Interview with Thomas Kohnstamm – Author and Professional World Traveler

April 28, 2016April 12, 2018 by canadianhayes, posted in Blog, interviews

The most challenging thing about pursuing a career as an author is the lack of structured support. With no official guidelines, the only true markers of success, is success itself. Whether it’s having an article published online or becoming a Best Selling author,the fulfillment of most writers ambitions relies very much on some sort of final outcome.

During my Kickstarter campaign for Five Weeks in the Amazon, I reached out to Thomas Kohnstamm, the author of “Do Travel Writers Go to Hell? A Swashbuckling Tale of High Adventures, Questionable Ethics and Professional Hedonism.

This was in the early stages of my transition from the Californicated-self I had became to my true self, A liberated, and free, artist, who travels the world, practicing the art and craft of writing.

Back when I was the Team Manager for Plan B Skateboards. Taking a walk with Ryan Sheckler while on a filming road trip in Oregon, circa 2008.

Thomas Kohnstamm is from Seattle, Washington, which is close enough to my hometown that we both had views of the same snow capped mountain growing up (Mt. Baker). He still call Seattle home, which is where he live with his family and is completing the manuscript for his next book, which is very much anticipated (stay tuned for more info).

As I have traveled and continued to write, Thomas has kindly divulged great advice whenever I have asked him for it. He has been a mentor to me in ways, and from Colombia I reached out to ask him a few questions. I’m really excited to read his next book, and even though he isn’t saying much about it, I’m sure it is going to be worth reading.

You can click here to check out his awesome first book, “Do Travel Writers Go to Hell?” (which I read in one sitting). But first, check out his interview below, and if you want to connect with Thomas, you can reach him through his website, or leave a comment below. Thanks again for everything, Thomas, and may the Spring wind’s bring you nine muses worth of inspiration.

Sean Hayes: What are you currently working on?

Thomas Kohnstamm: I am just finishing up a novel I’ve been working on for a few years. Keeping it under wraps for now.

Would you rather be a worried genius or a joyful simpleton?

Worried genius. Although I’d rather come in short of being a genius and experience a mix of worry and joy. I’d pass on being a simpleton just to be more consistently happy.

Who defines good and evil?

pass

Why did you become an author?

I’ve always been interested in stories and trying to better understand the world – especially people and how they related to each other and to a place. I thought for a while that I wanted to be a professor but it was too rule-bound and there was too much emphasis on quantitative research. Writing lets me visit some of the same subjects but allows me to do it however I want.

For a recent high school graduate; Would you recommend 4 years traveling abroad, or 4 years of college?

It depends what you want to do with your life. If you think you want to be a doctor then, obviously, you’d better go to college. It’s a harder call for those who want to pursue a creative career. I’d probably say travel for them but it depends what you do with the travel. Nowadays you could go abroad and still spend all of your time watching Netflix. Just going someplace doesn’t mean much. You’d have to dig in.

Who do you envy?

I try not to envy anyone. That said I do get jealous of those who found a clear calling at a young age and were able to take a lot of risks and make a lot of investment in their careers. I didn’t go all-in on writing until I was 27 or 28. I am also impressed by people who are proficient in a lot of different areas, like Donald Glover.

What are you bored of?

Between writing, having a family, two dogs and way too many other interests, I don’t remember the last time I had open time on my hands, let alone experienced boredom.

That said, I am not a fan of pharmaceutical ads on TV. Am also kind of burnt on social media. I like to read some things on it but am kind of over posting. I can scratch that itch through bigger writing projects.

How would you describe yourself?

I like to do things my own way. I try to be good to the people I care about. I like to push my boundaries. I like to stay up late. I can drink a lot of beers for my size.

What does writing mean to you?

I always try to contextualize my life experience, so it’s a way to get out all of the stuff swirling in my head. I also try to make myself laugh when writing.

What do you want to be remembered for?

Except for a tiny percentage of very famous people, you’re really only remembered by your own family and close friends. The rest doesn’t much matter.

