If you’re looking for inspiration, maybe someone to emulate and drive you towards your own success you could do worse by choosing Rhydian as a mentor
This Welsh baritone is the epitome of hard work, dedication and the sheer determination needed in order to succeed. No matter what career he would have chosen himself he was always destined for the top.
At the age of five Rhydian represented his school and county in the Eisteddfod (a traditional Welsh festival of literature, music and performance that dates as far back as the 12th Century) but he didn’t always want to be a singer.
From about 10 years of age he wanted to be a rugby player. He set his sights on being a professional player for a local team (Swansea Ospreys) and dedicated himself to an exercise regime that would see him achieve the title of strongest teenage bench-presser in Wales.
As it turned out he was given another opportunity to pursue a music career after winning a bursary to Birmingham Conservatoire. His dedication and determination to succeed not only saw him graduating with first degree honours in music but eventually he went on to appear in the UK’s version of American Idol, X-Factor and a record deal with Sony BMG. His self-titled first album sold over 600,000 copies.
Despite his phenomenal success he continues in his classical training studies and has recently set his sights on a duet with Christina Aguilera
So What Can We Learn From Rhydian
There are a couple of important points to take away from this tale.
Your dreams and goals may change but don’t let that discourage you. Rhydian wanted to be a rugby player, he could very well have been playing internationally by now. Instead his path led him to being a singer. Not once did he give up on his hard work and dedication.
When I first had a go at freelancing it was in the field of web design. It didn’t work out for me. It’s perfectly fine to change your goals, try something different, just don’t let that discourage you in your efforts to reach those goals.
Even when you reach the summit, don’t stop climbing. When I listen to Rhydian sing I can’t help but think what more training can this guy possibly need. He on the other hand is wise enough to know that he needs to stay sharp to stay on top.
We too must constantly be open to learning and expanding our knowledge whether we’ve been freelancing for a few months or a few decades.
No related posts.
Related posts brought to you by Yet Another Related Posts Plugin.
{ 20 comments… read them below or add one }
Dude, when I reach the summit, I’ll be staring at the sunset and searching for another peak.
And on a totally unrelated note…. yeah, I could’ve teased Serial and Milk a LOT better. : > )
Writer Dad’s last blog post..Serial and Milk
Fantastic post, Marc! I’m listening to Rhydian on YouTube as I write this. What a voice! So clear and controlled, passionate, powerful and moving. I’d forgotten about the rugby and that he’s Welsh!
Brilliant advice “We too must constantly be open to learning and expanding our knowledge whether we’ve been freelancing for a few months or a few decades.” and so wise to remind us not to give up and to be open to inspiration all around us, from other fields and from other people: “If you’re looking for inspiration, maybe someone to emulate and drive you towards your own success…”
I enjoy your determination to keep inspiring and connecting with us as well as sharing your professional skills and expertise. Nice one!
PS In your ebook for beginner bloggers, PLEASE teach us how to embed that Amazon thingie – you take your skills so much for granted. This is exactly what I needed during the week; a way of letting people listen to something. Other sites with ‘play bar’ links to tracks weren’t consistently reliable but I’m assuming Amazon is.
Janice’s last blog post..How to Choose the Desires that Guide You
@Sean That’s the spirit. One day we’ll be writing the “Sean Platt Guide To…” kind of posts
@Janice Nice hint
The Amazon widget is based on what tracks they have available in their MP3 catalogue for purchase. It’s fairly reliable as long as your visitors are amenable to Flash but it doesn’t play full-length tracks.
Hint? Me? I’m not that subtle! The Amazon request was a plea; the book thing makes total sense. Just go back through my emails and comments over the last month and you’ll see what I’ve struggled with. There’s your contents page!
Janice’s last blog post..How to Choose the Desires that Guide You
Hi Marc,
Excellent message. I love it! It is so important that people learn to adapt to whatever life may bring and to realize that there is always room to learn more.
Nadia – Happy Lotus’s last blog post..How To Go From Being a Type A(nxious) to a Type P(eaceful) Person
Thanks for sharing this, Marc. I had never heard of this gentleman before and am anxious to give him a try ( along with checking out Fleet Foxes from Janice’s site.) He sounds very intriguing. I love hearing success stories.
