Last night… I did it. I got up on stage and performed my first open mic comedy set. And that, right there… was the win. A couple of weeks ago, this was just an idea— sitting at Angelo’s Larchmont Pizzeria, watching the comedians from the Camden Comedy Collective, meeting Selena, feeling the energy, and thinking… “Maybe I try this.” What struck me right away watching them was one word— Courage. To get up there… take the mic… and just go. And another word— Exposure. You’re putting yourself out there. No hiding. No safety net. And last night… that was me. That “maybe” turned into curiosity. That curiosity turned into action. I put together a story… a few jokes… practiced a bit… walked up with my notes… and stepped onto that stage. Was I nervous? Oh yeah. But it was that kind of nervous energy… the kind you want. The kind that reminds you—you’re alive. And here’s what surprised me… I felt at home up there. And I felt something else too— A real connection with the other comedians. A bond. Because now I understand what it takes to stand in that space… to be seen… to be heard… to be exposed. And I’ve got a whole new respect for that crew. A great group of guys doing something real. I got some laughs. I got some feedback. I connected with people I knew… and people I didn’t. And I enjoyed it. I haven’t watched the video yet— (laughs) I know I’m going to see all the things I’d want to improve. But that’s part of the process. What’s interesting is… I don’t feel a strong pull to jump right back up there immediately. And that reminds me of the first time I tried sushi years ago in San Francisco… Loved the experience… tried everything… and then… nothing. Until months later— I had a craving. And I went back. So maybe that’s what this is. Because what I do know is this— I can get up there… create something… and connect with people. And that connection… That’s what I love. So will I go back up again? We’ll see. But I’ll tell you this— Last night wasn’t about being a comedian.

Next Sunday on the Living Strong Radio Show, I sit down with someone very special — my wife, @Renee Chambers-Liciaga Renee grew up surrounded by music. Her father, Roland Chambers, worked with the legendary Philadelphia International Records, and her mother was part of the iconic group The Orlons. From those roots, Renee built her own journey in the performing arts — including Starlight Express and now rehearsing for Jelly’s Last Jam at Bristol Riverside Theatre. In this conversation, we talk about music, theater, resilience, and what it really means to stand up for what you believe in. This short clip is just a preview. The full interview drops next Sunday on the Living Strong Radio Show. Will be released for public on Sunday 3/22/26 here: https://youtu.be/3TgJ0mCMriQ

Premiering Sunday 3/15/26 Over the past few weeks, we’ve begun sharing a new series here in the Living Strong Community called Voices of Starlight—conversations with artists who helped bring the extraordinary musical Starlight Express to life on stages around the world. This Sunday, we’ll release the next conversation in the series, featuring Reva Rice. Many members of the Starlight community will remember Reva from her remarkable performances as Pearl in the Broadway production of Starlight Express and on the U.S. National Tour. Today, her journey with the show continues in a beautiful way as she performs the role of Mama in the legendary Bochum production in Germany. During our conversation, Reva shared the story of how her Starlight journey first began. We talked about: • how she first discovered the Starlight Express audition • what the audition process was like • her memories of stepping into the role of Pearl on Broadway • the challenges and lessons that came from performing in such a demanding and unique show • the moment Starlight returned to her life when she was invited to play Mama in Bochum • and what the Starlight community and experience have meant to her over the years. As with the other interviews in this series, the conversation is presented in a very natural way with minimal editing so that the humanity of the conversation—memories, reflections, and stories—can be experienced as authentically as possible. The interview will premiere here in the community this Sunday. I’m deeply grateful to our Living Strong Community members, and especially our Premier members, whose support helps make projects like this possible. If you’ve already seen the first two interviews in the series with Kelly Holmes and Janeen & George Livings, I’d love to hear what stood out to you. And when the conversation with Reva is released on Sunday, I hope you’ll join us and share your reflections as well. Living Strong.

There are men who pass through life… And then there are men who leave a mark so deep, you can still feel their presence even when they’re gone. Chuck Norris was one of those men. To the world, he was strength. A fighter. A champion. An icon. But to those who truly paid attention… he was something more refined… A man of faith. A man of discipline. A man who understood that martial arts was never just about combat— It was about character. A Defining Moment — Fort Pierce, Florida (Mid-80s) I want to share something personal… Back in the mid-80s—around 1984 or ’85—I was living in Fort Pierce, Florida. I was doing construction work… Training in martial arts… And at the same time, I was a ballet dancer. Yeah… that combination right there already tells you the kind of path I was walking. And then one day… life lined something up. Chuck Norris was in town filming Invasion U.S.A.. And I got the chance to meet him. Now let me tell you something… For a young martial artist… trying to find his way… that moment was monumental. But what stayed with me wasn’t just who he was… It was how he was. He was gracious. Present. Grounded. We spoke about martial arts… we spoke about acting… And when I shared that I was a ballet dancer training in martial arts— he didn’t look at that sideways. He appreciated it. He respected it. He thought it was cool. And that right there… That told me everything I needed to know about the man. Because a secure man… a real martial artist… Doesn’t judge the path— He recognizes the discipline behind it. The Lesson That Stayed With Me You see… moments like that… They don’t just pass. They plant something. That interaction showed me: Strength can be kind. Confidence can be quiet. And greatness doesn’t need to announce itself. The Man Beyond the Legend He didn’t just play the role of a strong man… He lived it. Quiet confidence. Unshakable values. A presence that said, “I know who I am.” And he stood on that. In his beliefs.

Six years ago, I had the privilege of sitting down with a man whose quiet influence shaped one of the most extraordinary theatrical experiences of our generation. Michal Fraley was not just a skate coach. He was a guide. A craftsman. A steady presence in the storm of one of the most physically demanding shows ever created. Born on September 1, 1959, in Santa Rosa, California, Michal’s journey would carry him across continents and into the core of Starlight Express history. What many may not know is that his role went far beyond teaching performers how to skate. He became the resident skate coach for multiple productions around the world — including the United States, the United Kingdom, Las Vegas, touring companies, and the long-running production in Bochum, Germany. For decades, if you stepped into Starlight Express, you likely stepped through Michal’s training. He taught balance. He taught fear management. He taught discipline under pressure. And in a show where speed and spectacle could easily overpower substance, Michal insisted on control, awareness, and artistry. That’s what made him special. He understood that skating wasn’t just technical — it was emotional. Performers arrived talented but often terrified. He guided them through that transformation. He helped them find confidence on wheels. He helped them trust themselves. In our interview six years ago, we spoke about more than choreography and technique. We spoke about the arc of the performer’s journey — how mastering the physical demands of the show mirrors mastering life itself. Fear. Frustration. Breakthrough. Growth. Grace under pressure. Michal later captured many of his reflections in his memoir, Skating the Starlight Express, where he wrote about the deeper lessons hidden inside the work — how the struggle to stay upright on wheels is not so different from the struggle to stay centered in life.