Over the stretch of an almost two-week stairway, the first-ever Vans Pipe Masters, (formerly licensed to the World Surfing League),  introduced a level of competition and tenacity for ‘the catch of the wave’ that traditionally positions itself around former standards, such as priority. In inaugural fashion, this new approach mandated a much more heightened and focused competitive spirit than I believe we’ve allowed our senses to fully understand. We witnessed the intensity of our men’s heat, (45 minutes of standing potential), and equally, wonderfully, 45 minutes of contest confirmation for women. What I saw, more clearly amidst the women, was a concerted need – operative terminology, need – to produce more of an uptick in competition, focus and restlessness. Potentially, more indefinitely, we have been witness to the transition of Women’s Surf, to the level of athleticism that it needs to be consistently represented and portrayed as.

(PHOTO CRED: Tracks 2022, Molly Picklum carried into winner’s chair and welcome).

What was, included a layout that – respectfully – allowed for a tempered, slightly different level of competitiveness each day and each heat. With this particular shift, what transpired was a pivot in focus on the very truth: every day is a new day; who and how you arrive at each set matters, and can only be fueled by the previous experience, not defined. Instances of high power-performance, pummeled through each day, emerging suddenly and starkly - in contrast and expression – as the day’s weather patterns and swell.

As an excitedly engaged viewer, and lover and protector of the ocean, witnessing this management and interaction of how this format-shift beckoned its participants to approach, was more than interesting – it introduced a new stage in which we, (as a sports-watching community), would view and value the sport of surf, accompanied by women. The manifestation of this industry-shift, delegated a different recall of a sport we thought we knew – formerly embraced amongst women as a more polite dance with competition and competitive heat. Now, with the presentation of the new format – and the interaction thereof – we have been witness to the true athlete in the female surfer.

We, I believe, have been made aware of the indefinite shift – not solely in event-format – yet, in how we perceive and speak on / commentate on the woman surfer. This is now the jump-off point – young Molly, congratulations. Mr. Stack, wonderful to see.

Mahalo in Aloha,

Linds

For the second time, CreativeWave Movement connects with the multi-faceted soul, determined to move our eyes from the race of money, to the mind and heart. We uncover the exciting that is to come with his newest venture and the passion he continues to exude for encouraging those around him.

Here is our conversation…

Kenny Sanders is determined to inspire others to live a life worth living. (PHOTO: Sanders)

CreativeWave Movement: Really excited to delve a little deeper into the launch of your new website: what compelled you to act now; to move now. I believe we each have dreams: dreams that may seem impossible. But they often get stranded in the realm of conception, as opposed to being moved to the stage of execution. What initiated your desire to finally put this passion to website? ….. I’m sure the idea has been in you for quite some time!

Kenny Sanders: This idea has been with me for years. I’ve been doing coaching with celebrities and many others the last few years, by word of mouth, but haven’t gone further than that; since it’s been more of a personal, fulfilling [passion] for me. My main focus is to help others who have success in fame and luxury, but haven’t had success [within] their inner selves, which is the most important part.

CWM: I see, yes. I think it’s powerful to take a moment to reflect on our journey: examining the ‘how’ we arrived at a desired result, or began to see our dreams manifest. With your own personal and professional journey- as an athlete, as an entrepreneur and motivational speaker- what moments played a pivotal part in you realizing that, “Hey, I have a greater purpose than just being an athlete. I am a multifaceted being, meant to express those gifts in various ways.” I think it’s important that we talk about that for those reading and learning your story to have the courage to recognize those moments in their own lives… and to hopefully MOVE in their dreams, as a result.

KS: Ever since I could remember, I’ve always had a big imagination and have been passionately curious [of] all things. Of course, as I was getting older I had to figure out “what I wanted to do” like all of us. I was very lucky to become a BMX professional, but I also practiced 6 hours everyday for about 5 years before I got my first sponsor. My entrepreneurship came when I was 24, after realizing I needed income when BMX stops; a bit of thinking ahead, but that’s what I do.

