We had the wonderful opportunity to speak with Travis Flores about his journey to live. He’s a cystic fibrosis and double-lung transplant survivor. Travis is a remarkable person with a huge heart. We appreciate him reaching out to spread his story to our readers. It is our honor to do so! Check out his story below.
Hi, Travis! Thank you for granting the interview. Congrats on your new series. What should the audience expect to see?
Thank you for showing an interest in what we are accomplishing through (sorta) supportive. The series is a half-hour comedy that takes on thoughtful issues in relatable and realistic forms. We believe in authenticity in storylines and character development. Not everything has to be a “version” of the truth. Sometimes the truth is entertaining in itself, and more importantly, the truth can be educational. We are about breaking stereotypes, and that starts with teaching people how to see past the things that our society deems unnatural, different, and not worthy.
We believe it is important for those with disabilities to tell their stories. What are your thoughts?
From the very concept and creation of this show nearly seven years ago, I made it a mission to use talent both in front of and behind the camera that understood disability and chronic illness. We are so grateful to have found a cast of diverse actors who have conditions or have close relationships with people who have struggled with their health. Our crew reflects those morals as well. Developing a TV show is never easy, but to specifically require the developing network/distributor to collaborate in this way has been a challenge. It was absolutely imperative to me, however, and I didn’t settle for less.
We also believe the stories shouldn’t be in a box. Hollywood has a tendency to only use those with disabilities for disability-related projects. This shouldn’t be the case. To avoid labeling, they should work on any project available. What are your thoughts?
In the same way that able-bodied talent has the opportunity to work on projects that showcase disabled characters, disabled/chronically-ill talent should have the chance to portray the everyday “healthy” person. Our cast/crew was open to both, and we did use both. The people involved who weren’t inflicted with a disease did have a deep understanding of illness, but they themselves were given the same chance to work on the project alongside our cast and crew who were disabled. Typecasting has always been and will always be an issue in this business. That doesn’t mean I will tolerate it in my work because I certainly haven’t and will never moving forward.
The #METOO movement has raised awareness of the true conditions people experience in the industry. It was a huge wakeup call. However, in order to see true change, Hollywood must be diligent in eradication old behaviors, such as the “casting couch.”
I have seen this issue time and time again, over the course of many years. I have seen it affect both women and men, myself being a victim of it. I won’t go into too much detail on my personal experience, but I will say that this industry takes courage. It takes resilience. It takes talent. But, it should never take your body. I am here to tell those out there who want to come into film & tv that YOU are good enough the way you are. You do not have to change, Hollywood and the corruption within has to change. You do not have to allow someone to hurt you for a chance to fulfill your passion; people who believe in you will give you those chances if they can see your passion, talent, and drive. There are good souls in this business, but they don’t exist on a couch, and they don’t require touching… or require that you ask not to be touched. Sexual harassment doesn’t always seem like sexual harassment as it happens, because often times it’s someone you’ve learned to trust. That being said, it doesn’t make it okay – ever. It doesn’t matter what they’ve promised you, gifted to you, or helped you with. If they really care about you… any number of those things would come from the kindness in their heart(s), not the perversion in their thoughts.
How important is it to be yourself?
I have Cystic Fibrosis. I’ve had two double-lung transplants. I have struggled to survive multiple times. I have lived a life far beyond the actual 27 years I’ve been on earth. I used to feel ashamed of my battles, my scars, and my condition. I’ve faced career-rejection because I’m a “liability”, not “perfect health”, and not “marketable”. The truth is, at a certain point I realized that no one can guarantee their work for more than today because anything can happen at any moment to anyone. Very rarely is someone in perfect health (physically/emotionally) due to this day of fast food, technology, and lack of culture. And the marketability aspect… I have so much to share, in so many ways, with so many people. I’ve learned to be incredibly adaptable because I’ve always had to be, and I work hard in all my endeavors because I understand the importance and significance of time. I am myself, and I encourage all to be exactly that – themselves.
