Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Tyler Lenn Bradley. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Hi Tyler, thanks for joining us today. 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.

Taking the biggest risk of my life, I quit my job to travel internationally. I’d reached a point where I equated my self-worth with my job, and it wasn’t bringing me authentic joy. I knew that I had to do something big to break me out of this cycle. However, it wasn’t any easy decision and took me about 1.5 years to decide to actually do it. While contemplating taking the risk, I spent various therapy sessions discussing my fears which included:

– Concerns about how my family, friends, colleagues would view my decision
– Apprehension about re-entering the job market.
– The fear of regretting my decision.

Nevertheless, I took the leap, journeying through 3 continents and 12 countries in just 5 months. The experiences were profound and transformative.

While in Italy, the first stop on my trip, I faced another challenge. I received news that a publisher I was keen on had rejected my debut poetry book. Initially disheartened, I was reminded of the beautiful setting I was in, and that a single rejection didn’t define my worth. Seizing the moment, I found a poetry event in Rome and performed there. I was extremely afraid to perform in Rome. I had never performed internationally before and didn’t know if my words would resonate overseas. However, I took the risk and had an amazing experience. Inspired, I decided to book my own international poetry tour, performing in six countries: Italy, France, England, Ireland, Spain, and Sydney, Australia. Highlighting this journey, I clinched my first poetry slam victory in Sydney.

Had I not embraced risk, none of these experiences would have been possible. Today, I’m back in the US, settled down, and recently released my first poetry book titled, “Phasing Freely,” which was published by Alegria Publishing”

I often say, “the most important things I’ve ever done are the things I almost didn’t do.” The saying is a mouthful, but its so true! Quitting my job to travel, coupled with launching an international poetry tour, epitomizes how stepping out of one’s comfort zone is where the real magic lies. I encourage everyone to pursue what terrifies them; that’s where magic truly lives!

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

I am a motivational poet, speaker, and champion of mental health awareness. I am committed to empowering individuals on their self-love journey with poetry that delves into mental health, transcending fear, and embracing a life filled with joy and radiance. My creative career started a decade ago, when I created and toured an original production titled, “Humanity”, that blended poetry, dance, and music to address mental health and social issues.

Throughout my career, I’ve had the honor of speaking to various college level students, motivating students to chase their dreams and overcome fear. As a distinguished poet, my works have found their place in various anthologies. Additionally, I proudly host the “Voices of Color” segment on the Los Angeles Poet Society’s Instagram Live.

As mentioned earlier, my poetry has taken me on a global journey with performances across various countries and recently I released my debut book of poetry, “Phasing Freely,” published by Alegria Publishing. This collection delves into my personal mental health journey, told through the moon’s phases of the moon. I adapted “Phasing Freely” into a one-woman poetry show, which I premiered during my book launch event this December 9, 2023.

Also, when I’m not immersed in the world of poetry, I am a Creative Producer for the world’s most beloved theme parks.

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

The most gratifying aspect of being an artist or creative is the opportunity to positively impact someone’s life. Earlier I mentioned my original show “Humanity” which I produced and toured 10 years ago. The show addressed various critical issues such as suicide and human rights. Following each performance, we held a talk-back session where the audience could discuss the themes of the show.

After one of our performances, a member of the audience approached me and shared a deeply moving experience. She revealed that during the talk-back, her granddaughter had courageously admitted to being bullied at school—an issue the grandmother was unaware of until that moment. To me, this was the ultimate compliment and the most rewarding part of creating art—having the ability to create an environment where people feel comfortable and empowered to be vulnerable.

In all my blurbs and bios, I consistently express my desire to bring ‘radiance and courage to the lives of others.’ This sentiment was exemplified in the incident with the granddaughter. In everything I do, whether through art or in day-to-day life, my goal is to contribute to bringing light into the lives of those around me. Art and creativity possess the extraordinary power to impact people in profound ways, and it is this transformative potential that fuels my passion for what I do.

What’s a lesson you had to unlearn and what’s the backstory?

The lessons I’ve had to unlearn on my entrepreneurial journey are less about the business aspects and more about the inner, personal aspects of life in general. One significant realization involved dispelling the notion that happiness is a destination reached only after achieving specific goals or mastering particular skills. This mindset stemmed from my childhood and early adulthood, during which I was determined to become a musical theater performer. The idea of performing on stage and inspiring others was my ultimate dream and goal.

However, despite countless voice lessons, my singing voice never reached the strength I desired. I spent years grappling with self-criticism, believing that happiness would only manifest once my voice met certain expectations. The invaluable lesson I eventually learned, one I wish I grasped earlier, is twofold. Firstly, genuine joy is found in the present, not in a future version of oneself. Embracing self-love involves accepting who you are now, rather than postponing love until a specific goal is achieved.

Secondly, I discovered that confidence flourishes when you focus on your strengths. Shifting my attention to natural talents, such as choreography and spoken word, bolstered my confidence and expanded my opportunities. Recently, I realized that I’ve fulfilled my ‘musical theater-esque’ dream, but in a different form. As a spoken word artist, I use my voice (in speech, not song) to perform on stage and inspire people, occasionally incorporating music. Life may not always give us precisely what we want, but there’s often a way to make it work for us—a lesson I wish I had embraced earlier in life.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.tylerlennbradley.com
• Instagram: @TylerLennBradley
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tylerlennbradley/
• Twitter: @Tyler_L_Bradley
• Youtube: @TylerLennBradley
• Other: TikTok: @TylerLennBradley

Image Credits
The Studio_TylerBradley image – Photography Credit goes to Raelene Rizo (www.rizofilmandphoto.com)