12806151_10154585578114008_8777579707531401247_n — Thomas, on a recent heli-skiing adventure.

Want to check out my last Interview with an Interesting Person? Click Here, and stay tuned for more updates from the road. My Colombia Visa expires soon, and I am starting a new adventure in the United States of America.

God Bless, Sean:)

Interview with Sonya Sangster – Canadian Pilot and Global Activist

February 29, 2016April 12, 2018 by canadianhayes, posted in Blog, interviews

Sean Hayes: What are you currently working on?

Thomas Kohnstamm: I am just finishing up a novel I’ve been working on for a few years. Keeping it under wraps for now.

Would you rather be a worried genius or a joyful simpleton?

Worried genius. Although I’d rather come in short of being a genius and experience a mix of worry and joy. I’d pass on being a simpleton just to be more consistently happy.

Who defines good and evil?

pass

Why did you become an author?

For a recent high school graduate; Would you recommend 4 years traveling abroad, or 4 years of college?

Who do you envy?

What are you bored of?

Between writing, having a family, two dogs and way too many other interests, I don’t remember the last time I had open time on my hands, let alone experienced boredom.

How would you describe yourself?

I like to do things my own way. I try to be good to the people I care about. I like to push my boundaries. I like to stay up late. I can drink a lot of beers for my size.

What does writing mean to you?

I always try to contextualize my life experience, so it’s a way to get out all of the stuff swirling in my head. I also try to make myself laugh when writing.

What do you want to be remembered for?

Except for a tiny percentage of very famous people, you’re really only remembered by your own family and close friends. The rest doesn’t much matter.

God Bless, Sean:)

Is it Possible to Set A Goal Too high?

February 4, 2015April 12, 2018 by canadianhayes, posted in Blog, interviews

Here is a great post from my high school math tutor, Elissa Joy Watts. She has always been an inspiration to me (and I think most people who know her would say the same), and I’m honored to have inspired her post. If you want to read “Reach for the sky. It’s worth it”, click the image below.

Gobackpacking.com – Book Review for Five Weeks in the Amazon

February 2, 2015 by canadianhayes, posted in Blog, interviews

As I am writing this post, I am close enough to ride a bicycle to Angkor Wat Temple, in Siem Reap Colombia.

But this story began last year when I flew to Bogota Colombia to finish writing Five Weeks in the Amazon. After a month I decided Medellin was going to be my next destination. I wasn’t sure where I was going to stay, but I had been in contact with David Lee, a professional travel blogger who happened to live in Medellin. Not only that, but he wrote the Medellin Travel Guide.

Originally I contacted him to pitch a guest post idea for his website gobackpacking.com, and after a few emails, I asked him where I could find a cheap place to live for a month. He said his roommate was moving out in 4 days and he had a room available in 4 days. I think it was about $200 for a furnished private room, and it just happened to be directly next to the best skate park in town.

I left Medellin and flew to the Caribbean Coast to a town called Taganga. There was only one problem, when I checked into my hostel and opened my backpack, my computer had been stolen. I called Dave to see if I’d left it in his apartment, but it wasn’t there. It didn’t stop me from writing, it delayed the editing process, but it gave me the chance to write some fun short stories by hand. One of my favorites is, With love, the bar staff…

Dave was one of the first people that I sent a review copy of my book, He posted a personal review of my book on gobackpacking.com, and although he didn’t like the original idea I pitched to him about the time I was in South Africa and swam with Great White Sharks.

But he liked my book, which is much better story anyhow!

The Vancouver Sun Interviews ME! “Man Takes Jungle Journey to Self-Awareness”

January 31, 2015April 12, 2018 by canadianhayes, posted in Blog, interviews

When I was a child I would hear The Vancouver Sun hit the cement in front of my house every morning before I got up for school. Next, my mom would knock on my bedroom door and tell me it was time to wake up and take a shower. When I was a teenager I was always tired in the morning.

