Tir-Kai Tales: Recent Episodes
Jacquie Schmidt
The human condition is universal as everyone manifests their own destiny. Journey into the adventurous lives of stunt performers and equestrians as they share momentous turning points in their experiences that left an indelible impact upon their heart and career. Witness the legacies formed from their connection to the people, places, flora, and fauna of the amazing world in which we live. Allow their stories to illuminate the many facets of your psyche in the hope that this knowledge will be passed on creating unity, growth, and ultimately fuel the spirit of exploration!
Paul O'Connor is a former world champion water-skier, turned stuntman and stunt coordinator. From his first big break in "Iron Man 3", to doubling Matthew McConaughey; Paul has racked up major credits in film and television productions. A devoted family man, when he isn't on set, Paul is engaged with his family in water ski shows, sports and traveling; as well as flying his own private aircraft.
The Nokota horse developed in the rugged badlands of southwest North Dakota, one of the last strongholds for the Native Americans and the battles they fought against the U.S. government to maintain their way of life. The great Hunkpapa Lakota chief and medicine man, Sitting Bull, was forced to surrender to the U.S. Army in 1881 at Ft. Buford, North Dakota. Not only did the U.S. Calvary confiscate their weapons, but they took their horses. Fast forward 100 years, when the badlands horses were being fenced in during development of Theodore Roosevelt National Park, and the herds faced eradication; Leo and Frank Kuntz stepped in to help rescue this rare and historic breed of horse. Having returned from the Vietnam War these horses gave the brothers a renewed sense of purpose. In essence, the horses and brothers were saving each other. This is the remarkable story of a family working to save the Nokota horses. Meet Frank and his daughter Christa, as they share their love for these wild horses and their efforts to return them to the Native American people from whom they were taken.
https://linktr.ee/christaruppert?utm_source=linktree_profile_share<sid=9a67b675-72f4-44cb-8345-1959051b32bd
Omar Zaki is a Hollywood stunt actor, professional parkour athlete, World Chase Tag competitor, and content creator. His passion for creativity and physical expression is equally matched by his boundless energy! He inspires others to follow their focus and belief in themselves to achieve great things!
https://youtube.com/@OmarZaki
https://youtube.com/@WorldChaseTag
https://www.omar-zaki.com/
https://linktr.ee/tirkaitales
John has dedicated his life to the study of martial arts and fight choreography. He started his career as a stunt performer in live shows at Universal Hollywood; being fortunate to have worked internationally as a stuntman for over 20 years. John has used his talents as a fight choreographer and instructor working with Academy Award winning actors and directors. He has been honored by the Screen Actors Guild for Best Stunt Ensemble on "Pirates of the Caribbean Dead Man's Chest".
John is also the fight master for the live stunt show "The Bourne Stuntacular" at Universal Orlando.
Pete Allende grew up as a competitive martial artist in the discipline of karate. He competed on multiple national circuits, became a triple crown rated competitor, and has been inducted into the karate hall of fame. Pete currently runs his own dojo in Orlando, Florida as well as continuing to perform as a professional stuntman. https://www.peteskarate.com/
Eddie Barber has worked in the entertainment industry as a cameraman and innovator for over 50 years. His creations have won multiple awards including Emmys and an Oscar. He has received numerous certificates of appreciation from the city of Los Angeles for his humanitarian efforts brought about through his work behind the camera. Eddie has also directed MTV music videos for Madonna and Michael Jackson, just to name a few. His inventions in camera equipment include the hand held camera stabilizer, camera boom/jib, EZ prompter, 24P, and the SpinCam.
https://www.spincam.pro/
Eli Lecky is an aspiring Christian motivational speaker residing in Atlanta, GA. Originally from Jamaica, Eli also grew up in New York City. Through a series of unfortunate events, he found himself homeless. But Eli viewed this situation as God moving him towards his calling in ministry; to help others experience the illumination of faith.
Eli also has a gift in writing poetry based upon Holy Scripture.
Tir-Kai Tales wishes to help reach audiences with Eli's story. A GoFundMe link is attached and any donation will be greatly appreciated. The fundraiser will help send Eli to an Impact Eleven seminar where he can learn the skills and business management insights required to make his dream of becoming a motivational speaker a reality.
God Bless
https://gofund.me/b456aef5
Luis Valladares is a stuntman and filmmaker of Latin American heritage; Puerto Rican and Salvadoran. Despite his parent's divorce, both families taught him the value of hard work and always being there for one another. Luis began martial arts tricking at age 15 and this started his journey into performing and physical storytelling. Introduced to stunts through live shows, he moved to Atlanta, GA in 2019; where along with a group of friends, he taught himself the skills needed in the industry through creating his own short films. These projects caught the eye of stunt coordinators and launched his career as a stuntman for film and television. Luis has aspirations of becoming a fight coordinator for major motion pictures!
Heather Gillette is a 5 International Eventing competitor & USEF Licensed Eventing Official, who owns & runs Heron's Landing Eventing in Lebanon, NJ & Ocala, Fl. Currently competing at the 4 Level with Vincent Chase, an off the track Thoroughbred; she is also a co-chairperson of the USEA's Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion Committee. Heather is the founder & director of Strides for Equality Equestrians, a non-profit organization striving to improve diversity of BIPOC individuals within equestrian sports.
www.stridesforequality.org
Witness the adventurous lives of stunt performers and equestrians as they share experiences which left an impact upon their heart and career.
Journey behind the scenes into the life of stunt woman Michele Waitman. Beginning her stunt career playing Marion Ravenwood at Walt Disney World's "Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular", Michele quickly racked up numerous credits in film and television. With a career that spans over 30 years, she has doubled some of Hollywood's biggest stars!