Meet Apollo The Original

Today we’d like to introduce you to Apollo The Original.

Hi Apollo The Original, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
I was born in a country that no longer exists – USSR. Growing up we didn’t have much and there was one thing that I liked the most – watching movies. Hollywood movies in specific. I remember myself being probably 7yo thinking “Why it’s so beautiful in America?” Californian weather and nature fascinated me and the more I watched America movies the more I was sure that I was born in a “wrong place”.

I have never liked my home country’s movies, music, entertainment industry. You could ask 10yo me what Hollywood studio, director and producer filmed that movie and I would answer you right away. I knew all the actors and directors.

I turned to teenage years and had this insane dissonance in my head. I was watching “American Pie” movies and seeing American youth having fun, living in big houses, driving cars and hanging out with girls on beautiful sunny days on the beach and then looking out my window and seeing rain, cold and everything that communist regime left of my country – it was mindbending for me.

Since right from my early childhood I knew I will live in the USA – I started learning English language and exceeded teacher’s and parents’ expectations. I played RPG video games, reading all the dialogues because I knew this is gonna help me in the future.

After graduating business college I started my first retail business which after a few years I sold and started my media journey. In just a few years I became one of the first and top podcasters in my home country Lithuania. My partner and I filmed numerous documentaries and successfully sold it to our national television. I wrote 2 books that became national bestsellers and at that time I knew the time has come for me to step my game up – move to the country I’ve dreamed about for almost 30 years.

One day I was walking and had this voice in my head (I know it sounds clichet but that really happened). The message was clear “Go to the US and do podcasts worldwide”.

That’s what I did the next year. Now here I am – 2 years in my dream country doing what I really like and striving to succeed in it.

I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
The path that we went through can only be understood by immigrants. New country. No friends. No family. It’s just you and a huge internal desire to succeed. And don’t get me wrong, I’m still struggling and climbing that “mountain” but I believe and hope that my hardest years are past behind me.

What kept me going was my newly obtained faith in Jesus Christ. Since I was born in a communist country – religion was banned and although our family celebrated Christmas and Easter – I never knew who Jesus was.

At some point I was so mad at God himself because I couldn’t get what I wanted (like a candy for a kid). I literally mocked people who believed in Christ as I thought they were being stupid for believing in a fairy tale.

My problem with God was that I associated Him with Catholicism. My home country Lithuania is very Catholic and religious. At least on paper. I could never understand how can someone listen to a non-elected by people Pope, Vatican and other “middle men” between you and God. Never liked Catholic traditions, they way they dressed, couldn’t have families and those pedo scandals. In my mind, God was equal what I heard from the news and Catholics around the globe.

Nevertheless once I got to the US I went to a church and since I’ve seen in the movies that American churches are not like Europeans I was intrigued and kind of gave a second chance. Just in 2 years I reconnected with God and proclaimed Jesus Christ as my Lord and Savior.

Since then my life has been accelerated and journey to my dream became so much easier because I know that God put me in this place for a reason and he has got my back.

Every night when I put my head on a pillow I thank Him for everything that I have. For my family, our health and opportunity to live in my dream country. I believe that being grateful is a must have for every individual no matter where he is now and what he wants to achieve.

I’m so thankful for having roof over my head and food on the table. I know for sure, as long as I’m healthy and God is with me – everything is possible and attainable.

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I started doing podcasts in my home country Lithuania in 2016 and since there are only 3 million people speaking Lithuanian language, I acknowledged that if I want to cover big stories and do it worldwide – I have to make a move to the “centre of the universe” which is America.

Here I am now. In 2,5 years I managed to film more than 100 podcast episodes with various guests from all walks of life. My main purpose is to give value for my audience. My subscriber count is close to 90 000 on Youtube and 150 000 on Instagram.

I am beyond grateful to everyone watching my show because without my audience this dream of mine would be impossible.

Before we go, is there anything else you can share with us?
I encourage everyone to seek God and His only begotten Son – Jesus Christ. In times of despair we all need that “shoulder” to lean on and there’s no human being on planet Earth who can help more than Christ himself.

Personally I am not religious because religion was created by humans. I follow Christ and his teaching and the best part is that He doesn’t ask me anything in return. Honestly, there is nothing that I can offer rather than my faith in Him.

Being a follower of Christ costs you nothing. It doesn’t require some kind of a ritual performance, tithing to a church, praying 10 times a day and etc. All He wants from us is to love Him with all our hearts and treat others as we want them to treat us.

That’s it. Our salvation and His love is free. That’s why I would love to see more people turning to Christ because everyone can “afford” it.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.apollotheoriginal.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/apollo.the.original
• Twitter: https://x.com/apollotheorigin
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@ApolloTheOriginalPodcast