Stay Tranquilo - STAY TRANQUILO HIGHLIGHTS

Episode Date: December 18, 2024

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What's up everybody? Welcome back to another episode of the Stay Tranquilo podcast. Our core was always having conversations with authentic creators, you know, whether that's in business, that's in the music space. We are here joined by Orlando Manders, aka the Cuban Cowboy. We are here with Miami comedy legend Matt Vallant. The pooch is on camera today. Your fit is definitely 100 today. You look good. You came in uniform.

This is brand new. I appreciate it. I appreciate it. I appreciate it. Big Garcia apparel right here for the Masters Edition. I had to rep. What does it mean for you to stay tranquil? To stay tranquil is just reminding yourself that through the tough times, through the bad times,

through the times of most confusion and just lost that everything is going to be okay. Do the work to figure it out. you know, internally and to to make yourself feel good, to make yourself feel happy, to make yourself the person that you're, you know, set out to be. It's about being present. It's about being a good person.

It's about just going back to like what you said, having the right values in life, not over-complicating things, not trying to be someone that you're not, right? It's just like enjoy life. Like this life, We don't really get a, essentially, we only get one shot at this, right? From what I understand.

But in this life that you have, make the best out of it and be the best possible person you can possibly be. It's not about being perfect, but it's about just being true to who you are and being calm and relaxing. And, you know, being at peace with yourself. Oh, yeah. I think it's admirable that, you know, the Hispanic, content creators and talent is is being represented in a in a big way right now i think you made a great point like bad bunny being like the epitome of that but the biggest thing and i'm sure you're seeing a shit ton of this now is like brands really fucking care about it and they're they're

looking for people like you to endorse or do you know sponsorship deals with whatever that may be um because they know that that audience not only watches a shit ton of content but they have a shit ton of buying power too like they're gonna they're gonna spend money too they they they they the Hispanic audience loves their people yeah right so like if if if I've got something going on my my

you know I've got I've got a bunch of diverse group of fans yeah the Hispanic ones are the ones that yeah let me take part in that exactly because they I don't know what it is represent something they're going to be like Lou represents that I'm going to represent that too and it's funny man you do a skit that

that hits that algorithm and it and it blows up and you know it's going to different markets and it's not it's it's left Miami it's gone to the country yeah And the comments are flooded with, man, I moved out of Miami. I missed this. I miss the Latino energy. I miss this.

Like, oh, fuck, you come to San Antonio. Come to Houston. Like, we need more people with that energy. That's cool. It's fucking, the people have a thirst for the Hispanic viewpoint perspective. And I think that's a good segue into like the next part of this, which on, you know, obviously being 305 day. But Miami in itself is like a brand.

And I mean, we've seen it with the whole only a date page. Like, people from all over the world follow that shit because they're coming in. They see that. They see all the crazy shit that's happening in Miami. And it really is like Miami and then Florida by itself. Like Miami is straight up. Is legit one of a kind. Nah, yeah, there's a reason we don't tell people we're from Florida.

Exactly. I mean, we fuck with Alligator. We're from Miami. I'll wrestle an alligator too. Don't get me wrong. I got the Florida boy in me. But I'm a Miami boy. Yeah, exactly.

We're not Florida man. And we're different. We're Miami people, and we do other weird shit, but we don't wrestle alligators. Some of people do, but we don't wrestle alligators. No, we watch, though. I watch it. What is it that you would say is, like, the thing that makes Miami so unique? What makes Miami unique?

That's a good question, though. I think everyone here either escaped communism or had family that escaped communism. It's not just Cubans. It's a Venezuelan. That's a very good point. Everyone here is, is. closely related to escaping communism. Yeah.

And so everyone here just like enjoys what we have in this country. Yeah, there's a lot of fucked up shit. We're not going to get into politics. But everyone in Miami comes with this happiness and this excitement and positivity and appreciation to the little things. Yeah. So where the old heads of stand-up comedy were those New Yorkers and they were complaining. Yeah. I mean, Bill Burr's made a career off.

complaining about shit and it's fucking hilarious. Yeah. But we are the exact opposite. We're appreciative. Yeah. We're like, man, let me tell you the good about this. Let me tell you the crazy positives about this. We take everything very lightly, I would say, too.

Yeah, man. Like, not that everything's a joke, but like we will find, I think, to kind of like how you're saying, like we'll find like excitement or we'll make a laugh out of something bad, you know? Because at the end of the day, like, like you said, like our families came from like oppressed situations. A lot of people here came. from similar situations and they see that it's like it's not that big at the end of the day.

At the end of the day yeah we got stroke we got bills to pay and shit but you know what we've got we can go to the grocery store whenever we want absolutely whenever we want absolutely fucking looting. I want to play the NFL that's my dream that's my aspiration that's what I'm gonna do so my whole heart that's what I believe so you know do a little red flag but I'm like hey it's a great opportunity great school and it's a platform it's a platform to play football and actually funny story the reason I didn't talk to Harvard is because I got on one one phone call with them because coach done he actually coached to harvard really so he said he coached that catholic for a little bit yeah so he coached to harvard and he sent the contact and at the same time

the school was committed to yale said hey we're going to call you soon like from like like the recruiting room with all the coaches and stuff like that so i get a call i'm like okay cool and i pick up the phone and oh it says connecticut because a coach was from connecticut And so I pick up the phone thinking it's Yale, but it's really Harvard. So I'm on the phone this guy for 10 minutes, not knowing. And Yale and Harvard, this is like real deal presidents to go to this game. That's a rivalry right now. And I'm like, I can't.

Like a five minutes of the call in. I'm like, he's like, got to come to campus. I'm like, I can't wait to come up. You know, New Haven's a great place. You know, go Bulldogs. And he's like, whoa, whoa, what? What do you just say? And I was like, yeah, go Bulldogs, you know.

