Purposeful Growth

What can we learn about success from real people? Can a Regular Joe offer any inspiration concerning personal development, growth, and success? Absolutely.

Growing up in the South end of an Ohio city, I was friends with a boy named Joe, a nice, quiet kid with rural Ohio roots; someone you might call an Average Joe. Joe is an excellent example of how real people succeed. We parted ways after high school and just recently re-connected.

I caught up with Joe, now better known as Joel Conrad, for this interview. Joel’s resume includes: Broadway and TV singer, dancer, and actor, as well as choreographer, college dance professor, and lately teacher of Yoga, Qigong, Tai Chi, and meditation.

Not bad for a Regular Joe from rural Ohio. But the best of it is this: Joel is happy with his life, passionate about what he does, and enthusiastic about each day. Joel is successful.

Since success is what we’re all looking for in our personal development quest, let’s hear Joel’s secrets of success.

Q. What advice would you give to a young person?

A. (I would ask) are you committed? Can you (are you willing to) do things to sustain yourself while you’re waiting for (your desired) work?

A typical day when I performed at Radio City Music Hall was this: Do the first show, grab lunch, do the second show, run off to a voice lesson, do the third and fourth shows, then take acting lessons from midnight to 4 AM, grab some sleep and do it all again. Performing on Radio City’s stage was so tough on my body that I had to start the day with a massage several times a week.

Q. Why did you succeed when so many others failed auditions?

A. I didn’t want to go back to Ohio. I had high (self) esteem that what I was doing was correct and I’d succeed. I had close friends and we supported each other. I got help from so many people you would call stars, such as Dorothy Collins, Dom DeLuise, and Tommy Tune.

Q. Were you fulfilling your purpose?

A. Yes, I had blind faith, believed in myself and got the breaks. When called for an audition, I knew I would get it.

Q. Your first Broadway show closed after three performances. What sustained you in this disappointment?

A. My Aunt always said, “Is this a matter of life and death?” It wasn’t. I just picked my butt up off the ground and went on. I am resilient; I just bounce off of disappointments and rejections.

Q. After performing for many years you taught dance at the college level and now teach spiritually oriented movement. What’s behind that transition?

A. After an ankle injury, I took physical therapy that included yoga. It started reaching me that there were alternate ways of living my life. I didn’t have to be so perfect. I’m still in touch with some of my college students and that is very satisfying.I now have students ranging in age from 20’s to 102, (an amazing, inspirational woman).

Q. Who is Joel Conrad?

A. A work in progress, constantly evolving and changing, more aware of basics of spiritual life. I give thanks every day that I can go out and make a difference in people’s lives. Did I do the best that I could, yes, but I’m still growing.

This article was originally published on Suite101.com.

———————————————