The Morning Formation Podcast

Behind The Lens, Beyond The Hustle with Master Photographer Jeremy Filmsmore

• KP • Season 4 • Episode 11

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We sit down with filmmaker Jeremy “Films More” to trace his arc from Monterey Park art kid to world-traveling storyteller, a harrowing night in Rio’s favelas, and the stroke at 33 that forced sobriety, focus, and a new path into tattooing. We talk craft, business, AI pressure, and why freedom and health now define success.

• art-driven upbringing and early graffiti roots
• finding direction after dead-end jobs
• mentors, networking and first big travel gigs
• near-miss in Rio’s favelas and street rules
• culture shocks and filming risks in Dubai
• deposits, cancellations and valuing your time
• burnout signs and pivot toward tattooing
• stroke, sobriety and rebuilding habits
• redefining success as health and freedom
• documentary goals and tattoo storytelling

If this episode resonated with you, make sure you follow Jeremy on Instagram, on TikTok, on YouTube as well

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@jeremy.filmsmore
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jeremy.filmsmore/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@jeremyfilmsmore4947

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Opening And Guest Introduction

SPEAKER_00

Welcome to the Morning Formation. Warriors fall in. It's time for formation. Welcome back to the Morning Formation Podcast where we talk about adaptability, survivability, leadership, and the human stories behind the mission. Today's episode is a little different, but it's just as important. My guest is not a veteran or a first responder, but he is someone who has been in my personal and professional orbit for over 10 years now. He's a photographer, a filmmaker, and the founder of Films More Productions. This man has helped tell other people's stories just like I have for many years. And today we're going to pull back the curtain and we're going to talk about the man behind the camera, his upbringing, his recent health scare that he had that forced him into a slowdown. We're going to reflect, recalibrate, and talk about what's next for him personally and professionally. And today I'm absolutely honored to have him on the podcast because he is a friend of mine that I've watched grow over the last 10 years. And uh just so we know that the podcast that I have is not about the uniforms, it's about the people who show up, adapt, and keep pushing forward when life hits them in the mouth. Jeremy, welcome to the formation. Yeah. Thanks for having me, Keo. I appreciate it. Listen, man, it's an absolute honor. Um, I've been trying to get you on the show for a while now, man. And um I know that you've been traveling and you've been busy and you've been building your brand and everything. Um and for people out there, they only know you as the guy behind the camera.

SPEAKER_02

Yeah.

SPEAKER_00

But uh, who is Jeremy without the lens?

SPEAKER_02

Uh Jeremy is uh art head ever since I was, you know, like ever since second grade, bro, I've been into art. Art, and then it eventually, you know, turned into graffiti. But I've always just been fascinated with art, bro. Like growing up, it was like if you could draw good, you were like the coolest person in the world to me. And like, yeah, bro, like it the art has taken me all around the world, you know. Like it's crazy that it started from a very young age, and um, you know, I'm now I'm filming artists, yeah.

SPEAKER_00

So was there anybody that inspired you early on? Is there anyone else in your family that is into art as well?

Early Life And Art Origins

SPEAKER_02

Nah, to be honest, that was it's in my DNA. It really is in my DNA. Like, I was just always fascinated. Um, yeah, bro, nobody put me on, but about like when I was 18 years old, bro, I met my biological father, and he's an artist. So I was like, oh shit, like maybe that has something to do with it, because it was like nobody ever told me, like, yo, bro, we should draw this and that. So uh yeah, I always just say it's in my blood. Nice.

SPEAKER_00

And I I I kind of know or kind of have an idea where you grew up and and how you grew up, but would you mind talking a little bit about your environment and and what shaped you early on?

SPEAKER_02

Yeah, so uh I was born and raised in Monterey Park, um, knowing uh Ripetto and Marqueppel. And uh yeah, bro, it's just I've always been into art, and uh I guess like how the universe works is like just people gravitated towards me, I gravitated towards them, and I was just always surrounded by artists, you know. It turned into graffiti, like you know, like going into high school. But um, yeah, bro, I've just it's been my whole life, you know. And um, you know, Monterey Park's a it's a small town and uh like 15-20 minutes from LA. You know, a lot of Asians, like it's it's chill, it's it's a trip, you know. Like back then when I was in high school, there was more non-Asians, I feel. Like you would see like skaters and shit roaming the streets here and there. Now it's just straight up Asians, like, which is cool, bro. It's like you know, it's a nice neighborhood.

SPEAKER_00

Yeah, it's very multicultural, man. When I moved to LA, I didn't realize how how diverse it would be. Like I didn't realize, like you you come from the East Coast and Midwest, whatever, it's usually just black and white and a little sprinkle of of like Latino here and there or whatever, but man, like it's quite the opposite here where it's all Latino and it's all like Spanish people everywhere, right? So it it's totally different. Um when you were young, what did you think your life was gonna be like? Um what did you think your life was gonna look like when you got older? What did you think was over the horizon for yourself, or did you really think much about that?

Lost After High School And Dead-End Jobs

SPEAKER_02

To be honestly, uh to be honest, bro, I didn't. And uh my friend Leland, he was actually I I remember, bro, he asked me this question. He's like, where do you see yourself in five years? And like I think this might have been after high school, but uh I had never really thought about it, and I was like, damn, bro, I don't know, like I've never thought of my future, you know. Like I I remember just like at one point, well no, it was like I I had a few jobs here and there, you know, I was like very lost, bro. And like I didn't know what I wanted to do. Um, I had one at school for CNC machining because my mom's uh husband, Bobby, rest in peace. Dafu was a machinist. So he would like since I was so lost, he was like, bro, you should you should go to the school NTMA. And uh me, I was just like, yeah, yeah, sure, bro. So I I went to NTMA, me and my homie Pablo, and uh I went there for a year and you know, got certified in machining. I was probably like 20 years old, and uh worked, you know, a few at a few machine shops and hated it. I was like, dude, this is like hell nah. Like I was seeing dudes like who have been machining for like ages, bro, like 20 years, and like you just be standing there at this machine, bro. Like, I'm like, hell no, bro. Like, I can't, like, nah. I refuse to do this shit. And some of the bosses were douchebags where I was like, man, I gotta get out of this rat race, I gotta figure something out.

SPEAKER_00

Um so that was kind of eye-opening for you. Um I had a very similar case where I worked with my father at a it wasn't even that, it was like a sub a subcontractor for a Honda plant, and the only thing they did was headlights and taillights. And that was it. And it to me, like I thought I I mean, no f I mean, I guess offense because not no offense, offense. Like I like I thought to myself, like, this is it? Yeah, like am I like like did God put me on this planet to to make headlights and taillights and it was a real detailed man, and I just thought to myself, like, am I gonna be like 40, 50 years old standing around um just putting headlamps in and like that's it, because I felt like man, I've been through so much of my whole life, like I feel like I could do more than this, and it kind of inspired me to go to college, go into the military, and push forward um into I guess a higher level of career, and I was blessed and fortunate enough to to have those options to do that. Who do you think was your number one uh biggest influence growing up? Uh or did you have several?

SPEAKER_02

I mean, like what with the arts and stuff like that, or just in life? In life, and then also with the arts, yeah. Who who inspired you? I mean, bro, Tim Burden is like I've always loved Tim Burden. Like that dude's like his movies and like they're they're just so artistic, but then he even gets down with like claymations and stuff like that, and drawings. So to me, bro, it's like that's why I named myself Jeremy Filmsmore, because I was like, bro, I want to be like Tim Burden, you know, it's like Steven Spielberg and those dudes. But to me, Tim Burden is like he's a dude, and I I've always looked up to him even till this day. And um, but for the arts, like, or for like uh for for my career path, bro, like nobody in my family or friend group like did what I did. So it was like I I really just I don't know, bro. Like I I kind of took it like I inspired myself to go down this journey because there was really nobody that I could look at in my surroundings where like, yo, like they they did this filming, like they they took it this far. It was just like I don't know, I guess I dreamed big and just got addicted to filming, and I really didn't I didn't know I was gonna take it this far and traveling and all that stuff. It just like bro, if you if you're to tell me in high school, like bro, you're gonna be a filmer, I'd be like, no way, bro. Like I've only watched skate videos. Like I never thought of making like films and stuff like that.

