like I said, they're using social media using Twitter. When I saw when I saw that post on Twitter about the podcast, I was like, that's what I needed because one of my one of my side like hobbies is I started a podcast tour. And that's simply reaching out to people like you Eric and saying, can I come on your show? And they're like, yes. On their show, we're podcasting it up and we're having a great time. I've always wanted to do a podcast, but I don't really have time. So I'm trying to figure out what I can do.
I don't know yet. I did have this brief idea of having my own YouTube show. where I roll the tire and someone's walking with me and we're talking about empowerment and being a creative and entrepreneur, always different topics and at the end they have to roll the tire. I think that's hilarious. That's great. I'm leaning towards that but I don't know yet.
Eric Chow
I think that I'm not I'm no expert but I think that YouTube is pretty hard to get started on. Because yeah now there's just so much on YouTube. I think it's easier on Maybe Instagram even Instagram's reach now is kind of starting to Decline a little bit. I'm not sure how much but Instagram is Probably still a easier place to like get the attention It actually this is kind of what if you did it on TikTok? Yeah I heard TikTok's reach is pretty good.
DeAndre Wilson
So I hear some good things about I could do that I haven't used the platform myself, but I've heard good things about it.
Eric Chow
So I'm not like against the idea right and then like I mean just rolling a tire around and Sharing some quick tips.
DeAndre Wilson
I think it could be pretty good. Yeah And to have like a guest on there here and there. Yeah Yeah, I think like TikTok TikTok IG Yeah, I kind of I kind of I kind of kind of guilty I do want that YouTube flag that says you have over a hundred thousand followers. Oh, yeah, I mean I want that. I mean that'd be nice. Yeah, for sure But I'm not after like I'm still dreaming about it. Yeah, I don't put anything on paper yet One thing that's really occupied my time is I'm creating a documentary about the process now and the tired. And whatever platform I decide to go on with is TikTok, IG, or YouTube.
The documentary will be broken down into smaller parts. So that will be content for that particular platform. And I also want to create like a documentary tour. take that thing everywhere as much as I possibly can because a director and I we have agreed that we're going to submit that thing to every single film festival, art festival, whatever festival that allows film we're a senior team.
Eric Chow
That'll be good. So how long have you been working on that? We three months. Amazing. Yeah. And it's just like the story behind it and then how far it's come.
DeAndre Wilson
Exactly. And the cool thing is I got a GoPro. So I wear the GoPro on the head mount and I'll go out with the tire and get, you know, like a conversation with people, people hung in their horn and pulling up the side. I really get the city of Evansville. I really get the beauty. of the city and people rallying behind something and this documentary. So it's fun. Amazing. Got some interviews with some pretty cool people in the city.
Eric Chow
Yeah. So has it only been in your town so far?
DeAndre Wilson
Have you moved to other places and tried it? It's only been in Evansville so far. If I could get a truck, I would be opposed to going somewhere else in Rome.
Eric Chow
Right, but that'd be kind of difficult and costly and everything.
DeAndre Wilson
Yeah, and I would and I would so like Indianapolis is our capital and so it's two ish hours away because the new highway they just recently built but I would like go up there take my portfolio Go to city go to the city with it and like hey, this is what I do This is what I want to do here around downtown Indianapolis.
Eric Chow
Oh, I see. And you would like try to shut down some stuff maybe and then to roll it there.
DeAndre Wilson
I mean, there's nothing shut down in Evansville. So I just go in traffic.
Eric Chow
But if you're in Indianapolis, that's the city.
DeAndre Wilson
Yeah. I don't know. I would just go with it. If this is Gatsby. locking something down and I'm like, well, okay, this is your game. I'm just thankful to be here. So block it off. I would have to do, but I would have suggested I'd be like, let's just do this thing. Yeah, I see it. So however you can do it.
Eric Chow
Yeah, I'll just do it. Yeah. Let's, uh, let's go back to this thing about like goals and checkpoints. Okay. So what's the. What's the big goal for you right now? There's the documentary.
