Nicolas Stella

Full transcript: Nicolas Stella on London Real

0:01 I am here with Nicolas Stella, recent graduate of the Life Accelerator. Tell us about yourself. Where are you from? What do you do? Well, I was born in Colombia, South America. Moved when I was around ten to Ecuador, dad’s job. I didn’t grow up with much economical stability. Always having to move, changing schools. I had the chance to experience growing up with the poor kids, and growing up with the rich kids.

0:39 Just because of that instability, and it was interesting, being brought up like this, just gives me a different perspective on things. Especially because for a good 60-70% of my life, I was in the suburbs. Then, I was also walking to school, riding a bike, because it was the only chance, witnessing kids getting stabbed in elementary school. Just crazy, Third World country stuff that you can only picture in your head.

1:20 That’s intense. Yeah, yeah, it was pretty intense. By the age of 14, I was, what you could call, a drug addict, and messing with all kinds of substances. And, yeah, I mean, it was interesting. It was interesting, so. That’s really all I can say. What was going on with you, inside? You know, around December last year when you decided to join us? Like, what were you struggling with?

1:54 I had recently gotten this job as a composer at a studio in Ecuador. Music is what got me out of violence, extreme use of drugs and alcohol. So getting a job as a composer was, what it felt, as the peak of my career. But I also, I figured it wasn’t all I wanted, and I felt too comfortable. I’ve always felt like there’s got to be something else. There’s got to be something more to life than flesh even, if that makes any sense.

2:32 So at the moment, I was asking God, the universe, I was asking for a group or a mentor that really held me accountable, that could push me, and could really take me to that next level. That was what was happening in the moment. And what about around you? What kind of peer group you’re with? What’s the kind of messages you’re getting from, you know, people around you? After the Life Accelerator? No, before. Before.

3:07 It was mixed, mixed messages. I moved in with my parents. We were living in different cities. I move in with my parents, and they saw me getting a job. I was doing something through music. They were very proud. At the studio, they were impressed with what I was doing. But all the people I looked up to, and the people I’ve worked in music with in the past, they stopped talking to me. All of my heroes, if you will, stopped talking to me.

3:45 And I realised later it was because they knew my heart wasn’t where it was supposed to be. They knew I had much more potential than I was putting out there. So it was very mixed. From one side it was, right, you’re doing so well, keep going at it. From the other side it was, you know, that’s just ten percent of what you can do. Okay, and why London Real? How did you find out about us?

4:14 Well, thinking about it on my way here, I remember it was through Tim Shieff originally. I actually went out with Tim a couple of times. We went out for coffee, and we ate in Ecuador. He was in Ecuador. Really? I hit him up, and we hung out a couple times. Fantastic, fantastic guy. And that’s when I realised London Real was really people worth watching. Then, you came up with an Elliott Hulse video. That’s when I got hooked. I was like, this guy’s for real.

4:43 Elliott Hulse has been my hero. The only time I was at a gym lifting weights and messing with that stuff was when I was working as a janitor. I was 16 years old, and I got a gym membership for free. So, I started watching Elliott Hulse, following all of his steps, and I could relate a lot to being like a punk rock kid who doesn’t fit in. I’m Colombian Italian, never knew who I was supposed to be.

5:16 So I could relate with his message, but then when I saw London Real, it was very, very formal, very business. And overall, it was applied to reality. Applied to a life in the city. How to be a Buddhist or whatever, how to be a spiritual being. How to be a holistic, successful person in a world where we have iPads and cell phones, and that’s what I got from London Real. And that’s really what I stuck with.

5:52 What made you pull the trigger in December and actually join the Life Accelerator? Because it’s a big decision; it’s an investment. Why’d you do it? Well, I think I got a couple of texts from you, someone in the team, and you were like, why don’t you just do it? I was like, I’m earning three dollars an hour. I definitely don’t have the money. Well, we can help you out some, just tell us. You need to do this. Don’t wait for it, now’s the moment. And that’s when I realised, now is the moment.

6:23 There is no better moment. It’s starting out the year. You guys, your promo video about the blueprint. And again, having all this video, meeting all these people that have been here, I was like, I definitely gotta go through it. So they lend me the money. My dad gave me a big part of that, so I owe him for that. It was really what triggered it, was just knowing that I needed to be held accountable.

