Today we’d like to introduce you to Richard Kittelstad.
Hi Richard, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
I am a professional pianist who had gained an intense desire to hike and explore the American West and Mid-West. Originally a professional golfer, I exchanged my ability to play piano after playing 4 years on the University of South Florida Men’s Golf Team at golf courses in Tampa to play free golf in order to pursue professional golf. Over time I developed a career playing professional piano at high-end restaurants and clubs in the Tampa Bay Area.
Being self-employed through that, allowed me the time, funds, and flexibility to travel around the country for the last 4 years, by leaving one of my cars at various airports during long road trips, flying back to work on weekends, and continuing my hiking and camping experiences.
To date, I have a large piano youtube Channel that I work on while on the road at RICKY KEYS, and this keeps me busy while on the road, along with writing blogs about these adventures. To date, I have been able to go to every state in the contiguous USA, and almost every National Park and Monument, along with countless secluded, and secret peaceful areas to hike, and experience.
Can you talk to us about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way? Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
As far as travel… it has been very bumpy! There is a pun there intended, however, the experiences on the road hiking, and off-roading with a little corolla around the USA have been things one may only read about. However, I don’t prefer smooth roads when it comes to finding new and exciting places.
It has been VERY enjoyable, and not one bit of regret, so with that, the trials and tribulation of getting to my destinations have been absolutely an intricate and necessary part of the journey finding sites… and inevitably myself.
It has been a unique and exciting life being able to pursue everything I have a passion for and being able to make a decent income from these areas of my life.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I am a professional pianist, but also an online Youtube influencer, who makes a part-time income from my online work. I also play professional golf… albeit in a smaller amount, often in central Florida. I never go to work, which is what I love the most… everything I have done up to this point has been overall pure enjoyment, being able to perform for people, and supplement my goals at a young age.
In this field, I am very proud to be one of the most prominent pianists in Central Florida, and on my Youtube Channel, to have the most piano videos in the world for an individual artist (self-proclaimed until I find otherwise). I believe my ability to enjoy such performance allows me to network and perform for free, thus building a network within my career. As far as traveling, that mindset drips over into my road trips.
I am able to understand that the best things in life can be free, and it doesn’t take a huge budget to find peace and happiness on the road, in the woods, by yourself, or with others. As far as what sets me apart… my inspiration and passion to pursue this, no matter what the risk, has put me in incredible positions that people would like to experience, but I have found many to be afraid to pursue due to the perceived risk/reward factor.
What would you say has been one of the most important lessons you’ve learned?
I would have to say that peace and happiness are found within, and can be found quicker in nature. In my opinion and preference, I have found Utah and its sites to be at the top of places I have a passion to visit and explore, and inevitably find happiness in.
Though I believe happiness is always a work in progress (such as working at a golf swing), it can be accentuated by finding peace within our passions. In my case… that is travel.
Contact Info:
- Website: http://thecelestinejourney.com/
- Instagram: @thecelestinejourney
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheCelestineJourney
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/CelestineJourny
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCxHy0Rs3VSA5tX2fOKxBg5Q
