We were lucky to catch up with Keith Smith recently and have shared our conversation below.
Keith, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. One of the toughest things about progressing in your creative career is that there are almost always unexpected problems that come up – problems that you often can’t read about in advance, can’t prepare for, etc. Have you had such and experience and if so, can you tell us the story of one of those unexpected problems you’ve encountered?
In my creative journey, I’ve faced several unexpected challenges that, while difficult, became pivotal in shaping who I am and the work I do. One of the earliest turning points was my divorce. Suddenly, I was starting over as a 34 year old parent with three young children, struggling to make ends meet. The dreams I had for my writing and creative work felt out of reach as I focused on providing for my three daughters. Yet, I clung to writing, filling notebooks, scraps of paper, anything I could get my hands on, scribbling on paper ideas, poems, and thoughts that kept my creative spark alive. It was a silent, personal stand against the overwhelming demands surrounding me.
Years later, after my children were grown, I went through another formative moment—the unexpected end of a twelve-year relationship. I was at a crossroads again, but this time as a 52 year old with no money or job, and the failure of a new business I had started only months before. Looking back over my life, I began to see how the common denominator in the repeated “crash and burn” events of my life was me. I needed a change and the change had to begin within me.
I spent the next eighteen months alone, on purpose.I had hit rock bottom and my choices helped get me there. I did a lot of inner work because I needed to grow as a person, and not just for my own edification, but because in my heart I wanted to be better equipped to make a difference in the world. Atthe end of that time I made a radical choice. I sold almost all my possessions, quit my job, and hit the road.
It was a leap into the unknown, and while it gave me a newfound sense of freedom, it also came with challenges I hadn’t anticipated. I was faced with the instability of life on the road, the discomfort of constant change, and self-doubt about whether I could make this lifestyle work. Yet, being out there, experiencing life so directly and full on, fueled my creativity in unexpected ways.
The most recent life-altering shift when my mother’s health declined, and I returned to Kentucky to become her full-time caregiver. Once again, I had to adapt, finding ways to maintain my writing and coaching work amid the responsibilities of caregiving. Financial strain and limited time became daily realities, but this challenge taught me to redefine creativity and success. I discovered that creativity doesn’t require ideal circumstances; it simply asks us to show up with whatever we have, wherever we are.
These challenges have given me a profound understanding of resilience, adaptability, and the power of living authentically. They’re the foundation of Straight Up Living, my brand and philosophy. I’ve learned that no matter what unexpected turns life takes, we can keep our dreams alive. Through my writing, coaching, and travels, I want to encourage others to pursue meaningful lives, even when the path isn’t easy. I believe deeply in showing up for our dreams, embracing our struggles, and letting those experiences make us stronger. That’s the message I aim to share with everyone who connects with my work.
Keith, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?
I’m grateful for this opportunity to share my journey. I’m a nomadic author, life coach, podcaster and multipotentialite from Kentucky, but my roots as a writer go all the way back to my childhood. Thanks to my parents, I grew up as a voracious reader with a boundless imagination, always fantasizing about being an author. Writing has been my primary outlet for as long as I can remember. I love all forms of writing, including fiction, nonfiction, poetry, prose, and even songwriting.
But my path to becoming a writer hasn’t been straightforward. During my teenage years, I strayed from my dreams via a rebellious streak that lasted a few years, and it wasn’t until my late 20s that I began revisiting my writing dreams. In my early 30s, life threw me another curveball in the form of a divorce and the responsibility of raising three young children. In those years, survival took precedence over my dreams, but I never truly stopped writing. I filled notebooks, scraps of paper, envelopes—whatever I could find—with thoughts, dreams, and ideas. I wrote poems, songs, and musings, all kept private because I had a deeply ingrained limiting belief that, without formal education or training, my work wasn’t good enough to share.
Finally, while still a mechanic working in a car dealership, I found the courage to let the general manager read one of my pieces, and to my surprise, he loved it. Soon after, they were publishing my articles in a local newspaper. That’s when I knew I was on a path that I could never turn back from. I was finally ready to embrace the writer within.
In 2018, my life shifted dramatically. After the end of a twelve-year relationship, I was driven to break out of a cycle of “crash and burn” and set out on a journey of self-transformation. I spent the next eighteen months going inward and working on myself, rooting out every possible limiting belief and thought that had been holding me back. While the work on myself continued, I emerged from that time a different person with a new vision and lease on life. I made the decision to put my dreams to the test and travel the USA as a nomad writer.
I quit my job, sold nearly everything I owned, and hit the road with only a few belongings, ready to experience life on my own terms. Since then, I’ve traveled across the U.S., sharing my experiences and reflections through my writing, social media, and blog. Through these stories, my goal is to encourage others to chase their dreams, no matter what perceived limitations may stand in their way.
Despite never attending college or receiving formal training, I’ve forged my voice and skill through life experiences—working with my hands as an automotive technician and pouring concrete in the heat of summer. My blue-collar upbringing taught me resilience, and I bring that grit and authenticity to my work. Today, I’ve written seven books across various genres, including a novel, a self-development book, a book on business management, and poetry. One of my most meaningful books, Nowhere Near the Middle: The Life Story of Valerie Doshier, was inspired by my nomadic travels through the Texas Panhandle.