SPEAKER_00

That's pretty wild. A lot of times what happens is um you I I I always use the comparison of kicking the can. Imagine yourself like on this long country road and you're just kicking this tin can down the road, looking down at it, focused on just kicking that can. The next thing you do is you look up and you realize how far you are. That's deep. And that you know what I mean? Like that's and for me, like that's how it's kind of been is it's uh uh when people ask me about my time in combat and things like that, and my time in the military, that's what I say is like it was almost like a sleepwalk. Like I was so mission focused that I didn't realize how far I'd come. Like next thing you know, like I'm a captain in the army and and I have the opportunity to do all these cool things, and and that's kind of what it sounds like with you, man. Like you just focused heavy on on your mission.

SPEAKER_02

Yeah.

SPEAKER_00

And you were just like kicking that can, focused on that can, right? Next thing you know, you look up and you're in Abu Dhabi, like doing it doing a sh doing a shoot, right? For sure. Tell me about uh some of the cool places you've been, man, some of the cool uh, I guess, projects you've been on.

Influences And Self-Motivation

SPEAKER_02

Uh man, I I guess like Amsterdam was one of the most recent places I went to that was like, whoa, this place is like crazy. Like it was just like I felt like I was like, damn, this is uh just like fairy tale over there, bro. Like the architecture and just like the color of the buildings, it's it's wild. People riding in the canals and stuff. Like, shout out to the homie uh AD, um Adrian, that that food took me out there for a job. Or no, he took me out there, bro, for my birthday, actually. Because we we were over there in Europe on a job. We did this like Tattoo Europe tour, and like uh he was going to Amsterdam, and um he invited me, like just he's like, bro, you want to come? Like, I'll take you for your birthday. So I was like, what? Like, I never been to like Amsterdam, bro. Like in Europe, I'd only been to Italy, which that that place is amazing too. Like, I went to Rome, and I was like, damn, I feel like I'm in ancient times over here. Like the buildings were like just the architecture is crazy, bro. You feel like you're like literally in the gladiator, like, bro, I went to the Coliseum, I went to the the Vatican, which is a crazy place, bro. Like, and I I've heard of like the Vatican, but bro, I never knew I was gonna go there.

SPEAKER_01

Wow.

SPEAKER_02

And it's like traveling really teaches me like about life, bro. Cause like, like, yeah, I'm I'm like, I going to the Vatican, it blew my mind because I remember hearing about it like five years ago from my uncle. He was like telling me, and I'm like lost. I'm like in Monterey Park, like, what are you talking about, bro? The Vatican, like, all right. And then once I go, I'm like, oh damn, like I start researching, and then I'm like, oh, this is this place is crazy.

SPEAKER_00

Yeah, yeah, that's pretty wild. You know, when I used to travel a lot, I'd be standing in like the I'd be standing in the middle of the Charles de Gaulle airport in Paris and in the terminal area, and I'd be standing there, and all these people would be surrounding me, and I would think to myself, I am so insignificant. Like I am just a speck on this earth. Like, and you don't realize how big the earth is when you don't really travel that much. But when you go to so many other places, man, and you see all the people and and you realize like this is a this is a big place. Like this is and it but your world could seem so small if you don't ever leave your community. Um how many countries have you been to?

Travel, Perspective, And Big World Lessons

SPEAKER_02

Who probably not that much, bro. I I was traveling a lot in the States, but I guess uh I've went international probably like six times roughly. Right. Like I went to Dubai, Australia, um or actually maybe less, Italy, Amsterdam, Germany, and I think that's it. What's your favorite? I mean, it's between Italy and Amsterdam. Like why? Oh, I actually went to Australia too. Shout out to the homie Jolt. But um, yeah, I guess Italy was just because like bro, I'd never been somewhere where I was like, damn, bro, like this is to me, uh like I like seeing things that are out of this world. So when you go to uh Rome, you're like, damn, bro, like this is history, bro. Like being in the Coliseum was insane. Like I was just like, whoa, bro, like how many people died here? Like, like there's just so like so much history that I really didn't know too much, but the you know, we got a tour, and the dude was just telling us like how crazy and violent, and just like I'm like, bro, like my imagination just went wild, and I was like, bro, this is like those are some crazy times, and people experience that, bro.

SPEAKER_00

Yeah, yeah. Yeah, it's really part of our DNA, man. The um, I guess just all the trials, tribulations, the violence, and all that stuff that it took to conquer lands and and things like that. And to be in the middle of that is is really very, very surreal. Do you have any uh wild stories that you care to share about some of your overseas uh ventures that that you had, any that like stick out in your mind?

Rio Favelas Close Call

SPEAKER_02

Yeah, I got one really crazy story. I was uh out in Rio de Janeiro, and um the homies uh well the homegirl Henry and VG, they they had took me on this hike, which was like it was in the back of the favelas, like you hiked up this fucking mountain, and uh I got a really sick drone shot of like of the favelas from from that hike, but uh you're you're going up right, and it's like it's steep, bro. Like these these homies are with, they climb buildings like like crazy shit, bro. So to them, they're like doing it in like chanclas, bro. They're like up me. I'm like scared, bro. I'm like going up, like, yo, this shit's getting steep, bro. Like, how are we gonna get back down? And like we get to the top, and it's like the sun's setting, and I'm like, yo, like I can't go back down that way, like, there's no way I'm going that way. So we're at the top of the favelas, bro. And they're staying, they're renting an Airbnb or something at the bottom of the favelas. They have one friend who's a tagger who who lived in the favelas, so like I guess that was like one name they could say, if anything, but they their thing was like, oh, they're they're tattooers, and we're staying in the favelas. That was their story. But so, bro, we we get at the top, and it's like fucking the most sickest view of ever seen, bro. It's like um you you're just looking over real, bro. You see like ocean, the moon, like the the mountains are like looks like a movie shit, bro. Like cartoons, you know, it's like real steep. But um, I'm up there, I'm like, damn, this is dope. And then they're like, alright, yo, we're gonna go through the favelas to get down. They're like, don't film, like, do not film at all. They they will kill you here, like you'll disappear straight up. So I'm like, alright, alright. And like I just watched City of Gods too. Have you seen that movie? No, bro, it's a sick movie. It's it's a film in Brazil, it talks about favelas. So I I'm over here, like, bro, I just watched City of Gods the other day. I'm about to go through a favela. I'm like, all hyped. Bro, we fucking start going because we gotta go down. It's these two dudes, they're like they're like mid-20s, bro. They see us, bro. They start speaking Portuguese. They literally whip their guns out and cock that shit. And they're like talking to the homies, but I could hear the tone he's talking in. I'm like, this shit ain't cool that we're right here. I'm like, nah, this like fuck. This is crazy. And they're literally like at one point, this fool's like, gringo, and he points at me, and I'm like, Oh, they're talking about me, bro. So literally, I was like, I wave, I'm like, I'm like, dude, do like the whitest shit you can do is just like like wave, bro. Like the the you know, just be friendly. And uh you didn't start speaking Spanish? No, they only speak Portuguese. Oh man, so they're like, yeah, they're saying their shit, bro. And and one dude's pissed that fool cocked his gun was like heated, bro. And then the the other homie was like a little more lenient, so like he was mad too, but he he let us go. It's like, just get the fuck out of here, bro. Like when you said favelas, like what exactly is that? Bro, the favelas is like the projects and real. So it's ghetto, bro. It's like, yeah, like just picture a mountain of houses, like really like bro, the poorest. I think a lot of those people make those houses, if I'm correct, bro. Like just the poorest of the poor, but they have the most amazing views. Like, it's it's uh it's weird, bro. Like, cause their view is like a fucking multi-million dollar fucking ocean view, but they're just living in like the slums, bro. And uh the cops aren't allowed in there. Wow, like yeah, they they literally they they cannot go in there. It's strictly like I hear they feed your ass to the pigs and shit like that. But so what happened? So, bro, yeah, I thought I was gonna die. And fucking luckily those dudes let us through, and uh and then uh yeah, we just walked to the do the whole favelas, bro, and I'm like right there, and like they didn't shake you down? Nah, but if they would have, they would have found my drone because I had it in my fanny pack. And bro, I don't know how that would have turned out because I I don't know, like they're they're just some real gangsters, bro. Like, and so we start walking down, and then it's like a movie, bro. Like, there's just like young kids like with machine guns, like the the cops are the local gangsters, so they're just like right there, machine guns, like every every you know so often you'll just see them right there, like guns out, just patrolling, bro. Like shrimp. And their chanclaws, like, and you know, after we we went through the first group of guys, like I felt more safe. They're just like, don't film, like, as long as you don't do that, you're cool, bro. So we just walked through and we drank a beer in there, and it was crazy, bro. Motherfuckers were looking like, yo, I know this dude's not from here. Like, it was I was getting weird looks. But did you have any protection? Nah, bro. Jesus Christ was. I mean, that was it, bro.

