Today we’d like to introduce you to Daniel Stewart.
Daniel, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
I would always sing around the house growing up and record little videos. In high school, I developed a love for music professionally. I started out as just a singer/songwriter around 17, Performed many places and released music. I went to college for music but I didn’t graduate. I started teaching music part-time while still performing. Around 27, I started going through some personal issues that felt very crippling. (Severe Panic attacks sometimes everyday) I wasn’t able to do as much as I did previously. People would say why you’re not performing and didn’t say much ’cause I was not ready to tell my story. One day while filming one of my low-budget videos my brother looked at me and said, “what’s up young filmmaker” I looked at him like, who me? Because I was only filming stuff for Youtube. I was going through so many changes in my life, from my friends not being friends anymore, Panic attacks which left me feeling weak, and just feeling like I needed a change in my life, I had to rely on my faith in God. When I realized I wanted to go back to school, I went for film in Florida and graduated in 2016. I didn’t have much money but knew I needed to be there. In my early 30’s, I was now a broke college student. So, with my experience working with kids I picked up a part-time job at an elementary school, and a few months from graduation I was led to write a children’s book called I’m not too small.
While in film school I shot the film for the book so when I came home I had my first book, a film, and a soundtrack. I also casted a celebrity kid and didn’t know until the day we started filming. Today, I’m a freelance Cinematographer, I have four children’s books, speak at many schools, and I have released new music.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
No, I struggled in my physical health and my mental health. Before age 27, I didn’t really know what stress was or mental health. I didn’t really have many problems or cares. There are some things that I have gone through that I’m still not ready to talk about publicly and if my friends and my audience were to know about it I believe they would be shocked because on the outside it looks like I haven’t been through nothing. It’s hard going back to school in your 30s, having crazy panic attacks, going through mind battles, and while living in Florida for 2 ½ years for school I didn’t have a car. I was first living in Sanford Traveling to Winter Park taking 3 city buses there and back but I knew my purpose was greater than the sacrifice and God was with me. I soon moved to Orlando, which was closer to the school and used my car money to pay my rent.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I’m focused on singing, writing, and composing original songs. I also shoot commercials and music videos for small businesses and other artists. I still get invited to schools to read my books and do storytime.
We’d love to hear about how you think about risk taking?
Risk taking is a necessary part of life. You can’t always play it safe. mistakes are meant to be learned from. I’m not saying live a life of a fool but many times you will never know if you can unless you try.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.youngdecent.net
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/youngdecent/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/YoungDecent/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCDN21QSy9qAcgde53UElkmg
- SoundCloud: https://soundcloud.com/young-decent
