I’ve been performing most of my life. This is my journey as a performer. How it came to be, the lessons I’ve learned from it, and why I continue to love it after thousands of gigs.
The Origins
I was first introduced to magic by my uncle, a magician and collector, in Las Vegas. When he passed away, I inherited most of his props at the age of 12.
12 Years old with boxes and crates filled with secrets. Trick decks, false bottoms, and secret gadgets, I can barely remember now.
Imagine an inquisitive twelve-year-old experiencing such things. The setup preordained my destiny without me even knowing.
I practiced for hours in front of mirrors. I solicited friends and family for tricks, sometimes met with patience, sometimes eye rolling, but always a sense of determination from me.
The First Performances
My first “paid” gigs were Birthdays, schools, clubs, and community fairs. I was shy and awkward, but still compelled to perform where laughter and gasps echoed in response.
Props broke, hecklers pushed back, routines went stale. What I’ve learned, however, is this: The real trick is not the trick. It’s how you react to the mishap. Audiences seldom remember the error. They remember how you moved on from it.
Magic, Comedy, and Mentalism
Eventually, I found my brand. Magic is great, but without a personality behind it, it comes off cold. Comedy softens that blow.
Mentalism makes it relatable. Revealing a thought of word or a PIN number is incomprehensible, but when an audience member laughs at a quip beforehand, it’s fun instead of threatening. I found my niche where funny and impossible mingle.
Taking the Leap to Corporate Events
As my branded performances expanded, I found myself performing for corporate audiences. The first few times were surreal. Walking into ballrooms filled with C-Suite executives made me realize I’d come far, yet it also made me aware that at no point should I get comfortable because these are not my usual audiences!
Corporate gigs can be rough. They’ve been in meetings all day, and half the people never knew a magician would be there. It’s not about surviving a show; it’s about building connection when people least expect it.
These audiences sharpened me; they made me aware that I needed to read the room quickly and engage everyone in the process. Over the years, I’ve worked with companies such as Microsoft, Coca-Cola, Disney, Walmart, and many others; each stage offered new lessons.
Life on the Move
To be in the business of entertaining is to travel. I’ve appeared on stages across North America, South America, Europe, and Asia. Some nights are in five-star hotels with five-star performances, and some nights are spent in the back of drive-throughs at midnight after delayed flights and lost baggage.
Traveling is invigorating—but at a price. I’ve missed birthdays, anniversaries, and quiet Sundays. While there are peaks of euphoria from performing that one cannot compare to anything else, it requires a lot in return.
The Numbers Game
I’ve performed over 5,000 shows by now. The number still shocks me. Each audience is unique. Some nights breathe power into material; other rooms hum quietly and cautiously. The goal is to ensure that every audience remembers something unique and special about their experience.
Repetition breeds humility. Having received thousands of standing ovations means nothing because you are only as good as the show you’re doing in that exact moment. You have to earn it again and again.
What 1,000s of Shows Taught Me
Here are just a few things I’ve learned from the thousands upon thousands of shows:
People remember how you make them feel more than what you do.
Everything is about timing; sometimes a silence is funnier than a punchline.
Not everything works as planned; breaking props, forgotten punchlines, and failed predictions come with the territory. It’s how you bounce back that matters most.
Perfection isn’t necessary; connection reigns supreme, and knowing this is better than striving for perfection. Every audience is a puzzle unto itself.
Presence is key; giving someone undivided attention, be it on stage or off, remains with that person for a long time.
A Career in Film
My career has extended to film as well. I’ve been in films with notable actors, had a role in producing dozens of films, and even worked with Academy Award-nominated actors.
Film and live performance may seem separate at first glance. One performs live on stage with an audience guided through laughter and amazement in real time. A camera captures a performance intended for playback on screen. But both are storytelling. Both are designed to elicit emotions from others.
Filming also enhances my live performances. I have anecdotes from film sets and behind-the-scenes and new perspectives offered that aren’t merely tricks.
Writing and Speaking
In addition to magic and film, I’ve published a bestselling book and have keynotes created for conferences. Writing is the process of making everything clear. Speaking adds another dimension, requiring you to inspire as well as entertain.
The theme is consistent: curiosity about people. What makes them laugh? What captures their imagination? What stories do they come with? That curiosity drives everything I do.
The Struggle
It would be easy to create highlight reels only. But the truth is more complicated.
There have been years without substantial income, marked by earnings that barely covered transportation, productions that didn’t materialize, and the endless search for the next paying gig or film, as well as the self-doubt that lingered after a night of performing.
When you’re the entertainer, you’re on display. Your personality, motivation, and focus are your tools. Sometimes that’s easier said than done, but the nights that are hard make the good ones even better since you appreciate the standing ovations more after you’ve experienced deathly silence.
Why I Do It
Why continue after decades and thousands of performances?
Because nothing beats it. That feeling when people laugh in unison or gasp at once, or when they’ve locked onto you for your pacing, that’s why we do it.
It’s not about fooling people into thinking something happened that didn’t; it’s about giving them something they’ll retain and remember. Whether it’s the relief of getting a laugh after a tough week or the stimulation from an incredible feat that seems impossible to the spectator, or just another night out with family or friends, those moments mean something.
That’s why I do it, because being a part of those moments makes it all worthwhile.
The Future
I don’t see this stopping anytime soon. It may evolve into more film, more speaking, or different types of shows, but what never changes will always be curiosity, wonder, and connection.
Entertainment is more than my profession; it’s how I’ve enjoyed living my life, for one unforgettable ride.