Yay, Yale. And I was like, yeah, go Bulldogs. And I was like, at that moment, I just knew. It was like, you know the moment where you're like, yeah, you're like, I'm not getting doing anything here. You put a nice language. You fricked up, you know. I was like, oh.

And he was like, that's a bad side of the river. Like, don't talk about that school. Like, and all that stuff. Was he like genuinely upset? He was genuinely upset. He was genuinely upset. And obviously they wanted to recruit. That's a crazy story.

And I was like, shoot. And then from there on, I never heard from Harvard. Wow. Well, well deserved. But you know what? It wasn't meant to be. It wasn't meant to be. It wasn't meant to be.

But then, yeah. So I was committed to Yale my senior year. We had a good senior year, but good is, we made it to the semifinals. But now in Columbus, my little brother, he just won two back-to-back, junior senior years. So that's a down year. So we had a down year for Columbus football. And after that season, I was kind of like, okay, I'm going to Yale. We got accepted January.

I mean, everyone already signs it in December. January, I was like, okay, I'm about a press like, hey, like, let me matriculate to the system, let me go to Yale, you know? And then I get a call. I'm like, okay, like, what's his call? And it's the Cal coach saying that their quarterback flipped to UCLA on signing day, and now they're scrambling all ahead. They're like, oh, shoot, like all the quarterbacks already signed. Where do we go? And since legally you can sign people until like February 3rd, they still, like, had an option to sign me. And the only reason the signing period is so above. And you had no contact with them prior to this point.

West Coast. I barely even knew. Like, I obviously knew Cal and Stanford. Of course, yeah. I knew like Aaron Rogers, Marshall Lynch, but I'd never watched like a Cal game.

I was like, cow. You know what I mean? I literally caught one of my friends, Marcelo Mueller, he's at Michigan now. I was like, hey, man, like, you know anything about Cal?

Because we're on the phone, like stuff like that. He's like, yeah, great business school. I'm like, all right, sounds good. And I talked to the coach. I obviously researched more about Cal.

Yeah. And I was lucky enough. He said, hey, we're going to come down and see you throw. And that day, I was sweating bullets. I'm like, okay, it's my chance. Because I got a cow with Aaron Roger, Jared Gough. Or do I go to the Ivy League? I'm a Miami guy.

I went on my official visit at Yale. Loved everything about it, except it was negative four degrees when I went. Yeah. I mean, I can't play football negative four degrees, you know, every day. That's rough. So I was like, let's go. End up going well. They offered me a scholarship.

and I signed like three days later. Wow. What a crazy turn of events. At the last hour or two. Last, I really thought that I was going to go to Yale. And my mom kept on saying like, hey, you're going to get a Power 5. At that point, there are five conferences. Right.

Rip the Pack 12. But I was like, no way, mommy. Like, there's no way. Like, I'm going to Yale. And then magically happens. Mom's always no. It's weird. Mom's always know.

They always know. It's weird. I'm a big believer that, anything really is possible if you put your mind and you work hard at it, right? But sometimes the universe will say, hey, as much as you really want to do it right now may not be the right time to do it, right? So it is a difficult kind of choice to make. And it's respectable that the fact that you kind of take that leap of faith and put

yourself out there because it's not easy, man. It's not easy. I know you. I know you know it. But it's not easy. People don't see that. But all they see is the fame and the fortune and all the glorious things that come with it, but they don't see everything in between the lines.

My band and I were talking about that yesterday in the car ride, man, because there's, you know, it's tough out here. And there's so many easier ways to make money, you know. That's what we were saying is like, this can't be about the money. Right. No, you can never make. If you make it about the money, you will quit fast. Right.

And I feel like that goes for a lot of creatives. The second, you know, you can do, the second you do it for the money, man, it's going to weigh on you. There's so many easier ways to make money. True. You know, this is a grind. This is a slog, and it's super, you know, it's worth it. Obviously, you're doing what you love and your passion, but it ain't always easy. Yeah, no.

There's a lot of not glamorous moments, especially this past, you know, the past two years. That's a grind. But you know, the reason you keep doing is because you know that there's something on the other side. At least that's what you tell yourself. For sure. For sure. You know, there's more. You know, there's more.

There's more. but you also have, you know, a fan base, right? And the fan base really kind of aspires you to want to be more and do more because you're like, shit, you know what? People are actually listening to me, you know? People are showing up to my shows. Like, people. So there's also that validation throughout that process where you're like, I'm doing something, right? Like people are listening to me and they're watching me and, you know, reaching out to me, all these things.

And you're like, okay, shit, maybe I do have something on my, on the horizon. Absolutely. No, and there's moments of like, there's moments that make it really worth it. You know, it's a gradual climb and little by little you start gaining fans and gaining audience. And then I feel like there's just a moment that pops a little bit and there's, you know, big growth. And then again, slow, slow. So yeah, you live for those moments, you know. I want to do green flags or red flags first?

Let's end positive. Okay. So let's start. Let's start with the red. Well, what would you say are red flags and a guy? I'm saying you know girl single she's looking for a guy what are some red flags you would say

inconsistency if he's inconsistent explain that a little bit inconsistent with like he's telling you one thing but he's showing you something else inconsistent with like the dates like if it's been two weeks and he's only texting you and he hasn't tried to plan another date probably not looking for so I mean I'm not an expert

just for my own sharing it's all personal opinion yeah I mean it's different if he's on a Europe trip, you know, you gotta be, you gotta be open to that. But I think, yeah, I think that I've experienced a lot of inconsistencies and I've noticed that even with what they say, like things don't add up sometimes. So just keeping your ears open because I think that that's a red flag. You can spot it pretty quickly. I think for me, I mean, a big thing for me is not following through with things that you say

you're going to do. Okay. Like, I don't know. It's just my personality. Like, if I say I'm going to do something, I'm going to do it. So like it drives me crazy when a guy says he's going to do something and he doesn't follow through with it. Are there strikes to this? No.

