In the 1994 movie Forrest Gump, the hero ran across America for 3 years, 2 months, 14 days, and 16 hours. Forrest recalled the words of wisdom his mother taught him, “you’ve got to put the past behind you before you can move forward.”
Forrest continued, “I think that’s what my running was all about.” After Jenny departed without saying goodbye, Forrest was hurt and in a bit of a funk. To break out of that funk, he decided to go for a little run. That’s how his run began.
Hi. I’m Steve Weber and for 15 years I was Forrest Gump for the Bubba Gump Shrimp Co restaurant. When my time as Forrest came to an end, I moved to Montana. In many ways, my moving to Montana was the equivalent of Forrest going for his run. It was my time of reflection, forgiving, healing, and transformation.
In July 2019, I decided to leave Montana and go on my own personal journey across America. I estimate it will be a four to seven year adventure. Unlike Forrest, I do not intend to run. I’ll make my journey in the comfort and luxury of an RV.
While many of the details will need to be discovered along to route, I can share with you some of the basics:
- The unofficial start of my journey started on October 6, 2019. It was the day I left Montana.
- I’ll officially begin my journey sometime in the 3rd Quarter of 2020.
- I’ll be a Brand Ambassador for an organization who will benefit greatly from my adventures, videos, writings, and publicity.
- I’ll regularly post of my journey and of the people I meet along the way.
- Video interviews will be my primary means of documenting my journey.
- These videos of the people I meet will be published on either the American Gumption brand or on one of the additional Gumption sub-brands.
- Written posts, pictures, graphics, podcasts, and other digital formats and forums will all be used to share content for the next several years.
- People will have multiple different ways of following, commenting, and participating with the Gumption Across America adventure.
Everything else will need to be figured out as I go.
Like Forrest, I will start my journey alone. And also like Forrest, I will probably pick up followers and encouragers along the way.
While my own personal time of reflection and healing primarily occurred during my decade in Montana, I see Gumption Across America as a time for more reflection, more personal growth, and a way to help more people move forward on their own journey of personal development.
The world is in a time of awakening. We have greater connectedness and increased consciousness. Once awakened, it will be impossible for us to return to our old ways.
To the degree that Gumption Across America helps others discover their identities and their purposes, then so be it.
Gumption Across America is about connecting with ordinary people and sharing their extraordinary stories. I have personally grown tired of the traditional media and all the negativity. Every day there is breathless sensationalism with a reporting style that feels shallow at best. It’s easy to get people to stop and look at a train wreck or a car crash. But we who are awakening want more. American Gumption will be a regular dose of optimism, encouragement, and positivity. Let’s look at what’s right with America!
From 1996 to 2011, I was Forrest Gump for Bubba Gump. From 2009 to 2019, I was a Speaker using the Principles of Gumption and the movie’s Life Lessons to inspire and motivate groups of people. Going forward, I will be Steve Weber promoting Gumption while encouraging every single person I meet to Live Their Lives with Gumption.
I don’t know exactly how or when, but I do expect the old character I so lovingly played for Bubba Gump will emerge for regular, cameo appearances. That will be figured out and I expect it will become obvious as to how and when.
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