Eliot Popkin shared their story and experiences with us recently and you can find our conversation below.
Eliot, it’s always a pleasure to learn from you and your journey. Let’s start with a bit of a warmup: Have any recent moments made you laugh or feel proud?
This is my first year relocating to Texas. I haven’t felt brand new in 25 years so I am learning a lot to adjust and go with the flow. So much is different and yet there is so much to explore. So far I have survived getting attacked by 85 mosquitoes, and then there was a roach infestation where I had to move quickly and let go of 61 bags of stuff. I also had a severe burn on my feet while playing beach volleyball. One of my best friends recently passed on and I still feel a lot of sadness and grief. Looking back on this year so far, I realize it is all part of the journey of ups and downs, ebbs and flows. That is what makes life so precious. I am so grateful to be here and looking forward to what is on the horizon.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
It would be my pleasure. My name is Eliot Popkin and I am a Business Development Coach and a Best Selling Author. In the not too distant past, I toured the country a few times as a Singer Songwriter. I still write songs for movies and tv shows here and there. My main focus these days is on building businesses for myself and I coach others on breaking through with their businesses. I love what I do and I love seeing people grow. I have ideas for my next book as well as a TV show and a movie, so I would say the future is looking really bright.
Amazing, so let’s take a moment to go back in time. What did you believe about yourself as a child that you no longer believe?
My Father was an addict and was physically abusive to me for most of my childhood, about 9 years or so. There were a lot of messages I received about myself that I no longer believe. I was taught to be invisible, to not cause any attention to myself. I was taught not to shine, not believe in myself or my gifts. I was taught to be a people pleaser; that my own feelings were not valid. I was taught to not have a voice; that my opinion did not matter. Through a lot of personal work and writing a book about my life; I was able to begin the journey to find healing, grace, self-love and freedom.
Was there ever a time you almost gave up?
I would like to say I never wanted to fully quit on life. One moment that stands out though, I was homeless and sleeping on a friend’s couch. I traveled 3 hours each way to a job that did not pay. I was trying to build a brand new business. Every morning I would walk 1 mile to a bus stop. Then take a bus and then 3 trains followed by another 1 mile walk to the office. One morning it started pouring rain and I felt my shoes break and each step I would feel the rain hit my feet. In that moment, I had just about had it. I told myself just take one step at a time. Eventually, I made it to the office and my clothes were still soaking wet. About a month later, that business folded and it taught me a whole lot about myself. The breakthrough had not come yet but I showed my willingness to fight.
Alright, so if you are open to it, let’s explore some philosophical questions that touch on your values and worldview. Whom do you admire for their character, not their power?
One person that comes to mind is David Goggins. I really enjoyed reading both of his books, he is an incredible writer. He came from such a challenging childhood and he never let it define him. One of the things I mention in my own book Circle is that “your past does not have to define your future”. David is an inspiring example of that.
Okay, so let’s keep going with one more question that means a lot to us: What is the story you hope people tell about you when you’re gone?
He really never gave up. People have come up to me at events or sent really thoughtful messages through social media. I do not take any part of journey lightly and I still consider myself a humble student of life. The joy truly is in the journey.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://eliotpopkin.com
- Instagram: eliotpopkin
- Linkedin: eliotpopkin
- Facebook: eliotpopkin
Image Credits
All photos – Photographer Elijah Jamal
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