I would walk like a zombie downstairs, turn on the shower and then crouch down in the fetal position and fall back to sleep leaning against the warm tiles. I don’t remember how many times I did this, but more than a few times I would be woken up by my parents knocking on the door telling me I was taking too long.

I would get out, dry myself off, stare at myself in dismay in the mirror (by 13 I already felt awkward about my looks and inability to retain my “first girlfriend”). After putting on clothes for school I would go to the kitchen and pour myself a huge bowl of cereal.

My dad would sometimes have already left for work, but the morning edition of The Vancouver Sun would be sitting on the kitchen table every morning. What started as an interest in the comics soon developed into a curiosity for current events and world happenings.

I am feel honored that they reviewed my book, Five Weeks in the Amazon, in their Entertainment section. I am not sure if my parents have seen it yet (it was just published online, and I am in Cambodia 15 hours ahead of them in Vancouver), but I know they get it delivered to their home each day and I’m wondering if they will come across it while eating breakfast.

Happy Saturday mom and dad. Thank you for subscribing to a worthwhile, and educational daily paper, and thank you Corry Anderson-Fennel for writing the book review for The Vancouver Sun. If you are interested in signing up for my next big update from Cambodia click here.

Vision and Verse Interview ME!

January 23, 2015April 12, 2018 by canadianhayes, posted in interviews

Vision and Verse is a place for artists and authors. It’s about the new artists and authors of today as well as the established creative minds of the past. It’s about inspiration. This is from a quick interview they posted on their site. My favorite question was:

What advice would you give someone who aspired to be a writer?

-There was one sentece I heard a few years ago and I have repeated it over and over in my head at least 1000 times. “The diference between someone who is an author and someone who isn’t an author is that an author has written a book.” The main thing is to write every day, set a time, set a word count, do whatever works for you, but know it takes time and dedication.

Follow the link if you want to read the full interview on Vision and Verse, and if you haven’t seen my new book Five Weeks in the Amazon, click here now…

E-Book Cover Design GOLD STAR AWARD for Five Weeks in the Amazon

January 22, 2015January 22, 2015 by canadianhayes, posted in Blog, interviews

I got an email from thebookdesigner.com that the E-Book cover for Five Weeks in the Amazon won the Gold-Star Award for the month of December in their monthly E-Book cover contest. Of course, all credit goes to Rory Doyle who was able to take my constant desire to be hands on and deliver an amazing product.

Here is what the talented Joel Friedlander had to say about the Gold Star Award given to my cover. Joel not only judges who gets awarded these coveted prizes, he is an amazing resource to aspiring indie authors & self-publishers like myself.

JF: A strong cover that cleverly makes the assertive type part of the illustration, drawing us into the image too. And that simmering pot is evocative, it just makes you want to know more. ★

Thanks again Joel Friedlander and thebookdesigner.com, and if you haven’t had a chance to order a copy, I have just updated it to include 6 new pages of pictures.

Click here to order

Interview on CBC Radio – The Early Edition with Rick Cluff

January 15, 2015January 15, 2015 by canadianhayes, posted in Blog, interviews

I spent a lot of time listening to CBC Radio when I was young. Most of my summer break I would live on a small island named Bowyer, just outside of Vancouver. My grandmother and me loved listening to The Vinyl Cafe with Stuart Mclean.

When I came back from Colombia, I went to live on Bowyer to remove myself from distractions (there is no power, public access, and many days me and my dog were the only ones on the island). I had the same routine every for months. Wake up, make coffee, turn on CBC Radio on my grandmothers Sony Sport AM/FM Boombox and work on editing Five Weeks in the Amazon.

Our national radio station provides unique cultural and social insight gives a (mostly) unbiased view of world news and current events. The liberty to be myself and express myself without the fear of true contempt is something that’s been given to me carte blanche. Growing up in Canada, I can speak freely.

When I published Five Weeks in the Amazon, it set a personal goal to somehow get on CBC radio. Just over a month after my book was published I was is an interviewed for the morning show, The Early Edition with Rick Cluff. If want to hear the live recording it can be found at right here.

