We can pretty much guarantee that if you have a TV, you’ve watched a show that Nile Evans has been a part of. Nile got his start on the Jamie Foxx show in the late 90s. He was brought onto staff as an on-set Punch-Up writer, providing additional jokes for the writers and producers to use.

From there Nile started working on projects for the likes of Bernie Mac, Martin Lawrence and a rising star at the time- Nick Cannon. Nile’s relationship with Nick would lead to many successful projects over the years including the duo co-creating the MTV hit Wild’n Out. This led to other projects like Short Circuitz, For the Love of Ray-J, Hip Hop Squares, and sitcoms like Love That Girl and Family Time.

Nile and Nick recently relaunched Wild’n Out on MTV2 so we caught up with him and got the scoop on what it’s like to live the Hollywood life.

Growing up did you know you wanted to write and produce TV? Or how did that come about?

Yes, I didn’t know that it would TV as much as I was inspired by Spike Lee. My Uncle  Bentley took me to see Do The Right Thing when I was 12 and I knew that's what business I wanted to be in from that day forward. I never wanted to be anything else but a filmmaker from then on. 

  Have you always been the “funny guy”?

I think I was always a clown in some ways, but I wasn’t always the most outgoing person. I think my knack for sarcasm made me funny and I just honed in on it and used it towards my writing.

  So you grew up in the Bay area, in your opinion what is the biggest difference between Northern and Southern Cali and what made you want to come to LA?

I actually was born in L.A. and split my time evenly between here and Berkeley over my lifetime. The difference between the Bay and L.A. is that the Bay is slower and friendlier than L.A. It's more of a college atmosphere, whereas L.A. is the fast paced land of opportunity and is much sexier than the Bay Area. 

  How did you and Nick Cannon meet and what’s your history together?

I met Nick Cannon while I was working on the Jamie Foxx Show when he was 17. My Uncle and Will Smith were going to do a sitcom for him, and we immediately hit it off as friends.

  Where did the concept of Wild’n Out come from?

Nick came up with the concept of Wild’n Out. He called me in the middle of the night and said, I've figured out what I want to do at MTV. I want to do a Hip Hop version of Who's line is it Anyway?" We met the next day at a restaurant and wrote it up. He then took his own money and we produced the pilot independently to take to the network. They loved it and that's how it all started. 

  What is the biggest challenge of producing an improv show?

The biggest challenge in producing an improv show is managing ego's and personalities. When we are taping you have 10 comics on stage trying to out funny each other and you have a special guest star that may or may not be intimidated by the show. It looks easy, but it's NOT. 

  Wild’n Out recently came back on the air, how has it evolved from the first time around?

Wild'n Out has basically kept its format from the original MTV version, but now we've added some new games and new players to spice it up. A lot of new comics, rappers and YouTube stars are finally getting their time to shine and the excitement is renewed.

    What has been the most challenging project you have worked on thus far?

I've worked on a lot, but honestly Wildn Out was the most challenging, due to the fact that in the first couple of seasons we didn’t know what worked and what didn’t work, so there was A LOT of trial and error and a lot of pressure from the network to make the show funny. 

  In your opinion what do all great comedians have in common?

I think all great comedians have two things in common; 1. Having a distinct point of view. A lot of comedians just tell jokes, but when you have a point of view like Richard Pryor, Martin or Kevin Hart then it makes your jokes more relatable to your audience. 2. You have to be a little crazy and scarred as a person. If you haven't gone thru any pain, like, divorce, drunk parents, or being forced into prostitution then its gonna be hard for others to relate to you. LOL, okay maybe not prostitution, but I’m sure there are some funny ass prostitutes with some brilliant stories to tell. 

  When you’re not working what are your passions?

When I’m not working, I try to spend as much time as I can with my Son. He's my everything and the reason I do it all. 

    What other projects do you have in the works right now?

I have a few shows in development at a couple of networks and a possible movie with Mike Epps that I've been working on. I am also working on two books as of now that I really want to focus on once I get a break. 

    And the 2 questions we ask everyone…

  What is your motto?

Success is the best revenge.

  What did you have for breakfast?

For breakfast I had scrambled eggs with cheese, home fried potatoes with onions and sour cream, and maple bacon.     

Venice311 is the best entertainment on Twitter. All day every day it is filled with real life insanity that goes down on the police scanner in Venice, CA. Most people who follow the page have always wondered who is the person on the other end? Is it an ex-cop who just can’t put down the scanner? Actually, it turns out the mastermind behind Venice311 is a smart, quick-witted, 45 year old woman named Alex Thompson. 

Alex came to LA to start a technology company called Mixed Signals. If you get your TV via cable or satellite, your signal passes through equipment she developed. It was acquired and so she continues to pursue entrepreneurial endeavors, Venice311 is one of those.

She has been devoted the last 3 years to growing the site while also battling multiple sclerosis. Diagnosed in 2006, she is determined not to go down without fighting it every step of the way.

Alex truly loves her neighborhood. The good, the bad and the crazy.... and Venice has plenty of all three!

  How did Venice 311 begin? What was the cause or inspiration behind it?

I was one of those people that didn’t care about anything but my home, and what was between my front door and the beach. Then in 2010 an RV dumped 55 gallons of raw sewage in front of my house. No drainage, and it stood festering for 2 weeks. The process of trying to get that cleaned, which after countless phone calls was finally addressed when I called the press and they humiliated the Council Office live on the air.  The Council Office had promised it would be cleaned several times before that and never was. I realized there were departments to solve problems, but a normal human being could never figure out the rat maze of the system to get anything solved.

What are the top 3 craziest stories/incidents you’ve reported on?

Only 3! I feel so restricted! They span a range… of crime type and emotion. The worst was the murder of youth pastor Oscar Duncan in Oakwood. The responding officers, the family, the community – everyone was stunned at this senseless crime. What made it all real and even more close to home was to find out it was “payback” for an argument between two gangs at the basketball courts at the beach. His murder took place a week or so later. After that fight, they monstrously tagged the boardwalk in a way I have never seen. We just cleaned it like we do every weekend…it wasn’t until the first suspect was arrested in Oscar’s killing that we learned the graffiti and whole situation was tied together. Really scary what gangs bring to a neighborhood – over a basketball game scrapple.

The next was a meth head that had taken to stripping naked and posing at Windward Circle on Ocean Front Walk. He is a large male black, and it is a bit shocking to see a naked guy in broad daylight dangling his niblets for everyone to see. The cops finally came and arrested him, but in the 25 minutes that he stood there naked, the reaction of people was astonishing. Some parents grabbed their young kids and ran, others whipped out their cell phones, but the best part was this 50ish yr old French woman who began yelling and screaming at people not to be afraid of the human form… and to appreciate him for his natural beauty. Her interest and enthusiasm became more of a distraction than the naked guy. Even he was looking at her like she was nuts.

While there is something totally crazy every day – one that really stands out was a high speed chase around Venice by a guy that at one point had 10 patrol cars chasing him and a helicopter. He was doing hot laps around the same area, as high speed chasers seem to do… and he was finally stopped at Venice near Shell. Weapons drawn, the suspect emerged slowly out of the car… and as he was facing me I was like “wow, he looks oddly familiar”. Turns out it was a guy who worked at a local coffee shop where I bought smoothies and coffee for years. It was just weird when the person mixing up the crazy crime is someone you have actually known for a long time.

Aside from real time reporting, Venice311.org is also designed to keep Venice beautiful. What can citizen’s expect from this website?