SPEAKER_00

I mean, what did you have anybody with you that like spoke the language or was familiar with the area you said?

SPEAKER_02

Oh yeah, so the the homies, it was uh Enry and VG. They're they're like uh they're they're Brazilian artists. They they do this shit called uh Pichal San where they they uh they climb buildings and do it's like their type of graffiti. So they're familiar with they've been there before. Yeah, but they don't live in the favelas, but they they like got the pass, like they speak the language, but it still is like yo, what the fuck are you doing here?

SPEAKER_00

They were looking at you like who's this guy?

SPEAKER_02

Yeah, like you know what you guys might be cool, let me ask, but like this fucking white dude who we know is not from here, what is he doing here?

SPEAKER_00

And like I mean, I'm surprised you didn't like try to pass off as being like Mexican. Like, because you do you know Spanish, right? You don't know Spanish? I can understand a little, bro. What? Yeah. I mean, that would have I mean it listen, it's bad in a lot of countries to be American. So you you want to be like something else, like you you couldn't even disguise yourself as being Mexican. Nah, bro.

SPEAKER_02

A lot of people out there thought I was Brazilian. They would tell me they're like, oh, this guy's Brazilian. I'm like, nah. Right. But obviously I just spoke English. As soon as you open your mouth, they know like this fucking. Yeah, yeah, they know. And and bro, people like, yeah, they don't like that. You know, you go to these places, like, you don't speak their language. I've experienced like some racism. I experienced in Amsterdam some racism, bro. Like, and and I spoke English. That they they spoke English as well, and they were racist towards me, bro. Like, it was like so. When you go deeper where you don't speak the same language, like you could tell the vibes, like some people were just like, you know, what is this outsider doing here, bro?

SPEAKER_00

Yeah. Wow. That's a that sounds like a really close call. Because the reality is, is if they had just decided to take you out, there's nothing that anyone could have done. Nah.

SPEAKER_02

If the homies would have survived, they would have just told them like there is no search party. Rest in peace, Jeremy. They're they're not allowed in there. The cops recently raided some favelas in Rio, like, bro, it was a straight, it was like some crazy shit. Like, I seen it on like Instagram, but they had a full out like war, like or little mini war within they raided the favelas, bro, and a lot of people died and got arrested, and it's some real shit over there, bro.

SPEAKER_00

Yeah, they just had the Olympics in in Rio. No way. I mean, yeah, just a few years ago, um, they were really trying to clean up their act, um, trying to, you know, get the the crime out of the way of wherever the Olympics are gonna be and everything. All cities do that to some extent, but a lot of people don't talk about like the places that you've been to. Um how do you how do you avoid those kind of places now?

Dubai Culture Shocks And Filming Risks

SPEAKER_02

Bro, I would never recommend anybody to it's like stay in your place, bro. Yeah, like don't ever even that shit taught me as much as it sounds cool to you know see these places, like, nah. Yeah, like hell no. Stay on stay on the path, yeah, bro. Cause even in you know, LA, bro, I wouldn't go uh to these projects. No like bro, you don't step foot in there, right? So let alone why are you going in these projects in this country, bro, where they're like some real gangsters, like this ain't no like, yo, look at me, I'm cool, like, nah, like machine guns, like ready to kill people, bro.

SPEAKER_00

Yeah, that that's that that's wild, man. When you transitioned out of high school and I guess into adulthood, at at any point did you ever consider like pivoting into the military or doing something crazy or just like off the wall like that?

SPEAKER_02

So actually I did, bro. It's like so uh one of my best friends, Pablo, he has a cousin of Paco, who was in the army, I believe. And um, you know, it was a real cool dude, like successful. So he he was like, he was just like that bigger cousin. We're like, yo, look at look at Paco, bro. Like he went to the army, bro. So it was like at one point we're just so lost in life that literally me and the homie Pablo went to West Covina Mall, and like you could sign up for the army there, and like we're like, all right, yo, that I guess his cousin was telling him about this buddy plan or something where you could go with somebody, right? And it was like on some yo, hold my hand, let's go to the fucking. So it was like, bro, we go, and it was like, all right, let's sign up. So we walk in there, like, yo, we're trying to sign up, bro. And then uh the only thing that stopped them from officially doing it was I had a weed ticket. And they're like, all right, bro, they're like, you know what? We can't sign you up. You have to fix this weed ticket and then come back, bro. What's a weed ticket? Like, I got caught with weed, so like they like just you know, just a little bit of weed, but they gave me a ticket. Uh so they're like, you have to clear that up, and then we could sign you up. So it was like, yeah, bro.

SPEAKER_00

Like, so you had to go through extra, you had to go through extra steps, and you probably just didn't follow up after that, right?

SPEAKER_02

Yeah, I was like, yo, you're gonna take me now, because if I gotta go think about this some more, bro, I'm probably not gonna do it. So it was like that thing, it was really like, bro, I could have gone on a whole different journey because it was set in my head. I was like, I'm going, bro. Right. And then that, yeah, I don't know, but I I have some homies in the military too. Shout out to the homie Edwin, shout out to uh Chris, Kevin. Those fools are like in the in the uh military.

SPEAKER_00

You you spent so many years highlighting um other people. Yeah. Um, what do you think you've learned about human nature from behind the camera? Uh filming taught me everything, bro.

Business Realities And Getting Taken Seriously

SPEAKER_02

Taught me like a lot about more of life, bro. Just like traveling the world really opened my eyes and just like um, bro, like learning about different religions, learn learning like different cultures. Like, bro, I was born and raised in Monterey Park. Like, you know, in LA, there is like different cultures out here, but like, not like New York, bro. You go blocks and you'll be in like these Jewish areas, you like Asians, like you hear people talking languages, you're like, bro, what language is that? You know? So it's like it really just opened my mind, like, damn, bro, like even New York, it's only five hours away, but it's a whole different lifestyle over there. So then when you go internationally, you're like, oh damn, bro, like these people are like everything's different, bro. Even like the rules we're talking about are different, you know. You gotta watch out, like, um, you gotta watch out what you do in these places, bro. Like, even going to Dubai, it was like I learned so much out there, I was like, damn, those people will be like watching you, bro.

SPEAKER_00

Yeah, I heard Dubai is a place that's uh people people tend to not understand the local laws and policies. Yeah. And you have to be real, real careful because it is still an Arab nation. They still have those laws in place.

SPEAKER_01

Yeah.

SPEAKER_00

But it's also a place where you could kind of get into the lifestyle of having too much fun. And did you experience anything like that there? Were you warned before you went there?