Tell us about your upcoming projects.
Aside from (sorta) supportive I am working alongside my favorite charities, as I’ve always done. Specifically, with Make-A-Wish, because the 15-year anniversary of my wish will take place in the spring of 2019. My goal is to help raise another million dollars for the organization. I am also working diligently with DonateLife Hollywood to help other storytellers in entertainment portray authentic transplant/donor characters. By the end of next year, my ultimate goal would have my memoir published. I believe that my purpose in life has always been to help others, and this book is the culmination of that work. I’m currently seeking a good company to collaborate within this effort because I want this book to benefit charities just as my children’s book has done.
What’s your favorite genre?
I really like a thriller and I think it’s because I don’t write that genre often. When I create things, I try not to watch much film or tv in the same vein because I want to do my best to remain as unique and original in my voice as possible. Thriller is something I can sit down any night and watch. It’s obviously impossible to always be 100% new, but I have seen other writers take lines directly from my work, try to pass it off as their own, simply because they don’t know how to identify their voice from a voice they are getting to know in another work. I try my hardest to know my voice and my audience.
What has resonated with you in your career, thus far?
You are your best advocate, and some people won’t allow you to be – and you have to let them go. It can be so painful, and shocking too. When you’ve been blinded by the person(s) it can be difficult to know what went wrong. But the truth is, if they aren’t willing to collaborate with you, then how can you attempt to collaborate with them? I’ve learned very quickly in this life that there’s no point in getting upset over things you cannot change. I have been bullied and dragged through the mud recently, and it was a clear reminder to me that I don’t owe those kinds of people an ounce of my energy. Gratitude is a two-way street, and there’s only so many times you can travel down it alone before you decide to find another path where others are willing to appreciate the journey as much as you do. Don’t spend time in situations with people that diminish you. My good friend Anita said to me once, “when the car of drama, stress, and hate pulls up… and the door opens for you to get in, wait for the next ride.”
In your opinion, what makes an awesome TV show?
Music. So often music is a background noise in discussions, even ones like these. But I’m here to remind the world that without music, you’d be watching conversations that feel linear and maybe even boring. When (sorta) supportive finds its home, we plan to collaborate with Christina Grimmie’s family to showcase her music, as well as the people behind her music – like producer Stephen Rezza. Christina’s voice was incredibly powerful and unique. Her family has done a phenomenal job since her passing in 2016 with keeping her legacy alive through the Christina Grimmie Foundation (for families affected by Gun Violence and Breast Cancer). I am honored to know that in the future of this series, Christina’s voice will carry the show, and her musical collaborators will bring life to every scene because they understand her sound. *please visit their website www.christinagrimmiefoundation.org or contact Sue Procko / Tony Scott to learn how Christina’s foundation can help those in need of support.
Do you have anything else you would like to share about the show?
The piece won’t be available for a while, and the work that was shot in August won’t include some of the great things we’ve been approached with and planning already for the future development of the project, such as Christina Grimmie’s music – which won’t be used until distribution has been solidified, simply because we decided to move in a different direction and want the best version of the show for our future viewers. It’s one of the best parts about creating your own show; you can make decisions that lead to those better paths that I discussed earlier, and the people who love, respect, and care about you, your work, and the mission will stand behind you. One of those directions is that my amazing cast and I are creating a catalog of talent that has disability and chronic-illness so that we can easily access people who want to work in this business, and have otherwise not been given the opportunity to do so. I encourage those who are interested to reach out to us through social media or my website. We want to work with YOU.
If anyone is interested in speaking with me, please contact my agent Gail Williamson of KMR Talent or my publicist Sue Procko of the Procko Group. For legal, please contact my attorney John Rosenberg of Rosenberg & Giger PC.
Connect with Travis:
Twitter: www.twitter.com/travisflores
Instagram: www.instagram.com/travisflores
Facebook: www.facebook.com/official.travisflores
Web: www.travisflores.org
Web: www.chronicallyhappy.org
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