The idea was just to make reporting all the little stuff that makes your area suck a bit easier. The City of LA has done a great overhaul of their 311 website and phone app – but as part of the big machine they oddly often miss the little streets and exact locations of graffiti or tossed furniture. We can act more quickly and can stay on top of them to make sure it gets done. If it was truly as simple as one phone call or one web report we would be living in a unicorn rainbow utopia. LA is not that utopia.

Do you ever leave the scanner at home?

What, are you crazy? I have had the scanner with me 24/7 for years. Even in a movie I have one earbud in my ear. When I am asleep it is squawking next to my bed. I can tune it out quite easily but I never have it off. It is NEVER BORING EVER.

Also a freelance photographer, what is your favorite subject or scene to shoot?

That is a toughie, but aside from technical setups/product shots my favorite is sports. It is this mix of human physical achievement and emotion that tells an amazing story. I shot the X Games for years. I love to just go out to the basketball courts and shoot the guys playing pickup ball. They will die for a basket. It is really cool. And, my cat of course. (She’s watching me and if I don’t say that she will kick my ass). J

  What is your favorite thing to do in your free time aside from reporting crime?

Well, I have learned to focus. I either shoot or am doing related photoshopping which I love. Photographic technology is always changing so there is always something to immerse myself in. Aside from that, my free time is spent in the neighborhood. There is a lot to do. We need trash pickups, we have issues in our alleys, the boardwalk bathroom situation is a horror show. Solving these issues is like anything else. It is a fight, you try, you fail, you try again, and years later when you are on the cusp of not caring anymore, half of it gets fixed. So you then focus on the broken half, again. I really do spend all my time doing photos, or this… and I love it.

    What are people most surprised about once meeting you?

Well, most people think I am a guy… and although I look visibly female… I am going to keep them guessing.

We see you’ve expanded to also reporting on Koreatown via @Koreatown311, do you plan to expand to other parts of Los Angeles and what else can we expect from you in the future?

Right now the biggest uptake is in Hollywood. I have someone helping in Koreatown, but the Senior Lead Officers in Koreatown have really picked up the pace there and they have a strong dedication to their online community… so LAPD has stepped in there and they are doing a great job. Hollywood is very similar to Venice in that they have an entertainment district which has parallels to our boardwalk vending area. I work with them quite a bit. I just participated in their counter terrorism summit. We are looking at expanding via video into the “realistic” neighborhood safety realm this year also. The thing that people dig about Venice311 is that it is real. It is human. I speak in plain language like a neighbor because that is what I am. I am not an “official news agency” or anything else. I decided to use the tone that all my friends and neighbors use when we talk to one another about this stuff. I get the errant person who tells me to “stick to straight crime” and not post photos of the sunset or my dog. If you can’t deal with photos of my dog in between police calls via my twitter feed… my optimism about your future is quite grim.

I have learned one thing though… society has grown into people having an expectation that “government” or “a city” or “the cops” or “the electric company” are these giant, inhuman machines constructed to serve humanity. Every single thing, everything… comes down to human beings. Good, bad, crazy, weird, genius, plain… the whole lot of us make it, and break it. Helping to solve problems doesn’t mean showing up to complain… roll up your shirt sleeves folks. 

And two questions we ask everyone...

What is your motto?

Be nice. Punch first. (just kidding, kind of) J

 What did you eat for breakfast?

I had a Pitaya smoothie from The Fruit Gallery. They were out of cheeseburgers.

If you’re looking to grow within the world of action sports, Mark Sperling is the man you need to know. Previously, he has worked with Red Bull, Transworld Media, Live Nation, Lollapolooza, Tony Hawk, and Split Clothing and gained a great understanding of what makes the industry work. In his current role as the co-founder and President of group Y, his vision is to connect the people in the action sports industry and inspire them to be the best in the industry.

This week Mark and group Y will host two events that feature the best of the best in the industry. The Action Sports + Culture Conference (or ASC) is set to take place on Wednesday, July 24th in conjunction with Agenda Show Long Beach with the theme of Authenticity.  Two days later on Friday, July 26th group Y will debut Agenda Emerge which will feature the streetwear side of action sports.

How did Group Y get started and what made you decide to reignite the brand?

We started in 2006 with a handful of friends who had roles in marketing and PR at action sports brands. It began as a way to casually get together monthly to talk about our jobs, share advice and make connections—at that point it was great to meet just one new person, or even just to get to know an existing acquaintance a bit more. Each month the group grew, and more of their friends and colleagues joined us. Over the years, our small social group has grown via our events and social media to over 80,000 online followers. Group Y’s collective membership now includes those working within entertainment, fashion, music, consumer product goods, gaming, media, digital, automotive and other industries.

After producing over 40 monthly networking events and numerous sold-out successful ASC Action Sports Conferences since our launch in 2006, both Liz  and I needed a break.  We were both working in full time jobs while maintaining the day to day operations and planning of Group Y. In addition other organizations started replicating our model and events, which we were happy to see.

However over time, we saw that these same events were too exclusive or were off the mark when attempting to address the need to bring industries and like-minded folks together.  In my previous role overseeing national partnerships at Red Bull, I had the opportunity to meet one-on-one with CEO, CMO, VP’s and key executives at top Fortune 500 brands. In almost all cases, there was some personal tie back to our world of action sports, whether they were a participant, via family involvement or just a fan. They all wanted to find ways to tap into our world and the actively engaged youth audience that comes with it. It often was a surprise to learn how they or their co-workers had attended a past Group Y event or conference.

We agreed to relaunch Group Y earlier this year, with the intent to expand the reach and industries involved.  In January, we kicked things off with a successful ASC Action Sports + Culture event at Agenda Show with Danny Way, Amy Purdy and others speaking.

Group Y is a fantastic organization. As a co-founder, what are you hoping for the organization to achieve?

We’ve expanded our purpose this time around.  Our tagline “Uniting Industries, Igniting Ideas” best exemplifies what we are trying to achieve.  Our mission is to share insights across industries and ignite ideas that inspire the current and next generation leaders and decision makers.  Using events, outreach, content and consultation, Group Y takes the work out of networking and strengthens the areas where industries overlap.  Our focus has broadened beyond action sports, which will still be the core of our organization, but to other progressive and expressive industries.

During Agenda Show Long Beach, Group Y is presenting two conferences. What do you hope that attendees gain from these events?

Aaron Levant, President of Agenda Show shared his plans here with Transworld Business (http://business.transworld.net/133993/features/aaron-levant-shares-details-on-agenda-emerge/) for what he hopes to accomplish and achieve with the Agenda Emerge platform in the near future.  For me personally, it’s the opportunity to have these four share their stories and in turn help inspire the just out-of-college design student or the budding entrepreneur to launch something creative and innovative. It would be great to see that same person come back to Agenda as a future exhibitor and grow this industry.  Plus, I’m personally a big fan of all of the presenters, and to have them share their personal story to others to me is a treat. 

Tell us about the Action Sports + Culture (ASC) and Agenda Emerge conferences and what your vision for them were.

We wanted to create a platform that truly showcases and educates others about the youth culture from those who are leading the way. At most youth marketing conferences we’ve attended in the past, you find these so-called “experts” spouting statistics, research and sound bites about what the youth of today are doing.  They are so disconnect and often generalize and/or label what this “generation” are influenced by.  We wanted to create a gathering that would in a sense provide you the real “truths” as to what youth are doing, participating in, and engaging in on a daily basis.  We are all aware of the size and buying power the youth have, but not many have a true understanding as to how they help shape and guide which industries and brands will succeed.

With ASC Action Sports + Culture, which has been our successful conference series over the years, we wanted to unify the industries as a whole by providing a better understanding as what is occurring now and in the future.  Agenda Emerge is the newest series in partnership with Agenda Show, whereby we bring the top streetwear brand founders to educate and tell their stories in hope of inspiring and influencing future designers and brand builders.

