The creation of this project has been a vision and goal of mine for some time, I just did not think or know this would be the path taken. I have always had a passion and desire to do something that would bring change while helping someone become better. This desire has been sitting in my belly for many years. It is one of the greatest feelings to be able to uplift, help, motivate, inspire, and be a light of what is possible if we put our hearts and minds to something. The delay for the birth of this project was me, I was simply being lazy and not taking the time to do the actual work needed to get the ball rolling. It is funny how life works at times. Late last year I met this guy name Greg Romero who ended becoming a good friend and awesome teammate, as we continued to get to know each other I learned we had quite a bit in common. We both shared the same passion of helping others and sharing our knowledge. The only difference was he came from a professional BMX background. This was his platform he used to help inspire, uplift and motivate. Later I learned he had done video production and produced many BMX DVD’s over the years. I began sharing some of my thoughts and ideals with him of what I wanted to do, he later told me what I needed to do to get started and how to make it work. He consistently told me that I was on track but needed to do x,y, and z to really make it work. I listen of course started several times and stopped several times. Fast forward a couple of months later I was able to meet one of Greg’s closes friend Justin Kosman who happens to be a guru in the field of video production and photography for many different things. We first met at a race where he came out and shot pictures. I reviewed his work and watched him carefully as we were getting ready to race. I am a watcher. I always like to sit back, observe, and watch how people handle their craft to see if they are really into it or just doing it to past time. As I watched Justin I noticed he had all the tools and was very smooth and professional although he was not getting paid and simply there to volunteer his time. This spoke volumes to me, not only was he not there for money but he worked as if he was on the clock and getting a check. Most people who are successful understands that it is not always about the money but the journey and the money will come. Justin and I paths crossed again at another race he decided to attend with Greg but this time we was racing in honor of a former teammate Mark Scott who became ill. As we were getting ready on this day Justin carefully captured images of us and also filmed moments of the event, none of this was planned are talked about he was just doing what came natural to him. A couple of weeks later I contacted Justin and told him about an ideal I had he bounced back his thoughts and told me how we could approach the project and what he needed from me. I went to work and followed his lead and gave him the things he needed, we set a production date, studio time where we would recorded the audiobook, and he scouted out the locations for the sizzle reel. As we began working on the project I found out it was really happening and what I envisioned was coming alive. It was harder than I expected and was very fulfilling at the same time. What is interesting is the title of the project “You are a Champion” was not the title we came up with. It was not even a part of the outline I wrote. The title “You are a Champion” came about at the very end of the project. Justin said while I was in the sound studio “let’s put a bow on everything, just speak on something to wrap everything up”. I began to speak on You are a Champion it just came to me while in the studio and what hear in that chapter was not scripted it is all from the heart and at the time I had no clue that it would become the title and a major part of the project. The race day footage that you saw from the sizzle reel I had no clue Justin had saved any of that or had it. Many parts of this project just naturally happened and it happened very fast once I did the work and took the leap of faith. I invested most of my own money on this project, I did not go out looking for a handout or seeking a large sum of money in return once the project was complete. This project was done out of pure love and my desire to help make people better and to prove to myself I can do it as long as I did the work and surrounded myself with the right team. Funny thing I heard some whispers like “Charon is trying to promote himself, he is out to make money, why is he doing an audiobook, and he thinks this or that”. I was pretty shocked but not surprised to hear people trying to tear down what I did without knowing the story behind the story, and not knowing I invested my money and time on this. I absolutely love the journey of life and all the peaks and valleys. Many things we encounter in life can tear us down, make us weak, cause us to quit, and doubt ourselves. But we must have faith, believe in ourselves, and be willing to fail. We should never do things with money as the primary objective, know and understand that money will always come and go but when we do things out of love and with passion money will come along with everything else you desire. If you are feeling inspired to do something that is inside of you, just do it. Take the chance do not worry about opinions because they are just that and nothing more. As you progress in life do it boldly while people sit on their couches and try to judge you from afar. Always smile, always give hope, always dare to be different we have enough of followers. We need more leaders, we need more people willing to uplift, motivate, and give back in our small communities. I will always push forward because I am a Champion, I refuse to lose or give up. Keep being amazing because “You are a Champion”. cdbaby.com/cd/charonsmith. GB