SPEAKER_02

I was like kind of worn, you know, but me, I was like, bro, this is how like unaware I was. Like the homies were making fun of me because I was like, I didn't know what a Muslim was. Because I was like, like, why would I? Like, I'm like in Monterey Park, bro. There's like no, there was a handful of Middle Easterns I want to repetal with, you know, and like some Armenian homies. Like one of my closest friends is Armenian. So, like, besides that, I I didn't know, bro. So I went there and like I remember I was in the market, bro, and I turned the aisle, and it's this girl like all covered up, like, like, bro, you only see your eyes. So you just wearing, and I was like, oh, like what it kind of shook me up a little, and I was like, yo, this is wild. And then I'm like meeting people, and then I'm like just shaking their hand to be like, you know, like nice, and they're like, no, no, no, like you don't shake their hand. I'm like, oh, like I don't know, like my bad. I like so like there, I was learning as I'm going, bro, and and like that's when I realized, like, damn, I I don't know anything, you know. Like, but I'm like, I'm open-minded, bro. Like, people tell me, like, yo, you don't know this? I'm like, nah, put me on game, bro. Teach me. So like I I learned a lot over there, and uh, dude, I even ran into some problems out there because I was filming this artist paint. The sh how do you say it? The shike or chic? The sh a chic. Yeah, yeah. So he was I got a job filming um this this guy, Case McClain. He did a mural of this of him out of this place called Hata, which was like an hour away from Dubai, like middle of nowhere, bro. Like, I was there for like 10 days. I felt like I was in trouble. Like, I was like, dude, like they reminded me of Bakersfield. I'm like, bro, I just was on a 16-hour flight to go to like Bakersfield, like, but Middle Eastern status, like I seen the same people do the same, like it blew my mind, bro. I felt kind of sad for them. I'm like, dang, bro, this is their life right here. But I I drone shot at this guy doing a donuts in front of the mural, and like he would posted on Instagram, and then the next day he's like, bro, erased that. Like, I I got arrested. They they impounded my car because they're watching you on social media. So I was like, yo, like, what? He's like, yeah, bro. Was he from there? Yeah, he was from there, and he didn't know any better. I mean, he kind of thought it was all cool, but the drone shot was cool, bro. But it was like, bro, he was doing donuts and like slow motion dirt. The the mural, like, I mean, I I guess he was getting kind of dirt, little dust particles on the mural, but it makes sense why they would trip.

SPEAKER_00

What are some things that people don't understand about when it comes to actually hiring and accepting a job as a photographer sometimes? Like, I know for me as a podcaster, the one thing that I've learned the most is that my time, like, and having depending on other people to show up and things like that. And I've literally have set up shop and like got prepared, and then someone cancels on me, and things like that. But what like how do you get through those frustrations, man?

Breakthroughs, Networking, And Big Projects

SPEAKER_02

It's just part of the game, bro. Like, you're you're gonna always run through that. There's people who've been in their career fields for like 10 plus years and still will run into things like that. Like, I hang out with a lot of tattooers and film them, and they'll even get cancellations, bro. And it's just I guess those experiences should just teach you that he gets that half deposit. Like, I mean, when money's involved, you know, it's like, yo, like it just means you just need to be like you need to go through those experiences, bro, because you know, it just teaches you how to be a better businessman, and it's like if you're really about it, all right, send me a half deposit, bro. And if you gotta second guess it and think, then you're probably not about it. And it's cool. Like, I don't really want to work with people like that. It's like, you know, it it doing business here is like I'm still learning, bro, but it was crazy because I actually had to get out of LA for people to take me more seriously. Because you know, like doing business with like close friends, like just family and friends. Favors, right? Favors, yeah, yeah. People people will never value people who've known you your whole life will never value you like ever, bro. Like, it's like you're lucky to get a couple hundred dollars compared to like these people are like flying me around the world, like pink thousands, like and it's like they don't know me, bro. But like they were like your biggest fan is like somebody you don't know, and it's like doing business around here taught me that.

SPEAKER_01

Yeah.

SPEAKER_00

I mean, I'd be honest with you, man. Photographers and videographers, um it's such a saturated market. Um anyone can go to Best Buy and purchase an expensive camera. But the one thing that I always say is you can't purchase time and motivation and and taking yourself seriously, just like what you said. Um what got you started? Like what like what was your break to get you out of LA? And what what made you take yourself more seriously? Like at what point did you say, all right, I'm not a hobbyist anymore, this is my job? Yeah.

SPEAKER_02

I guess it was like reaching out to people that I didn't know. Like that was my huge thing, was I was like, yo, I gotta start doing business with people who don't know me. And you know, I was like, I guess uh the game changing thing for me, bro, was I I reached out to this company, chopping down films. And uh I had you know, the homie touche, he he had told me because he was he was homies with them, and he was like, yo, bro, like these fools seen your video, and like I was like, oh what? Like, I I knew who they were, they were killing it, bro. And I was just always like, damn, like this film crew's sick, and uh, but I didn't want to reach out, but then when the homie touche, like I was in Hawaii, bro, it was my first traveling job ever, bro. And um, I was out there, and then yeah, Touche just sent me that message, like, yo, bro, you're like on their radar, and Touche is a sick ass artist, so that that fool, like him saying that, like I guess he had spoken to them a little about me too, you know. So I was like, dang, touche broke that ice with this company. I was like, I'm gonna reach out to them, and like I just reached out, I was like, yo, what's up, bro? You guys accepting applications? Like, check me out. Instagram DM, and uh, I met up, you know, with the owner, Zayn Myers, and uh that foo changed my life, bro. He he he's the one who put me on this traveling, like me traveling, bro, because I it was always just in the States, or no, it was always just LA, bro. LA that foo was on some worldwide shit. So yeah, linking up with him, bro, like changed everything for me.

SPEAKER_00

You just never know, man, when that opportunity is gonna present itself and it's all about networking and putting your best foot forward and representing yourself and taking yourself seriously, man. And I guess that's why I wanted to talk to you today. I you don't I normally talk to military veterans, uh, service members, and people that help with the military community, but every now and then I dabble into leadership, growth, um, and just for the last 10 years, man, I've watched you grow tremendously. I mean, how many followers do you have now on Instagram?

SPEAKER_02

Dude, I I reached 36,000, which is chill, bro. Like a lot of the homies are in like the 100,000, 200,000. Like, they're like I deal with a lot of really sick people. So 36 is chill, but like to me, I'm like, man, I'm trying to get it. But you're just a kid from Monterey Park, man.

Burnout, AI Anxiety, And Pivot To Tattooing

SPEAKER_00

Like that, you know what I mean? And it's like you but but you're but you're big time. You've traveled to six different countries at least. Um you've worked with all these tremendous artists and and done these big projects and things like that. What's probably your biggest project you've done so far?

SPEAKER_02

Uh I don't know, that's a tough one, bro. Like I guess the biggest one I'm working on right now is a documentary on my homie Adrian. And like, you know, we filmed in uh I met him in Miami. So we filmed in Miami, New York, uh, Norkel, um went a uh Germany, Amsterdam, Mexico, like we're we're just gathering this footage of like just him doing his thing, bro. Like I've I went to his family's house and like showed where he's where he grew up and like you know met his parents and all that, and it's the biggest project to date. Like we put out, you know, like little short films here and there, but the whole the whole goal is gathering these moments and and eventually making a huge documentary, you know.

SPEAKER_00

Yeah. And is it a documentary on him or is it a documentary about and what like who who is Adrian? So Adrian, he's a tattoo artist.

SPEAKER_02

He goes by uh AD tattoos and um he's got a shop in Miami, Green Avenue. But uh it's about him, bro, and his journey, and like it's it's cool like just telling his story because he inspires me, bro. Like he like going to see where he grew up, bro. It's like he showed me all his drawings when he was younger, and like it just showed that like he was a good artist, but like it wasn't like there's these people who were like kids who are just like natural artists, bro. Like they were good since elementary school. The homie Adrian was good, but he wasn't one of those like naturals, but he wanted it so bad that like bro, he turned into this amazing artist, and I'm like, it's inspiring to me because I'm like, damn, bro, like I'm I'm not a natural artist like that, but like I I want to be like right now. I'm I'm going down this tattoo journey, and I'm just like, you know what? Like, I'm not a natural bro, but I want this shit. I feel it in my heart and soul, so it's like seeing his journey, it's just like yo, like you could do it, bro. Like, so yeah.