6:59 That was it. Because that’s what you said on the promo video: accountability is key. Oh, and especially the slogan, “there’s no such thing as extraordinary people, only extraordinary habits.” And I’ve experienced in the past when I had the chance of getting my hands on good habits, but I grow bored very quickly. So that’s basically what happened.

7:28 I was like, I need to know how to do all the things that people are talking about. How to exercise, how to meditate. Obviously you can go on YouTube and find all of this, but they just tell you what to do, what to do. Oh, wake up early. This was all about how to do it. How to go at it, every day, and feel good about doing it.

7:52 Talk me through those first couple weeks in the Accelerator. It starts at January third or something like that. You get in there, you start seeing the people in there, what we’re asking you to do. You start doing it. What’s that first memory? It was interesting. The first memory was I realised what religions are all about. That was the first thoughts I had during the first week.

8:19 I realised that religions are mostly built around people to act weird, to be weird and be themselves, it’s an excuse. So you can get down on your knees, so you can be cathartic, so you can express, or so you can be quiet, and have peace. Whatever fits you best. And I quickly realised this is like a religion. But this is like a religion for people who want to be good to themselves and those who surround them. It’s weird practices.

8:51 It’s a lot of weird s*** that people wouldn’t normally be comfortable with. Just like religions, when you go to a Baptist Church, or whatever it is. When you go to those temples, and you’re like, whoa, what are they doing? It was kind of like that. People broadcasting themselves, and what are they doing? But at the end, you start seeing all these positive comments, and you’re really making a change in the world.

9:18 I saw some fellows putting extra tips or helping people out in the streets, or just very basic stuff like that. And then it goes out into their families and to their friends, their peers, and that’s, yeah, my thoughts on the first week. What was your first, like, aha moment? When you were like, wait a second, I’m making some progress here? Something’s changing about me? What did you first notice? And when was it?

9:52 With the cold showers. At first, I’ve always known that cold showers are, as soon as I take them in the morning, I’m not the same person afterwards. I’m sure you can relate, with any cold baths. And I knew I needed to be held accountable, so I told all of you guys, I’m going to do this for 21 days. And on the third day, I wanted to stop. I was too miserable in the mornings.

10:22 Afterwards, I was good, but about a week afterwards, I felt amazing. And I was like, I can actually do this. And I haven’t stopped since. So that was, yeah, I got this. Nice. What did you struggle with on the course? Meditation. Because, again, just like the cold shower, I knew it was something that brought great benefit into my life.

10:54 I think it was through Elliott Hulse that I started reading Osho, and he has different kinds of active meditation that we do. So whenever I was practising that, I just felt enlightened, if you will. I feel very nice. But at the same time, it was challenging to keep that practice. So having the accountability doc, and having to put in the minutes, that was very, very challenging. It was just the first week.

11:27 Now the course is over, what’s the biggest takeaway that you get from it? And for someone listening, or watching us, that maybe they should take in their life. You know, that one lesson where you’re like, man, this was a game changer for me. One lesson. The one lesson I would take away is one that you probably didn’t mention, but it’s keeping in touch with relevant people.

11:57 People that are in that same movie as you are. People that just want to bring great things into the world. Or not even into it, just people that want something more out of life. Something that I tell myself every morning, part of the affirmations, is: I am not average, I will never be average. And I don’t think anyone who is average can go through this.

12:22 Talk to me about the people in your class. What did you learn? What did you see? You met a bunch of them last night. Yeah, it was quite surreal meeting everybody in 3D. It was strange, because most people were older than me, I’m 21, and at first, I was like, wait, do I belong here? Should I even be doing this? I felt a bit out of place. But then I really got to talk to them, and learning from them was just mind-blowing.

13:09 Because they were having a lot of the same problems that I was having, although they are 20, 30 years older than me or more. And it was strange how similar problems were manifested in different countries and different bodies, different genders, different ethnicities. Just because of their surroundings, just because of how they were brought up. But at the end, it was the same root.

13:41 Yeah, yeah, you surprised me when you posted a picture of some ink that is now on your ankle. Can you describe what I’m talking about and why it happened? Yeah, well, actually, some people were surprised. Like, whoa, that’s too far, you know, I was getting all those kinds of comments. Like, what happened there? I decided to do it because, honest, it was the least I could do to represent what was happening inside.

14:14 To put that stamp to say, this is what I went through, this is what I want for my life. I want to keep all these rituals. I want to keep all this information. I don’t want it to be just information. I actually want it to manifest in the flesh. So it was kinda like that. And honest, it was much easier to do this than keep up the meditation, and the cold showers, all the things. It was much easier, cause I did it.