Or is it like a one strike? No. We always say this. No one's perfect. Right. Like we're not perfect. No. There's no guy that's going to be perfect.

But I don't know. I don't know. Nobody's perfect, but I do believe that there's like somebody that's going to match your puzzle piece. And it's just going to work. You know, like you guys will get each other. But it takes a lot of work as well. And you've got to find somebody who's open to that. Yeah.

Because it's not just like. like, okay, he's great, everything's awesome. It takes a lot of work. But I think it's like, yeah, and somebody who's scared of commitment is very, very much a red flag. Commitment's a big one, yeah. How would you, I guess, notice that, though? Because I feel like there's people that obviously could do a very good job of hiding.

Hiding it. Yeah. Well, that's why I was going to say to you. Love bombing is a big thing. What's that is? No, I don't. You've been out of it for so a lot. Oh, my God.

Honestly, even if I was single, I probably still would have. Love bombing. And I'm curious to know if girls do this. too. I'm sure they do. You think? I don't know. I'm just trying to give so much challenge. But it's like we both experienced it where the guy tells you like everything you want to hear right away. They move very quickly. You're like you're so perfect. They talk future. They, you know, they want all these things like after the first date. That's love bombing. But you don't like that, right? No, well, it's not. How can you, how can you, how you barely know me? Right. Yeah.

I feel like that's like, what's the word? Like, not pushy, but like, It's like too much. Yeah, it's kind of like they're trying to feed the narrative. Gotcha. Yeah. They're trying to romanticize it, reel you in, and then when you're telling you all the things that you want to hear for the intent of just getting at you. Exactly.

And then they're like, oh no, I don't want to release the shit. And they pull back and it's like, you know what? You're moving too quick. And it's like, wait, hold on. I was going at your pace. Yeah, I got you. So that's a big thing right now. Yeah.

Yeah, I could see that. I mean, it's unfortunate. in, but I guess it's technically part of the game, essentially. Yeah, you just got to get you. And then it's hard because they say, oh, like, I think of my sister. When you meet the right person, things can move quickly. Of course, yeah. So it's like, it's hard to know, like, well, are they love buying me?

Or is this, like, just the right person? So it's tough to. It takes time. And going back to what you were saying about how do you realize if somebody, like, is scared of commitment, it takes time. Right, you know, you're not going to know right away. But there are certain things that you, you, you, spot, at least for me, I was ignoring them, but they were definitely right in my face.

And it was like, okay, I mean, now looking back, I'm like, well, that was a sign and so was this, you know? So it's there. In the moment, it's always the most difficult to see. You have your rose-colored sunglasses on and you don't want to listen to anybody. But, you know, the best thing about those types of relationships is no matter what, you're going to learn something and you can take it into your future. Yeah, in every situation, you learn something. Yeah.

So let's get into the green. Oh, the green. You go first. I think close to their family is a big one for me. I like that one. That's a good one. I think the way that they treat others, like big on, like when I'm on a date, I love to see how he is to the waiter.

I could see that. I think like wait staff, like that's huge. Yes. I love. I think it's wait staff and like anybody that's like not of like this maybe like same level. Yes. Yeah. Like from the custodian to just like anybody.

Yeah. And I'm not trying to diminish those people at all. But like those are the people, those people are not necessarily people that people pay attention to. Yeah. Right. And what I think that says is that like you're not selfish in your ways, right? It's very easy to be BFFs with the CEO or the manager of the restaurant because why you have like a personal gain. Yeah.

Exactly. Whereas random Joe Schmoe, you don't really have any personal gain besides the fact that you're just a nice person. For sure. I also, well, we always say this, I love this. When you're walking, like, on the street and he moves you to go to the side that's not with the cars. Do you do that? I do that. I love that.

But all of these things go back to, like, family values, how you were raised. So I think that's, like, a big thing. Just like watching how somebody acts in everyday life, you'll see the type of guy that they are. Yeah. That's true. The biggest thing in, man, are like, it doesn't even have to look good. It really doesn't, bro. It doesn't have to be the cinematic.

IMAX quality stuff, dude, if it's powerful imagery, like, dude, no one's going to care. It can be shot on a flip phone. I guess it's on a Motorola, but if it's like, you can't recreate those memories. It's all about the emotional touchpoints, right? How does it make you feel? Does it make you feel happy? Does it make you feel sad? Does it make you laugh?

Does it make you feel entertained? Right? Like, there's so many facets that a video or a picture can do. And the reason you're going to engage with it is strictly about the. emotional connection that you have with what you're seeing, whether that's something that it just hits like a pain point or it's like, damn, it brings back a memory. Whatever it is, there's something that a video and a photo can do that it just hits you a certain way and you're like, damn, like, I like that. And that's why I call myself a storyteller because I feel like what I do well is I can take

you from point A to point B and I can touch on so many emotions in that point that like you're going to feel everything. You're going to feel sadness. You're going to feel happiness. You're going to feel like just anger even. Like you're just gonna be maybe just anger at situations. 100%. So like, you know, that ability to tell a story through so many things and feel emotions. It's like the same way people look at paintings.

Like if you really look at a painting, like you can go down so many emotions. And that's really the business, you know, just like using your videos to tap into the emotions. Like some people, when they go to a nightclub and they shoot the environment, it just gets you hyped up. Like, yeah, you're looking at cool visuals,

but like that just that feeling of getting hyped out. going out, getting dressed up, you know, for the girls getting in their dress, putting on the makeup, going out and just having a good time. Right. Like, that's an emotion, you know, for us, you know, whenever we're doing golf stuff, like, you can feel the stress of the golf game through the camera, like, unwillingly. And then it's the appreciation. Like, you're watching a golf video and you see someone hit a hell of a shot and you're like,

fuck, yeah. That feels so good, you know, and you're like, and then everyone gets hyped up, you know? Or you bomb and drive up the middle. Like, yeah. And that's all strictly about some sort of emotional relationship. that you have had in real life. You know, I think that's the cool thing about it. And even going further, like, I was thinking about it.

