Today we’d like to introduce you to Steve Crawford.
Hi Steve, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I started off working at Chili’s by KSU and really wanted to become a Fireman. 17 years later I’m a dedicated Fire Lieutenant at Clayton County Fire & Emergency Services, and I have proudly served my community for the past 16 years. However, there is much more to my story than my role as a firefighter. Under the moniker Nukelanta, I have found my creative calling as a content creator, event organizer, and advocate for mental health in the fire service and nerd space.
I discovered my passion for firefighting 16 years ago when I joined Clayton County Fire & Emergency Services. Throughout my career, I ended up specializing in forcible entry, HazMat, mentoring new firefighters and youth education. My commitment to serving the community goes beyond my firefighting duties and extends into other areas of my life.
Nukelanta and the TikTok success under the handle Nukelanta, I have found incredible success on TikTok, the dynamic social media platform. As a content creator, I leverage my unique perspectives, experiences, mustache and height of 6’7″ to captivate and entertain my audience. Through engaging videos and entertaining content, I have amassed a loyal following on TikTok, making it my largest platform of success.
During the pandemic, I started making TikToks as an artistic outlet and was shocked at the overwhelming community response. Public safety locally often jokingly refers to me as Lt TikTok. I use my platform to do a lot of recruitment for my fire department. I spend each week speaking with applicants and answering they’re questions about the fire service. When I’m at the state training academy, I’m always pleasantly surprised at all the statewide firefighters that have seen my videos.
One of my notable achievements as Nukelanta is organizing post-apocalyptic themed events in the Southeast. Inspired by the popular video game franchise Fallout, these events bring fans together for an immersive experience like no other. An annual festival held at an actual junkyard in North Georgia stands as a testament to my dedication in recreating the post-apocalyptic world and providing unforgettable experiences. I have been hosting five weekend-long events a year for a long time! Post-apocalyptic events are hosted all over the world and I wanted to get something going in the southeast.
My events host my own unique brand of fun. GoKarts with airsoft racing through wreckage, armored gladiators with pugil sticks in an anything goes rumble, amazing fully equipped art stations where I teach costume technique, karaoke, dancing to classic hip hop on a barn, speed dating and fun bands performing.
Dragoncon is a major highlight in my life. I really rediscovered myself after attending for the first time when being invited by two of my best fireman friends that went previously.
Comic conventions hold a special place in my heart, and Dragoncon stands out as my favorite event of the year. As an attendee, content creator, and giant nerd, I relish the vibrant atmosphere and the opportunity to connect with fellow enthusiasts. Sharing my love for nerd culture, I have cultivated a strong community of like-minded individuals who appreciate my unique perspectives and contributions. I love making and partying in costumes. These conventions are like a 3-5 night Halloween party. Atlanta is known around the world as one of the greatest cities for comic conventions.
Beyond my involvement in events and conventions, I engage in diverse content-creation endeavors. Through my TikTok platform, I showcase skits, cooking tutorials, crafting workshops, costuming styling guides, and much more. Sharing my knowledge and skills, I have become a trusted source of information and entertainment for my growing audience. Looking ahead, I plan to continue expanding my creative pursuits, using my platform to raise awareness about firefighter mental health and inspiring others to follow their passions.
I’m open to collaborating and planning on doing a lot more with fellow Atlanta-based content creators.
One other artistic outlet I got started in was renovating my home into themed AirBnB spaces. I started out with a Fallout theme upstairs and created a cyberpunk basement. It’s fun to always have some kind of a project to DIY.
From my humble beginnings as a Fire Lieutenant to the multifaceted world of Nukelanta, I am driven by a relentless pursuit of creativity and a desire to make a difference or at least a smile. Being a “Cool nerd” I embrace the opportunities that come my way and inspire others to do the same. Through TikTok, event organizing, and content creation, I have found my voice and the means to connect with a diverse range of individuals. As I continue to evolve and pursue new endeavors, I eagerly anticipate the next chapter in my fun journey as Nukelanta.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
I spend a lot of my year hosting events and it makes it hard for me to attend other events because of this.
That’s why this year will be my final year hosting events and I’ll focus more on content creation.
The pandemic really put a hurting on my in-person events, it was very difficult to recover.
As a firefighter, it was tough finding my place in the creator space, it generates a lot of attention and jealousy by some of your rival peers.
As a content creator, it’s difficult some days creating and posting three videos a day.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
For my creative work, I’ve always been a comedian and artist.
I’m known for being very quick socially and my dry humor.
As an artist, I’m known as one of the better dystopian costumers in the southeast. I never make a cosplay from a movie or game. I only take inspiration and make my own take on things.
I’m really good and making custom jackets. Like rusty dusty mad max jackets or cool neon cyberpunk fits.
I love creating fun spaces in my home. I made a cyberpunk basement apartment and I’m currently working on my 2nd cyberpunk apartment for Airbnb.
What makes you happy?
Life. I’m just naturally a very happy person and I’m very happy in life. I really like mentoring my three sons and firefighters at work. It gives me great purpose in life.
With my Airbnb projects, it makes me happy always working toward goals physically and digitally. Not being stressed out, only working my one job and taking everything like a palm tree. Really helps my vibes out on the daily.
Pricing:
- My Airbnb is normally around $100 a night on average.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.tiktok.com/@nukelanta
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nukelanta/
- Facebook: https://m.facebook.com/Nukelanta
- Twitter: www.twitter.com/nukelanta
- Youtube: https://youtube.com/@nukelanta8048
- Other: https://www.airbnb.com/h/neoatlanta
Image Credits
Hustography photo Thomas Kerns photo Dynamic Dystopia photo Dim Horizon Studio
