Brock Gill-Master of Illusions
By Jessica Burkhart
Life for 32-year-old Brock Gill couldn’t be sweeter. The former sawmill employee is now living his dream as an illusionist and as a winning competitor in the Xtreme Arenacross races. Brock performs his magic in hundreds of shows each year, but doesn’t allow himself to be swept away by pressures of fame. Considering all of the notoriety and fans that Brock accumulated starting when he was 22, he is more grounded than most. One of the most important things in Brock’s life? Inspiring excellence in teens.
Life in the spotlight began as a whirlwind for Brock. “I thought I could use magic to make a career, so I ended up going back to college and started learning how to do magic and put a show together,” says Brock. “The next thing you know, the phones started ringing and I was doing shows for a living.” That’s not to say his start wasn’t filled with ups and downs. Brock quickly learned that magic wasn’t something that could be learned overnight. “Magic is a lot of work,” he says. “You have to learn how to study and study hard because stuff just doesn’t come easy. You don’t just wake up and know how to do magic. I have to read a lot and discipline myself.” Brock is unflagging in his desire to learn new tricks and amaze audiences with bigger and better illusions.
Brock offers simple advice for those with an eye on a career as an illusionist. “Learn life skills such as how to study and apply yourself. Learn how to pay attention and learn about other people.” Brock thinks his advice applies to almost all careers and says it’s all about learning your strengths and playing on them.
For Brock the adrenaline of performing is great, but he keeps coming back for something else. He lives to see people changed from listening to the messages of strength and hope he sprinkles throughout his show. He tries to present his messages in entertaining but serious ways that serve as reminders to his audience that everyone is responsible for their own actions. “It’s pretty rewarding when I see teens who used drugs or alcohol and say after hearing my story that they’ve decided to stop using what’s killing them and their generation,” says Brock. “You can’t really beat that.”
For Brock, it’s not just about filling seats but about changing the lives of young adults. The subject of drug use is something that Brock often tackles on high school tours. Brock’s take on drugs, alcohol, and tobacco use is clear and something he makes known to his fans. “Whether it’s drugs, alcohol, or another destructive behavior you have to realize that it has consequences,” says Brock. “The choices you make today will affect you forever.” Brock’s message about substance abuse is something he can’t speak enough about.
Brock’s career doesn’t just include illusions. He is also an avid dirt bike rider and was hooked when he got his first bike in seventh grade. A friend encouraged him to compete in the Xtreme World Arenacross in Mississippi in January 2007 and Brock accepted the challenge. Brock swept his division and left with a first-place finish. “That was so great!” Brock says. It upped his confidence and reminded him that he could truly do anything he set his mind to.
When not competing or performing, Brock is found downing healthy foods. “I’m an extremely healthy eater,” Brock says. “I’m healthy with my life all the way around.” Brock does have one junk food weakness and laughs when he shares it. “I’m a super huge chocolate freak. As healthy as I eat, there’s one thing that I love and that’s dark organic chocolate. I eat a lot of it.” With all of his hard work, Brock figures it’s okay to indulge now and then.
Brock is the first to admit that with all of his success, his life often isn’t what others perceive it to be. “I’m living my dream and sometimes my dreams just aren’t very profitable,” Brock says. “I choose my dream over money. Sometimes it’s difficult for me to do what I want creatively and still make a living or make good business choices. There are other things I could do that would make more money, but on the creative side I wouldn’t enjoy it as much.”
He says people often expect him to be rich, which he’s not. Brock says, “I would rather have less money and do what I really, really love than be wealthy and not enjoy what I do.” Brock is a real-life example of someone who followed his dream and didn’t give up when resources were limited. Brock took what he had to work with and made the most of it.
Brock offers a few words of wisdom that he has learned along his journey from restless college student, to illusionist, to dirt bike competitor. “Whatever you do, do it with excellence. I got where I am today because I’ve chosen a path of excellence. I want to be better than I was yesterday and greater than people ever thought I could be. I pour my heart and soul into everything I do. I’d say to live your dream and whatever you’re passionate about, go for it. Stand up for what you believe and put those beliefs into action.” There are no illusions about Brock’s commitment to excellence in himself and in others.
For more information about Brock, visit his Web site at www.brockgill.com.
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