Spending time as a professional BMX athlete, Kenny learned to explore other facets of his skill-sets and abilities. (PHOTO: Google Images)

While doing all the above, I would spend countless hours imagining what others’ lives are like or simply observing life around me. When I get extra time, I tend to want to study above and beyond knowledge like the Universe, the brain, our bodies and how everything works. The thing that consumed me the most was spirituality, law of attraction, life itself and what makes a person truly happy. I was so curious as to why a family packed in a small shack, in a foreign village- that has next to nothing- seemed happier than a wealthy family in a mansion in Beverly Hills, that has everything. That made me realize that happiness is within, not with material items.

[This] realization completely changed my life and how I do things. Sure, most of us love material stuff, but we need to make sure to not get lost in it or find our happiness or confidence in materials. That way of thinking will all be short-lived until the next product comes out. It’s our inner selves, our families, [that are] there for us if something tragic happened. That is what truly makes us happy.

CWM: Not finding self-worth or assurance from materialist items: I completely get it and agree. So, in order to encourage this message via your new website (exciting!), may you define for us what the main mission is and who you hope to serve with this mission?

Sanders looks to encourage those around him to seek fulfillment beyond materialism and financial conquests. (PHOTO: Sanders)

KS: The mission is to show others that life is far more than most of us think. It’s actually simple; yet, we get blinded by all of this consumption- and what others are doing on social media that we aren’t- that it sort of makes us lose sight of ourselves, what we need, what truly matters, etc. I hope to serve anyone who needs any sort of guidance in their lives- be it wealthy or not. The reason why I focus a lot on “wealthy” individuals is because they lose sight of the natural, important things easier than someone who isn’t wealthy. Hence, the reason a family packed in a small shack in a foreign village- that has next to nothing- is happier than a wealthy family in a mansion in Beverly Hills, that has everything.

The “financially poor” family packed in a shack in a village is very successful in being human, enjoying simplicity and each other, which brings happiness; while “financially wealthy” find it harder to be truly happy since short-lived materialistic things blind them of the natural happiness they can have. Again, I’m talking about “some” families as an example.

CWM: Correct. Some families that are financially wealthy can be spiritually bankrupt, while the financially poor family can often times be spiritually rich. This question of humanity and showing kindness has been at the core of who you are; it is clearly the hallmark of your daily living. In what ways are you inspired to continue delivering this message to those around you?

KS: The more people I help, the more I’m inspired. The real payment for me is seeing the life change and happiness flow into others’ lives. Knowing I have the gift to do that makes me want to utilize it as much as possible.

CWM: We love that! Switching back to your website: what can audiences expect to see and learn with your website?

KS: I’m starting the first few months with the basics. I also want to keep my blogs and videos short since most of us have short attention spans now dealing with so much tech these days. You can get knowledge in under two minutes on each subject.

CWM: Nice. Any exciting sneak peeks that you can share?

Kenny found here, feeding his BMX passions. (PHOTO: Sanders)

KS: The sneak peaks are what’s on the website right now. More coming very soon!

CWM: And CreativeWave Movement is thrilled!  Lastly, what most excites you about the future?

KS: The future is the exciting part. It’s the unknown, and knowing each decision I make throughout my day could completely steer my future in different directions… Every outcome in anything is a lesson in my mind. I’m mainly excited about helping as many as I can in my lifetime.

–CWM–

To learn more on Kenny’s passion and mission, please visit his website.

]]> http://creativewavemovement.com/blog/2017/04/kenny-sanders-at-it-again/feed/ 0 http://creativewavemovement.com/blog/2016/10/your-creative-calling/ http://creativewavemovement.com/blog/2016/10/your-creative-calling/#comments Sat, 08 Oct 2016 19:22:05 +0000 creativewavemovement http://creativewavemovement.com/blog/?p=1854 I recently found myself trapped in a maze of ‘creator’s block.’ There existed no reasoning for my rather insane shenanigans: I was an artist creating no art. In the most polite sense of the phrase I was, how you say, ‘creatively inapt’ to produce an ounce of artistic fulfillment.

With focus and fire towards the right things, you are unstoppable.

