Steve Valentine—magician and actor—shares how magic reignites our child-like sense of wonder and play, helping us believe that anything is possible.   He recalls how, as a boy in the UK, he discovered his fascination with magic. In the school yard, a fellow student made a knot disappear. Steve enjoyed the trick, but was captivated by the effect the magic had on him and the other kids.  Making up his mind to be a magician and an actor, he started grabbing books and teaching himself. A mentor in a local magic group helped him kick his skills up to the next level. In his 20s, he was headlining at the Magic Castle in Los Angeles and performing in venues around the world.  Pigeonholed—especially in Hollywood circles—as a magician, he wasn’t getting traction as an actor. So Steve turned his back on magic, and put all his chips on acting. The gamble paid off. He landed his breakout role as Nigel Townsend on Crossing Jordan. This six-season gig led to roles on other series, and a career voicing characters in video games and animated movies.   A chance encounter with a magician from his original magic group, in a completely unlikely place, shocked him into the realization that he couldn’t give up magic. He had to pursue both his passions. Creating shows around his unique set of skills and talents turned out to be the winning combination.   Steve’s story of bold risks and an unflagging belief in himself will get you fired up to go after your next “It Has To Be Me.”  TESS’S TAKEAWAYS: Magic is not about fooling people; it's inviting them to believe in possibility.  Honesty and authenticity is your greatest strength in performance and in life.   Mentorship and community are vital for growth and resilience.  Teaching others enhances your creativity and sparks new ideas. Step out of your comfort zone and transcend what you think you’re capable of.  Adopt the “Why not me?” mindset and ask for what you want.  Be open to anything. Things never turn out the way you think. Often, it’s better.  Lean into what makes you different. Your uniqueness is your superpower.   ABOUT STEVE VALENTINE  Steve Valentine is a Scottish-American actor and award-winning close-up magician with a penchant for playing wild and quirky characters and entertaining live audiences with his humorous card tricks and quick wit.  On screen, he is best known for playing criminologist Nigel Townsend on Crossing Jordan, ‘80s rock legend Derek Jupiter in I'm In The Band, and Dracula in the Monster High movies.  He’s voiced characters in animated series, including Riley Rocket, Mickey and the Roadster Racers, and Tinkerbell. Gamers know him as the voices of Harry Flynn in Uncharted 2: Among Thieves and Alistair in the Dragon Age franchise.  On stage, Steve has headlined in Las Vegas and at the Magic Castle in Hollywood, and venues worldwide, performing his brand of high-energy magic and comedy. Highlights include national tours with The Illusionists and his one-man shows Life and Other Deceptions and Mr Valentine Blows Your Mind.  To preserve the history and craft of magic and to teach novice magicians, Steve created Magic On The Go, an online video encyclopedia. In his podcast, Magicians Only, he shares his love of magic and storytelling.  CONNECT WITH STEVE Website: https://stevevalentine.squarespace.com/ Podcast:

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