Most people fear pursuing their passion as society has convinced us that you will struggle in life if you make your passion a career. Many see it as a fruitless pursuit, and there is also self-doubt and the fear of failure. There is a much larger connection with passion than in other jobs, which can sometimes be intimidating. You feel like you are not good enough, and to avoid disappointment, you decide not to follow your passion. This was Chris Johnson’s case a few years ago. However, he decided to pursue what he loves and is now helping others live their passions.
Chris Johnson has a podcast, the PASSION POD, where he interviews others also pursuing their passions. Passion Pod has featured chefs, actors, musicians, and artists, including Greg Gatsby, Dave Yaden, Blake Johnson, and Fuller Moe. Each shares their stories and discusses overcoming fears and challenges and building a solid career in your passion.
Chris believes that anyone can build a life and career around the things they love. Through the interviews, he hopes to help the listener see this. He also shares his story.
Chris Johnson loves skateboarding. He started skateboarding when he was around 10, and by the time he was 14, he was skateboarding almost every day. This is where his dream of owning a skateboard shop began. But Chris didn’t start working on this dream immediately and took a sales job in the corporate world.
He also moved to Duluth, MN, to pursue a business degree at UMD. As Chris moved up the corporate ladder, he was promoted to assistant manager. By then, his dream of owning a skateboard shop wasn’t a priority as he was focused on making more money. But he felt something was lacking.
While he loved his job, Chris didn’t get the satisfaction and fulfillment he expected. After some thinking, he took the risk and walked away from the corporate world to chase his childhood dream. Chris opened a skateboarding shop, Passion Board Shop. The shop is now 8.5 years old and has become a staple in his hometown of Eau Claire, WI. Chris is also an artist and won several awards, including one for the Best New Mural by Chippewa Valley Reader’s poll.
He is showing others that you can make your passion a career and still excel. You simply have to believe in yourself and not listen to society.
Chris opened his own brick-and-mortar store at 23 without financial backing. Despite the challenges, he didn’t give up on his goals. He stayed and fought for his passion and now owns one of the top skateboarding shops in his hometown. He is helping others take a step toward their passion through the inspirational stories he shares on the podcast.
Passion Pod offers stories from notable names in music, entertainment, and entrepreneurship. Chris interviewed Lamorne Morris, Louis Carreon, Isaac Pelayo, Chastity Ashley, Grace Reiter, and Claire Olivia, among others. His shows have attracted massive attention, and Passion Pod was awarded Best Local Podcast. Chris is working on the 10th season of the podcast, which airs weekly.
