Oct 4, 2012
I've been talking about this thing called NTA for the longest time.I never really explained what it was, I would just go on about it via Twitter and go back to ranting about Chipotle or how terrible I think Swagyolo shirts are or something silly.But now it's about time to talk about it.
It's been a real struggle trying to own a brand and not emote that you're upset or that you don't like having to deal with certain aspect of this business/parts of the industry you're in.You just want to have this sense of fun and wonder translate over to the fans and leave it at that.But that's not fair to you.
HH is about the highs and the lows that go with living your life.It's an ever enduring struggle.It's not fair to show you guys just the highs and want to inspire you.I have to share these lows and in-betweens with what we do trying to come back from that to inspire YOU.So with that said, I've been thinking for the longest time, how do I do that?And that's where NTA comes in.
I've been having a lot of troubles both in and out of the brand.I haven't had the oppotunities to grow the brand the way I'd like to,as fast as I want to.I don't have a bunch of bloggers giving HH shine, I don't really sponsor anyone (see: broke),and the majority of what happens good or bad with HH comes from the fans.I just make good stuff and hope people buy it.That's it.
As for myself,I gave up a year just plotting up cool stuff with lots of caffeine and VERY LITTLE sleep......Doing so,I gained about 50 pounds,my right hand is badly injured to the point I will need a few surgeries in the next few years and I was hospitalized earlier this summer.My health was plummeting due to stress,strain,and God knows whatever else.It's still in progress.
Now normally when things are rough,I go into hiding for a few months, get myself right, and come back out a new man.But this time I want to share some of that process with YOU...that's right,I want to show you how to comeback.
People rarely understand that life doesn't always give you the tools you need to accomplish something.A lot of the time, you make that tool via invention.Can't afford something? You might trade or work for it.Car breaks, you walk or take the bus.There is more than one way to do one thing.There's a deep life lesson in that last sentence.So,I want you to write it down somewhere for me: THERE IS MORE THAN ONE WAY TO DO ONE THING.
The brand has taken off some, but there's been a lot of weird things going on with advertising,failed marketing and collaborations,even a few wonky copycats out there emulating our signature style like down to the burger!It's been nuts!So we're going to do some things completely different with the goal of still making awesome gear that you love while growing the brand and it's message.
As for me,I am not allowed to have caffeine really,so all the designs you see will be non-caffeinated.There will be some stuff you KNOW was from before that time, but you will definetly see the progress and feeling of a more centered me designing for you from here on out.And it will be fun to see your guy's response to that.
Also, I can't do the same workouts as before (meathead,kettlebells,push-ups,tons of protein,etc) anymore with my hand being as it is.So this is the first time IN A DECADE, that I will have to diet and excercise properly with cardio.I want to post about that a bit as we go so that maybe some of you guys that struggle with your weight and image can kind of see what it's like to work on that over time.
And this is the first time I'll also announce a return to competitive gaming.You guys didn't know this, but when I took a year off to do this.I also took a year off from playing games at the level I'm used to.With the messed up hand and the focus on the brand, it just didn't work.
There has been a lot of both physical and mental anguish that came about trying to make sense of the world without really being a part of one you hold dear.I discussed it with a professional and bottom line from her: "your hand will hurt like hell at the end of every match you play.but you can't do anymore damage than what has already been done.".
So, what that means for me is...lots of ice,aspirin, and moderation, but I'll be able to play.The catch is that even with that, my style in about every game relies heavily on reaction and in your face rushdown.Without being able to press the buttons as fast, I will have to depend on a more defensive "zoning" style that I'm not really used to anymore.I haven't played like that since junior year of high school (Spiral/Cable/Sentinel baby! ),so I will definetly be out of my comfort zone there too.
So now that I've shared all that.What does NTA stand for you say? It's non-tool assisted.What that means is,what we do isn't automatic,easy,or "free"...it's something that we struggle to make happen.It comes from deep inside us via inspiration,energy,and passion.And despite the tools that we do or don't have helping us along the way, we still find a way to do it. There is more than one way to do one thing.#NTA
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