Today we’d like to introduce you to Nick Apostolides.
Hi Nick, 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?
It never ceases to amaze me how manifestation works and the ability of things to come “full-circle”. All of my life, I have gravitated towards connection. Connection with myself, my family, friends and even strangers alike. Interpersonal relationships are a huge source of my energy so it doesn’t surprise me that I aim to incorporate them into much of what I pursue as an adult. I began acting over a decade ago with the intention of positively affecting the way people thought about certain areas in their own lives. I was greatly moved by cinema growing up, and I wanted to serve as a vessel for a similar impact on others – to reach an audience I may never even meet. This evolved and the “plan” started to reveal itself. Fast forward 5-6 years when persistence presented me an opportunity within the industry that aligned perfectly with my path…I now work as a Host/Builder on an international Docu-build series called THE FIXERS (https://www.byutv.org/thefixers).
For nearly 4 years, my team and I have traveled to 23 different countries, filmed 30 episodes, and have just wrapped our 3rd season. What do we do? We partner with incredibly special non-profit organizations with very particular needs, provide assistance, resources, manpower and together, we help them achieve their goal. The focus is community-building. Whether it’s providing clean drinking water and renovating a condemned school for a village of 800 people in Nicaragua, building a Horse Therapy ranch for orphans with special needs in Bulgaria, or constructing a skilled-trades workshop out of bamboo for single mothers in Ecuador, we address and tackle a need. We break through the language barrier and learn from each others cultures. We CONNECT with the community, build our hearts out for one week and bring awareness to AMAZING movements of positivity. Our projects have helped literally 10’s of thousands of people around the globe. It’s the most rewarding project I’ve ever been a part of.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Although I wouldn’t trade this adventure for anything, sure, it does come with its challenges.
There’s the physical aspect of it. Due to our condensed build period of only 5-6 days, some of these projects are absolutely massive undertakings. We are often at the mercy of how much local help (builders/volunteers) we have access to in these countries. Sometimes we have an abundance, sometimes it’s just right, and sometimes it’s barely enough. When it’s the latter, our individual workloads and responsibilities are dialed up to 11, and the days become LONG and arduous.
Because we are an international episodic, the time zones are all over the map (no pun intended) and we just don’t have time to acclimate. When we land, we build, and that’s it… The varying weather/climate is also tough to get used to. We’ve done a below-0 build just south of the Arctic Ocean in Alaska and then one in the 105 degree heat of the unforgiving Amazon Rainforest in Bolivia, where the humidity makes Florida seem dry as a bone. You could say it’s a test of endurance and stamina < big time.
The danger and risk factor is also considered when choosing these countries. Crime is a concern, along with natural disaster.
Haiti is one of the poorest countries in the entire world. While building there, a coup rose up to overthrow the government. With national civil unrest, the streets became a VERY dangerous place to be. Literally. We had to re-route our travel to and from our build due to roadblocks of barbed wire, debris and burning tires.
While we were on the plane about to touch down to Puerto Rico last year in early 2020, it was hit with a massive earthquake. Upon landing and building, the island was hit with dozens of aftershocks – 2 of which we FELT. We were on Tsunami-alert until we left.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?People would always ask my younger self what I wanted to be in life. “Architect/Builder” was the first answer I can remember giving. Manifestation – it works. I was lucky enough to have been raised by two loving and supportive parents. My mom was the creative, theatrical crafter, and my father was the jack-of-all-trades. For 38 years, I’ve been reminded daily that I am perfect mix of them both. I have 20 years of experience in the trades (carpentry, painting, automotive) and now I get to create and design with my hands, *while connecting and helping people all around the globe. In my free time, I take graphite art commissions, burn wood signs for personal gifts, and have started creating custom live-edge furniture. I also act in video games as a Motion-Capture performer (that could be its very own article altogether!) Maybe next time…..
In a nutshell, THIS IS IT…. this is living out a dream that’s resonated in my soul for so long. I am so incredibly grateful for these opportunities and skills everyday. It makes me smile to know that I have found passion down so many paths as a hobbyist. I owe it to myself and to all that have invested faith in me to KEEP GOING.
Before we go, is there anything else you can share with us?
I would like to share a piece of advice my late grandfather shared with me. He was a traditional blue-collar guy with an iron-clad work ethic. He’d tell me, “Whatever it is you pursue in life, you gotta give it 120%. Not 70, not 90, but 120%”.
What I didn’t understand then but do now is that there will always be a line of people a mile long trying to do what you want to do. Don’t let that deter ~ let it motivate. You have to be willing to work harder than the majority to get what you want. When you apply yourself to something and give the world all that you are, that’s when you unlock your potential, and you’ll find what you are looking for.
You all ROCK. Now go kick some ass with a smile on your face!
Contact Info:
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: http://www.nickapostolides.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nick_apos/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/nick.apostolides.1
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/Nik_apostolides
- Other: https://streamily.com/nickapostolides/
