Meet CJ Strahan | Artist

We had the good fortune of connecting with CJ Strahan and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi CJ, what role has risk played in your life or career?
I feel like risk is involved in most decisions we make. Especially the big ones in life. We either take the risk of failing or we take the risk of missing out on an opportunity. I personally knew from a very young age that I never wanted to look back on my life thinking what could’ve been. So I followed whatever I felt in my heart was right. I would definitely call myself a big risk taker. After I finished school in Germany I started my own business at the age of 19. I was told by most of my friends and family that I should go to college or find a job. Little did they know I would build a career in direct sales and get to travel the world as a public speaker. So I would say risk is a necessary component of progress. You have to take risks and push your limits to see how far you can make it. And you just might surprise yourself. I also believe in the saying: The higher the risk the greater the reward. But I think it should be calculated risk we are taking. I have definitely taken big risk and have been rewarded graciously. But I have also taken big risk and have failed massively. Failing hurts but there’s something you have to always keep in mind: You learn from making those mistakes and if you do it right, you come out much stronger and wiser every time. Failure breeds success. The master has failed more times than the student has ever tried. So I always knew to just keep it pushing and eventually I will find myself exactly where I was meant to be. There was a decent amount of risk involved in moving to LA as well. I initially made the move with my creative director who, due to the pandemic, had to leave the US only 3 months after we had arrived. This definitely shook the plan up a little but we found a way to make it work and keep it moving. So in closing I would say we should welcome taking risk and see them as opportunities to learn from and grow.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I’m a singer / songwriter and entrepreneur. I live to create and make a difference in other people’s lives. I would say what sets me apart from most others is my personality and mindset, my drive and my conviction. I’m confident in my talents and I know what I want out of life. I’m most proud of the personal achievements in my adult life. I feel very fortunate to have had the opportunity to travel much and have seen many parts of the world. I’m proud to have stood on many stages inspiring people with my message. I’m proud of the team I assembled and the work we’ve done together. I’m proud of making the move to LA and leaving behind everything I’ve ever known. I’m proud of my friends and my family for having my back no matter what. And I’m very proud of the community of fans and supporters that we’ve been able to build over the last years. Lately I’ve been most excited about opening up for Lyfe Jennings on May 15th at the Academy LA.
I got to where I am through self belief, hard work, more self belief and more hard work. It’s certainly not easy but it’s definitely worth it. I overcome most of my problems by trying to look at it from a different perspective. As soon as I’m able to do that I kind of find it easier to come up with solutions to whatever it is I’m facing by thinking about how many of the people I look up to would handle the situation I’m in. I want the world to know why I’m here and how passionate I am about what I do.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I would definitely take my best friend on hikes to the beautiful waterfalls LA has to offer. I would make sure we have enough time at the beach. Rent a bike or inline skates and just ride along the coast. I’d show him the studio and some of the venues I’ve been performing in. I’d take him on drives through the city because LA is so versatile and beautiful. We would probably go to Hollywood for dinner at a rooftop bar and a night out at some point, or just wait to randomly get invited to some of the amazing events that keep going on all over the city. I’d take him to my favourite restaurants and food markets. Definitely show him som of the street food too. I’m sure we’d have an incredible week!

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I really like this one. First of all I’d like to shoutout my mom. She did the most amazing job raising me as a single parent. She is my biggest inspiration and all I want to do is make her proud and give her the life she deserves. Then I’d like to shoutout my creative director Mat Schaudig. Thanks for believing in me just as much as I believe in you. Let’s make this dream become reality.
I’d also like to shoutout my manager Christina Havis. We haven’t worked with each other for long but I appreciate your efforts and am excited about what the future holds.
Last but not least I’d like to shoutout my girlfriend Crystal Mojica. Thanks for being a great support system, always having my back and making me better..

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cjstrahan/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/cjstrahan68

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC5QW4s9ntqrQ2SVK4va6gSA

Image Credits
Mat Schaudig Kevin Wilson