14:47 No worries, but it’s just, I have the habit of doing this. I don’t know, this hip is tighter or something. So every time I’m at work, or even just lay in bed and do this, I go, yeah, that’s me now. So that’s going to remind you to keep all these habits going, and all these practices. Every day. Every day for the rest of your life you’re looking at London Real Life Accelerator. Exactly. That’s strong.

15:13 Remember, I’m going, I was here, I met you, your crew, went through your beautiful course, and yeah. You’re 21, man, you keep these habits up, I’m telling you, man, you’re going to be on fire. I mean, I just can imagine you at 26, and 31, and 36, and 41, I mean, you’re just going to be killing it, if what you’ve done is any indication, in a huge way, so. Thank you, I appreciate it.

15:33 We made videos about New Year’s Eve. Who we are going to be on New Year’s Eve. Who are you going to be? I’m very interested in becoming the kind of person that my heroes look up to. Someone that they can say, hey man, let me take you out for a coffee. Or just, listen to my music, and be like, whatever it is. The way I perceive, the way I think of them, I want to be that person for them.

16:09 That’s very demanding, but after this course, and I’ve thought of that, but after this course, I know I can get there. I know I can become that person. All right, so you want to be the mentor to other people? The mentor of my mentors. Say we went out on the street and bumped into the Nicolas that didn’t take the course. What’s that guy like? Gloomy, lacking life, and not nearly as excited as I am.

16:48 Just thinking about it makes me feel kinda blue. Because this year wouldn’t have been the same. Crazy stuff has been happening pretty much every day. Unfortunately, I told Julianne, I don’t know if you got the message from me, but I had to deal with the death of two friends, and at a very young age, they hadn’t even reached their 40s.

17:20 And I don’t know how I would have dealt with that without this group supporting me. Saying, hey, it’s all right, it’s part of life. What are you going to do now? So, it would have been sad not to have this opportunity. Well, this is like la familia, you know? This is like your people going forward. And, you know, every month you’re going to be on these calls together, and so, I want to see you just be the best you.

17:53 I want to see you winning it, killing it, dealing with challenges, because we’re always going to face resistance. We’re always going to face these events in our life where we can choose to kind of quit, go back to the old version of ourselves, but you know, hopefully you have these tools, you have this peer group, and you’re thinking, no, no, I can use it as a way to grow, and maybe even get better. Yeah, that’s exactly it.

18:17 To someone listening to us right now, they’re looking at this, who’s this 21-year-old kid? Who’s not sure if they want to take one of these Accelerators or not, what do you tell them? I would say, well, most people wouldn’t take it because I think it might be the price, because they think they don’t have the money. They think they can’t get the money. You can’t put a price on a new life.

18:44 You can’t put a price on this, on these conversations, on an amazing peer group that just holds you accountable. And if you think you can, then it’s definitely not for you. Because it’s not for average people, it really isn’t. You won’t make it out alive. Nicolas, you’re wise beyond your years. When I look into your eyes, I feel like I’m talking to somebody who’s lived a few different lives, because you have, right? Yeah.

19:19 Yeah, I can tell. It’s been a huge honour having you on this course. You’ve got incredible energy, and you know, when some of the older people see the things you do, you inspire them to act, you know, because they’re like, here’s this guy, he’s 21 years old, and he’s getting these things done. How come I can’t do that?

19:38 So you know, you’re just as big a part of this course, and the success, and the transformations everyone else has made as I am, and anyone else’s, you know, and it’s a big part of it. And I’m so glad you came out, and George T did this crazy fundraising thing, and got you here, and it’s just this crazy group, man. It’s just amazing. Right? And so, yeah, I just want to thank you for being a part of it.

20:02 And you know, this is the time, I’m challenging you, to just step up everything in your life, you know, go big on all of these habits, you know, make us proud. Because if you don’t, you’re going to be pissing me off. You’re going to do a disservice to us. And I don’t want to have this conversation on New Year’s, like, oh, where’s Nicolas, oh, he didn’t make it? Oh, something bad happened?

20:23 I want you to come on that call on New Year’s and just be blowing us all away, and be like, this is what time it is now, this is who I am now. And hopefully, we won’t recognise you. That’s exactly what’s going to happen. All right, that’s a bet. Thank you, sir. Dope.