We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Yolan Apoets Poet Young a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Yolan Apoets Poet, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. We’d love to hear about when you first realized that you wanted to pursue a creative path professionally.

The very first time that I knew my artistic creativity was going to be my profession was back in 2010. At that time, I was just writing to bear my truth on the stage or in front of gawking eyes. Then I was approached by several people to perform at their events- – and they were paid events. At this point, I went from doing open mics to weddings, funeral engagements and even pop-up poetry grams, etc. Although it never was my intent to use my art form of spoken word to profit, there were more people that were wanting and willing to pay me for my words; that still holds a precedence to this day. But you always have to remember how to balance your artistry with the business.

Yolan Apoets Poet, 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?

For the people that don’t know me, I was born and raised in San Diego, California. As a child, education was fundamental; reading was always fun to me. I guess that goes with having an imaginative mind that could read and visually see the imagery of the Author’s work. I was intrigued. But it wasn’t until my later years- early 20’s- that I really started writing for myself just as a get-away from what was going on in my environment; things I felt I didn’t have the ability to change until I discovered what could be most impactful to the world: your penmanship. I’m most proud of publishing my first book professionally. It was something that had been brewing in me for years, To accomplish one of the goals in my life, which at one point I felt would never be completed, was solidified in the overwhelming love for my book, “The Unknown Child Named Yolan.” It reminded me that anything you put your mind and heart to can and will come to fruition. The book was so well-received by my peers that it has already catapulted me into the next path for the second book, which will be released this Fall.

What do you think is the goal or mission that drives your creative journey?

Absolutely! My goal and my mission is to leave a legacy and a body of work that my children’s children can be proud of.

Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?

June 4th, 2015 at 2:15AM my life changed drastically. This was the day that I experienced a massive heart attack and the day I realized that I wanted my girlfriend to be my wife. A massive heart attack that I shouldn’t have survived, and question why I am still here. This devastating life event caused me to be diagnosed with a terminal illness called Congestive Heart Failure or CHF. I had to have an ICD implanted in my chest. ICD is short -term for implantable cardioverter defibrillator or defibrillator/pacemaker. I have also been placed on the heart transplant list. Being told at the age of 35, that I now have a shortened life span, was required to retire from a job I absolutely loved, experienced a decrease in my functionality, and feeling fatigued all of the time, took me to the darkest place I have ever been in my life. Even through experiencing all of this, quitting was never an option for me! I guess this was from the fight or flight that I learned at an early age- well, more fight, if I’m being honest. Funny thing is my wife was the one to tell me that I was resilient. It was the ‘never give up’ attitude that has kept me going. If it were not for the blessing of my children and outstanding support circle, I probably wouldn’t be on this Earth today. And since that time, I’ve been in 6 films, created a best-seller, and performed at the legendary Jesse H. Jones Hall in Houston.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.yolanyoung.com
• Instagram: @apoets_poet
• Facebook: Yolan Young
• Youtube: Yolan Young/ Yolan Apoets Poet/ A Poet’s Poet/Sol-Caritas
• Other: FB: Yolan A Poets Poet fan page; FB: Sol-Poetry; FB: Young Rize Foundation

Image Credits
Letony Hadnot of Different Minds Design