SPEAKER_00

I guess overall, uh knowing you for the last 10 years or so, uh, I I feel like you're the type of person, and I've mentioned to you that I mentioned this to you before, is you're the type of person that it doesn't matter what it is, you're like you're gonna win, like you're gonna knock it out of the park. Whether you transition into something else, you've you've made tremendous strides just doing it on your own. Like you said when you were growing up, you really didn't have anyone that was in this field to kind of show you the ropes. You just kind of picked up a camera one day and you kind of figured it out, and then next thing you know, um you're connecting with the right people, and now you're uh traveling overseas, and you know that that's really truly a blessing. Um and that's the that's why I wanted to talk to you and I want to have this conversation with you because you're a tremendous person, man. Like you may not realize it because you're so humble, but you've traveled to six different countries. If you look at all the other folks. All the other kids, all the other peers that you grew up with and you graduated high school with, chances are, man, they haven't been where you've been. They haven't done what you've done. So you need to pinch yourself and realize that you're in a fucking great place right now. And and I'm I'm proud of you. Like I'm proud of you. And whenever you put something out there, man, like I watch it blow up in like literally minutes. I mean, people are just viewing it, liking it, watching it, and it's uh it's always quality. Um what do you think long-term consistency looks like um in a creative field just as yours, where burnout is pretty common?

Health Scare: The Stroke And Sobriety

SPEAKER_02

Like burning out in a like in your field? Just work, yeah. So I'm like, it's happening to me right now, bro. I'm 11 years like in this film, you know, this film journey, and I'm like, damn, bro, like I I want a tattoo. Like, and it's like I feel I'm like, bro, it's just getting started, like my career, like you know, like trying to take it to this next level, but I'm like, damn, like I don't know what happened, but like sometimes like I guess you just run into like, you know what? I need a break from my main thing, and like that's why I'm like I feel the same way, like tattooing. I I get this feeling, like how I felt when I picked up the camera back in the day. I was like, dang, I feel it in my heart and soul. Like I I sit there and visualize it, like I'm like, I could see this happening, and it's like you know, filming is always gonna be my thing, bro. But also, too, what's what's pushing me away a little is like this AI stuff. Like, I I'm already preparing for the AI takeover. It already hit Hollywood. Like people, there's like strikes and stuff, like I don't know exactly on what, but I know AI was like messing shit up. Yeah, and it's like AI, like AI, bro, AI is here to take over everything, right? So that's why I'm like, man, like even tattooing, bro, like they're they're have these robotic things, you know, like that people are on that mission too. But I'm like, you know what? You guys are gonna have a harder time dipping into that industry. So, but the filming is like, yeah, bro, like why would you hire me when you could just uh if you want to sit commercial, you could just like pay this AI thing and type in detail for detail, like what you want. You don't gotta fly me out, no Airbnb's, and all like you just type, bro, and that's where the future is heading, even with movies. And um, I seen this commercial the other day, the homie sent me, and it was like it was actually really cool, bro. It was a Nike commercial, but they made it about like the Texas Chainsaw Massacre, because it shows them like training, bro. It's at first, it's just this dude, you don't see his face, and he's like training, he's like on this farm, like just like working out, and you're like, What? And then like it's all AI, but it looks real, and like bro, he's training for something, you don't know what, and then at the end you realize it's a Texas chainsaw massacre, and he's like training to go like capture these people and shit, like and uh and I was like, bro, this is crazy, and this is now. Imagine in five years, like it's just coming to take the jobs, bro.

SPEAKER_00

It's hard to imagine. Um, the internet has completely revolutionized and changed our lives in such a fast capacity. Um, you were born in probably the mid-90s, right? 92. Yeah, so you were born early to mid-90s. Um I'm a little bit older than you, and it life was slow at one time, and it wasn't it wasn't what it was a little more predictable, but now it's like everything from our currency to uh who we hire to take pictures for us, like you mentioned. Um it it's all changing because of the internet, and and now we got this new AI thing, and it's it's hard to it I always compare it to like Terminator minus the physical robot, but you have like your Amazon Echo Dot taking over your household because it hears everything you're saying, and you're right, like how do you prepare yourself for like the next the next thing to stay relevant? Um you know, and and I could understand why you would want to transition into tattooing um only because you want to keep yourself kind of spread out a little bit, right? Not just creative in like one dynamic, but maybe in multiple dynamics. And I could totally see like where you would maybe use the the photography and the videography in in conjunction with the tattooing side of it all, um, you're always teaching yourself something new. This is like what I'm doing with this podcast. Like I wanted to learn audio, I wanted to learn video. Um and it's been a very steep, steep cliff climb, which I'm sure tattooing will be the same for you if you haven't already done tattooing. I mean, it's you know, to be a master of that art, I mean, people people don't realize how difficult that is to stay steady and articulate when you're doing those lines and things like that, man. Have you have you done that already? Have you done any tattoos?

SPEAKER_02

I've tatted myself like three times. And uh I tatted my homie Pablo on his thigh like 10 years ago. And bro, I actually did a little heart on my grandma's ankle like two days ago. She was like, she'll be seeing me like tatting on fake skin. Yeah, she's like, Jeremy, can you give me a tattoo on on I'm like, what? Like, nah, grandma, like what are you talking about? And then like she's like, Yeah, I want like a little heart on my ankle, and like so I just like dismissed it. I was like, ah, it's like I don't know, Grandma. Then like, bro, she kept like telling me and telling me and telling me to where I was like, yo, like grandma wants a heart in her ankle. And I was like, Alright, like, so the other day, like she just called me out on it. She's like, yo, do you have time? Are you gonna do it? And I was like, Yeah, I'm ready, let's go. So yeah, I pulled up to her house two days ago, and I actually vlogged it. I like filmed it, and like, yeah, it was it's hard, bro. Like, it is so hard. Like, the homies make it look easy, but they're like 10 years in that shit, 10 years plus, you know. But it just made me realize, like, just doing a little heart, I'm like, bro, these guys are crazy with what they're doing in the tattoo world right now. And bro, I'm barely like dipping my feet in there. Like, I'm supposed to tattoo my homie in a couple days on his upper thigh. So I feel that's gonna really it's it's gonna be the most experience that I'm that I'm gonna get because it's like I'm and when I'm tatting myself, bro, I did it on my thigh, so it's kind of weird and uncomfortable. So now that I'll be doing his thigh, I get to like like sit like a certain way and just be more comfortable. So I'm really curious how I'm gonna do like my goals to kill it.

SPEAKER_00

I might take you up, man, because I have a tattoo that needs to be cleaned up. Yeah, it it was dirty, man. Like I went to a tattoo convention and I'm I'm pretty sure the tattoo artist was drunk um because he squibbled some lines up, and you you wouldn't tell you wouldn't be able to tell unless you really looked at it close. Yeah. But um, yeah, it was it it was all messed, it's all messed up. So I might I might be hitting you up, man, for appreciate that, bro. For some work. You you talked about transitioning in transitioning into tattooing. Um you recently had a health scare. Yeah, bro. That landed you in the hospital. It probably helped you with this new with this new perspective, this new horizon of maybe I need to transition to something else. He talked about talk about what happened. Yeah, bro.