Evidence of my skill level left a trail of paintings hung on walls; intricate and stylish sketches, whose strokes rivaled both classic and modern era’s acclaimed. I was made aware that I- this long professed artist- was capable of committing concept to visual; visual to finished product. And yet, amid exhibit A through Z, I could not recall nor point to any work from recent months of creativity come to life.

Where had I, the artist, gone? And why hadn’t I given time to one of my loves?

It could be and has been one of the hardest things to confront; this, being the mere fact that no one else, no other force, could take the blame for my absence of creating in recent months. There was and has been no one to blame for this lack of productivity. Could time be the reason? Perhaps I could heap every reason on the limited amount I’ve been given with the recent swell in both my professional and personal lives. But, I’d like to think we are wise and responsible enough to make time for what we love.

I’ve often found that the mistake we blindly or pridefully make is not confronting the real reason we encounter an issue- and, as a result, we continue missing any real ability to solve the problem. When the power to settle into self, (a topic that we will explore later this month), rests upon our ability to create, there’s not a thing that should stand in our way.

Dire Dawa, Ethiopia: Ethiopia skater catching some air above two retired train cars at an old railway station. (PHOTO: www.ethiopiaskate.com)

And so, I write to you, another monologue and soliloquy of confessions, putting into practice what I preach.

“Be accountable for the creative calling you’ve been given. How else will we see our gifts move, if we ourselves do not?”

A movement laced with order and focus is the only ‘moving’ I can be a part of. Senseless movement is just as unproductive as no movement at all. Scoffing at order and the need to institutionalize its power to focus our talents, must be an integral part of our creative trajectory. Without it, the dream remains only an idea, never conceptualized or realized.

In the way of the artist is often times our inability to infuse order into our creative goals. For there to be change- the productive way- the artist must incorporate discipline, which then provides focus. Focus will fine-tune the reasons you have the gift in the first place.

Focus, (on the right elements), with the fire to create, is unstoppable.

If you’ve experienced one of his photographs – experience, being the optimal word-choice - you’re familiar with the utopia-like trajectory your head begins to spin in: an escapade across two continents; five varying nations, along with three small villages, have now reached the top of your bucket list…

Very problematic.

(PHOTO: Chris Burkard)

And ever since Chris made the switch at age 19 to give this visual, “I-think-I’ll-tell-a-story,” a go, his work has been inciting all kinds of dream-chasing and sick-travelling; breeding all sorts of adventure-bending, like that of his epic imagery gives way to.

It appears as though a slice of Heaven is closer than we think, ladies and gents.

CreativeWave Movement took a moment to understand a little bit more deeply why Chris Burkard has measured up to the unthinkably sound task of giving life through imagery. Here is our conversation:

CreativeWave Movement: There’s an intangible piece that you see in your photos, Chris: it’s life-breathing and life-giving. It’s an element that I know comes only from the perspective and personal experience of the one communicating through the lens. Describe to me what your photographic philosophy is.

Chris Burkard: My philosophy when approaching photography is based around fulfilling the desire to always be exploring. The camera is simply a vessel that I use to express my love for the outdoors and adventure. If one were to look at my work, I think that they would be able to see a pattern in how I’ve captured people experiencing the raw environments that our world has to offer. It’s this coupling of nature and humanity that I think is so amazing, and I do my best to express that exploratory spirit in all of my projects.

CWM: I can see that – and I can tell that many others do, as well. I’ve always known that the ability to communicate such a powerful message – without words – is such an amazing gift. Had you always sensed that this would be your life’s work? If not, what urged the career shift?

(PHOTO: Chris Burkard)

CB: Photography is a tough industry to set foot in; and, like everyone else, I started my career by working long hours. I’ve always been drawn to storytelling and that’s what made me make that leap when I was 19. I felt like I owed it to myself to at least give it a shot. At the time, I was working a job I hated, I told myself I’d give it 4 years of really pursuing it and reevaluate after those 4 years. I drove for hours to do unpaid internships and spent a lot of time sleeping and living in my car. There were definitely difficulties, but I stuck through it and learned as much as I could at those internships.

CWM: Wow - I don’t think anyone would know that about your story. But, I must confess, many of us – if not, most of us – can relate to it…..in preparation for something great. I’d like to think we are each ambassadors of something greater than ourselves. Although we may not understand it fully, what do you think is a greater reason- beyond yourself - you’ve been given the gift of photography and travel?

