Travis Ruskus had hit rock bottom. He was fired after three years of employment days before Christmas, and his relationship with his girlfriend ended a few weeks later. Merry Christmas.
He never really enjoyed his job, but losing it was tough. Breaking up with someone he truly enjoyed being with was excruciating. He decided to return to the town where he grew up, Boulder Colorado, and start over again.
For no particular reason, on no particular day, Travis wondered through the local woods and came upon a creek. He rolled up his jeans and walked in. He looked at the rocks. Out of boredom or curiosity or divine intervention (I suspect all three), he picked up a rock to examine it. He was curious if its peculiar shape could be balanced on another rock that was just as weirdly shaped. A frustrating forty five minutes later the rock balanced on the other. It was magical. Something impossible was just made possible. Something in Travis shifted.
The magic wasn’t the balancing of rocks. The magic was the power of Travis’s thought. He realized that the unbalance of his life was coming from his thoughts, and his ability to put his life (and rocks) back in balance all emanated from his thoughts.
Within a few short weeks of practice he was able to balance rocks four high. Then five. Then higher than that. Travis started assembling rock stacks in ways that boggle the mind. Round rocks perched on oblong rocks, perched on top of flat rocks.
Passersbys of every age examined the art work with amazement. Maybe they too got a glimpse into was is possible in themselves. Maybe they reconsidered their own thoughts.
And yes, Travis thinks outside the rocks. He has introduced fallen branches and flowing streams into his work. Whatever nature provides him and in whatever form, he finds a way to assemble it. To make all the pieces come back into balance.
To see his working is life changing. It makes you reconsider what is possible. But, for me, hearing Travis’s story was even more significant. He found purpose where others would have found desperation. That’s my kind of entrepreneur – Travis turned rock bottom into rocks up.
The epitome of the entrepreneurs story. Stumble across an outlet, discover that it is your passion, and build an incredible business concept around it.
Is your story in a similar vein? Share it!
LOVE that story, Mike. Kudos to Travis. Make that lemonade, sweetheart! xox
Agreed… Kudos to Travis!
Mike, I heard about Travis through your CreativeLive class and I had a hard time picturing what it is he does. Love the photos. I hope you follow up with him because I’d love to know how his business grows.
Travis, amazing to have met you! Love that Travis’ passion is sharing with people the spiritual flexibility & depth in… ROCKS! Maybe, in Travis case, he could consider a change of name to Travis Rocks… <3
LOL! I love then new name. I think Wayne Johnson can no longer call himself The Rock.
Watched and purchased your presentation on creative live and saw Travis. Was trying to picture in my mind while listening, what the rocks looked like stacked up. Seeing these pictures brought it to life. Must say it is much more amazing to actually see! Good luck to him!
Auralee – Thank you so much for listening in to creativeLIVE. Travis is an amazing fella. The stacks are so great, aren’t they?
Mike, I had no idea he balanced them like that…I was like” oh my God, how does he do that?!?!?!” lol It would be really neat to see in person. They definitely are…really great!
i’ve tried that rock balancing thing, and was actually able to do it! it’s quite empowering! but travis is wayyyy beyond my level! so cool.
I may have to try this on my next hike! Amazing!
Totally. I have seen some around, but never have seen anything like Travis’s work.
Others see rocks. He sees potential. That is the mark of a TPE!
AMEN TO THAT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
THANKS Mike for sharing another inspiring story. You’re the master of looking at things differently just like Travis !
Thanks Linda. Travis is truly an amazing fella!
I would say he’s a real balanced guy!
cute!
Such an amazing story. He really had a vision and determined to make it happen. what an amazing young man. Thanks Mike for sharing such a great story.
Agreed Kiki. It is an amazing story. I think it is funny how he stumbled across it, and the vision revealed itself. I guess wondering around “aimlessly” for a little bit is a really good thing!
Yes, the things you do when you just wander around. I have found myself doing corky things, but never thought of turning it into a business. I had my kids try to balance rocks and they to are baffled as to how he does. Definitely a science to it. Got one that won’t stop until he figures it out. LOL Have a fabulous day.
“Rock bottom” – good one Mike! Boulder, Colorado – synchronistic!
That’s a Hinge moment!