DeAndre Wilson
Yeah, what else is there? So right now it is being able to get down to the weight I want to be so right now I'm at 210 I started at 235 once it's 213 I'm at 210 I want to get between 180 and 195 ish somewhere in that range and once I do that of course through training and eating right all the time. I want to go to Guinness and I want to set a record for the longest higher level. And so there's no one that ever said it. So I'm talking to them now and sometime next year some of them Guinness will come out and they'll like with the what's the I forgot what the tool is called but it helps with gauging the meters and miles.
you want to go on all that. I'll figure all that out but come to Evansville, we'll do all of that and then we'll figure out the distance I need to get on. I'm thinking 20 to 30 miles is what they're going to tell me to be able to set the record and I kind of want to go 30 miles because that means who are going to want to roll that tire for 30 miles? and want to beat my record. And you know what the thing about it is if someone wants to beat my record, that's fine. I said the first one, I mean I'm embedded in history for being the first. So if you want to destroy my record and go 100 miles, absolutely do that. But I will always be first.
Eric Chow
Maybe we shouldn't announce that so no one can steal your idea.
DeAndre Wilson
Well, that will probably not you're right. You're right. But you know, hey, if somebody wants to, it'll be it'll be more of a challenge now. It's like, you know, I don't want to I hope they don't say you can just go 15 miles. I'm like, no, anyone can do that. Anyone can do that. It may take them longer, but they can they can go 15.1 beat it. Yeah. So. I got to go between 20 and 30 and that will be that would be it.
Eric Chow
That's amazing. Thanks. That'll that be so that sometime next year you're hoping.
DeAndre Wilson
I'm hoping sometime next year and and whether Indiana is just so unpredictable one day it'll snow and next day at 72 degrees and then it'll rain and then there's a blizzard the next week so. I'm just maybe this time next year when the weather is like pretty consistent because fall, then we can do it. One thing I don't like is, I mean, I'll roll the tire 90 degree weather to get like that, like a real good sweat, a real good workout. But if I see 95, I'm like, yeah, I'm not rolling today. 90 is okay. Anything past 95 95 and up. I'm like, yeah, I'm not Yeah, and you definitely don't want to do the world record attempt in that I really don't want to go 20 miles in 90 Yeah, no five degree one of it.
Eric Chow
No, definitely not I like I like your thing about the the the perspective on like setting checkpoints like mini goals sort of thing So yeah, you have these like long-term goals But sometimes like when we set things like that it just seems so difficult Yeah, and I think I like the idea of like setting mini goals like hey I did that or I actually wait that's that I've tuned out long time ago Let's now the next goal is like right over here. Okay, exactly like you don't even have like a End goal. You're just like all right. I'm gonna just set a checkpoint. Oh, I met it. Okay. What's the next one? Oh, I met that one too. Okay. What's the next one?
DeAndre Wilson
All of that. That is how in the beginning that's how I got home. Now I can just get home. Right. But I had to build it up. And so that's how I would get home. I would see that stop sign three blocks away. That's the goal. I'd see that school or that gas station. I got to get there to get closer to my house. And so that's why I do it. And probably when I set that Guinness Road record. I'm probably going to have to do that again because I've never gone over 20 miles before. The most I've ever done in one day is 12.
So I'm probably going to have to go back to that when I get to the 16th and 17th mile of the day. I'm probably going to have to look at that stop sign four blocks away and say that's the goal. But the cool thing is my favorite song starts playing and I kind of like zone out. And I like you said I'll go past it and I'm like oh it's mad. I roll right past it and stop acknowledging it. Because it helps when you acknowledge that you could get there.
Eric Chow
Yeah. Or if you acknowledge oh crap I passed by a long time ago.