CB: One of the main reasons why I shoot what I do is to inspire people to get out and explore Mother Nature. I’ve always been so inspired by nature. It was first the ocean, and then the vast landscapes of places like Yosemite, Switzerland and Iceland. Even though I often shoot in faraway places, my goal is to create images that inspire the everyday person to go on adventures and to feel like it is accessible to [them]. Accessibility is key to making lasting and epic photos.

CWM: Yes it is…

CB: It’s about making people connect and to be honest, I think that so much of what we see is just way out of reach for most people.

(PHOTO: Chris Burkard)

CWM: It is, and many times, the thought is to live through the image, which is what you provide as an artist. And as an artist and creative mind myself, it’s interesting how we do find ourselves craving for deeper ways in which our talents can better serve the world around us. Have you found yourself at that juncture in life; and if so, what is your constant hope with each moment captured?

CB: I am always looking to inspire the younger generation. Recently, an illustrator friend of mine came to me with this idea: to create a children’s book based on the ideals of always exploring and seeking out something beautiful and new. We took pictures from my portfolio as inspiration for the artwork, which was such a tangible way for me to be involved in such a cool project. The Boy Who Spoke to Earth is a culmination of hard work. Having two sons of my own, I wanted this book to share the love I have for the outdoors with them; in a way that they would understand and appreciate.

CWM: I bet they loved that – how incredible.

CB: The cool thing is that my sons aren’t the only ones who are able to benefit from that book, but kids everywhere will hopefully see it and a creative fire will be lit inside them to go out and see what nature has to offer. I think this book was sort of one of those opportunities to serve others a bit more, as well as just [instilling] a new way to inspire people and a younger generation.

CWM: It was, and I sense that there is more of that for you to come in the future. Being the creator of CreativeWave Movement, I am completely convinced that we each have a place in empowering one another. What’s your perspective on the power that our talents have in empowering and inspiring others?

(PHOTO: Chris Burkard)

CB: I completely agree with you.

CWM: Yeah, exactly – right?

CB: There’s somewhat of a responsibility I feel we have to share what we create with others.

CWM: Yes.

CB: I’m a huge proponent of sharing content for the sole purpose of one person seeing it and deciding that they’ll live their life a bit differently. And hopefully, that decision will help fill a void with a joy.

CWM: Yes, and again, it is clear that your work is serving in that way. I feel like, with every photograph you’ve taken, I see a very clear joy in adventuring. Whether through the clarity in color or range of composition – you can just see it. What lessons have you learned through adventuring? Ones that may even be carried to the next generation.

CB: Travelling the world has definitely given me my fair share of lessons. With each new adventure, I’ve learned something new.

CWM: Makes sense.

CB: I’d have to say – the preparation that goes into each trip is so incredibly vital; but being flexible is most important.

(PHOTO: Chris Burkard)

CWM: That’s GOOD – good message right there.

CB: So many times, I go to never-before surfed coastlines in search [of] waves. I plan [the] entire excursion based off a picture; but sometimes, you get there, and there’s nothing!

CWM: Wow!

CB: It’s completely flat. It’s in those moments that you really have to re-evaluate a situation and make the best out of it by doing something that you wouldn’t have tried before.

CWM: Absolutely. Redirecting perspective: there’s so much to that. Switching gears a bit: I want to know what your future hope for your photography and travel is. Do you have any thoughts on where you hope both to be?

CB: Honestly, I hope to continue to be able to travel and inspire others to want to see the world. There are so many places on this earth I haven’t been able to explore; even if the rest of my life was dedicated to travelling, I don’t think I’ll be able to see them all. But, I’m okay with that. More for the future generations to discover!

CWM: How about that!

CB: I think the key is that I want to inspire people to go to these wild places. To seek out the unknown, and ultimately not be afraid of a little mystery or of being a bit uncomfortable …. or maybe a lot.

(PHOTO: Chris Burkard)

To follow Chris on his endless discovery of adventure, visit his Instagram + Facebook + YouTube

–CWM–