The heart of my mission is to inspire and empower others to pursue lives filled with purpose and creativity. I know firsthand what it’s like to overcome challenges and defy expectations. I believe that life’s obstacles can be the very experiences that shape and fuel us to reach our highest potential, and I aim to share that message with anyone willing to listen. I’m a multi-passionate person and I firmly believe that you don’t have to be just one thing in life. I believe in living without the inhibitions of doubt, fear, and the opinions of others. This philosophy, of living authentically and pursuing one’s passions unapologetically, is what I call Straight Up Living.
I’m incredibly grateful for the connections I’ve built with readers and listeners. I think what sets me apart is my belief that creativity isn’t just for “creative types” or people with specialized training—it’s a fundamental part of our humanity, a force that drives innovation, problem-solving, and fulfillment. My work reflects that belief and serves as a rallying cry for others to live authentically and unapologetically.
My philosophies have been featured on The Dr. Julie Show, All Things Connected, on Empower Radio as well as Internet TV show, Mental Shift with Michelle Mras.
As far as what I am most proud of, I think it would be that I never gave up on my dream to be a writer. That I never allowed fear, imposter syndrome, or opinion of others to sway me from what I was passionate about. That unwavering commitment has led me down some glorious paths.
Through my writing and coaching, my passion is to create spaces for people to explore their potential, ignite their dreams, and experience their own transformative journeys. I invite everyone who resonates with my message to join me on this adventure, as I continue to explore life and share every step along the way.
Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?
One story that truly illustrates my resilience began when I had to come off the road and return home to care for my mother. At that time, I had built a life of immense freedom, traveling across the U.S., meeting new people and having incredible experiences. My momentum was strong—I had built up some savings, had projects in the works, and everything seemed to be taking off. But when my mother’s health declined, everything changed in an instant. My world suddenly became small, confined mostly to hospital rooms, waiting areas, and the quiet of my mother’s home.
I went from living expansively to being grounded in one place, my days filled with caregiving responsibilities, hospital visits, and appointments. As my focus shifted to caring for her, my freelance work slowly dried up, my finances dwindled, and all the momentum I had built came to a halt. I began feeling depression creeping in, accompanied by a sense of guilt for even feeling that way, knowing I was doing something important by being there for my mother—a decision I have absolutely no regrets about.
It took months to regain my mental footing. I knew that if I didn’t adapt and find a way to keep moving forward, all the dreams and hard work I’d invested would never see the light of day. So, I slowly began taking on small freelance jobs, writing in hospital rooms or early in the morning before the day’s responsibilities took over. Bit by bit, I earned just enough to keep things afloat and eventually saved up to enroll in a coaching course. It took me months to complete, working through the modules in waiting rooms and spare moments, but I pushed through and earned an Accredited Certificate in Integrative Coaching.
With this renewed focus, I created two workshops, complete with accompanying workbooks—and one even inspired a book. Presently, I’m working on a memoir about my life reboot in 2018, my journey since then, and how these challenges reshaped my entire path. Through it all, my vision and mission to help others kept me going, even in the hardest moments.
This experience taught me that resilience isn’t just about enduring challenges, it’s about finding ways to adapt, keeping a glimmer of your dreams alive, and pushing forward despite the obstacles. It was a profound reminder that sometimes the path to our goals is filled with unexpected detours that end up deepening our resolve and enriching our journey in ways we could never have imagined.
Is there a particular goal or mission driving your creative journey?
My creative journey is driven by a deep desire to inspire others to pursue their dreams and live lives filled with purpose and authenticity. I believe that every person has a unique path and world-changing dream waiting to be ignited. For me, it’s about showing people that their perceived limitations—whether due to circumstances, self-doubt, or societal expectations—don’t have to define their lives.
I grew up with a love for storytelling and a desire to create, but my path to becoming a writer and coach has been anything but conventional. From blue-collar roots and years working as an automotive technician to life-changing events like divorce, the loss of financial stability, and even the responsibility of caregiving, I’ve had to adapt and redefine what success means to me. Every experience has fueled my desire to help others see that even in the hardest moments, there is room for hope, growth, creativity, and transformation.
Through my writing, workshops, coaching, and podcast, my goal is to help others break free from whatever holds them back—be it self-doubt, fear, or the challenges life inevitably brings. I want to equip them with practical tools and a mindset that says, “Yes, you can live authentically, pursue your passions, and build a life that aligns with who you truly are.”
Ultimately, my mission is about resilience, creativity, and living with passionate intention. I want to create connections and communities—whether in person, online, or through my Straight Up Living brand—that remind people they don’t have to follow a traditional path. They can explore multiple passions, embrace life’s messiness, and discover their own unique way forward.
This vision drives me every day, and it’s why I pour my heart into everything I do. I want people to know that, no matter where they are in life, they’re not stuck and they have the power to create something meaningful, something that matters to them and positively impacts the world around them.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.straightupliving.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/keith_e_smith/profilecard/?igsh=bHNjcHR4cXU3Ymho
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/keith.smith.58118
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/keith-e-smith-41726439?utm_source=share&utm_campaign=share_via&utm_content=profile&utm_medium=ios_app
- Youtube: https://youtube.com/@thekeithesmith?si=mdTu0MNAybdNZ-w3
Image Credits
Keith Smith