Check Out Amir Ekbatani’s Story

Today we’d like to introduce you to Amir Ekbatani

Hi Amir, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
I have been an athlete my whole life and enjoyed a successful football career that culminated in becoming a starting offensive lineman for the UCLA Bruins (2006-2009). After my football career ended, I was involved in a catastrophic auto accident while I was riding my motorcycle in 2012. The collision nearly killed me, Doctors gave me a 2% chance of survival. My left leg was crushed and essentially severed at the scene of the crash and had to be amputated from the knee down. I overcame a lot during this period of my life. I endured over a dozen major surgeries on my leg in the 4 years it took me to return to walking completely unassisted. My mother died. I contributed majorly to the failure of my engagement with a woman who was very good to me and supported me through the first couple years of this journey. I was also involved in a very high profile and complex lawsuit pertaining to the accident that was invasive and exhausting. Throughout all of this, I went back to graduate school at USC on a Swim With Mike scholarship, graduating in 2016 with a MBA from the Marshall School of Business.

During this time I spent most of it alone in my empty apartment in Santa Monica. I had a lot of time on my hands in between surgeries. For whatever reason I became obsessed with music and wanting to learn how to play and create it. When I think back to back then, the only peace I would find would be in figuring out my favorite songs on piano and guitar, and running vocal scales trying to smooth out my pitch and intonation problems. It reminded me of practicing when I was a football player. I would also play open mics at the coffeehouse at USC after class. It was one of the most terrifying things I ever did. It reminded me of playing in front of 70,000 people at the Rose Bowl. It brought me to life.

I gave up on music about a handful of times from 2014 to now. I found that I couldnt be the best version of whatever I was trying to be by multitasking and leading the double life. At the time I started teaching fitness classes around LA because it seemed fun and I could work in the odd hours I didnt have class, like very early morning and late night. Fitness was such an incredible journey. I taught at most of the established studios and big box gyms in West LA during this time and eventually was hired by Apple to teach for their Fitness Plus service.

I found that my favorite part about anything that I was doing always brought me back to music. Particularly with fitness, my favorite part of the job was making great playlists that would inspire people. That led me to learning how to DJ. Which lead me to learning how to produce. Which lead me to where I am now….a self producing and self releasing artist.

I built a music studio in Montana and started an indie record label named amirite music. I am the first artist on the label, and the guinea pig, and have released two singles this year off of what will be my debut album released at some point in the fall.

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
I mentioned a lot of the struggles in the last page but to get into detail, I’d say that the biggest struggle with everything I have ever done has been imposter syndrome. Ive always felt like I didnt belong and would tip toe around to ensure no one would notice and say “hey what is HE doing here?”. With football, fitness, even being an amputee and taking a shot at adaptive athletics.

Despite always feeling this way, I’ve still achieved success in my life which I am immensely grateful for. But I finally feel like I belong where I am. I can recognize that I am not the most talented, or experienced, or connected, or (fill in the blank)….but it doesnt really bother me because I am the only me and I think that brings a lot to the table. Ive gotten through a lot just being me while being apprehensive. I look forward to being me and bold, like how I feel now.

As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I am a singer/songwriter/producer as well as an indie record label exec. Im learning on the job currently as an artist, but in the sessions that Ive had writing and producing for other artists, I think what sets me a part is my point of view, emotional intelligence, and curiosity.

https://linktr.ee/amirekba?utm_source=linktree_admin_share

amirekbatani.com

instagram.com/amiritemusic

What were you like growing up?
I was a really introverted young boy. Very shy and sensitive. I got bullied really badly when I was a kid. I was taken away from my parents by Child Protective Services when I was around 7 and placed in foster care. My parents eventually got me back and when I got back I was just a troubled child with a rebellious streak. I had gained a lot of weight while gone. I think both the rebelliousness and the weight gain were coping mechanisms.

Anywho the combination led me to discovering football at 11 years old. My mom thought it would be a good idea and it was the best idea ever. I really struggled at first and it took about 5 years until I saw success on the field in high school as a junior. But most importantly, football really shaped my character and put me on the best path possible. It made me respectful, diligent, and humble. And I think thats how see myself as young man. That and extremely goofy. Im a huge goober. Still am.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://amirekbatani.com
• Instagram: https://instagram.com/amiritemusic
• Youtube: https://youtube.com/@amirekba?si=cteJnO3S1J142gnc

Image Credits
Anna Webber Photography

Go Shiggy Go Photography