¿Y te vas a quedar acá? | Radagast | TEDxJoven@RíodelaPlata

The Journey of a Young Magician

Early Inspirations and Challenges

• At 12 years old, the speaker was inspired by his literature professor, Elena, to tell a story about magic and circus arts, reflecting his passion for magicians.

• The speaker struggled with attention in school and was advised to see an educational psychologist instead of taking medication that would force him to conform to societal expectations.

• He credits this decision as pivotal, suggesting that medication could have led him to become disillusioned and angry at the world.

Overcoming Fear and Gaining Confidence

• With encouragement from Liliana, his psychologist, he performed a magic trick in class which received applause and boosted his confidence.

• After impressing his teacher, he was invited to perform at a literary competition five months later; he felt pressured but also excited about the opportunity.

• Despite initial fears before the show, he successfully combined music, comedy, and magic during his performance.

Building a Career in Magic

• Following the successful show at age 13, he began receiving requests for performances at various events like schools and weddings.

• He created business cards labeled "Radagast: Comedic Magic," marking the beginning of his professional journey as a magician.

• The young magician reinvested earnings into learning more tricks and skills since there were limited resources available locally.

Expanding Skills Through Theatre

• Boredom set in due to repetitive performances; encouraged by parents, he enrolled in theatre classes to expand his skill set.

• A classmate introduced him to juggling; this sparked an intense desire within him to learn new performance skills.

Learning from Unique Mentors

• He connected with jugglers visiting from Rosario who stayed with him while teaching juggling techniques.

The Journey of a Performer: From Street Shows to Self-Discovery

Early Performances and Growth

• The speaker reflects on their early days performing at stoplights, juggling, and spitting fire with friends, which led to street shows that garnered donations.

• Despite initial success, boredom set in; the speaker's family encouraged them to explore new opportunities in Buenos Aires rather than remain stagnant.

Transition to Buenos Aires

• Upon moving to Buenos Aires, the speaker engaged in various classes (clowning, pantomime, acrobatics), seeking ways to establish themselves as a performer.

• They faced challenges reaching out for gigs through emails sent from a cyber café since they had no contacts in the city.

Struggles and Strategies

• The speaker humorously notes that they posed as their own representative when sending emails to event organizers, finding it easier to promote an imaginary persona.

• After many rejections due to market saturation, one unexpected opportunity arose that allowed them back into performing.

Finding Their Unique Style

• As they began working again in Buenos Aires, the speaker struggled with acceptance from peers who felt their style was unconventional for a magician.

• Despite criticism from colleagues about their mixed performance style (comedy and magic), the speaker persisted by focusing on their unique approach.

Personal Life Changes and Serendipity

• At 22 years old, the speaker learned they were going to be a father; this life change prompted reflections on career choices and personal fulfillment.

• They describe serendipity as fortunate events occurring while pursuing other goals—emphasizing openness can lead to unexpected opportunities.

Career Decisions and Artistic Identity

• A significant audition opportunity arose for a well-known clown character; however, the speaker declined it after realizing it wasn't aligned with their artistic vision.

• During a season in Villa Gesell, guidance from an influential figure helped them embrace their identity as "Radagast," encouraging authenticity over conformity.

A Transformative Performance Experience

• The speaker recalls preparing for a show that combined elements of past performances with new ideas; this moment reignited passion within them.

Back to Playing: Rediscovering Joy

The Power of Play and Self-Expression

• The speaker reflects on the joy of performing without restrictions, emphasizing a return to playing and singing as a source of happiness and satisfaction.

• After feeling unsatisfied in his career, the speaker's girlfriend encourages him to explore new avenues, leading him to consider standup comedy despite initial reluctance.

• The speaker humorously recounts his resistance to studying standup comedy but ultimately agrees after being signed up for a class by his girlfriend.

• Engaging with standup comedy reignites the speaker's creativity, prompting him to explore various artistic expressions like theater, dance, and singing.

• Inspired by an Instagram influencer, he begins experimenting with social media as a platform for creative expression, finding freedom in play without rules or schedules.

Reconnecting with Childhood Joy

• The speaker reminisces about childhood activities such as carpentry with his grandfather and imaginative play with his brother, highlighting how these experiences shaped his creativity.

• He emphasizes the importance of playing games with his daughter, which helps him reconnect with the joy of play that he experienced in childhood.

• His newfound engagement on Instagram leads to opportunities for touring both nationally and internationally—fulfilling long-held dreams.

Defining Success Beyond Conventional Metrics

• In interviews, the speaker asserts that he is always in his "best moment," viewing every experience—from past performances to current engagements—as valuable learning opportunities.

• He critiques the conventional notion of success in performance arts; instead of focusing solely on outcomes or recognition, he values the journey itself and dedication to passion.

• Acknowledging failures as part of growth, he shares personal anecdotes about receiving negative feedback yet maintaining love for what he does despite setbacks.

Embracing Failure as Part of Growth

• The speaker humorously recalls past failures during performances that led to public criticism but emphasizes resilience over despair from those experiences.

• He contrasts feelings after failure; rather than giving up on his passion due to setbacks, he continues loving what he does each day following disappointments.

Understanding True Achievement

• Responding to questions about achieving success, he clarifies that true achievement isn't merely gaining fame or recognition but enjoying life’s playful moments.

• Using humor again, he likens real success not just to winning at gambling but also highlights that superficial achievements are transient compared to genuine enjoyment derived from one's work.

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