I feel both events are beneficial to anyone who is either working, entering or involved in some capacity with the youth culture and related industries.  From those who lead the marketing and creative for brands either in house or at agencies to senior executives down to the college student who sees opportunities within this space to be involved.  We have something for everyone.  No where else are you going to find this caliber of speakers with the networking opportunities among your peers.

Group Y has been able to bring some heavy hitters to this year’s conferences. What is your criteria for the presenters Group Y chooses? 

We have an outstanding line up of presenters.  Each represents brands that are leading or shaping youth culture and media. As a whole they represent over 200 million online followers and lead in each of their respective categories. Presenters include;

+ Christopher Mater, Head of Sports Marketing at Red Bull

+ Seth Combs, Co-Founder / CMO at Sol Republic

+ Shaun Neff, CEO / Founder of Neff

+ Eric Grilly, President of Alli Sports (NBC)

+ Derek Callow, Director Global Partner Marketing at YouTube

+ Curt Morgan, President & Creative Director at Brain Farm and director of “The Art of Flight”

+ Norb Garrett, SVP / Group Publisher at Grind Media

+ riCardo Crespo, former SVP Global Creative Chief at 20th Century Fox

+ Brian Socolow, Partner / Chair, Sports Practice Group at Loeb & Loeb

+ Steve Larosiliere, Founder / President at STOKED

Pat Parnell, Sports Broadcast Journalist (NBC, FUEL, ASP) as our ASC host / moderator.

  Which presenter are you most stoked about seeing?

Honestly, all of them. It's been an honor to work alongside Aaron Levant from Agenda Show and our partners in creating two event platforms for these presenters to share and people to learn. Having spoken to all of the presenters about their appearances, I know will all come out with guns blazing. A lot of great insights will be told with few laughs thrown in. We hope the attendees will be inspired to maybe launch a new brand, reshape their current one, or apply that inspiration to their own life in their own way.

What is this year’s event theme and why did you chose this theme for these events? 

The event theme “Authenticity Is Everything” will focus on the key ingredient that is the foundation upon which youth culture and action sports are based - the ‘North Star’ in a landscape driven by commitment, progression and constant reinvention. It’s a word that often gets overused and muddled, especially when it comes to branding and marketing. In speaking with a number of CEO, CMO, VP’s and other execs of Fortune 500 brands during my time at Red Bull, they all are always trying to find a way to make their brand “Authentic” to their consumer. They think it will magically appear if you throw enough dollars and marketing messaging at it. They don’t understand that Authenticity means different things to different people, and that it lies within one’s own DNA. Even when looking inward into our own industries, there has been a lot of questions as to a brand is remaining “true” to their consumers and fans. Then there are those who are “faking it” by attracting those to a particular lifestyle, for example surfing, but have no true roots within It (example is Hollister) It’s a word that is highly conversional and evokes strong opinions among those actively involved. So with that, I wanted us to address it at ASC in a format and platform for people would learn and become engaged.

What’s next for Group Y?

We’ve only just started. Group Y has a number of key projects and initiatives in the works.  First are our networking and educational events which we are best known for. Our goal since day one has always been to get like-minded people together in a fun and relaxing environment and encourage networking and learning. Our past events have been huge successes and the stories we hear from attendees about new business or connections they made or ideas they were inspired by is motivating. We want to continue that moving forward as we launch a new event series called “INSIDE:” which provides an exclusive look into the inner-workings of top brands and provides an opportunity for attendees to have a deeper understanding as to the daily on-goings. Our first with Saatchi & Saatchi LA, a leading ad agency, where our audience experienced Saatchi’s way of listening to and engaging with consumers via award-winning ad campaigns and activations. The attendees participated in a group exercise alongside Saatchi executives on real-life client scenarios. We are planning more of these type of events with industry-leading brands, as well as other theme-based discussions events in key cities like New York, Seattle, Portland, San Francisco, Denver/Boulder, and of course Southern California.

Our other important initiative is the launch of our content-driven website within the next few months.  We are currently developing content based around themes that have been discussed at our events and conferences such as “Authenticity.”  We hope to create a platform that extends the conversation, provide insights and tools and adds a layer of education and inspiration to what you may already find on another site. In addition we hope to become a conduit for those who are interested in the Youth Market and Culture, whether it’s a brand, creative agency or the media, to look to us to provide assistance and consultation toward insight into this growing segment. 

We have other exciting news we hope to announce to our members here shortly.

And the 2 questions we ask everyone…

What’s your motto?

I don’t really have a motto per se. Instead I carry around 2 quotes with me everywhere I go that I find profound.

“Eventually everything connects – people, ideas, objects. The quality of the connections is the key to quality per se.” – Charles Eames

“The mark of the immature man is that he wants to die nobly for a cause, while the mark of the mature man is that he wants to live humbly for one.” - Wilhem Stekel, from “Catcher In The Rye”

What did you eat for breakfast?  

At BeCore we love to work with people we who we would gladly share a beer with any day of the week, photographer Rob Kalmbach is one of those guys. Trustworthy and fun to work with, Rob loves what he does and it shows. Based in LA (Venice) and NYC, Rob is an Editorial & Commercial Art Photographer who creates content as a director of photography in both motion and still media. His passions include photographing people, kite surfing, skiing, playing the banjo, and rare odd moments. He shoots every single day and makes a killer granola (thanks to his Grandma).

Also do you know anyone else who has kitesurfed in the middle of NYC? We didn’t think so, get to know more here…

  1.   You photograph many different mediums, what has been your favorite project so far?

One of my favorite projects titled “Sky Scraping” took me to the streets of New York City with a small crew and was all about a sport I love, Kitesurfing.  I came up with the idea of a displaced athlete, in this case a Kitesurfer landlocked in the big city, and just went out and shot it with lots of help from friends and family.  I think those are the best projects, the ones that are spur of the moment and are completed with lots of support from people you care about.

  2.   What is you camera of choice?

     Original Canon 5D with a fast lens.

Tell us about motion photography. How does it differ from still photography?

Working as a DP on commercials and films (photographing motion) there tends to be more planning + prep work involved. Everything gears up, layer upon layer to get the perfect shot including how the camera moves through the scene to creatively tell a story. Actors hitting their marks, audio, steady hands all play into motion where as shooting stills for me is more of an organic process where I can slowly build up to that perfect shot which in reality may only last 1/1000th of a second and end up as my feature photograph.

When shooting editorial prints, does the client typically have a set plan, or are you able to use your creative freedom?

There is always a rough plan and a conversation about what the client would like to end up with. But with a lot of jobs these days a client may want coverage of everything and not know exactly what they are going to do with the results.  I prefer to have a shot list so I know what is desired, and then build and bounce around the room based on the original list.

  In you biography, you mention that you shoot photos every day. Aside from photography, what do you do in your free time?

I make my own granola from my grandma’s recipe.  I kitesurf in waves, the bigger the better. I grow a garden and love to travel.  I have two cats and a lovely wife who are all very cool with the crazy shit I do.  Hiking, live music, organizing stuff in my house into little piles, banjo playing, skiing, and most recently collecting stickers and old radios.

  How does photography inspire you?

I wish I had a mind altering answer to this question and could get all metaphysical and explain how photography inspires me in a way similar to the slithering inspiration of a slug’s sensation to morning dew. But the truth is I love the feeling I get with a camera in my hands and some color in front of my eyes. 

What has been the most interesting thing you’ve seen while photographing? Where were you?

