Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Jusup Sandoval. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Jusup, we’re thrilled to have you sharing your thoughts and lessons with our community. So, for folks who are at a stage in their life or career where they are trying to be more resilient, can you share where you get your resilience from?
In the tapestry of life, each thread of experience weaves a story of resilience. My story, marked by trials and triumphs, speaks of resilience not as a learned skill but as a force forged in the crucible of adversity.
As a child grappling with depression and bullying, my resilience grew quietly, unseen but steadily gaining strength. It was not inherited or taught, but nurtured through life’s harshest lessons.
The true test of this resilience came years later, in a life-altering moment. In 2014, an unexpected accident left me in a wheelchair for several months, with torn ligaments in both legs, surgeries, and a new depth to my life’s challenges. This physical devastation was just the beginning of a transformative journey.
The road to recovery was filled with therapy and meditation, tools that reshaped my narrative. I learned to see obstacles as opportunities for growth and transformation. Each challenge faced, and overcome, was a testament to the power of the human spirit.
My journey of resilience took an extraordinary turn with my attempt at a 100-mile race. This race was more than a physical challenge; it was a symbol of my journey, a testament to my determination to overcome any obstacle. But this challenge was unlike any other.
During the race, I experienced severe pain, a pain that transcended the usual strains of such an endurance event. Unbeknownst to me, I was running with a life-threatening spine infection – discitis vertebral osteomyelitis. This infection was not just a physical ailment; it was a battle against my very existence.
When I learned of the gravity of my spine infection, it was a stark and unsettling revelation. This was more than a mere physical ailment; it was a grave threat to my well-being, challenging me in ways I had never anticipated. The treatment regimen was intense and demanding, involving daily IV antibiotic infusions and the continual use of a back brace. This period was a relentless test of my endurance and resolve. As I navigated this taxing treatment at home, my resilience was not just tested—it was fortified, becoming a testament to my ability to withstand and triumph over even the most daunting health challenges.
The recovery process was painstaking. I had to relearn the limits of my body, to balance healing with the urge to push forward. Despite doctors advising a year’s break from strenuous activity, I had other plans. Just two months after the PICC line, a semi permanent IV, was removed, I was back, training for another 100-mile race. This decision was not made lightly; it was a deliberate choice to confront my fears and reclaim my strength.
The race itself was a triumph of the human spirit. Finishing 100 miles in 33 hours, I defied not just medical expectations but my own doubts. It was a victory beyond physical endurance, symbolizing a deeper resilience – the resilience of the human spirit against adversity.
Now, a year later, as I prepare for new challenges – another 100-mile race, aspirations for a 250-mile race, and ventures into content creation and music – I do so with a resilience that has been tested and proven. My journey is a testament to the belief that no challenge is too great, no obstacle insurmountable.
This story is a message of hope – that within each of us lies an indomitable spirit, ready to rise against all odds. It’s about finding purpose in our struggles and transforming pain into a pathway for growth. It’s not just about where we find our resilience, but how we use it to illuminate the dark corners of our journey and inspire those who walk with us.
Thanks for sharing that. So, before we get any further into our conversation, can you tell our readers a bit about yourself and what you’re working on?
Creativity and a deep connection with nature have been the guiding forces of my life. Growing up in Jackson Hole, Wyoming, surrounded by the wilderness, I developed a profound appreciation for the outdoors. This bond with nature was evident from a young age when, at 13, I embarked on a solo backpacking trip in the backcountry with my best friend of the same age. These experiences, rich with freedom and exploration, have significantly shaped who I am today.
My creative journey began early. At just 10 years old, I was already crafting videos by linking two VCRs and an old camera. This passion for storytelling through visuals has only grown over the years. Today, I create music and video content, drawing from a well of experiences that span decades.
One of the most pivotal aspects of my life is fatherhood. My son, born just days after my 21st birthday, has been my constant companion and greatest inspiration. We shared an adventurous life in a cabin in the mountains outside Bozeman, Montana, where he attended a one-room schoolhouse. Our unique bond and the life lessons we’ve shared have played a significant role in shaping the person he is becoming.
Professionally, my journey has been diverse and fulfilling. I started with a series called “Gone In 60,” a daily one-minute vlog that honed my storytelling skills. Since then, I’ve created thousands of videos, both personal and for clients, working with major label artists, celebrities, and global brands. I co-founded a web3 company with my cousins, an experience that added another dimension to my professional narrative.