Like, look, think about scary movies. Yeah. Bro, like, they're tasked to make you feel scared, bro. Yeah. And some of them do a damn good job of making you feel scared. Even if it's something you've never even witnessed in your life, you just feel it. Yeah, man. I mean, like, I love what I do, bro.

Because you can do so much with it. It's fun. You know, I guess the challenge with it also is that as much as media has become, like so pronounced nowadays. Like I feel like some people just like don't completely get it. Right. It's a little saturated. Like, you know, like, especially with like, you know, what I've tried to do in my life,

like even like going through college and stuff, like no one ever saw me like working at a studio and just being locked in a box. Yeah. Like they all saw me doing something more with my skills and doing something outside of the box. And like some people respect it. Some people get it. Other people like, they don't so much not respect it, but they're just like kind of confused by like, oh, like what do you really want to do with it?

Right. Like what is like what's what's the outcome? Yeah, what's the outcome. But I think that comes with like the creative landscape. There's there's a level of openness, right? Obviously you know what you're doing and you have an intent and a purpose, but it's the beauty of being a creative is like you're not stuck in this box, right? You could start this way, but tomorrow you could be going this way, you know, going from podcasts to then all of a sudden you're promoting documentaries, you know? Like you don't really know. And That's the beauty of it because you have that creative liberty to be able to do what you want, the way you want, right? And I think that's where people don't have that connection. They say, okay, like, you're just filming videos, right? And it's like, no, it's a lot deeper than that. Yeah. And this world, especially when it comes to videography, editing all that stuff, like,

it's a never-ending catalog of things you can learn. Yeah. Like, it's so much stuff. Like, every day I'm learning something else. Maybe a different tactic, a different way of lighting. Like you can go into a wormhole where you're constantly learning stuff. Even like the best, even the guys at the top, like they're doing new things. Like they're learning new things.

They're trying, you know, experimenting. So that's the beat of it also. You can never really get bored of it because it's always changing. Every day is a dream. I'm living my dream. I get to do what I love. It's the greatest blessing in the world to be able to do what you love and to be able to give back to the community and bring.

happiness and joy to other people through it is magical. So I'm constantly evolving. I'm constantly trying to do cool things, put out myself in new ways with the right people that just make sense to enhance the dream. So it's been fun. It's been a fun two years since I last saw you. 100%. There's still a lot more to go. Absolutely. It's always, it's never, you know, you're never done climbing the mountain, right? It's, but you have to enjoy the climb when you're climbing that mountain, right? Because everyone wants to get from here to here, then they get here, and they're not happy, and they're wondering why, right? So it's like, you got to enjoy the process and the journey of it. And what are some of the things that you've done to kind of enjoy that journey,

right? So yeah, no, I'm definitely enjoying the journey. I definitely wake up every day, ready to see how the journey and the dream is going to evolve. So I'm constantly thinking of what's next. I guess that's how you grow the dream. That's how you keep building. That's how you keep putting yourself in the right rooms with the right people. So I'm just, I'm always trying to check things off. And I've checked a couple things off my list.

And there's still a lot more check marks to check off for sure. I mean, I think the biggest thing is, you know, living the dream. Everybody wants to live their dream. And some people don't know how to identify even what their dream is, right? And I think that's part of the process where you have to kind of identify, hey, I think I might like this. Maybe I don't like this, but you're not going to know unless you try. And that's part of that journey, right, where you at least put yourself out there and say, hey, if I'm going to do this, I don't know what's going to happen tomorrow, but at least I'm giving

my best shot to succeed, right? And as you go through this, you're going to start to learn a lot along the way. You're going to be like, okay, maybe I shouldn't make this decision. Maybe I shouldn't make that decision. Maybe I should do this, this way and not that way. And it's just one of those things that as you kind of evolve, like you were saying as a human, you start to learn what you should be doing. And that's where you get like that snowball effect.

And you start building that real momentum. You know the right people to talk to and reach out to. You know what art might work for you and maybe not work for someone else. Right. But you've been able to identify that over a long period of time, right? And to kind of piggyback off of that, like what was that process for you? of like almost like identifying yourself over the years of when you started to now. Like how have you found that identity?

Yeah, I guess first you got to stay consistent if you are trying to build this, this big dream and make people believe in what you're putting out there. So I think consistency is key. Yeah. Just my same messages that I've been preaching since day one. have just you could find that throughout my work and as I evolved finding it in my clothes and my murals and the way I speak, the way I carry myself, the way I put myself in front of people, just making people believe in what you're doing, you know?

I always say that I'm not in this dream alone. It takes people's love and support. If not, it's just a dream and not your reality. So I'm constantly putting these characters and I'm convincing people like, look, I'm here to stay. I'm here to go. bring good to the world and hopefully you could join the dream and the journey

in the family. Like, in a good way, it's selfish. Okay. That I'm doing what I've always want. Like, it fuels me, you know? Yeah, it's something that you've always wanted to do. Yeah. So you're putting yourself in something that you knew you could do, hypothetically.

Yeah. Yeah, like, in a way, I know this is very dramatic, but I always tell myself, like, there's people that sign up to go to war and, like, do scary as shit like that. That's a good way to put it. Yeah, I get to stand on the stage for five, ten minutes, talk shit, you know?