I was in Shanghai China on assignment for a book project where just about everything was interesting and came as a shock to my heat-fogged lens.  Squatting on the sidewalk a man was sitting with his spread-eagled baby checking the child for abnormalities on his penis and balls, sort of massaging the area while inspecting it very closely. Next to him an elderly well-dressed couple ordered a live chicken and had it beheaded and cleaned so they could enjoy it for dinner that night.  The blood from the chicken was running down the sidewalk like a river toward the baby and father. It was all very strange, and wonderful and in the words of Johnny Utah I thought to myself “feels good to be alive doesn’t it”

Tell us about your development as a photographer. What have been some of the challenges you have faced?

Being paid properly for a job can be a difficult task. Sometimes it’s hard for a client to understand all of the work that happens after the actual photo shoot is finished.  For every hour of shooting there may be three or four hours of edit time.  Another thing that makes the business side of photography tough today is that there are a lot of people who turn into self-proclaimed magic photographers after a trip to Best Buy having just purchased a new SLR.  The challenge is convincing the world that you have some training, experience, and a good eye. Then being able to back up your skill with creative ideas and fresh solid photography.  

Do you prefer photos that are raw, or do you like adding your creativity with retouching?

I prefer to add my own spin on almost all of my work.  Having trained in the darkroom working with light as a tool that has the ability to change the mood and scope of a photograph, it is a natural process for me to spice things up a bit.

10.You have quite a few photos of Venice, California on your blog. What is you favorite part of the Venice scene?

The beautiful and freaky people of Venice are alive!  Venice is so full of life and characters that it puts all of the other neighborhoods and cities to shame.  Seriously, you just have to open your eyes. Venice is the end of the line for a lot of hungry people, hungry for fame and hungry for food, they are all out there hiding in the alley ways, on the streets, in the cars, in the ocean and under blankets.

And the 2 questions we ask everyone...

What’s your motto?

So far so good. 

What did you eat for breakfast?  

A blueberry muffin, coffee, then granola (Grandma’s recipe) with blueberries and some blackberries in it, then more coffee.

You can follow Rob and his adventures here:

Website: http://www.robkalmbach.com/

Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/robkalmbach

Meet Corey Reed, a 30 year old blind, below-the-knee amputee who is making a name for himself as a professional adaptive athlete. His accomplishments as a professional adaptive athlete are apparent in his sportsmanship and never-give-up attitude, which he portrays in every wake of his existence. Corey is the first adaptive athlete to compete in an able-bodied CrossFit competition with team CrossFit Los Angeles in the Phoenix Europa SICEST of the Southwest 2012.  He is also perfecting his sport as a skilled wakeboarder and enjoys the exhilaration received with free-style snowboarding. In 2012, he became the first blind athlete to participate in the Extremity Games and is always looking for new opportunities to push himself further and become better.

We sat down with Corey to ask him some questions about his mission in life, Ride With Core, which can be described as; providing inspiration to others, and showing individuals that regardless of where you are, or where you have been, you have the power to change your lifestyle and overall outlook on the world if you dedicate yourself in doing so.

We dare you to read this interview and not come out of it completely inspired.

You truly are an inspiration! During your journey, who have been the most inspirational people in your life?

My fiancée has been the biggest inspiration in my life. She gave me the confidence not only to accept my disabilities for what they are but also to see things in a different way. Along with being my biggest supporter, She is my rock. Along the way,, I have also been inspired by other adaptive athletes, such as Amy Purdy, who is a double amputee on the US Paralympic snowboard team, and Eric Weihenmayer, who was the first and only blind man to summit Mount Everest and is currently training to solo the Grand Canyon in a kayak.

Of your recovery process, what was more of a challenge for you, the physical or the mental recovery?

The mental recovery was by far the most challenging. The physical recovery was much easier, because it mostly involved getting used to the feel of a prosthetic. I have been an athlete my whole life, so I knew the effort it took to regain my strength. I have definitely surpassed my physical barriers. I am now healthier and stronger than I ever was before the accident. The mental recovery is an on-going process, because I continually face new challenges every day. Every morning I wake up and I am forced to make a choice about my attitude and my outlook for how I will approach that day. 

Tell us about the Ride with Core organization. What is your goal for this project?

I have established a lifestyle brand, RIDE WITH CORE, which I hope will motivate other people to strive for a healthy and active lifestyle. It is inspired by my life and achievement and trials and tribulations, and the lifestyle that I live through fitness, nutrition and a strong spiritual grounding. RWC also draws inspiration from the action sports culture rooted in Southern California. In the future, it’s my hope that RWC will evolve into a nonprofit organization that will eventually provide scholarships for other adaptive athletes for either equipment or to attend camps at organizations that have impacted my life. My ultimate goal is to have a fitness facility combined with a skate park. The idea behind this is to create a place of community for youth to stay off the streets and excel in action sports as well as a place for parents to have a place to stay physically fit. This facility would also host youth and adult camps that target RWC’s philosophy of staying balanced through mobility, fitness, clean eating, action sports and spiritual wellness. That’s ride with core!

You are already an inspiration on so many levels, but you are currently in the process of training for the snowboarding Paralympics and adaptive wakeboarding. How is your training going so far?

As of summer 2012, para-snowboard was added to the Alpine Skiing Program for the 2014 Winter Paralympic Games in Sochi, Russia. While I was training for my first boarder cross competition, I was informed that the visually impaired division would not be included in the games. I would have had to qualify as an amputee, and the numbers that those guys were putting up would be next to impossible to match as a blind rider. So I chose not to pursue snowboarding at that point. During this time, I had been utilizing crossfit, which is a high intensity strength and endurance fitness program, for my snowboarding and wakeboarding. I decided to pursue crossfit as a sport instead of simply as a fitness program. While competing on the Crossfit Los Angeles team last October, I became the first blind amputee to compete with able-bodied athletes at one of the largest crossfit competitions on the west coast. I am continuing to compete in wakeboarding and have competed in the 2012 and 2013 Extremity Games, which is basically the X-Games for people with limb loss and amputations, in the elite division as the first blind athlete.

You said your life changed for the better after your accident. How do you maintain your positivity despite all of the challenges you have faced?

There are a lot of things that keep me positive including surrounding myself with positive and healthy people, making choices to better myself every day, and most importantly, my faith in God.

Crossfit seems to be the new trend. Tell us about the fitness program and what you love about it?

I was never a fan of the traditional way of working out. Standing around socializing at the local gym, throwing in a few bicep curls and bench press routines followed by a mellow run on the treadmill while barely breaking a sweat wasn’t for me.

Crossfit combines basic gymnastics, power lifting, and basic functional body movements at high intensity. Your basic crossfit class is typically an hour long. A 15 minute mobility warm-up, 20 minutes of skill work, 15 minutes of high intensity WOD (workout of the day), and 10 minutes of mobility/cool down. I love crossfit, because it not only addresses the importance of functional body movements but also the importance of mobility and clean eating, which incorporates all aspects of my philosophy and pursuit for fitness.

A lot of people who stumble upon crossfit are intimidated because the way it is portrayed on TV and in the press. The marketing is focused around the Reebok crossfit games, which crowns the world’s fittest man and the fittest woman after several days of grueling workouts. These are your “beast mode” types of athletes, who have trained in crossfit for many years. This is the sport of crossfit, not the amazing fitness program it really is.

Crossfit is geared towards any type of athlete, ranging from the entry level athlete to the seasoned athlete. I would highly recommend crossfit for anybody at any level for their fitness program. There are 6000 affiliates worldwide so I am sure there is one close to you. Check it out.

Outside of physical activities what are the other passions in your life?

