We recently connected with Tommy Cook and have shared our conversation below.
Tommy, thanks so much for taking the time to share your insights and lessons with us today. We’re particularly interested in hearing about how you became such a resilient person. Where do you get your resilience from?
My resilience comes from my mother. She didn’t have the easiest time raising my sister and me, but as a single mother, she always prioritized her children. I remember having several breakdowns in my youth for different struggles I was going through, whether it was school, hobbies, or even relationships. She always reminded me how important patience is throughout the process. As I grow older, I’ve seen how conflict never stops her from rising above.
Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?
I am a performing artist hailing from Ypsilanti, Michigan. I discovered my love for this city while studying at Eastern Michigan University, where I graduated with a degree in communication. My background in the performing arts primarily includes live music and musical theatre. Recently, I have also ventured into the stand-up comedy scene. In fact, I even broke a Guinness World Record for the Longest Continuous Comedy Show with Brickys Comedy Club in Miamisburg, Ohio, in February of this year. The show featured over 200 comedians from all over the Midwest.
My plan is to infuse music and comedy together, which will allow me to perform at venues that don’t typically have comedians or clubs that don’t usually have musicians. I aim to collaborate with other performing artists and, with my enthusiastic nature and my sense of urgency, remind other artists why we love to entertain and rediscover the fun of it. I’m always open to collaborating.
Find me as Tommycooklol on all social media platforms!
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?
Three qualities have been instrumental in helping me reach where I am today: enthusiasm, kindness, and reliability. These qualities not only apply to others but also to myself.
Over time, I have come across several artists with incredible talents, be it exceptional writers, phenomenal musicians, or the hardest workers. However, people tend to prefer working with those who are enjoyable or reliable. I firmly believe that if we put in our time and enjoy the process, we will always be pleasantly surprised. As Mary Oliver once said, “Keep some room in your heart for the unimaginable.” By setting realistic goals and showing up for ourselves, we can all achieve incredible results and be pleasantly surprised of the outcome.
Awesome, really appreciate you opening up with us today and before we close maybe you can share a book recommendation with us. Has there been a book that’s been impactful in your growth and development?
Since reading Julia Cameron’s book, The Artist’s Way, my life has drastically improved. Around five years ago, I reached a point in my life where my job had pulled me out of a difficult time, but I had lost touch with the things that brought me joy and happiness. I had set aside my passions and had become a workaholic. My creative side was non-existent, and I knew I needed to regain it.
After reading the book, I started journaling daily; I’m sure I would still be living to work without it. I highly recommend the Artist Way to anyone searching for creativity, especially those who lost their imagination a long time ago.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://tommycooklol.carrd.co
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tommycooklol/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/tommycooklol
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@TommyCooklol
- Other: email [email protected] for any bookings or ideas on collaboration
Image Credits
Libby O’Clair, Dylan Milkins & David Schamberger