Sometimes it works. Sometimes it doesn't work, you know? But I love it, man. And Kevin's been to a few of my shows. It's a lot of fun. And I can see you doing it. I can see you getting in a try. I'm not funny, though.

Dude. I'm funny in like a, I don't even know, sarcastic way, I guess you could say. Like sarcasm is my comedy. But I can't deliver a joke, I guess you could say. Maybe it can. I hate to say the word I can't because you could do anything you put your mind to. And if you really want to go do it, you could do it. but, oh, God, I just picture myself on that stage and I probably would be like, words wouldn't even come out of my mouth.

I don't think. I get you. I really don't know what that experience would be. But it's funny because it says a lot about that world because when people lose fantasy football championships or fantasy football leagues, some of the punishments are going and doing stand-up comedy. Like, that's how fucking brutal that is. I've seen it. Because I've seen it where we've talked about in our league and, you know, you look up articles of like examples of. examples of what the loser should do,

and a lot of it is that. It's because it's that freaking uncomfortable. Yeah, yeah. And you know what's funny about those guys? They always kill. They always do great. I know. Because they have nothing to lose.

Yeah, yeah. They come up with their little composition notebook, and they always say the first thing they're like, hey guys, go easy on me. I lost fantasy football, and everyone starts cheering. Yeah, yeah. It's like, come on. It loosens them up.

Yeah, yeah, loosens them up. And then it's always like some horrible, like either racist or something that they shouldn't be saying. And you're like, all right, eight guys in a fantasy league wrote those jokes. Obviously. Gotcha. So they're delivering the jokes that are set from the league onto the. Yeah, yeah.

But it's fun. I love seeing those. There's my shows, there's people that are doing it for the first time. There's people that have been doing it five, ten years. Yeah. You know? It's a grind. I mean, I feel like comedy is blown up too.

I mean, you got Netflix specials now. Yeah. And then obviously, I think the Latino comedy has obviously blown up. Marcello obviously being kind of like a big catalyst in that space. So it's crazy just to see how that world is blown up. Obviously, stand-up comedians have been around for a while. But they've evolved in a lot of different ways. Some of them turn into actors and, you know, going to the Hollywood route.

Some of them just do tours. And you got guys like Andrew Schultz, you know, that have made their own kind of path, I guess, in comedy and created a podcast out of it. So it's like, although there's a lot of comedians out there, there's just so many, there's so much variety out there. You got something for every type of humor, I feel like. Yeah, yeah. And I think the biggest thing what you were saying about Miami comedians is what's so crucial is that it's easy to do the Miami stuff when you're here in Miami. But once you go to like Tampa, Palm Beach, Orlando, New York, all these other like cities. Yeah, how do you deliver that?

It's hard to deliver. But you see guys like Marcello, he kills it Saturday Night Live, obviously. I've seen a couple of his sets and he still does his Spanish stuff. Right. He makes it so gringo. Yeah. Like his bit about the Spanish teacher loving him. Yeah, yeah.

it's so relatable that even like all the gringos understand it exactly and we were talking about we were actually talking about this last night we were saying how green goes you know americans whatever you want to call them and they almost are just naturally entertained by us yeah right like they come down here and we have like that that like Latino flavor and there's like already a level of like oh he's interesting you know or she's interesting exactly and it's like so when they see a guy like Marcelo putting the skip, like they tie in the perfect, like where we relate to it on a more personal level, whereas they relate to it more on like that entertainment. Like, that's just like the stigma around us as Latinos. And, you know, I think Hollywood has represented us in

comedic ways always. So like that's just like how we're presented out there. And they're just piggybacking off of that. And like you said, I think Marcello just does a good job of being that guy. Yeah, yeah. And now, now he's getting a bunch of praise. Like, I'll see like his TikToks on Saturday. Night Live and all that. And you go through the comments and you see like, he's getting like the Pete Davidson praise. You know how they're like, oh, I want Marcelo to like, oh my God, like I need this man. Like they're like going girl crazy over it. And he's like, I'm sure if you met him, he's like a regular five foot seven guy. Like a regular Miami guy. He seems super nice. But it's so funny how like that theme and the humor brings out like the girls like that Ted Bundy, you know, like they obsessed a little bit over it. Yeah. As a small business, it's really hard. I think backing yourself and being so confident,

it's hard. I said here sometimes, like, am I doing the right thing? Am I going down the right path? Like, should I have started this? Should I keep going with this? I'm like, why am I stopping? It's in these moments, like, again, rock bottom that I'm like, no, Jess, you're going to get there. And having a supportive community of people is key. Like, my friends, they are so supportive of me. Even if they don't buy something, they're like, are you doing okay? Like, how can I help you? Like, do I want to come to a show with you? Like, can I try something on for you? Like, can I post this about you? like it's major and people don't realize that as a small business networking in that sense hey this is my friend's business like she's got great stuff try this out it means everything and I

take note of everything yeah every single person that's ever bought something from me supported me like I'm the one-man show like I'm doing everything I'm packaging everything I'm shipping everything I take note of everything yeah and I'm like I'm so grateful for each and every single one of you like I've had girls purchase every single thing I've ever released and I've named products after them So I name products after people in my family or like really inspirational women that I come across in my life. So like I had a few girls that bought every single piece. I was like, I'm naming this one after you. And they're like, what?

Like, why, why me? Why not you? What did I do? Why not you? But that just shows like how selfless they are. They don't even like realize how impactful what they are. Like what they're doing is to you and people that are going through things like this. Exactly.

So it's like little things like that. I feel the same way. When I see people like share or podcast or something like, Or even just common, you know, whatever it is, and they show to our events. And I'm like, you're a real one. Like, you don't have to do that. Like, no one's saying, like, you have to be here, you know? Or you have to do what you're doing.