I absolutely love to travel. I love the unknown and the adventure it brings. Music is also a big part of my life. I also love custom cars and motorcycles. One of my greatest passions is acting as a life coach for the youth, whether it is through speaking at schools and churches or through one-on-one interactions, serving as a big brother to them.

What has been the best advice someone has ever given you?

I have had a lot of great advice, but what really stands out to me are the people have supported me and continue to support me on my ride.

And the 2 questions we ask everyone...

What’s your motto?

RIDE WITH CORE

What did you eat for breakfast?

This week’s FOB, Dana Strommen, may just have one of the tastiest jobs around! Dana is the Vendor Manager for the LA Street Food Fest which is happening this Saturday at the Rose Bowl! Dana has approached her professional career like that of a good recipe: carefully selecting and combining her ingredients to yield the most scrumptious result! She started in the marketing world where she worked for an advertising agency, but never one to ignore her heart and passion, she returned back to Minneapolis (her hometown) to attend culinary school at The Art Institute of Minneapolis.

After graduation, the world felt like her oyster (on a half shell, raw with just a light squeeze of lemon), with so much to share and experience in the culinary world! Where better to enjoy the always evolving and leading epicurean community than in Los Angeles! With an ever-increasing appreciation and passion for gatherings and the good food that brings them all together she is hungry to share her ideas and appetite with all those she meets.

There are a million foodies who would love to have your job, how did you start working with the LA Street Food Fest?

The best way I know how: just asked! I was and am a fan of the LASFF from afar. So I emailed Shawna Dawson, the founder, to ask how I could help. It didn’t hurt that I have an intense love for food and experience in the event world but had I not made my desire known I don’t know that I would have ever been involved other than enjoying as an attendee.

What are the perks of being the Vendor Manager? 

Well, other than the obvious (amazing food) we curate our vendors (100+) by hand and tastebud. That means I got to reach out to people in the street food community that are doing really exciting and delicious things. As you can imagine, in a city like Los Angeles there are a ton of incredibly talented chefs. We tend to highlight vendors that are new, exciting and innovative which makes my exposure to these trendsetters really exciting. It’s also a great perk to be exposed to the countless cultural and traditional cuisines. While I consider myself a progressive palate it’s always fun to learn about and taste new dishes. This year some of the ones I am most excited to try? Pig candy from Bigmista’s BBQ, tuna tiradito from Ceviche Project and Salvadoran chorizo tacos from Jaliscos Mobile Taco Grill. Yum! 

What can the hungry foodies of LA expect from this year’s event? Any surprises?

First and foremost, bring your appetite! One of the most unique and gluttonous aspects of The LA Street Food Fest is the “all you can eat and drink” concept. Since all tickets are pre-sale once the attendees get through the gates they can eat and drink from every vendor (21+ rules apply). Besides the incredible line up of food vendors we also have live music, rare access to the Rose Bowl field (bring a frisbee and picnic blanket), a truck stop shopping corner, Singha beer garden and crowd favorites like our Ice Cream Social and Taste Of Mexico sections like last year.

Do you have any tips or strategy for people making their way through the LA Street Food Fest? 

Totally. First, since there are so many different vendors within a fairly compact area on the concourse take a stroll from end-to-end to get a sense of the whole festival. Mark your favorites on your vendor map and definitely head to the one’s without a line. By hitting those up you will sample more and go back to the other one’s later when you’ve digested some of your food and ready for more! Second, wear shorts with a drawstring (room for more food), good walking shoes (agility from line to line) and sunscreen (it’ll be hot!). 

  Your job must involve a lot of taste testing, what are the top 5 things you’ve eaten lately? 

That’s an easy one! We recently had our media preview party at Guelaguetza and I got to sample some of the dishes vendors will be bringing to the festival. My top five?

Shrimp Ceviche (Ceviche Project)

Chicken Curry bowl, spice level: 4 (Luckdish Curry)

Razzy Lemon Lulu Donut (The Donut Snob)

Potato Empanada (World Empanadas)

Sock-it-to-me-fried-chicken (Dante’s Fried Chicken)

What is your perfect meal? 

To me it depends on the time of year. If you ask me right now? I would say a refreshing gazpacho with a little lingering heat (like the one Españolita Food & Imports will be serving at LASFF) followed by grilled vegetables, skewered prawns with a chimmichurri, watermelon and a cold beer to wash it all down. Talk to me again in October and I’ll give you a whole different menu! :)

What do you love the most about the LA culinary scene? 

It’s never ending and tirelessly inspiring. Whether it’s the incredible produce at our farmer’s markets, new restaurants or old haunts there is always something new to discover. And the best part? It all stems from tradition. Every chef I meet talks about their passion and their history with the food they present. It seems that even the trendiest of trends has impetus from the heart and history of the hands that make it. 

If you could only use 3 ingredients for the rest of your life what would they be? 

Garlic 2. Potatoes 3. Rosemary 

Food is obviously a passion for you, what else gets you excited?

An extension of my love for food has certainly manifested in a passion for community. Whether that community lasts a couple hours over a dinner party or through epicurean delights like the LA Street Food Fest. It’s one thing to know how to cook good food or history or an ingredient. It’s another thing to watch people congregate and commingle while enjoying food and drink. I get extremely excited when I know that I can help create an environment that fosters this type of experience for people.

What’s next for you after the Street Food Fest is over? 

I have a couple projects here and there and a few that are still seedlings in my creative mind. But most often you can find me at a couple rad venues around town, SmogShoppe and Marvimon House, where I am the Event Director. This is another way for me to stay involved in awesome events and who knows? Maybe the next festival is right around the corner...

And the 2 questions we ask everyone…

What’s your motto? 

The juice is worth the squeeze. 

What did you eat for breakfast? 

Yerba matte latte with almond milk and an omelet with arugula, petite heirloom tomatoes and avocado (and hot sauce, duh). Yum.

Follow Dana and the LA Street Food Fest on Twitter: 

@danaboccodivino

@LAFoodFest

BeCore is known for our friends in the action sports world, but we also have FOBs in unexpected places like the world of ballet. Allison DeBona is a demi-soloist at Ballet West in Salt Lake City, UT and is featured on the CW hit Breaking Pointe. We sat down with her to learn about the life of a professional ballet dancer and what you can expect to see in Season 2 of Breaking Pointe.

As a professional ballet dancer, who has been your biggest role model in the dance world? Why?

I don't have one specific person I can site.  I look at all my peers as inspiration.  The kids I teach everyday all inspire me to improve.  Dance is so personal and I love watching other dancers and drawing on small details from everyone.

What is your favorite dance movie?

I've watched so many dance movies and musicals in my lifetime.  But hands down, White Nights with Gregory Hines and Mikhail Baryshnikov.  Come on! The pirouette scene!?

Tell me about your last show.

Right now I am on summer break.  The last rep we did was something called Innovations.  Adam Sklute, our Director, chooses four dancers to choreograph in house and brings one choreographer in from the outside to set a world premiere.  This year Christopher Ruud, Adrian Fry, Christopher Anderson and Easton Smith were the dancers who choreographed.  Adam brought in Jody Gates to set the world premiere she named Mercurial Landscapes.  I love Innovations because we dance in a very intimate theatre and it's fun learning from your peers.  Also, any chance I get to be a part of the choreographing process I jump on! 

What does it mean to be a demi-soloist?

Ballet companies have ranks.  A Demi-Soloist is one rank above Corps at Ballet West. They are implemented to acknowledge work you've done in the past but also signify the direction your boss sees your career going in. 

In one season, how many pairs of shoes do you typically go through?