However, life took an unexpected turn with a severe spine infection. This challenge flipped my world upside down, but it also marked the beginning of a rebuilding phase. Currently, I’m focused on my new YouTube channel, “3rd Most Watched Youtube.” This project is a creative take on vlogging, documenting my journey of chasing the dream of becoming a renowned YouTuber and integrating music into this adventure.
In addition to my creative pursuits, I continue to push my physical limits. I am training for a 100-mile race on February 3rd and a 250-mile race on May 6th. These challenges are not just about physical endurance; they’re a reflection of my commitment to pursuing my dreams and pushing the boundaries of what’s possible.
My life story is a tapestry of creativity, nature, fatherhood, and resilience. Each experience, whether in the mountains of Montana, the creative world of video and music, or the endurance trials of ultramarathons, has contributed to the person I am today. As I look to the future, I remain committed to growth, creativity, and the relentless pursuit of my dreams.
There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?
Looking back on my journey, the qualities that have been most impactful are resilience, creativity, adaptability, and gratitude. Each has played a crucial role in facing life’s challenges and embracing its opportunities.
Resilience: My life has been a testament to resilience. Overcoming childhood struggles, a severe spine infection, and numerous professional challenges, resilience has been my cornerstone. It’s about transforming hardships into growth opportunities.
Advice for Developing Resilience: Build resilience over time by embracing challenges as growth opportunities. Practice mindfulness and self-reflection to understand your reactions to adversity. Remember, it’s about learning to stand up every time you fall. Do hard things.
Creativity: This has been a constant in my life, evolving from making videos with VCRs as a child to my current content creation and music endeavors. It also aids in creatively overcoming obstacles. Where most people see roadblocks, the creative person finds a way around.
Advice for Enhancing Creativity: Remain curious and open to new experiences. Seek inspiration from diverse sources and practice your craft regularly. Don’t fear failure; it often leads to the most creative ideas. Also, rest and reflection are crucial as creativity often strikes in moments of relaxation.
Adaptability: Adaptability has been key in navigating life transitions, from moving to a cabin in Montana to embracing fatherhood and the challenges of a web3 startup. It enabled me to embrace change and grow in the face of uncertainty.
Advice for Cultivating Adaptability: Stay open-minded and flexible. Embrace change as an opportunity for learning and growth. Develop a growth mindset, viewing challenges as chances to improve. Build a diverse skill set to navigate various situations confidently.
And a 4th one for good measure.
Gratitude: The most important quality, perhaps, is gratitude. Developing a gratitude practice has been the single most impactful change in my life. I incorporate it into grace before each meal, making it easier to remember and practice, no matter my mood. It’s easy to be grateful when things are going your way, but it’s most impactful when things aren’t.
For those early in their journey, focus on building these qualities through experiences, reflection, and continuous learning. Each challenge is an opportunity to strengthen these skills. Resilience, creativity, adaptability, and gratitude are not just skills; they’re ways of engaging with the world that can profoundly transform your life.
Okay, so before we go we always love to ask if you are looking for folks to partner or collaborate with?
I am always open to the prospect of collaboration, particularly with individuals and brands who share a similar ethos of commitment and follow-through. In my journey, I’ve learned the value of working with those who not only talk about big ideas but also take definitive steps to realize them. My ideal collaborators are people and entities who bring equal value to the table, possessing a work ethic that matches their ambition.
Currently, I’m particularly interested in partnering with brands and sponsors for an upcoming challenge — a 250-mile race. This endeavor isn’t just physically demanding; it’s also a significant project in terms of logistics and resources. I have plans to create high-quality, near real-time video content each day of the race, capturing this extraordinary journey. To achieve this, I have a team of skilled content creators assisting.
This race, a pinnacle of physical and mental endurance, offers a unique opportunity for brands that wish to align themselves with a story of resilience, determination, and the human spirit’s capacity to overcome. The project will be resource-intensive, involving numerous moving parts, making the support of the right partners invaluable.
If you are reading this and see potential for collaboration, whether as a content creator or a brand looking to sponsor and leverage the content from this race, I would love to hear from you. Together, we can turn this challenge into a compelling narrative that resonates with a wide audience.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: instagram.com/jusup11
- Facebook: facebook.com/jusup11
- Twitter: twitter.com/jusup11
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@3rdmostwatched
- Other: Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/11Xg8quHndUxg3qvwX4x7M?si=Il-Di6uGSOa4wEUMbReCvA