DeAndre Wilson
Let's keep going. Exactly. Exactly. So yeah. And one thing is like when I rolled the tire around the city I'm understanding just how tiny and resilient. Like I can get somewhere like the high school I went to to talk to a little five miles from my house. And I was there in like 45 minutes and it didn't dawn on how fast I'm really moving. And I was like, whoa, this is I'm I'm really booking it didn't know it. But because of I've been doing this now for seven months, my body's now used to it and I've got the headphones in and I'm thinking about. You know living in the moment and there's birds chirping I'm watching out for collars.
I don't even pay attention to how fast I'm truly moving Like my friends say walk around like them all or something. They're like you're running. I'm like no, I'm not I'm walking and so like that has Definitely impacted my life physically to where I don't even realize that quote unquote. I'm running like I'm walking now the joke is I'm running but I'm talking and they're like no you're running and I and I'm taking big steps now and my stride's no longer. Don't even know it.
Eric Chow
Because now when you walk around regularly it's so like you're basically you drop 230 pounds like yeah.
DeAndre Wilson
Yeah. Walking around normally for me is for the next person is running.
Eric Chow
Amazing. Yeah. That is sick. Let's Let's let's let's shift to a fun-ish topic. Okay. You said you wanted to do traveling.
DeAndre Wilson
Yeah, we're what's what's like the dream destinations Paris Paris Mm-hmm the food the atmosphere the people the history And then after after Paris that's like the first place I want to go I definitely want to just travel all of Africa Egypt All of it the whole entire is continent. I'm gonna see all of it That'll be next but traveling Yeah, it's been fun for me. Yeah, I've never been to Paris or Africa though I want to do that and then on top of that like I want to when I go to these places I Want to do a podcast in these places?
Eric Chow
Yeah, so like I Huh go ahead. Go ahead. I'm gonna say I mean just to be able to do a podcast know someone and go visit And be cool that'd be incredible. Yeah, maybe maybe they'll meet like this Yeah, social media you could use it effectively.
DeAndre Wilson
Yeah, how many podcasts have you done so far?
Eric Chow
So I've been keeping track on on on iTunes But not everyone uploads to iTunes. Some people upload to the podcast app or some upload to SoundCloud or Spotify. And I kind of didn't think about that. I just thought it was all on iTunes. So I'm well over 30 podcasts. Wow. Yeah. It's been a great tour. Amazing. Connecting with people on... Because my strategy with the podcast tour was I use all social media platforms. And I was like, and when you in the search engines, all these social media platforms, I don't think people really understand like how detailed they are and how much you can really get from those search engines.
So I'll link them, Facebook, Twitter, IG, I'll type in podcast, owner, podcast, host, podcast. all these individuals will pop up and I'll message them with my sometimes I'll send them like my links and bios and things like that. And other times like with you Eric I just sent a question. Yeah. Yeah I just send a question and and then see what happens. A lot of people have said no but that's the worst you're going to get. Right. I'll get for the one no I would get like three S's I'll take the three S's Yeah, even if it's three no's and one yes, I'll take it.
I'll take it. That's just one step further to me find me ending the podcast tour and then Hopefully starting another one up maybe 2021 That's amazing man. That's amazing any Let's let's wrap up the episode. Okay, what would be Just advice that you would give I'm 18 years old. Let's just give some context here Okay, most of my audience is going to be around my age give or take a couple years There are a few that are gonna be much older but most of my audience is gonna be that and then Yeah, what what advice would you give us? For 18 year olds? I'm going to tell you let's make it 16 to 22.
DeAndre Wilson
I think okay 16 to 22 so I'm 27 So for 16 or 22, go out there and mess up and learn and have fun in the process. There's no reason, well society says go to college, figure out what you want to do and do it for 30 plus years. I'm not going to tell anyone to do that. I'm going to tell you to be happy. I'm going to tell you to go out and work with this job. and then get a part-time job. Now you have two jobs, you can figure out which of the two you really like. You need to have two full-time jobs or two part-time jobs and you can figure out what's one you want to do.