Like, you're doing it out of, like, the kindness of your heart. And because you believe in what we're doing, and I'm, like, I'm, like, extremely grateful for you. And then on the other side of it, you know, it's like, you make it hypothetically, right? And you, you achieve the goal that you wanted to achieve. You know, there's like a little subtle, like, like, like, a. You know, one of those middle fingers at the people that, you know, you're like, I remember you. Yeah, it's like, uh-huh. You said you were going to buy something and you never did?

No, it's not even not. It's more like, you know, they don't believe in you. They're like, like, what is this guy doing? You know, he's just trying to do this or he's trying to do that. And I'm like, well, you just don't see the vision, you know? So I do have a little bit of that. I've got a few of those. Yeah.

Of course. But you know what? They're the flame in your ass. A hundred percent. That's what I'm saying. It's a little bit of a spark. You know, obviously you find motivation in yourself. You know, I think that's my biggest source of motivation is doing something that I believe in, right?

But having those little haters along the way, he doesn't hurt, you know? It matters. Like, even on my TikTok, the amount of people that comments, like, such negative things, but I'm like, I don't care. Yeah. I don't care. Like, I need that. Like, give it. So how do you reply to those?

Because I have a system for those type of things. It depends. Like, sometimes I'm like, just bless your heart. Like, I'll just say something like really sweet. That's what I do. Like the kill them with kindness. I love it. I'm like, you're an asshole, so I'm going to be a super nice person to you. Like, I understand. I see your point of view, but I don't agree.

Yeah. Simple as that. It's true. You know Gary Vee? I do. Yeah, he's big into that. Like, you know, someone will be a troll. Yeah. So many trolls.

Yeah. But you know what? I grew up on Twitter. So I'm like, you can't. Oh, that's true. You can't tell me anything. I'm like, listen, I've already experienced him 12 years old. Like, you can comment the worst of the worst.

I'm like, eh. All right. Yeah. You've seen everything. There are people that can't handle it. No, of course. No, then you see that it's a war going on in the comments. Like, mm-mm, I'm like, oh, I can't. It's not for me.

I've gone down the rabbit hole of just like looking at the dialogues between people. The comments are the best section. I'm like, whoa, what is going on in here? I'm scrolling through the comments. It's like a war. Better than the video. Yeah. The only time I'll maybe get a little sensitive is like somebody comments about the dolphins.

And we're like, yo, back off. Sorry. I don't have enough to comment about it. No, no, no. It's okay. I'm like, doesn't Alex Earl date one of them? Yeah. Yeah. Hey, it works, Sam. Putting the dolphins on the map. I'll take it.

Listen, balance. A hundred percent. The idea was, like, if we could get all these guys that have a passion for the game, because basketball's fun as hell. Yeah. Great workout. It's competitive, too. Competitive, but, like, stress reliever, like, an escape from the real world, especially at the time of 2020, you know? So the idea was if we could give, like, that feel where, like, you're,

You're noticed. There's highlight videos. We provide player rankings. All our games are live streamed on YouTube. So you play. It's live streamed and then it gets posted. So you could go back two years ago and watch a game that you played, you know, with your buddies. So like just providing all that extra attention and like the content was really like my idea and really what we've been able to to execute. But that's really where it started because I played college basketball. And I'm like, man, not everybody got like. that feel and attention. Like if we could provide that for just an average Joe, we really have something. Yeah. You created something where people feel, like you said, that they're in something bigger than just a pickup game on the court. Correct. You're going here, you're creating player rankings, you're creating kind of like something that people look forward to because, like you said, you grew up playing basketball your whole life. You don't really lose that, right? Like, I played baseball and football my whole life. And when it kind of got taken away from me,

you almost like lose a little bit of that identity, right? Because like you're so, that's all you know. Like, I remember going into college and just being like, I am done playing ball. Like now what do I do with my life, you know? So I was like, okay, I'll get into the strength and conditioning world because like that's what I like, player development and shit like that. But reality is I was still looking for that.

Right. Then I started coaching like a little league baseball team because I had a younger brother at the time that was playing baseball. And like, that was my way of, like, staying and then going and playing and just throwing in the, at the park with one of my boys, like, because you just, you build such a relationship with the game. So now here you have people that they, whether you played even high school college ball, like, that's what you did when you were a kid. You went to the park and you go, you go play with your boys, right? So here now, all of a sudden, you have like a space where you can come with your boys and play competitively, which is sick.

Yeah, man. I think. mental health is like a huge issue especially nowadays I think it's it's more like you know popular and more out in the open and we all understand how important it is even for me like I play in the league as well like knowing like you have a game one one day out of the week right you get to come here it's an escape completely because you know as an athlete like when you're in the game you can't be really thinking about anything else, any problems regarding finances or relationships. You're just focused on that game.

And being able to just focus on the game and on the moment, when that game's over, especially after like sweating, so that physical workout as well, it's almost like a reset. Like you just feel refreshed, you feel happier. And then not only the game, but leading up to the game, you know, the group chat with your boys and being able to reconnect, they're going to Flannies after and having a beer,

and then the next day getting the stand. and going on the YouTube and watching, like, it's just a disconnect from everything that's, you know, going on. And, you know, life could be tough at times. As an adult, you know, as a kid, you just worry about the game and school. But as an adult, so many of these guys have so many responsibilities and things going on that the escape of, like, having courtside, having a community that they could come and play and get excited for the next game.

And it's just kind of like a hobby, but like an escape, you know, where when you just go play at the park, you play and you leave, it's great. But this is like so much more. It's a buildup and then the after effects of the game. That to me is like the most rewarding part. And then also there's been a ton of guys, man, that were just, they came in the league out of shape, you know,

especially in 2020, you're home all day, you know, eating and, and depressed in a way. And then, you know, you come here and you're not only getting in shape in the one hour game a week or some guys are on two or three teams, but it's not only in those one to three hours, it's the motivation of like, I want to go to the gym because I want to be better in the league, right? So we've seen so many guys just be out of shape

and drop 20, 30, 40 pounds and just... Incredible. Like, they're just back into it. Or even guys that were in somewhat shape, like, they just got that love for the game back where they're like, shit, I got a league. Like, I feel like I'm playing high school again. And so we've been able to build a community over these years and just, it's really impacting people's lives for real.