Sean Michael Hayes pens book about journey to Amazon

Former pro skateboarder Sean Michael Hayes writes about his journey to self-discovery

By The Early Edition, CBC News Posted: Jan 14, 2015 1:30 PM PT

Tsawwassen, B.C., native Sean Michael Hayes seemed to have had it all: he was a pro skateboarder as a teenager, and by the time he was 25, he had been featured in SBC Skateboard Magazine, travelled around the world, managed other pro skaters and earned a six-figure salary while living in California.

But by the time he was 28, Hayes’ life had come crashing down. He lost his job, his marriage fell apart, and nothing he tried seemed to lift him out of a deep unhappiness.

In 2012, the now 31-year-old travelled to the Amazon in Peru to seek out a shaman who he believed would have answers for him. Last month, Hayes self-published a book, Five Weeks in the Amazon to document his journey to self-discovery.

“I thought as humans, we’re quite natural, and I figured what more natural place than the Amazon,” he told The Early Edition’s Rick Cluff.

Hayes was diagnosed with depression in his early 20s. He said he tried to treat his depression naturally, through healthy eating and an active lifestyle.

“It didn’t work. I could do all this hard work and still end up feeling devastated, and I wanted to figure out why.”

He spent five weeks in Peru with a shaman, searching for answers.

“I was able to clearly separate what I now know is mental health illness and continue to go forward in my life while managing that and not let this unknown darkness take control.”

After he returned from the Amazon, Hayes started taking medication for his depression.

He plans to continue travelling and writing. He has a one-way ticket to Thailand that departs next Saturday.

The Delta Optimist, Leisure & Lifestyle Page 1

January 13, 2015 by canadianhayes, posted in Blog, interviews

An interview for The Delta Optimist

Amazon adventure

Tsawwassen native pens book chronicling journey in Peru

The author, who grew up in Tsawwassen and graduated from South Delta Secondary, self-published the book last month after a successful Kickstarter crowdfunding campaign.

Hayes, 31, a former pro skateboarder who went on to work in the skateboarding industry, says he went on the trip looking for answers. Hayes had a six-figure salary by the time he was 25 but by 28 he had lost his job, marriage as well as himself, according to a press release.

After great successes it felt like things came falling apart, he says.

“There were a lot of things I wanted answers to and no matter what I tried in our Western society, whether it be researching, reading the books, trying to study spirituality, going to the doctors, I couldn’t really figure it out here,” he says. “I thought maybe going back to our natural way of solving these problems might be the answer and that’s why I went and sought out this shaman.”

Hayes found the shaman and says he learned all about her medicines and practices.

“All I pretty much knew was her name and area of the jungle, but in these kinds of places that was enough.”

He took ayahuasca, a psychedelic brew, and went on a natural diet.

“What I had envisioned in my mind was a lot more extreme than what it was,” he says of the ayahuasca experience.
“I was thinking I was going to go there and holy crap it was going to be this extreme thing that was going to take me to another planet.”

Hayes estimates he had about 300 bug bites within the first week in the Amazon but over the last week of the trip, due to his new diet, he’d only got bit a couple of times.

“You become in sync with nature a little bit. You’re eating the right food from the right place and you get in sync.”

He describes the diet as really simple with the main thing being the removal of all preservatives, seasonings and most meats.

Hayes went to the Amazon in November of 2012 and wrote in a travel journal each day.

“I’d write at least a page or two of what I was experiencing,” he says.

He had a launch event for his debut book at Four Winds Brewing Company in Tilbury.

Hayes, who had been living in California the last eight years, has been doing a lot of travelling lately. He’s been backpacking in Colombia and says he’s heading to Thailand this month.

Hayes says he really enjoys travelling.

“One of the things I really feel is important is just basically living a happy and fulfilled life.”

Five Weeks in the Amazon is available at Amazon.com or canadianhayes.com.

His next book is a collection of his favourite poems and short stories he’s written over the last decade. It’s expected to be released early this year.

Follow him on Twitter and Instagram and other social media @Canadianhayes.