Discipline, Work Ethic, And Travel Grind

Addiction, Purpose, And Rebuilding Habits

SPEAKER_02

It's um 33 and I had a stroke June, I think it was like second or third. I was just sitting on the couch, bro, on my mom's. I was gonna go up to Big Bear that day to go with my cousin Richie. But uh my mom's car, like she she needed it to get an oil change, so I took it, and then like they were lagging it, bro. They're like, you know what, we found a nail in the in the tire, so it's gonna take longer. So I was like, damn, like, alright, whatever. So I'm just chilling on my mom's. She's like over there, like she got off work early, and uh, bro, I just ate wingstop, and uh, I'd went on a run right before that, and bro, I was watching 50 First Dates just sitting there, bro, and then like bam, that shit just hit me. I just like had a stroke, like I didn't know what was going on, but yeah, dude, shook me up. I was in the hospital for like 10 days, like seeing like bro, my roommate died, like I was seeing body bags and shit. Like, I was like, bro, where am I? Like, what is going on in my life right now? And like, and like, you know, I've like been smoking weed and shit since I was like in high school, drank and like you know, I've partied and shit, so it's not like I'm like, yo, this like innocent angel, like what h I'm like, oh shit, like damn, shit caught up to me, you know, like that's what I can imagine. So now I'm like six months sober, bro, and I haven't been sober since high school. Like I was smoking weed on the daily, and it's crazy because like I was like, bro, I ain't gonna lie, about two months before this happened, like I actually pray to God, bro. I was like, man, I like want to go sober. Cause I was just like thinking, like, damn, bro, like, because you know, I'll smoke cigarettes at times. You smoke a cigarette, and it's like by the time you're finished, look at the end of the cigarette. Like, that shit's like the residues like right there. You're just like, damn. So I'm like, bro, my insides is like 20 years, 15 years of this smoke inside of me, and it just started like scaring me, bro. I'm like, bro, I'd be so pissed if I like get lung cancer or some shit. Like, so it was like, bro, I was just bad, like smoking weed from the second I woke up, going to the gym. Like, I was functioning, bro. I would get high as shit and go to the gym, work out, like everything. And then it was like, but I'm like, bro, I don't want to die. So I prayed, bro, and then to me, I like to believe like, oh yo, like honestly, I wouldn't have got sober if it wasn't for this, because this is like life or death. It's like, all right, Jeremy, you smoke or drink, or like do anything, like you might die. Like you get another stroke, the doctor's like, you'll probably go paralyzed, bro. So I'm like, ah shit, dude. That day I gave my my weed wax pen away. Uh I was like, fuck. I I dude, it was like it was like the movie Half Big, bro. It was like the the last time I was like, fuck, like this is it, bro. This is the last. It's funny. Like, and bro, I gave it like to uh it was uh my Nina Sonya was there and uh Vanessa, and then like I gave it to them, bro, and they they threw it in the trash. Like I almost the inner addict in me, bro, wanted to hit that shit. Like I was like that, like bro, I'm that much of an addict where I was like, damn, bro, but like being an addict can actually you could turn it into a benefit like uh into a positive thing, you know, because I'm a film addict, bro. Like I have an addictive personality, and I learned that about myself these past couple years, to where like bro, if I like a certain food, bro, I'll like eat that shit like four days in a row. I've like been going to the gym like every day, like just like addicted, like and it's like if I don't go, bro, it bothers me. And like filming, like I got addicted to that shit. Like, bro, I picked up the camera one day, is like fast forward 11 years, I'm like, fuck, like, bro, I haven't put that camera down. I'm just like addicted to it, and now that my new addiction is tattooing. So I'm like, all right, like you know, you could be an addict, bro, but you could you could turn this into a positive. Like since I've met since I filmed a lot of people, I dip into like businesses, right? Like I'll meet like the leader of nah just different businesses, and I notice a but like every time I would meet some like boss, I'm like, oh, these foods are like a little, like they're they're a little like not off, but they're like, bro, you have to be like a little ad freaking like uh addict to to right to reach these certain levels of success. And like that's that's a similarity I've seen, and I've just been like, oh, like that's a trip. I feel I have that, I just need to be a bigger addict because these people were like I filmed people who took it to levels where I'm like, damn bro, like crazy.

SPEAKER_00

Dude, that's interesting you say that because I I I I've seen that with um criminals before, where like it's like wow, if you put this much this much passion into something positive, you'd be so successful. Or like you look at some of the geniuses out there, like even like Elon Musk, man. I mean, he's he's supposed to he's he's autistic. So like at the end of the day, dude, it's like it's like you have you know, you have to be a little bit like a little bit off. Like you have to be a little bit crazy, and you have to be a little bit something. Yeah. And the one thing is you gotta focus that energy towards something positive. Yeah. You it's sort of like the fork in the road. Like I've always said this about about my about my siblings. The the differences between me and my siblings is that somebody at some point told them that they weren't good enough and they agreed. And they and they chose the path of drugs. They chose the path of like not following the right way. Yeah. And I feel that that's the same with a lot of people that I know where like they you have a fork in the road and you can put all this energy and effort into you know, work, yeah, or something you're passionate about, or you can put all this energy into partying and drugs and alcohol and everything else. And the reality is, is I always say moderation is the most important thing, and that's kind of what I wanted to ask you about. How the hell do you balance the work hard, play hard attitude? Um, is that something you feel like has not been balanced, and that's maybe why you had this stroke? And like, how do you work hard, play hard, man? Because you because you're in some awesome areas, like you're you're around awesome people, like in nice, cool locations. Yeah.

Redefining Success: Health And Freedom

SPEAKER_02

So I feel the more of the partying was done with me and my homies not on the jobs because, or like these traveling places, you know, when I would travel, it's like, believe it or not, bro. I actually don't party like that when I'm on the roads because I'm like, bro, these people are spending mad money, they're flying me out. Like, I love filming so much that I'm like, I have to make something good. And if I don't, it's a reflection on me. And and I realize if I'm gonna get another job, then like I just have to put all my energy into my last film, you know. Like, I don't want to be some dude like, oh, check out this thing I did like five years ago. It's cool, right? Like, my thing is like, nah, bro, don't dwell on anything. Like, you're as good as your last project, and like I'll be on places like I'll definitely smoke weed, you know, but like, but say like drinking beers and shit, it was like people be like, yo, you want to drink? I'm like, nah, because I'm filming, and and if I have the camera in one hand and then the beer in the other hand, I'm gonna miss a shot. Right. So, and I'm like, I've experienced that, you know, like where I'm like, all right, bro, that's dumb. Like, I just hit the weed, bam, all right, go work. And uh so yeah, the parting, it's like it's like people were like, bro, you travel the world in this, but it's always working. Yeah, and and it's like bro, you gotta people, if they're gonna fly you, they're gonna max you out, bro. Like, it's like, all right, bro, we're we're gonna work, work, work. Like, yeah, we'll go out and have fun, but hey, yo, we gotta wake up early, bro. And me, I'm like, fuck, man. Like, I'd rather get some sleep. And especially going into different time zones, bro. You're like, you're like, damn, you might pull into a spot and you're up for like 24 hours, and then you gotta adjust, and then you gotta like, you're just like, whoa, and then like by the time you're barely getting your sleep schedule correct, it's like, alright, gotta go, bro, we finish. And I'm just like, all right, so I can't imagine just going in, not sleeping 24 hours, wanting to party, and then like, bro, I'll be all messed up.

SPEAKER_00

You you don't realize it, but you have a lot of inherent discipline, like a lot of just inner discipline that I don't know where you learned it from, but but for me, like, even when I was becoming an officer in the army and I went through the ROTZ program, um, I I refused to go all in on that program. And what I mean by that is I did not buy into the this is military officer training land, and these are make pretend positions, um, and we need you to take this serious 24-7 type stuff, because I was prior enlisted before I I went the officer route, and I understood that I only had four years of college. And those four years of college, I was gonna go to the clubs, I was gonna go to the bars, but I also had to get up three days a week at 6 a.m. to do physical fitness training. And just like what you mentioned, uh, here was the problem. Monday, Wednesday, Friday was the mornings I had to get up early to go do physical fitness training before my college classes, right? Um the problem was Tuesday night was college night, Thursday night was ladies' night. So I wasn't gonna miss those two nights.

SPEAKER_02

Yeah.