Lets do math.  There are specifically two reps where I go through a pair a day.  Nutcracker and whatever full length we are doing.  This year we also did Jewels and I was wasting a pair a day too. I would say maybe 80.  I think I'm going to start keeping tabs now.

Where does your inspiration come from for dance?

My inspiration comes from my own experiences in life.  I draw from how I feel that day or how I felt during specific times in my life.  It makes my time on stage seem real. 

Tell me about your reality TV experience. Breaking Pointe season 2 premiers on the CW July 22. What can you tell us about the season?

If you watched Season 1 of Breaking Pointe I am positive you will be insanely surprised with Season 2.  All of our lives have changed so much in the past year and again the cameras came just in time for the craziness!  I am very open this season and I hope people appreciate it.  All of my life experiences make me the artist I am onstage today. 

If you weren’t a ballet dancer, what would you be?

I would be a journalist working for ESPN. Hands down. 

If you could explain one thing to people that don’t understand the art of ballet what would it be?

Ballet is not a career to me. It's a very personal outlet of expression. I would want people to understand that they are watching someone's heart on their sleeve on stage. It's so intimate.

And the 2 questions we ask everyone...

What’s your motto?

Be honest with yourself...it makes you happy. 

What did you eat for breakfast?

A sausage biscuit sandwich :)

  twitter.com/AlliDebona

Lee Kholafai is just one of those guys that has star written all over him. This Alabama boy started off with dreams of playing in the NFL until a broken ankle and a run-in with an agent sent him in a different direction. Since then Lee has traveled all over the world modeling and got his first acting break as Kelly Clarkson’s love interest music video. Lee’s star is on the rise recently wrapping 2 feature films and a short film. We sat down with him to ask him how Hollywood found him and what he likes to do when he’s not in front of the camera.

Tell us about when you first got discovered in Miami…

I was in Miami on a family vacation. It was walking on the side of the road back to the hotel when an agent stopped traffic in his car and got out to hand me his business card. It was weird for me at the time and I didn't know what to think of it. My passion was still football, but then a broken ankle switched things up for me. 

  How did your role in Kelly Clarkson’s “I Do Not Hook Up” music video change your life?

Hmmm well it definitely introduced me to acting lol I was so nervous at the time because I didn't know what to do and with music videos it was tricky because I had to be at certain spots at the right time for the purpose of the song. I ended up having a great time though and it was an awesome experience for me.  So afterwards, I joined acting classes and decided that’s what I wanted to do. 

You currently have two movies in post-production, Girlfriends and 2 Br/1 Ba. What can you tell us about these projects?

Well they are both comedies and in each of them I have a fling with one of the lead girls haha. The directors, writers, crew, and cast on both projects were amazing to work with and I hope to work with them again. They are all very talented and I can’t wait to see the finished product. I also have a small role on a new HBO pilot called "Hello Ladies" which is also a comedy that will be airing this year. 

Who or what inspires you to grow as an actor?

Well one of my favorite actors is Al Pacino. He is the man and seems to kill it in every role. Christian Bale also won me over once I saw him in The Fighter. He nailed that role! I really just enjoy acting. There's something cool about bringing a character to life and overcoming challenging roles. Also, I like the fact that you can never be perfect at it and there is always room to grow and get better. 

If you could pick anyone to appear in a film with, who would be your dream costar?

Al Pacino hands down! 

Describe your perfect day off?

Hmmm waking up late to an AMAZING breakfast in bed with chocolate milk. Then hop in my car jamming out with the windows down on PCH headed to Malibu for a day at the beach. Afterwards, I'd get some amazing seafood on a deck somewhere and watch the view as the sunset goes down. Then I'd go home and order take out, eat ice cream  and watch movies until I pass out. 

  So football is your first love, what kind of player were you and who are your favorite teams? 

Well my favorite player was Emmitt Smith because I was a running back as well. I had his posters and everything. A player I was most compared to even from a young age was O.J. Simpson. I know he has all the side stuff going on but when it came to football he was a good player so I took that as a compliment. My favorite team is the Atlanta Falcons and college team is Alabama of course. 

What would people be most surprised to learn about you?

Lets see! I'm a bowlegged Scorpio from Alabama that loves to freestyle. I used to own a car stereo and rim shop and my favorite animal is a white tiger. Also, I like doing things I’m not good at just because I want to be good at them lol. This is a shot when I played for the South Alabama Jaguars before a pep rally. 

Tell us about Titan’s Second Chance Pit bull Rescue Foundation!

Titan's Second Chance Pit Bull Rescue is a foundation I started for the well being of pit bulls. Being a pit bull owner, I see how they are misjudged and treated unfairly so I decided I wanted to make a difference. Its purpose is to protect pit bulls as well as share news, photos, foster care, adoptions and anything else to help the amazing breed. Here is the FB link for anyone interested in checking it out. http://on.fb.me/12jGvpx

And the 2 questions we ask everyone… 

1. What’s your personal motto? 

It's actually a Thomas Edison quote. 

“Many of life's failures are people who did not realize how close they were to success when they gave up.”

2. What did you have for breakfast today?

Hmmm today my breakfast was on point! I had cinnamon raisin bread with butter and cream cheese. I also had turkey bacon with scrambled eggs with hot sauce of course, and an avocado to top it all off. Man, writing that down just made me hungry again haha 

P.S.

I love cheese but hate peas! 

  www.LeeKholafai.com

twitter.com/LeeKholafai

The BeCore blog is dedicated to people, events, and things that inspire us on the daily – and Sean Daniel Boone does exactly that. Having beaten cancer THREE times, Sean’s outlook on life and his art (called Boonescapes), displays the beauty of passion and creativity. We had a chance to chat with him about the scare of cancer, being a gemologist and an artist, and what is up next for Boonescapes.

  You were diagnosed with Lymphoma after being severely bitten by a German Sheppard at 21. How were you able to find such a positive outlook on life following these two significant events?

Well at first I didn’t realize what had happened with the dog bite. There was blood everywhere… could I make work tomorrow at 7 am? NO! So then I had to get stitches which turned into getting a 16 gauge needed biopsy to the neck. That German Sheppard saved my life! 

How has art helped you heal and survive cancer for the 3rd time?

Art is inside of everything.  Mainly I focus on positivity. I always stay positive and bring it into my style. I express how I feel on all my work.  If I am really amped, I just want to make something beyond any one world. Boonescapes is one of a kind fine ART, starting from brain to scratch.

Throughout this whole experience, how have you been able to remain so positive and keep such a bright outlook on life?

Family, friends, everyone involved in helping keep my head up - thank you. I guess I bounced straight back. I tried to surf as much as I could. Staying in shape, focusing on recovering. I wanted to better and badder than I ever was.  I have a great family and family of friends here in San Diego.  I believe in karma, I believe God has a special plan for me. From this - real talk - I just want to inspire all others!

Your current pieces feature what you call mixed media which is a combination of spray paints, acrylic paints, and markers. How do you begin putting those mediums together to create art?

Easy, first lie down all kinds of different colors, maybe in the shape of what I’m going for.  Then I add a little masking affect to really pop the colors, which can be done in all kinds of mixes.  I like to draw on top of the paint with a Sharpie, go into it wild and crazy, wild in and out of real artsy parts. My eye is key. So are the vibez/good tunes and the good feelings showing me love. 

You sold your fixed mixed media piece called Spray Paintz for $600. What was your first thought/feelings after hearing the news?

Well on this one my friend brought over a friend, Dash Senter. He thought it would be the most epic piece for his nice studio in Sherman Oaks. Basically he said $600.00 plus an Above & Beyond Tix to go to Fux Night Club that night…. So… I’m… like… let’s go dooowntown… bahaha… so anyway yeah I sold it! Sure, I can make more!