Oh, yeah, that's crazy. The mental health thing is a big thing. You know, it's something that people like you said, are becoming more aware of. And just like you have to take care of your physical health, you got to take care of the mental side of your health. And it takes work. You know, it takes time that you put in.

And, you know, everyone, I think, has their own way of doing it. And I do think sports and, you know, just being around a community is a great way to do it. It's something, like you said, you're working all day. You want something to disconnect, right? And like, and this is where you've kind of created that space, which is dope. The little kid inside of me always, like, is screaming, like, losing his shit. So when you, obviously you get that huge kind of spark between all these NFL guys now that are posting it on their Instagrams

and then getting reached out by a bunch of guys, when was it for you that you were like, hey, shit, like this is now I'm going to double down and I'm going to do this like full time. Was it in that moment that you were like, this is it? Like I'm going to turn this into something a lot bigger or were you still kind of like in that, I'm just going to keep riding this wave.

I'm going to see where it goes, see where it goes, where it goes? Like where did that kind of like switch flip? you know you're gonna laugh when I tell you this like I don't think it has yet to me so yeah I uh this isn't my only job like I own tire companies right um and it's not because it necessary anything because this is this is I do very well of course but I've always been that person that dreams like my dreams drawn steroids and I always tell people I was like man like when they're thinking here for some reason I'm here and a lot of times I'm crazy and I know I'm crazy and it's like it's crazy and so I can make it work and I've always believed of myself more than I think the average person so like when I

started, I didn't know the capabilities. I didn't know how far I was going to make it, but I knew there was no bound. There was no, there was nothing I had to like compare myself to because there was nobody in that space. So it's not like, oh, well, I can only get as big as X or I can only go as far as Y. I was like, there's nobody in front of me. So it's like, I'm running a race by myself. I have nobody to pace me. I have nobody to aim. So it's all right, you just got outdo yourself every single day. And that's how I lived. I just kept doing it. And it's like, the name's got bigger. The company's got bigger. The projects got bigger. The checks got bigger and I'm just like holy count holy count and never put a ceiling on I learned a lot

had a lot of valuable lessons but like I've never said like this is not a viable business I think since the beginning even when my mom asked me that I was like I'm going to turn this into like craziness yeah and that's how I always believe in everything I did I mean I've been doing this soon it reminds me of like kind of like my journey and starting this too it's like you have a little bit of like delusional confidence I guess in yourself right you're and your product and everything deep down you're like money's not being made you know at the time or whatever it might be and you're like really why am i doing this but you look at it and like that's society's barometer to where you're at in that moment into what success is right but here you are and you're doing all

these amazing things and connecting with all these amazing people that you would have never connected with in your life right it all started with painting a shoe and then you've met you know some of the largest uh you know athletes and you've gone to some of the craziest sport venues and done some of the craziest things, the brands, all that, right? And to me, that is like, there is no value on that, right? And I was telling someone the other day, I'm like, I could be seven years old. This shit doesn't turn into anything and whatever. I think I would still be doing this because I just, I love it too much. Yeah. You know, I tell people all the time, it's like, when I started, shoes used to take me about 20, 25 hours and I would charge 150 bucks. So $6 an hour is how it started.

Like, I sold three sandwiches and I made that in 30 seconds. But I loved it. And I've always, listen, I was this delusional kid too that was four, five, six, seven. Oh, I'm going to make Major League Baseball. I'm going to make the NFL. I realize I'm Hispanic and I stopped growing. So like, I've always been that kid. And so when this happened, it was just like, this is my way in.

This is my way to be that lawyer agent that I didn't end up going to law school for. Like, this is my way in. And now I look back, I'm like, I have just as much and sometimes even more access than some of these agents that are controlled by, by regular. that true I get to do stuff I'm in rooms I mean I was at Super Bowl I was with my I took my mom to a Super Bowl was incredible in rooms with people talking about stories and it's just like the people you meet it's wild because so many times you'll meet somebody and people from my past that I either went to high school with or people that like I know or know of me or my family and all of a sudden they're like hey I'm the CEO blah blah blah and margus I'm a huge fan or I'm a Columbus

alum like Marcus Lomonas right we were together because straight because of Columbus and it was just like I love what you do oh you're he found that I was a Columbus alum I think after the fact. Oh, and then all of a sudden that fast-worded everything. And it's just like, it's a blessing, man. And it's just like you said, like, it's not, if you're doing it for the money and it's,

I feel bad saying this, but I always tell people this all the time, like never do something for the money. Yeah. Because today, if I told you, what's that number that you need to do the shittiest job? You know what, Mark, if I make a million dollars a week, I will do the shittiest job in the world.

Cool. There's going to be a day in your life when that million is not enough to do that job. So I always tell people, like, if you do it for the money, there's going to come to that point. in your life, we're like, I've got a million, I have a hundred million dollars in the bank. What I need to do this anymore?

Yeah. I don't do it for the money. I mean, I charge for my job. Of course. When you start, like you said, I can be 70 years old and I just, I love what I do. I love the people. I love the reactions. And that's what I do it for, man.

Yeah. Yeah. It's a, it is a passion project and you just run with it and you kind of let destiny take its course after that. And it's wild. I started with shoes. I've done so many other things and worked with brands. And now it's like, it's expanded to these things.