SPEAKER_00

I mean, I would literally like go out, stay out late, and then get like two or three hours of sleep, and then go to physical fitness training the next morning, run like six to eight miles, puke my brains out, like literally just everywhere, and then go to class that day. Like that was the work hard, play hard mentality that I had. Because I understood, like, I do want to enjoy my upbringing, my childhood or whatever. Yeah. But I I don't want to like not get anything done. So you have to have that work hard, play hard uh mentality. But uh when I say you have inherent discipline, what I mean by that is like you understand business. Like there's a lot of other people out there that would take advantage of your situation and they would go to Germany or they would go overseas somewhere and they would not get the job done. And then they would just botch the entire project and never get hired again anywhere else. So I don't know where you got it from, but from what it sounds like, you have a lot of just given discipline within you already, and that's that's very impressive, Jeremy. Like, I mean, I don't I don't know where you get it from because it doesn't sound like you know it was really taught to you growing up, but um because for me it was my father, he was 20 year military veteran, so he would whip my ass and like make me do stuff, but yeah, um for people out. There that are just grinding nonstop, what advice do you have for them?

SPEAKER_02

I mean, the energy you give in is what you get, like pretty much like in terms of health and things like that that you were just talking about. Oh, wait, say say the question again.

SPEAKER_00

Like what like what advice would you have people out there that are grinding nonstop but not really thinking about their health?

What’s Next: Documentaries And Tattoo Films

SPEAKER_02

I mean, damn, bro, it's it's crazy. I mean, I feel working out is like everybody should be physical, you know, like do some physical activities, like that shit just makes me feel amazing. And I think like, but even then, bro, like you you're not even promised, like being healthy because I've been working out, bro, trying to eat good, and I still had a stroke. So it's like sometimes it's inherited, like sometimes it's like I don't know, bro. Like, do you think it was stress induced? I don't Do you tend to hide your stress? I for sure probably have stress, but I I feel like I was just parting, bro, and just like you know, some of my homies are like, yo, it was a stress. I was like, Yeah, I was also doing some bad shit. Yeah. And it was like, and maybe like, you know, there's people who are like younger, bro, like who have had crazy ass things happen to them. So I'm like, for me, for parting so hard for 15 years, that like I made it this far, bro, like my body is kind of good, you know, but I did go hard, bro. Like it's it's embarrassing to say, but like, yeah, man, like I was just a huge, like fucking always trying to turn up, bro. Like, or just always like on weed, or like, yeah, and it's like that shit caught up, bro.

SPEAKER_00

It seemed like in your mid-30s you were looking for a life of purpose. And I always say a life of service is a life worth living, mainly because my career path has been, you know, military and and things like that. But for you, there's nothing wrong with with where you're going now because it's kind of like a new chapter in your life. You start out in your 20s, you're in chapter two, chapter three, chapter four, chapter five, and then like in your mid-30s, you're now realizing that I gotta make a change, I gotta do something different. And when you're in the hospital, was there a moment where you kind of just laid there and said, Something's gotta change?

Legacy, Platforms, And Closing

SPEAKER_02

I mean, it's crazy because this was the only change in my life that I've never done was be sober, bro. I've I've done everything, bro. Like, but it's like sobriety was the main thing where I'm like, you know what, maybe this is why I haven't reached that next level, is because of I've never been sober. And so to me, it's like, you know, six months to me, bro, is crazy. Like, I I can't believe it. And like I heard Mike Tyson talk about sobriety one time, bro, because he was an addict, and and that foo in the video, he was like, he's like, man, he's like, I've been sober for three days. He's like, you know how fucking hard that shit was. He's like, you know, like three days, bro. And I was like, I feel him, bro. Like I was that deep into it where I'm like, bro, I would be happy, like, yo, I want to smoke weed for a day. But I did the pat like 15 years, bro. I was like, I'm celebrating a day. Like, I'm like, fuck, bro. Like, that's actually before that, the longest was two weeks, because I was in Dubai, bro, and you couldn't you couldn't smoke weed out there, bro. So I was like, that that was the longest I was sober, bro. I remember when I came back from there, I was like, dang, like, do I wanna like do this shit again? Like, I'm sober off this shit. And bro, I just smoked and went right back down to you know, like just being high all the time, and like I feel like I like bro, my biological father, it's like inner blood, bro. Like, Daffu's an addict too, like, you know, like I have family members, like we're it's just in my DNA, you know. And does that kind of hang over your head a little bit? I mean, nah, it's just it is what it is, you know. It's like to each his own, bro. Like, I I've just like realized like this, you know, like I don't judge anybody, bro, like on some like, yeah, bro, somebody could come and do drugs, some crazy shit next to me, smoke meth or heroin, and I'm just like, that's their problem. Like, I I don't I don't judge them, bro. I'm like, cause I understand, like, oh, my poison is just weed, so I can't sit here and judge this guy because his poison is this, or maybe it's alcohol or cigarettes. It's like, but at the end of the day, it's a it's a similar problem. We just pick different poisons, you know?

SPEAKER_00

Right. You know, this podcast focuses um on preparedness, adaptability. Um, how has life forced you to adapt recently?

SPEAKER_02

I mean, I'm still it just forced me because it's like life or death, bro. Like, I like for sure got PTSD from this sitting down having a stroke incident. And it's just like, bro, there's days I'll be like sitting there, like laying down, I'm like, fuck, like, bro, is that shit gonna happen? Like, dude, how how long am I gonna live? And I'm just like, you know, like I I gotta like eat better, and and the the first couple months I was eating real good, bro, but now I'm like eating a little, you know, bad stuff here and there, and I'm like, fuck, like I can't go down that that fucking, you know, just that path because I'm like, dude, I'm gonna shorten my life. Like, there's obviously something wrong with me, and I just can't afford to put any bad shit in my body, and I'm just like adapting. I'm like, man, like, you know, just eating good is one thing, but you know, like my my friend be telling me, she's like, yo, like you gotta eat all these herbs and all this crazy, nasty stuff, like like you know, like these Asians live long as hell, and like what what are they on? Like, go go like down that rabbit hole, like so I still need to do it, bro. I'm like halfway in, halfway out, but I don't want to die, bro.

SPEAKER_00

No, I and I I'm with you, like every morning I drink green tea, and um you know that's that it to me. I try to put good things in my body, even though I still eat the burgers and the fries and all that junk too. So I'm I'm with you on that. And I'm surprised when you said that you run and that you're physically fit and things like that, man. Because I mean, a lot of a lot of people today don't put enough emphasis on physical fitness, and I think America has like the highest obesity rate in the entire world, right? So For sure. I was surprised, and that's what I talk about when I told you you have inherent discipline. Like that's like who told you that? Who to like people that do what you do typically don't concern themselves with physical fitness, and so I'm really surprised to hear that from you. What to what is success to you now versus what it would have been like five to ten years ago?

SPEAKER_02

So back then it was just money. Yeah. Now it's like, bro, health is wealth, and and freedom is the ultimate goal in life, bro. Like to me, that is the end goal. Like, even with me trying to chase tattooing, it's like, you know, like I just like the freedom, bro. Like, that's all I care about is being financially free and just being able to do whatever I want with this one life that I have, and just not having somebody who's the same as me, like human, like just telling me what to do, like I don't want that shit, you know. Like, yeah, bro, the health and freedom to me is like the biggest things in life right now.

SPEAKER_00

I always tell people that if I only have like another year to live, another two years to live, five years to live, or if I'm blessed to live till I'm 80 or 90, so be it. But having purpose is probably the most important thing to me now. Like sitting down with you, having the opportunity to tell your story. A kid from East LA, uh, Monterey Park area, brought up by a single mom. You have several known, I guess, father figures that you would consider like his dads, right? Probably didn't have a lot of expectation growing up. You picked up a camera one day and all of a sudden, next thing you know, you're in six different countries, you're working on all these huge projects, you amassed thirty-six thousand followers. I love telling stories like yours. Thank you, bro. To be honest with you, man, like that's that's what it's about. Like, if if I died next year, the fact that I've had over 300, I want to say like over 300 podcast episodes in the last three and a half years, and I was able to tell all these stories, like I feel like I left something. I left a footprint, and that's what's important for me now at 45 years old. So, what do you think is next for Jeremy films more productions over the horizon, man? Like, where like what are you building here?