Okay, I like this one. Let the other one go pick up another one. Learn different skills, figure out what you want to like and then once you think, you know, okay, I've learned, I feel good and I feel like I've learned a decent amount. Turn probably one of your hobbies into a side hustle but keep in mind and You can't live off that you may not make any money off that the first X amount of months Yeah, but if you stay consistent and stay having fun I think somewhere in all of that you'll be like, you know what if I tweet this if I change that If I can learn this skill I think I actually make it work and I can take a side hustle into a part-time job and I could probably take my part-time job into my full-time job. So baby steps, learn as much as you can and have fun.
Eric Chow
Love it. Happiness sort of thing. Yeah. Absolutely. Yeah. And then I asked this question earlier but let's ask, I'm gonna ask it again. Okay. Someone who's struggling, someone who or maybe not necessarily struggling, but someone who needs some encouragement.
DeAndre Wilson
What do you say? Well, so I hope they first hear the first time you asked them what I said then. I think now for my second answer, I would say, I would say learn your love language and figure out what that what that is. And if it's words of affirmation, then I would say, can you encourage yourself? Can you tell yourself all these things? And if it's, you know, physical touch or quality time, okay, who, who could you spend time with or spend time watching that's going to help you or, you know, so if that's spending quality time or physical touch, what individual, whether it's your mom, sniffing in other cousin, best friend, could you get a hug from and go tackle the world?
Eric Chow
So I wouldn't say what? I'll add like for some of them not even just words of affirmation quality time spend quality time with yourself. Yes. Do what you enjoy. Yes. Yeah. And also if the people you're talking to know what a love language is and you can just be like, Hey, my love language is blank. I mean, they now they know. Yeah. Yeah. And the cool thing is they don't even know what that is.
DeAndre Wilson
Now you have a conversation. Now you both can like. Ah, I like it. Yeah, that's true. Now they know theirs and yeah, you put it all together.
Eric Chow
Yeah, so yeah, because I was thinking that would kind of limit people like they'd have to find someone who actually knows what it is that connect. No, yeah, you're right. Do you love teach them what it is and then you're good to go.
DeAndre Wilson
Yeah, I like that. Yeah, thank you. Let them let them let us keep learning. Let's keep learning. I like to say it. I watch so many Millennials and Gen Z years, you know, go through college or prepare for college and I'm like I'll I try to give them best advice that I can because I'm like, you know, I believe everyone should have a associate's degree. I have a associate's degree and I have certifications. So my degree is in hospitality. Okay. My certifications are in event planning, hotel management and catering. But I sometimes I listen to some of these students talk about You know engineering and accounting and I'm like you should go you should do it if you want to do it apply yourself and get it done But so many of my friends that I went to high school with did the same thing said the same thing and then completely did something different and I'm like you wasted all that money and time to go to being an accountant to Gosh I don't know, working at desk at a pharmacy or something.
I don't know. I've seen a lot of people in my house. We had our classroom in a small ago. And like I saw people, I remember they went to school for this particular thing and I was doing something completely left to do. So I believe we should all have associate's degree. But if you want anything other than that, you really got to be determined and you got to speak to it and then be able to find work after it. That's something else colleges that's that's such an interesting topic these days.
Eric Chow
Yeah, it is I would say Because I'm I'm in community college right now. Yeah, but I would say to everybody else Number one is do it for you. Yeah, if you're gonna make a decision if you're gonna pick a major Do it for you number one? If you need to change your mind change your mind. Don't be afraid to change your mind Don't hesitate, don't waste your time like that. If you need to change your mind, change your mind, do it for you. Yeah. And definitely be thinking both about the present and the future. So present, are you happy with what you're doing? Maybe not happy all the time.
That's okay. That's totally fine. That's normal. But are you happy with what you're doing in general? And are you going to be okay in the future if you do that?