  Besides being a professional artist you are also a Gemologist. What interested you in gemstones and how did you know you wanted to pursue that as a career?

I grew up seeing rocks and stones from my father who collected them from all around the world. My father also owned a jewelry store in Tennessee, before we moved to the beach in North Carolina.  As far as my employment goes, well I love every bit of it. I get to grade some of the rarest stones that are out there. It can become monotonous at times, but when it’s something you have a passion for it’s much more desirable. Since my father was a jeweler, I was blessed enough to take the G.G. course, which led to my employment here at GIA.

Being from North Carolina, how has the Southern California culture developed and influenced your art?

Well just from going to really large music events and see all the creativity out there in California.  I love it I will never leave. I miss home and the peeps, but my life is here. It hasn’t really changed my art style. I always drew around.  Here in California I’m being inspired by all of the wall artists and the other artists going off. 

If you could collaborate with any artist, who would you choose?

Salvador

What’s next for Boonescapes?

Boonescapes on acrylic blocks 5x7”, very cool items, Boonescape Surfboards, and Skateboards. Any thing shirts.

What inspires you the most?

PROPER HOSPITALITY

Do you have a muse?

MUSIC late night

  And the 2 questions we ask everyone…

What is your personal motto? 

‘IF IT’S FREE IT’S FOR ME’

What did you have for breakfast?

Blueberry Waffles

   http://boonescapes.com/

facebook.com/Boonescapes

BeCore recently had the amazing opportunity to sit and chat with Tony Yanow, co-founder of LA’s own Golden Road Brewery. Our resident beer geek, Roger Malinowski arrived to the brewery a bit early in anticipation and proceeded to order himself a pint of “Wolf Among Weeds IPA” at the GRB Pub (located within the massive brewery). Soon after Tony emerged, poured himself a “Heal the Bay IPA” and the interview began....

So you are pretty much THE beer guy in LA - how did this all start?

I was trying to find my way into the beer business before I opened Tony’s Darts Away in Burbank for about a year and a half, while doing some Internet business consulting. It felt to me like LA was basically a craft beer wasteland at that time. I had spent a lot of time in San Francisco and had lived in San Diego for a while but in LA, there was nowhere to get these amazing beers I was used to tasting.

So with some support and a big leap of faith, I opened my first pub and embedded myself into the growing LA beer community.

  Who are some of your heroes in the beer category?

Sierra Nevada. I attended a 3 day beer camp up there once and that place defines the term immaculate. Amazing beer, totally self sufficient and the brewery is absolutely pristine.

  What was the “turning point beer” that forever solidified your love of craft?

I had tried an Anderson Valley Blarney Flats Oatmeal Stout up at Tornado Pub on Haight and Steiner in San Francisco and it was an epiphany moment. That was my first realization that there was great beer in America.

Do you see the LA brew scene highly competitive, an open community, or somewhere in between?

I think the industry is very supportive. At the end of the day what is cool about craft beer is that we all have this mission to get the local flavor to the people. Basically what it comes down to is that the beer you make needs to be an expression of who you are and what you’re all about. There are tons of palates out there and you won’t satisfy every drinker all the time. As long as that need is out there, brewers’ will have tons of work. 

All your properties are so unique; explain your approach to creating these entities…

I don’t believe in chains. I know they have value and certain reliability. But that just doesn’t appeal me. I want to make sure I am I own something that expresses who I am and what I believe in. My places, I hope, reflect that we care about what we are serving and the atmosphere we build.

What is your favorite GRB brew?

Right now I think Heal the Bay IPA is pretty much the best beer we’ve ever made. It’s kind of all I’m drinking right now…I am sure in two weeks I will have a new favorite but at least this week and last - it’s been that beer.

  Now for the two questions we ask everyone:

What is your personal motto?

I don’t really have one but something that I find myself saying a lot is: If you pour it, they will come.

What did you eat for breakfast?

Well, it’s 11:30am, I haven’t eaten…would it be bad to say I had beer for breakfast?

No, Tony. No it's not. 

http://goldenroad.la/

facebook.com/goldenroadbrew

While BeCore is not my first working gig, it's quickly becoming my favorite. I started at BeCore just a few months ago and have learned so much in such a short time.  This is also not my first time working for a production company and each time it's a bit of a different experience. The one thing my employers have all had in common has been amazing company culture. 

When I headed out into the “real” world a few years back I had no idea what to expect. Since finding an actual job seemed a near impossible task for my generation I settled for the alternative (it’s not what you’re thinking…) an internship. So here I was, college diploma in hand, jobless, on my way to Chicago to start a new life. (Or at least I hoped to). The internship I decided on was for a then start up company, Red Frog Events. From day one this was unlike any company I had read about while pursuing a business degree from Michigan State University. People seemed to enjoy being at the office and the work they were doing. I was once told “the problem with your generation is that you want to love what you do”. Personally, I do not see this as a problem at all. I've been brought up to believe that you should live life to the fullest and in order to do that I knew I needed to find a job I loved and a company that loved me back.

You should want to wake up in the morning and not only love the work that you do, but the people you are working alongside. I found this at Red Frog Events. For almost three years I lived in the heart of Chicago and worked alongside some of my best friends. We spent hours on site and in the office perfecting event plans. We worked hard and we played hard. When I decided to move to Los Angeles I knew it was going to be hard to close the Red Frog chapter of my life and I worried that I wouldn’t be able to find a company with similar values.

  And then I found BeCore…

BeCore has such a great vibe upon entering the front door. I instantly clicked with my coworkers and we’ve quickly grown into friends. I enjoy getting up and coming to work everyday because I know that my opinion counts and that I am working alongside passionate, hardworking colleagues.  We have amazing clients that also have wonderful company culture and getting to spend time on site with them helps us grow not only as employees but as people as well.  I’m looking forward to my future with BeCore and the many adventures it will bring.

Ali Parker

Follow Ali on instagram/twitter : @tanglemonstr

Landon Cooper is a man on a mission. He is currently running across the country to raise money to find a cure for Sarcoma. He started in Ocean Beach, CA and will complete this feat in Washington DC mid-July. We caught up with Landon as he touched down in the Mile High City, and asked him some questions on his run, his passions, and what’s next for him. 

So when exactly did you decide running across the country was something you wanted to do?

When I was 15 is when the thought first came to my mind. I had to go out and get my undergrad in street smarts & gypsy corporate travels first. The underground of M2G though, began over a year & half ago when I was running races all over the country in honor of a late friend of mine. This past November in Hollywood, CA, I finally hung up my so called life & combined a dream of running across a country with a universal dream of coming closer to a cure for Sarcoma cancer. That November 15th day, I walked away from the corporate ghosts chase & moved to Utah to focus on M2G & training.

What helps you overcome the ‘wall’?

Well, the "wall" is an interesting place. When you do something like run across the country everyday, the "wall" becomes a daily spiritual visit. The art of being comfortable while being uncomfortable is the spiritual practice of being inside your mind, and aware of the actual world around you. I think of the individual I run for everyday when I get to my own dark places. I think of their fight, I think of their chemo....This is my 5-6 months of chemo. I wanted to highlight how grueling it can be to fight an unwelcomed visitor, cancer.

We have to hear the story of your tattoos. What’s the meaning behind them?

My tattoos? All tribute to life & love....I am certainly a work in progress there ;) 

How was your experience on Fear Factor? Would you ever do it again?

