Meet Danny Valdes | Actor, producer, and writer.

We had the good fortune of connecting with Danny Valdes and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Danny, other than deciding to work for yourself, what was the single most important decision you made that contributed to your success?
With all the influencers and coaches out there these days, I’m not sure we understand the word success. Old men who remain faithful to their wives and families. Old women who teach younger women who they are. People who suffer and keep showing up, never mentioning their sufferings or minimizing them. Monks who meditate and probably do more for the world than presidents. These people are successful, but in the dark. People who do tiny things for “unimportant people”, and never talk about it, the powerful ones whose greatness only the universe witnesses, and perhaps one day, rewards.

If we are nihilists then our success can only be measured with the cheapest of scales; money, fame, and time. But what if our time here is but one mission in a never-ending story? What if we endure beyond this time? Then our success would be measured with different scales. The single most important decision I made was to stubbornly hold on to a magical, ancient story about mankind. I turned my vision board over, (with it’s images of cars and pools), and placed black and white photos of my family on the back side. I was out looking for success and fulfillment, and yet my calling was already in front of me the whole time. I wasn’t successful with them, and so failed at everything. I turned towards my family, and that has made all the difference.

Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?
I left school in the 10th grade and got a job in construction because that’s who was hiring literally anyone. I had no direction and certainly wasn’t in touch with who I was or what I “wanted” to do. There was no internet back then. No one was telling us to believe in ourselves. The “do what you love” message didn’t exist in my circles. We were all poor tradesman.

I had a major re-invention and wrote a book about it, left construction, pursued my childhood dream of becoming an actor, and started a media business to pay bills in between acting gigs.

I just friggin went for it all. It wasn’t without very high risks and consequences. I was married with 4 kids and forced my whole family on the roller coaster with me. It was hard for us all but it was harder before cause I was miserable as a construction worker.

The lesson I learned was to start with a solid, stable income first…then build your dreams off of that. The other way will cost everyone in your life something.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
Come see me in Nashville and the first thing we will do is head to the hikes on the Natchez trace. See the earth in this geographic space before the buildings I say. But then…we’ll start the evening at golden hour with appetizers at Kokomo restaurant in West Haven. The orange and purple sunset over the lake is inspiring. Then we’ll head to Nashville during blue hour for drinks and dinner at the Pinewood social club. I’ve reserved the bowling lanes so bring your A-game.

After I school you in bowling, we’ll watch the batchlorettes do their thing on 2nd, then walk over the bridge for views of the city. I’ll take your picture there, and then we’ll head home.

Next day we’re starting with brunch in Franklin at Southhall farms inn which is where you slept last night. This inspiring spot looks like a utopian farm from the future, complete with hikes and gardens. We’ll sit and meditate for 20 minutes while my team, who was waiting in secret, comes out with singing bowls and maracas. I’ll give a quick teaching on living forever (from a non-religious/scientific perspective), and you will set your life on a different course.

Dancing happens that night at Nashvilles new dance club…can’t think of the name.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
To my son Daniel, who is more disciplined than me, and relentlessly pursues his goals until he has them.

To my son David, who keeps it so real that it often costs others around him…but he causes others to face reality and bring about change.

To my daughter Scarlet, who understands what is best for the group, not just herself, and leads the team to victory.

To my daughter Annslie, who disrupts the pleasant bubble everyone wants to live in, and makes us really feel alive.

And to my wife Lisa, who is perhaps the strongest woman on the planet, able to take the worst possible conditions, and turn it into a beautiful garden.

I could thank 100 other people but …ya know.

Website: behuman.media

Instagram: instagram.com/dannyvaldes

Facebook: facebook.com/dannyvaldes4real

Image Credits
Photo of me and my son at the market taken by Jeremy Thomas. All other photos taken by yours truly.