"Living in a Circus!" Ft Nick Johnson

Life to the Max Podcast

They say nostalgia is a seductive liar, but when Max reconnected with his high school comrade Nick Johnson, the only fibs were the ones that made the stories even funnier. From the mischief in Mr. Butcher's auto class to the shenanigans in the neighborhood, we shared a hearty laugh reliving the moments that solidify lifelong friendships. As the tales unfolded, the episode turned a corner, revealing the unexpected twists Nick's life took—from BMX tricks to circus flips.
Taking to the rails, Nick traveled with a group of performers who could turn a train car into a home and a parking lot into a playground. We discussed the intricacies of circus life, from the compact living quarters on the train, complete with their own culinary delights, to the thrill of executing the perfect stunt under the big top. It's a life of perpetual motion, where the bonds of a shared journey create a family in motion, and where I learned that the biggest adventures often come with the smallest living spaces.
The final act of our conversation was a heartfelt nod to the evolution of personal narratives. Life, like a circus, keeps moving, and I've gone from the dazzle of the spotlight to the warmth of home where family and music now take center stage. With a chuckle and a strum on my guitar, I looked back at the ride with Manjok and the troop, and ahead to gigs with my band, Side Rail. So, step right up to this episode, relive the laughter, the leaps, and the life lessons learned from a world that's always under the big top.

Chapters

1. High School Memories and Reconnection (00:00:01)

2. BMX Riding and Circus Shows (00:11:23)

3. Joining the Circus (00:22:47)

4. Life on the Circus Train (00:31:07)

5. Life on the Circus Road (00:42:18)

6. Life on the Circus Train (00:47:01)

7. Life in the Circus (00:50:43)

8. Life in the Circus and Beyond (01:00:20)

9. Living Life to the Max (01:12:04)