Fear Factor was a cool experience, I would LOVE to appear on FF or Survivor. Heck, I think I am shooting a 5 month show of it now on the road! My honesty probably got a bit in the way of how well I did on this show.  Prior to the show, I filled a questionnaire of potential stunts I would face. The questionnaire was to rank my fears 1-5. The highest I put was a 3, being dropped into open water with no land in site. Sure enough, I found myself miles off the coast of the Pacific.

  Are there any sports that you follow religiously?

I played semi pro soccer for years, you would think I might follow the game, but I don't anymore. I haven't found a lot of players now days I respect or admire enough to watch. Too many swimmers & actors out there now. I do love watching some hockey though!  Big fan of watching Iron Man highlights on YouTube as well.  Pulls my heart strings...

What’s next for you?

Next? Well, we just arrived in Colorado an hour ago...so next up, battle the Rockies. But, after the tour? A lot of projects lined up. Post tour will be making home in Birmingham, Alabama with my girlfriend & her son. There, I will sell my paintings to create a M2G scholarship, Motivational speaking, fundraiser appearances, & helping other foundations. I am also writing a book called "How did I get here?". The story of not only going cross the country, but how I got to that start line in the first place. Also, putting together a documentary of the tour.  And, certainly planning the next country we run across next year. :)

   And now the 2 questions we ask everyone…

What’s your motto?

" If we have miles to go, we have miles 2 give."

What did you have for breakfast?

Oatmeal, Chobani Greek yogurt, fruit, Gnarly protein smoothie, vitamins,& GU energy gel.

  You can learn more about Miles2Give and donate to the cause here http://miles2give.org/

And make sure you like their Facebook page to stay up on Landon’s journey

Why Experiential Matters

  While attending the famed South by Southwest festival in Austin, Texas, I spent time thinking about the nature of experiential marketing. We were there working with a couple clients on activations. With Sonos, we collaborated with other agencies to create a version of their Sonos Studio in Austin. While we can’t take credit for the entire space, we were proud to be a part of it. This video illustrates much of the fun they created for attendees who came by to visit: bands, live radio broadcasts, art installations, haircuts, DIY speakers, and more. And all of it (ok, maybe not the haircuts, but most of it) related directly to the Sonos brand identity that revolves around music listening.

  What experiential offers is a live, tangible engagement that a brand can’t get from advertising, online video, digital, PR, or the various other forms of media and communication. There just isn’t a replacement for people feeling your brand in person. In fact, many smart brands are now creating customer experience centers that don’t fit neatly into the retail category. I’m thinking of the Nike Training Club in Chicago, the new TOMS retail space in Venice Beach, and Gardein’s tasting kitchen in Los Angeles. These are all places for current and potential customers to experience the brand without the pressure of having to buy anything. I love this direction, and it speaks to my recent interview with social media guru Gary Vaynerchuk. He rightly emphasized the importance of brands “bringing value” to their customers. All of these activations do that.

  My favorite brands nowadays are bringing the full 360 degree approach to their outreach, and I’d include Sonos in that category.

Austin's Sixth Street, the beating heart of SXSW.

The convention floor during the interactive conference.

Fitz and the Tantrums live at The Belmont.

The backyard scene at the Sonos Studio.

I interviewed Sonos head of culture and PR Ivan Entchevitch on the neon furniture we created for the activation.

BeCore Director of New Business Roger Malinowski with client Dan Schaffer of Cricket Wireless.

I’m a lifelong music fan, and for years I’d heard about the legendary SXSW music festival in Austin: bands, fans, beer, and more. What could be better? In recent years, the event has grown to encompass a film festival and an influential interactive conference as well. Much to my chagrin, however, I’ve been active working on spring running events since about 2005. So I was never able to justify leaving town during my “busy time.” This year was different, however. Not only was I unchained from running event production, but now as a part of the BeCore experiential marketing agency, I had a couple projects going at the festival. We were helping both Cricket Wireless and Sonos with their activations.

So I traveled to Austin with our head of new business Roger Malinowski. As soon as I landed, I ran into former client and friend Tim Leake. He’s now with digital education agency Hyper Island, and he led me to my first party of the event, at the GSD&M ad agency. At SXSW, like Sundance, parties and events are where business really gets done, often until the wee hours of the morning. My time in Austin spanned from the end of the interactive conference into the early part of the music festival. So at GSD&M, you had every agency, production company, account person and marketing client in the universe. I ran into friends I hadn’t seen in over 10 years. I was amazed at how the marketing business had co-opted SXSW interactive as its own event. Like every other event in town, live music is central to the experience, and Delta Spirit played the party. The parties range from tiny gatherings in bars to massive events like the Fader parties, sponsored by Converse. Some are completely open, and others require a coveted invitation.

Virtually every single event during the week has top-flight live music. It’s in the DNA of the city and the festival. For instance, one morning I wandered into Lance Armstrong’s temple of bicycles, Mellow Johnny’s Bike Shop. At 10:00 am the place was packed with a couple hundred people to hear famed British folk balladeer Robyn Hitchcock. In a bicycle shop!

The main drag in Austin for music and nightlife is of course 6th Street. Once the music festival clicked into high gear, the street was closed and turned into a packed promenade lined with live performance spaces. Dozens and dozens of them. The street felt more crowded than Disneyland’s Main Street USA, only with lots of drunk folks and the smell of cannabis wafting through the air. As you walk down the street, you’re constantly dodging musicians lugging drum kits, upright bases, and guitars to their next gig. Over 2,000 bands played at SXSW, with many of them playing a dozen times or more during the week.

I was amazed at how hard the bands played. Before I arrived, I suspected that some bands would treat their shows like an industry showcase and phone in their performances. Precisely the opposite is true, particularly for the young bands: they play as if their life depends on it. KCRW DJ Jason Bentley gave me the background. He said that SXSW is like a right of passage that determines whether a band can hack it on the road. Do they have what it takes to set up and play four times a day in parking lots, noisy bars, and empty rooms? Furthermore, they never get to do a sound check, and they’re typically setting up and taking down their own gear. Talk about exhausting. Every single band I saw, from unknown to famous, was giving 150% in their performances.

Because we were working with Sonos, I spent a lot of time at their activation. As one festival veteran and tastemaker told me, it was arguably the best brand experience at SXSW. Sonos took over a couple houses near the center of town, and the vibe was perfectly in keeping with the event: picnic tables, bands playing all afternoon, art installations, KCRW live broadcasting Morning Becomes Eclectic, build your own speaker from a cardboard box, etc. Not only that, but the Sonos brand itself is a perfect fit for SXSW; it’s all about the seamless integration of music listening and technology. In my opinion, SXSW isn’t right for every brand, and there certainly were some companies at this year’s event who did themselves no favors with contrived activations that felt off-key.

I was also able to shoot a lot of video content while I was there. Working with great local cameraman Paul Escandon, I wanted to cover two things: a case study of our work on the Sonos house, and also a “South by 101” piece. We roamed all over the city interviewing interesting people to get many perspectives on the event. We talked to bands (French Horn Rebellion, whom I loved), a music fan from England, Julie Muncy from Warner Music Group, veteran festival curator Jonathan Rudnick, KCRW's Jason Bentley, and Ivan Entchevitch from Sonos. Each of these people has their own unique take on the festival. I hope to synthesize this into one coherent piece that sums up the experience.

Overall I loved my time in Austin, and I look forward to making the roadtrip an annual event.

Peter Abraham

**Bands I saw in the span of 48 hours at SXSW:

Delta Spirit

Fitz and the Tantrums

Matt and Kim

Just Blaze

Robyn Hitchcock

Ashley Monroe

Saints of Valory

French Horn Rebellion

Natalie Maines and Ben Harper

Iron & Wine