And I'm like, you want me. need to do what? Okay, cool. Like, and all right, well, this is what we need and this is the paychecks and I'm like, holy. Yeah. All right, cool. It's almost like unbelievable. Yeah. If you can go back in time and have 30 seconds with your 17 year old you, what would you tell him in those 30 seconds? With my 17 year old me, man. I would tell him like you're going to be a fucking badass. Like, that's what I would tell him. Like, forget about what everybody else is going to fucking think about you. Forget about all the shit talking that might happen.

Just be you. Be proud of yourself through the process and realize like you're more of a badass than you think. That's exactly what I would tell myself. You like that question? I do like that question. Made me think, but I did have an answer for it. But yeah, that's that's what I would tell myself. Because when you're 17 years old, you're confused.

And then you add all the other shit that's going on in your life and you're like, what the fuck? Like why? You know, that's the other thing. You ask yourself like, why the fuck is this happening to me? You know, but God's got plans for you. And if you just trust it and it's all going to work out. Yeah, you never want to question why something's happening. You want to know, you always want to know, okay, what is this happening?

What does this mean? Like that's something, especially my mom, she always tells me like, you know, every obstacle is, it's a challenge. but there's something on the other side of that hump. Like you're going to get tested throughout your entire life and it's a matter of how you tackle those tests. And, you know, I think you did it the right way, brother. To be honest, man. I think it's been, it's admirable to see, you know,

kind of overcoming that hump. And then especially like seeing your little brother and see how he's gone up, man. Like it's, you raise a good kid, man. To be honest, man. You raise a good kid. And, like, you know. It was my mom and me and my other brother.

We all, it was a team effort for sure. But I mean, dude, I look back at those moments. They were, they were tough moments. Yeah, man. Tears were shed and fuck, bro. That was your, that was your plot. Yeah. That was like, what didn't call it the plot?

That was like your intro to your story right there, brother. It is. The plot, we haven't reached the plot, yeah. No, we haven't. And I one day want to write a book and I would like, like, it's, it's tough. Because you never really want to go through that, you know, like. No. Fuck, like, I haven't talked to my dad in like 12, fuck, what, 12 years or so, you know?

And my brother didn't have a relationship with his dad. And being my dad, obviously, the same person. And, like, you know, part of me always is like, do I go back and try, you know? But then I'm like, I don't think it's worth it because I'm like such in a good place right now. But, yeah, this is the cards that I was dealt in life. and you come out better from it. And I'm happy with where I am as a person. And I still have so much room to grow as a person.

I'm so far from, you know, what I know I can be and what I want to give to the world. That's like I want to do so much good. Like that's what makes me happy. And sometimes I get frustrated that I feel like I'm not doing enough. But we can only do what we want to do. we can do and eventually we'll continue to get those opportunities and you can help at such a little scale you know i think just being kind and reaching out to people um there's always opportunities to help someone and you just got to put yourself out there and be willing to do it so um i think obviously

i came out a way better person from it because i have no perspective on anything at 17 years old and it forced me to mature but i am again very happy that the way I've come out. I think my brothers, like you said, have come out on the other side of this. Amazing. My mom has come out super strong. No, we're just growing, but now you're just growing, man. It's just growth.

It's part of it. I was just growth. I mean, it's crazy because, like, you talk about all that. But, like, Robin to the point where I met you, I was super confused about what I'm doing my life, dude. Yeah. And, like... Sometimes I still question shit to this day. Yeah.

And then, like, talking about you do it, like, the way you're, like, want to go about, like, just making a world a better place. But, like, that was all I wanted to do, too, right? I just wanted, like, especially like seeing one of my parents did for, like, they, you know, through their schools and, like, changing so many lives from some of these kids that everyone pretty much told them no. I love that. So I was like, how can I use what I can do behind a camera, like my skills to do that? And then, like, bro, like, like, you said, bro, you never know. One day, Val text me, he's like, hey, my boyfriend, he has this little brand thing.

He's like, it's like, some little podcast. Like, can you just talk to him for a little bit and see what he wants to do? And I did, here you are a year after later, dude. You want to know something like, now that we're having this conversation, like, my, my, biggest, like, wish is that, like, people, and I guess this is obviously part of the reason why we're doing this, but, like, I really wish people knew why I want to do this, you know? Like, I'm not trying to be famous. Like, I'm not trying to be an influencer. Like, I don't want to do that. And, like, that was part of the reason why I also slowed things down, because I felt like,

people were talking, probably like, hey, look at the, yeah, I got caught up and the, what people would say, for sure. And, and even if they weren't saying it, I was convincing. myself that they were saying it. But like, I never wanted to do it for that reason. And I almost felt like it got diluted in the process of it because of the fact that people were going on social media and being hurrah this, who ra that, and look at me, look at me, look at me. And like, I tell you all the time, like, the stay tranquilo is not the Andre brand. Like, it has nothing to do with me. I just the face that's preaching a message, but I want it to be something that you engraving yourself that if you're ever down and you're ever not having a good day

that like just remind yourself to stay tranquil that everything will be okay and there's a ton of people that love you and there's a ton of people that are going to lift you up and your life is going to be good like your life is going to be good just got to trust it you know have faith and just surround yourself with good people because we all need it and I always want to that to be engraved in people's heads because I think we need it more than we realize. Um, and I just want people to realize like I am actually like trying to do something good. What would you say is like next for stay tranquil? Next for stay tranquil man.

Don't want to go crazy with saying everything, but I think right. We're gonna expand. That's the best way I can put it. We're gonna expand. going to bring more stuff to more people. We're going to bring in people to help us do what we're doing. Like-minded people, good people. And I think that you will start seeing stay tranquil a lot of places other than just YouTube. I think you're going to start seeing a lot more of us. You're going to see a lot more people talking about us. And I think it's just going to be a, it's going to become a household name very soon. I agree. I think that's a great way to put it.