DeAndre Wilson
I was a community college too. So, yeah, I love to give this affordable and it's called community college. So therefore it is embedded within the community. So you've got resources, smaller classrooms, a lot of leaders in that building that can get you to the next level faster than you could if you're in a four year because everyone's going after that same opportunity. or they're tapping into those same resources that everyone's tapping into. So it makes little things a little bit more stressful, but with community college, I was like, yeah, I want to do this. I want to do this, and those leaders and those administrators were like, okay, done, do that.
Okay, done. Here you go. And I was able to go to the top. Because, like, for example, turntable, we catered the school. I went to, we catered the gay one. Oh. repast or nerves around seven months of business, young-ish to the game, how to be Leonard Gail is so fast. But it was because community college, I was there, I built it, they knew me, that relationship was there. I didn't have to do a tasting because I already knew.
Eric Chow
So... Amazing. Yeah. Anything you want to add? that I didn't touch on that you want to share.
DeAndre Wilson
For your listeners, if they want to follow me and then reach out, they have any questions or struggles I'm available.
Eric Chow
Yeah, that's it. I'll put everything I can in the episode description. DeAndre, I got you on, if I want you just send me everything and I'll just, I'll literally just put it into the stuff. I'll do this. Yeah, just messaged me everything. All right, thank you for coming on DeAndre.
DeAndre Wilson
This was an awesome, this is first of all, it's crazy how we even connected. I love it. It's amazing. I love it too. Thank you for coming on the man. Thank you. Have a good day. Hey everybody.
Eric Chow
Thank you so much for listening to this interview with DeAndre Wilson. I hope you guys enjoyed. listening to his story and got some great value out of it. I think it was super interesting and super inspiring. Who knows? Maybe you're gonna get down right after this and knock out some push-ups, some squats, go for a jog, go to the gym. I don't know. Whatever you want to do, maybe you'll even pick up a tire and start rolling it. I don't know. This is a story that I don't think applies only to... Physical feats though, you know, even if you're not going to go and exercise Go do something, you know, sometimes we're held back by fear You know DeAndre didn't have to pick up the tire and start rolling it around even though he was overweight he He had every excuse, he could have come up with a myriad of excuses of why not to go through with it and nobody would have questioned it.
But if he hadn't gotten started, he wouldn't have lost the weight he's lost. He wouldn't have gotten to hear so many people's amazing stories. He wouldn't have been on the, I believe, 30 podcasts that he's been on so far. on a podcast tour that he's doing. And I never would have connected with him either. And for me, you know, in my life, if I had let fear control me, I wouldn't be giving you guys this episode. I wouldn't have ever made a podcast. I wouldn't have had the amazing connections and conversations that I've had through the podcast. And, you know, the podcast is just one example.
And there are so many more that I can give in my own life. But really, that's not the point. The point is go do something, go try, go act, just go do and see what happens. You don't have to put yourself out there. You can. kind of do it in the shadows. He rolled around the tire at night to build up the confidence. Even for me, I might record a few episodes or a few little clips for the podcast that never have actually gone live. And I've done that, actually. There are tons of clips that I have that I've just never used. Some of them were just practice ones.
for the ones that actually go into the episode. Others, I literally have recorded them and tried to record them several times and none of them have ever made it into an episode. It's okay to do things behind the scenes, just try, just do, just start. And it doesn't matter whether it's a physical feat or some other thing. just go. I think that's one of the biggest lessons from this whole story. Take action and see what you can learn from it. There are tons of different lessons that are in this episode, but that's one of the ones that I really want to stress. Anyways, thank you so much for listening to this interview.
It really does mean so much to me to have people listen through these hour long episodes. Let me know, connect with me on social media, underscore chow eric on Instagram and Twitter. Let me know what you think about the episode, what you're taking away from it. Let me know if you enjoyed it. You can connect with DeAndre as well. His social media information is going to be in the episode description. Guys, thank you so much for listening. It really does mean so much to me. Stay tuned for episode 12, but until then, have a fantastic rest of the day.