Role Models: How a chance meeting can ignite life changing conversations

Anyone who knows me knows I am a huge fan of podcasts, stand up comedy and sports. Each day I listen to hours of each during my drives, quiet times or anytime I want some background noise. This year has been a very exciting time for me as I have had the chance to talk to the two of those individuals who inspire me most. I would consider them my role models. For their privacy I will not say who they are, but I want to write about my experience meeting them.

Both of these individuals are men who have strong personalities and a clear definition of themselves. They do both ‘talk’ for a living and that is what has interested me in each of them. I admire spoken word and enjoy when people can create conversations that go everywhere. One of the role models I have been listening to for over 3 years, the other for over 13 years.

The first guy, (3 years listening), I met while he was doing a show that he advertised, inviting fans to come out to. I waited until he was alone after his set as he did have friends at the event. I was nervous, anxious and excited while waiting to meet him. Finally, he was free – I took a deep breath and walked over and introduced myself as a fan. He didn’t even look me in the eyes and told me politely thanks but I should go back and watch the rest of the show. I wasn’t there for the show; I was there for him. I even tried then to explain that he was the reason I showed up. Again the guy didn’t look up. I was now a little hurt and pointed out I had his own shirt on. It was as if something switched. The guy then stopped and took a photo with me, then returned me back to the show. Not the best experience when finally meeting one of my role models. At the same time I could respect that this guy was busy and at work and at least he had taken a photo with me. He wasn’t trying to be rude to me but pushing me back to the show for the good of the show. He also did have friends at the show, so I am sure he wanted to get back to them. It just left me feeling not on the same level as him.

My other experience couldn’t have gone more differently. My wife and I went for a little getaway to a nice hotel and on the very first night of our trip my wife unknowingly sits beside my other role model, the man I have listened to for over 13 years. I was almost too shocked to say anything but finally addressed him and introduced myself. He turned and smiled and confirmed that he was who I thought he was. He then asked my wife’s name and mine and introduced himself. I couldn’t believe it! This was already going better than my previous experience with a different person. I started to swell with pride and confidence as he continued to ask more questions about my wife, myself, our family and our trip. I was able to tell this man I had over 2200 hours of listening time of him and have been to his live shows.

The man asked us to join his table, and I was in heaven. My role model for so long wasn’t just being nice and chatting with me; he was having a personal interaction with my wife and I. This continued for over 5 hours of amazing conversation about feelings, life advice and true talk between people. I loved it. If I could have written out a perfect scenario for my life, it just happened. Long story short, we hung out with him on and off over the next three days of our trip. This individual was no longer just a role model, we had become fast friends.

Even while typing this, I still can’t believe that this happened to me. Clearly this is a little out of the ordinary when meeting a role model for the first time. However, it certainly did make me think. I compared it to meeting my other role model who I had paid to see, and was wearing a shirt of his that I had paid for and I barely got 5 words and a thank you. But, with this experience I had some of the best conversation in my life.

Sometimes simple conversation can have a huge impact. Sometimes meeting a role model can be a complete let down, but sometimes you get lucky and it changes everything. The meeting with my now friend changed how I think. It made me look at myself, who I am, what I want to be and how to grow to get there. Stories were shared about deeply personal issues that we all had, were fighting, or were going to be fighting. It confirmed for me that I do love talking and gave me new respect for any celebrity who takes anytime to talk to a fan. It also confirmed my role model to truly be the man I thought he was and is.

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