His story reminded me of something I once heard about Arnold Schwarzenegger ( not sure if it’s true, but it sounds good!) I read that as a youth, he had three interests–body-building, theater, and politics. He decided that he loved all three. He planned out his life so that he could accomplish all successfully. Body-building would come first because he would be able to take advantage of his youthful strength. Acting would come second, so he could also take advantage of youthful good looks. Then, when his physical appeal would be gone, he would go for politics. He’s a good example of drive and determination to do what it takes to succeed at anything he does. I have to admire his persistence, even though I don’t much care for body-builders, his acting, or his politics.
Randi’s last blog post..Parenting Teens Effectively
@ Nadia Hi Nadia, thanks for stopping by! That’s what life is all about, adapt or we grow stale.
@Randi I heard something similar about Arnie and I agree, another person to emulate though hopefully not if you’re an actor
Great post Marc. What a voice! An amazing guy. It’s great to know his background – how often do we hear or see someone and assume that’s what they’ve always done or been? He’s an inspiration!
Now, how is his name pronounced?
Melinda’s last blog post..Do You Have Permission to Market?
@Mel Rid (with a kind of rolling ‘r’ if that makes sense) – Yan (as in the name Yan). That’s about as close as I can get at 2.50am LOL
I thought it was going to be some kind of tongue twister, that’s not too bad! I used to dance with a welsh guy whose name was pronounced Yie-En, but spelt with no vowels at all!
Go get some sleep!
Melinda’s last blog post..Do You Have Permission to Market?
Completely with you on that one, Mel(inda – which do you prefer?)
@Marc – smart, sensitive women drop in over here for chat and coffee as well as inspiration and useful stuff, but don’t underestimate how scary we’ll get if you don’t get enough rest!
Isn’t it weird how talent can win us over. I’m not a great fan of operatic style, but I love Rhydian’s voice because he doesn’t mutilate and contort the words. He’s more of a classic, the kind of voice that is made for Andrew Lloyd Weber shows, drama and singing combined. Didn’t he do a number from Phantom?
Janice’s last blog post..How to Choose the Desires that Guide You
@Mel Spell that name for me I can’t think of a Welsh name with no vowels!
@Janice He sang a version of Phantom Of The Opera put together by Lloyd-Weber himself.
I like that when his dreams ventured onto a different path, he followed them. That’s pretty significant and something I think few people are prone to do.
Melissa Donovan’s last blog post..One of the Best Websites for Writers
Yeah when our dreams change, especially if it’s not of our own volition we tend to think of it as a failure. Rhydian proved that wrong.
Wow Marc. You’re really nailed it there “when our dreams change, especially if it’s not of our own volition we tend to think of it as a failure.” I have a few of those, and they very much feel like failures. Ouch.
Melinda’s last blog post..Do You Have Permission to Market?
@Mel
Such a relief to hear someone else ouch-ing too. I usually neutralise the pain by finding the learning in the change of direction – hindsight helps – but some are so painful, they never lose that charge that comes with feeling like I’ve failed myself, or often, others.
Janice’s last blog post..Haiku: Showing Essence, Shedding Skins
I’m reminded of a Star Trek episode. Bear with me
It’s called Tapestry and in it Captain Picard is offered the chance to fix one of the biggest regrets of his life. Unfortunately in doing so his life changes completely. He never made it to the rank of Captain and consequently never got to command the Enterprise.
He likens his life to a piece of tapestry where the regrets, bad decisions and unresolved issues are akin to the frayed edges. When he pulled on one of those loose threads his entire life unravelled.
Since watching that episode years ago I’ve found a kind of peace with all of my regrets.
Marc,
Janice, from sharing the journey, just sent me over after my post last week about not hearing any Welsh men sing while I was in the UK…not for lack of trying. Loved the post and thank you Janice for the referral and for the music here Marc. Great words – I’ll be back
Thank you
.-= Patricia´s last blog ..Sand In the City 2009 =-.
Thank you Patricia.
And thank you Janice. How many cups of tea do I owe you now?
Thank you for this information. I would never have thought of him as a rugby player
{ 1 trackback }