John Smith or Robert Redford?

Cartoonist. Executive. Actor. Historian.

Talk about a man of many talents, living the life he loves.

Meet John Smith, a former student, who retired 5 years ago from an Executive position at Tampa Electric after a stellar 32-year career. John grew up in Northern California. The son of a Korean War veteran, the violence of the war impacted his home life. As an escape, he took to drawing cartoons — somehow losing himself in the joy of the imagery he was creating. He was talented enough to work for Disney in Florida, but realized that Mickey Mouse does not pay the bills!

A self-proclaimed teetotaler he nursed his Coke, while we spoke at a local bar. A few years earlier, while in transit at Minneapolis Airport, a movie agent told him that he looked like Robert Redford. Over time, it led to his first role as an extra in ‘The Conspirator.’ He carries his SAG card (Screen Actors Guild) with pride and has since acted in over a dozen movies including X-Men and Iron Man 3. More recently he was a stand-in/body double for Robert Redford in a new movie, ‘A Walk in the Woods.’ There are worse people one can resemble, than Robert Redford.

“They are the hardest working people on the face of this earth,” he proclaimed, about the crew and creative talent working on the movie. “Robert Redford is a painter — each frame is brilliant.” Over two months in the mountains, shooting with an all-star cast, he learned the art of making movies.

This multi-talented man is in the midst of, “writing the book I always wanted to buy, but could never find.” His literary effort, ‘The Every Day American’s Guide to the American Revolution,’ should hit the press in 2015. He tries to write about 3 to 4 hours a day, “but life gets in the way.” A certified high school instructor in History, he is on the verge of a speaking tour once the book gets published.

His biggest accomplishment? Being a doting father to Amy and Amber — both smart, beautiful ladies that I know well. “Best thing I ever did,” he said with pride and visible emotion. Somehow our lives are intertwined. John was a student, Amy worked at the Montessori for a number of years, and his wife Nancy is still on our staff.

“Every day is a joy,” he said with conviction and a certain calmness that comes from pursuing your passion. I sensed a level of comfort with where he is in his life. Loving what he does, on his terms. How many of us get to really live out our fantasies? He made his dreams into a reality. And loves every minute of it.

Good lesson here: step out of your comfort zone, and enjoy what life has to offer.

Insights: 10 Questions

1. What drives you?
   Financial and Physical health. “Live Life”.
2. If you had to go to the moon and take a single piece of music with you what would you take and why?
   My IPOD – 5000+ songs.
3. If you were a cocktail, how would you describe yourself?
   Sex on the Beach (editors note: not bad coming from a teetotaler!)
   
4. Who in the world would you most like to sit down and have a drink with — living or dead?
   Benjamin Franklin – A Modern Day genius (like Leonardo Da Vinci)
5. Single piece of advice to for young people?
   Always know where you are going, or how will you know you got there?
6. Who’s career do you envy and why?
   Nobody – mine is perfect.
7. When you were 16-years-old, what did you most often get in trouble for?
   Drawing cartoons instead of taking notes.
8. If there were one word to describe your family life growing up as a child, what would it be?
   Chaos
9. What is the most important thing you remember about your first love?
   Innocence
10. What would you like your legacy to be?
    Good dad. Good family man. Cared about the American Revolution.