SPEAKER_02

My goal is to make sick documentaries and eventually, I guess, learn this AI stuff, you know, if that's a game we're gonna play. Like, I I like making films, so you know, just you know, maybe eventually making a movie one day, just six short films, and but tattooing got thrown in the mix recently, so yeah, it's like I don't know, filming and tattooing, that's all that's on my mind right now. And I'm filming tattooing too. Like, my goal isn't make the illist tattoo videos, you know, do tattoo documentaries. Like, I used to watch like Tattoo Nation, and my goal is like, man, like I I want to make my own version of like Tattoo Nation, you know, like it's it's a new generation now. Like, you know, Tattoo Nation talks about the OGs and and the people who like paved the way, but now it's like the tattoo industry is like, bro, it's it's at its peak right now. Like the the level of artwork people are doing is insane, bro. Like insane, and it's like the machines changed, like you got people like marketing came into the mix of tattooing, like now like filming is is a big part of tattooing, and it's like alright, like you know what, like it just hypes me up more to be like, dang, like if I make a sick documentary, people would just watch it, you know. Like nowadays, you know, it's so like we're we're on this new generation of just creating content or movies or docs, like it's just crazy, but who knows? Like, shit changes like bro, every five years.

SPEAKER_00

So I really don't think that AI is ready to replace you. I think we're not there yet. I think there's still time to get under the door uh because AI's not ready to replace the human brain just yet. What could happen is I think at some point AI will try to replicate you. For sure. Jeremy, I really think at some point AI will try to replicate what it can't do now. It'll try to replicate like your brain and the things that you're putting out there, like the angles you're getting, the shots you're getting, the tattooing uh that that you're doing, the artist work that you're doing. As strange as that sounds, that's where I think we're headed to next. And I think there's the door still open. Um and it's wild just to think about, man, that someday when we pass on, if our kids or our family members want to talk to us, it may just be an AI thing that's replicated your brain and your thoughts and your responses. Isn't that wild? That's wild. So you live forever. Like films more productions and the things you're putting out there, your your perspectives, your creativity, could live on forever.

SPEAKER_02

I mean, that's deep, bro. It's like you could probably show AI this podcast and be like, yo, check it out. This is Jeremy, right? And it's like, you know, like I I feel right now, like people are doing that with AI. It's like you could be like, yo, I want a Tim Burden style type of video, or like, yo, this is uh add Jeremy films more. I want his like type of style. Like that's already happening, bro. Right. And it's like, but yeah, what you're talking about is insane, bro. Like, that's it's kind of cool in a way. Like, I think videos are really cool because people pass away, bro. Like, even before AI, it's like throw AI out of the mix, but it's like, all right, say this video, bro, we both die one day. We live forever, like people get to see this, bro. And it's like it's always fascinated me. Like, I film people who have passed away, bro, like a handful of people, and I'm like, that it trips me out every time. I'm like, damn, bro. Like, I'd be having like footage of them, like, and it's just like, bro, they're no longer with us, but they're like right here, live, bro, in this screen, like they're alive, and it's cool for like the people who never get to meet them, you know. Like, I think there's like some magic there, and uh filming is just on some crazy technology, bro. It blows my mind. Like, I've I've always been fascinated with like yo, how who created the camera? Like, you know, and and I actually looked into it and and it's like it's a trippy little story, bro, on like who created it, and like that dude Tesla's name is in the mix, but like it kind of sounds like it was like um stolen, bro, like a stolen invention. Like this dude who created it was like not um he was not that good of an inventor, but uh I don't know, he has something to do with the first camera, and then he was gonna go pat in that shit or something, and like bro, this dude just disappeared. Like nobody like found him or seen him, and nobody knows what happened to him, bro. And then and then it got put on a like Tesla. Tesla's name was like in the mix after that. So I was like, yo, like what really happened with this creation, this invention that like I couldn't imagine back then how mind-blowing it was seeing the first cameras. Like, I hear people were like scared, you know, they're like, yo, what are you like, bro? Getting my soul or something. Like it was so far in advanced technology that yeah, I don't know, bro. The cameras trip me out.

SPEAKER_00

Yeah, I mean it I have read some of the um the stories behind like the inventions, and there is a lot of circumstantial events that happened and possibly some fraud that that happened with uh with who takes credit for what. So I I am familiar with what you're talking about with with that kind of stuff. When it's all said and done, Jeremy, how do you want people to remember the man behind the camera?

SPEAKER_02

Just I don't know, bro, just as some creative fucking dude that like to joke a lot. Like I I I like to get work done, but I like to have fun in the process, and I just, you know, I feel like one of my favorite quotes is like, yo, don't take life too serious, you'll never make it out alive. And it's like, yeah, I just like yeah, let's get shit done, but let's have fun and laugh, bro. Like, I love laughing, and like, yeah, if somebody like I just want them to remember me as that a creative who like to laugh, bro, and have fun.

SPEAKER_00

I really appreciate you being on the podcast today, man, and sharing part of yourself that most people don't see. Aside to yourself, I should say that most people don't see. Um I'm very proud of you. When you started doing uh the camera work, Instagram wasn't really a thing. I remember when when we first signed up, uh when I first signed up on Instagram, it was like this new thing, new idea. Uh Facebook was still kind of a thing. Um and so you've grown, I guess, with the social platform. And man, I'm I'm interested to see where you go from here. Uh besides Instagram, where else are you? Are you on TikTok as well?

SPEAKER_02

Yeah, I'm on TikTok trying to do that thing now. It's crazy. I'm build my building my following on Instagram. Yeah. And then it's like, well, we don't know if Instagram's that cool anymore. It's all TikTok. So I'm like, damn, like, all right, so let me like I'm dabbling on there, but I post more freely. Like, I don't Instagram is more strategic. I just can't post anything. Right. TikTok, I'll be like experimenting, posting. So like it's like how I used to treat Instagram in my early days. I'm like that on TikTok right now. Okay. So what uh so Instagram, TikTok, who where else can people follow you? Yeah, Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, just you know, Jeremy, period, films more, or on YouTube is Jeremy Films More. And um, yeah, that's about it.

SPEAKER_00

Instagram, it's filmsmore productions.

SPEAKER_02

Oh no, so Instagram, so I was on this journey where I was trying to do films more productions. It's I still have the name bot and all that, but I'm like, I'm really focusing on Jeremy Films More right now. Like, but Films More Productions is definitely in the future, and like, but I'm like, you know, building myself up, and like that that will transition like in in the near future. But right now is Jeremy Films More. Cool, man.

SPEAKER_00

Jeremy, listen, man. I really appreciate you coming on the studio to everyone listening out there. Take care of your health, protect your purpose. Jeremy, thank you again for coming on the show. Anything, any last shots before we end this? Uh I want to shout out my mom.

SPEAKER_02

Um, dude, I I really owe it all to her. You know, she helped me out like throughout this whole journey. And um, you know, I want to shout out all my close friends, you know, like friends and family. Like, you you know, there's too many to name, but you guys know who you are. And um, yeah, just thank you for having me, bro. I'm excited to, you know, see your journey, bro. Like, you know, you've been killing it, bro. And I'm proud of you, super honored to be on here. And uh, yeah, bro, keep keep doing your thing, bro. I'll see you.

SPEAKER_00

I hope someday I can grow up and be like you, man. Like you are honestly, you're you're you're the creative one, man. I'm just like, whatever. I'm trying to learn, bro, you know, in in low-key style. But folks out there, if this episode resonated with you, make sure you follow Jeremy on Instagram, on TikTok, on YouTube as well. I've watched this man grow for the last 10 years. I mean, he's only gonna go up from here. Gets into tattooing, he's gonna own that industry as well. So until next time, stay tuned, stay focused, and stay motivated. Warriors, fall out.