In our next Get To Know article, where we introduce you to another of the cogs in the wheel of ONEOFTHE8, we sit down with co-founder and chief podcaster, Jake Whalley. If you're a regular to our podcast then you'll be familiar with the voice behind our narration already but to help you get a little more insight into the minds behind the movement here, we turn the interviewer into the interviewee. As with all of our Get To Know posts, we scrap mundane biographical questions for an inquisition of inspiration, to help you better understand our story.
Jake's conscious curiosity, magnetism towards the extraordinary and network of friends from all corners of the globe make him quintessentially ONEOFTHE8. He delves into the narratives of our guests with utmost respect and appreciation for who they are and what they believe in. What you might not know though is that Jake has got a fair few stories of his own to tell. Moving across the world at the tender age of 18 to attend university in New Jersey with a scholarship in tennis, a conversation with Jake is always colourful - the kind of person you always walk away from smiling and full of get-up-and-go.
Perhaps one day we'll get him on the podcast, sitting in the hot seat but for now, find out more about Jake, what made him who he is today and what continues to empower him on a daily basis...
What does the word ‘home’ mean to you?
Home is the physical version of the happy place you go to in your head when you daydream. It's the place that's full of memories, full of moments,full of life, a place I always love to go. Picture those sunny afternoons where your head wanders at its own accord to a happy place, that's the same sensation I get when I walk through the front door.
Proudest moment?
I'm still pretty young and like our Filmmaker Abby said in her answer to this, I truly believe there is lots more to come. But if I had to pinpoint one moment so far, it has to be my university graduation ceremony. Not just because it took place in an NFL stadium or because Bon Jovi crashed the ceremony and performed live to my class. But because as I walked along the stage and looked up into the stands, my family were there to share the moment. After all the support they had given through my time there, I felt like we'd done it together. (Although they will never take any credit for this). I remember Bon Jovi saying, "Make sure to enjoy the chapters of your life, you're the one writing the book" and this has always stuck with me.
Who would you like to meet for dinner if you could?
Anyone who knows me, knows I am a Liverpool FC fan, so this is going to seem predictable, but bear with me. My answer has to be Jurgen Klopp. Not because he wins trophies for the club, but because of who he is as a person. His infectious personality, his outlook on life and his positive high energy are fantastic. I think he fits the ONEOFTHE8 bill quite well.....
If money wasn’t a concern, what would your life look like?
I really don't think it would look very much different (and I feel very lucky to be able to say this), just more carefree. I'd take care of any issues my family or friends might have that money could solve. I went to an event once where the speaker said, "money can't buy you happiness or health, but I promise you, being able to write a cheque can solve 90% of most people's day-to-day problems".
If you could control your dreams, what would you dream about?
I don't know about you, but my dreams take me to some pretty wacky and creative places sometimes. So I'd create dreams where the situations I have in my real life are happening and then see what solutions the dreaming version of myself comes up with. (I can't guarantee they'd all be useful, but they help you think outside the box).
Favourite childhood memory?
New Year's Eve, every year. I come from a very small family and I used to love it when all the family would get together in one place and we'd have a party. Lots of food, drink, Jools Holland at the stroke of midnight and a firework fueled walk round the block at 12:05.
What 1 hour chunk of history would you like to see if it could be captured on video to watch?
The moment where it all began. Irrelevant to whether you fall on the religious or scientific side of this debate, having some sort of answer as to why or how any of this exists would just be mind blowing.
You get one text...maximum 150 characters, it's going to everyone in the world, what does it say?
From this day forward, do something that puts a smile on somebody's face. Live a life that breeds success, love and happiness for yourself, those you care about and the place you live in.
What would you tell the 20 year old version of yourself?
Although that was only 5 years ago for me, the biggest thing I would tell myself is to invest in the people around you. Whether it be for professional, emotional or social reasons, your network not only determines your success in life, but it's also a massive reflection on who you are as a person.
If you could travel anywhere in the world, where and why?
I've been very lucky to travel to a lot of places for someone my age, but South America is somewhere I'd love to explore. The people I've met from there are friendly, sharing and community focused. So I'd love to see that part of the world and experience what their version of home is.