We were lucky to catch up with Reid Wilson recently and have shared our conversation below.

Reid, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. It’s always helpful to hear about times when someone’s had to take a risk – how did they think through the decision, why did they take the risk, and what ended up happening. We’d love to hear about a risk you’ve taken.

When I really dug in and started to pursue performing as a sideshow artist I was very green. This unfortunately led to me being taken advantage of in my early career as I simply didn’t know any better. I knew that I was unhappy in any regular profession that I had done prior to starting in steel bending 8 years ago. The job that I had prior was incredibly unfulfilling and it came with a breaking point.

I left that job without any sort of backup plan knowing that if I had stayed any longer I’d go absolutely mad. So I did what was best for me at the time and began performing with any opportunity that presented itself to me not understanding the quality over quantity that I do now. There was a time in my life that I was displaced, living in my car, and showering at the gym because I was too proud to ask anyone for help. I don’t regret those times. In fact those moments of hardship have allowed me to develop the passion and grit that I drive all of my goals with now.

Do the thing that terrifies you. You don’t want to ever find yourself wondering what if.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

I was an active Firefighter just outside of Philadelphia and I found that I wasn’t able to help people in the capacity that I wanted to. I was introduced to steel bending by my mentor William Sproat 7 years ago and I recognized with this skill set I’d be able to help a lot more people. I firmly believe that the world at large has failed people with mental health battles. My intention became to speak on the subject of mental health in middle schools and high schools implemented with my feats of strength to show kids that the impossible can be done. I saw a need that I had the ability and desire to fill so it just made sense to help as many people as possible. This led to hundreds of opportunities and thousands of people that I’ve gotten to speak to as well as perform for all over the country. My business came to life out of the necessity to help others.

Steel bending at large is mind over matter. It’s understanding that our only true limitation is time. I broke my neck when I was 16 years old and in that many opportunities were taken away from me. My future was uncertain and I was terrified. When I met my mentor he made it abundantly clear that I had a gift that it was my responsibility to help others. From childhood, up until I began, and every step since has been incredibly difficult. There have been many times that I wanted to give up, but I recognized that I wasn’t living my life just for me. I’m living my life for the people that aren’t here anymore and to help as many people as possible. I hold two world records for feats of strength currently as well as certifications in suicide prevention and suicide survival. When I’m not bending steel or doing things that are considered impossible, I’m a certified personal trainer. I’m fulfilled in helping others move optimally and feel their best mentally as well as physically. I’ve been able to help many, but the truth is I feel like I’m just getting started.

Learning and unlearning are both critical parts of growth – can you share a story of a time when you had to unlearn a lesson?

You can’t help everyone and you can’t save the world. You’re still going to try. There are things that you will come to face in life that regardless of how badly you want there to be a positive outcome, there’s truly at the end of it all nothing that you can do to make some situations turn out as you’d hoped. There are things that will be outside of your scope of practice, there will be problems that you as an individual will not have the solutions for, and there will be some people that you simply cannot help no matter how hard you try.

When I was still actively firefighting we would respond to all cardiac arrests. For some, I’d be the last person they’d see in this life. My crew and I did the absolute best to our ability on every call. We didn’t save everyone nor could we. The same story holds true in personal training. There are some people that face battles only mental heath professionals have the skillsets to help. Recognizing that the handful of times that I have has allowed me to connect people with the true assistance that they needed.

For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?

I get to help people see what they’re truly capable of in all walks of life. I get to double down on my core belief that our only limitation is time. I am fulfilled in seeing the people I help and entertain accomplish the things that they thought impossible prior.

Contact Info:

• Website: babyfacereid.com
• Instagram: babyface_reid
• Youtube: Babyface Reid

Image Credits
Emeraldboesphoto Mike Hillery Holiday Mcallister Marvelous Melo Erik Lundahl