We had the good fortune of connecting with Terry “T” Miller and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Terry “T”, how do you think about risk?
From early on I have always been adventurous. As a self proclaimed adrenaline junkie, risk has always been about immense calculation. Understanding the simple premise of “Level of Risk = Level of Reward” I have always tried to position myself to be more courageous than most, meaning, I’m not afraid to try new things; learn new and extremely hard things; examine new ways of thinking even of that means changing old ways that have evolved through age and perspective.. That is what led to the creation of MX Yoga, a documentary series where at the ripe age of 38, I decided to learn and excel at the sport of motocross and document the entire process for a show called “500 Days: An Underdog Story”. The lessons I have learned through being a filmmaker with this process has helped immensely for me to adapt to an ever-changing environment that is morphing in real time. Understanding how to mitigate and anticipate certain types of risk is the difference between the lucky and the unlucky. As I come to understand this more fully I am teaching my own kids how to approach risk in terms of objective calculation instead of irrational and emotional fear.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I am here to create. That has always been the mission. To have fun. To share stories. To be a voice for those that struggle to find their own. I have always gone against the grain and will continue to split from the crowd and the politics of story telling that the industry has been reduced to. I think I struggled for a long time, far too long anyways, to try and fit in and be part of the club and I lost sight of what I was doing and why I was doing it. In the last couple of years I have resurrected the past intentions of being counter-culture and embracing my “punk-rock filmmaker” tendencies. My alter-ego “Bob Melarkie” has been revived after being suppressed by 2 decades of “corporate culture groupthink” assimilation. For the first time in a long time I feel like I am on the right path and working with the right people. The best is yet to come!

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
That’s asking for a bit more contrivity (yes, I just made up a work—“Creative License”), than I am prone to. I like “hole in the walls”, “unbeaten paths”, and, discovering new things, new locations, new experiences and new people. When I lived in CA (now in HOTlanta) I would give out-of-towers a distinct path to track. In and Out Burger, Universal Studies (sorry not sorry– not a Disney fan), favorite beach/surf, Joshua Tree and other State and National parks. Now its all about the adventure of experiencing new things together and learning how to find comfort in a place you have never experienced before. Its the journey, not the destination if you have to distill it down to a clipable cliche.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
Some of the greatest insights of the last decade or so have come from Malcom Gladwell and Carl Jung, but if I had to dedicate or recognize anybody it would have to be my wife Jennifer. She has stood behind me and supported me, and, continues to support me on my journey to truly discover who I am as a filmmaker and as a human being. She has loved and nurtured me throughout my worst moments and decisions and we stand together stronger than ever in our partnership of life. I would also like to recognize my children who have had a huge part in teaching me how to be a father and recognizing the core values of life that are the most important.

Website: lalalandenterprises.com

Instagram: @lalalandenterprises, @imakestuffup4pay

Facebook: @MXYoga, @lalalandenterprises

Image Credits
DSC_9312 : Aguny Ase LALALAND product shoot: myself Makeshift River Dolly: Logan Jones MX Yoga – 500 Days: Debbi Lehman-Tamietti Heavylift Drone Work: Lance Rand Me and Wifey / Snowball fight – Selfie

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