My name is Leon “Woody” Woods. Who also goes by the stage name “WoodyTheBassist”. I was born May 16th 1995. I was born in Columbus, Ohio, But raised in Tucson, Arizona. When I was a child, I had a lot of wild and crazy dreams of the future. I envisioned the same lifestyles that we see in So-fi movies. I can not tell you what I wanted to be when I grew up. I did not know then, and I still do not know now. But whatever I wanted to do then and what I want to do now has not changed. All I want to do is help. I always wanted to impact someone's life in a positive way.
I have lived all over the planet. As soon as I graduated High School (Class of ‘14), I joined the United States Army. I was stationed at Fort Huachuca (Arizona), Suwon (South Korea), and Fort Campbell (Kentucky). That does not include the locations and times when I was actively deployed. I was then Medically Discharged. And that quickly brought that chapter of my life to an end.
With all that extra time I then gained. I picked up a few hobbies. Slapping the Bass has to be one of them. I am a huge bass head. I am a self taught Bass Guitarist. Now hints the name “WoodyTheBassist”. I want to make it a mission for people to see that this is who I am, and this is what I like. Growing up I was always judged based on the color of my skin. Still am till this day if I'm being honest. But back then I was a “Black” kid who loved “White” people things. I used to listen to “Slipknot: All Hope Is Gone” and “Bring Me The Horizon: Count Your Blessings” on a daily basis growing up. And people didn't like that. They did not associate with me because I don't follow the typical stereotype.
Now out of all the places I have been. I can not pick and choose a personal favorite. The world is just as beautiful but just as ugly on the other side of it. But on the brighter side of it. I have a daughter. She is my twin. From the looks to the personality. I am excited to see who and what she becomes in the future. Every time I look at her, I see myself as a child. Now that scares me because I wasn't the perfect child. But if she already makes me this proud now, Who knows what the future can bring. And I refuse to let her story fall short, Even if that means that mine has too. I am proud of her. Now I want to make her just as proud.
A cause that I am passionate about is Mission 22. Approximately 132 Americans commit Suicide every 24 hours. It is studied that 22 of that 132 are all veterans. That means that 16% of daily Suicides are Veterans. A Soldier is taught Loyalty, Duty, Respect, Selfless Service, Honor, Integrity, and Personal Courage. Anyone that chose to Enlist any branch, put themselves on the line and sacrificed their safety for the greater good and others. Our flag does not fly because the wind moves it. it flies with the last breath of each soldier who died protecting it. This nation will remain the land of the free only so long as it is the home of the brave. And I served this country. All I can say is that this isn't really much of a home to come home to. There are too many people dying by their own hand. People are closed minded and focused on the wrong things, and it shows.
One interesting fact about me, has to be my mind. I like to ask Why. It is weird to say. But I like to challenge life. I will never turn down a challenge. If you say I won't just one time. I will give you a hundred reasons on why I will and why I can. I also want to challenge others to do the same. I was diagnosed with Clinical Depression. After a failed Suicide attempt, I began to challenge myself and even life. I went through my “Five W’s”. Who? What? When? Where? And most importantly, Why am I still here? I was able to answer all of them except for Why. That is when I started my journey to finding the answer to Why. I have come to the conclusion that I am here to help others. I always wanted to impact others as a child. I was quick to join the Army, with no hesitation. I tried to cut my story short but something or even someone, told me no. I went through some of the most unimaginable things at such a young age. I feel like I've already lived my life, and now it's time to spread my story and help others by any means necessary.
I think that is why I chose this industry. I design shirts, make music, I am powered by photography and videography. These aren't just hobbies for me. I believe that it is my true passion. First off, everyone has a phone and the majority of this population spends their time indulging on social media. So if I strategize the right way, I'll be in everyone's face. You can also tell alot about a person about what they wear. I am a current employee for Zumiez Inc., and one of my favorite brands is “Broken Promises”. Most of their audience (including myself) like this brand because of what their clothes say. They focus mainly on emotions and their brand name itself. Broken Promises. And I want to do the same thing. All of my designs have some kind of story and meaning behind them. Personally , I am proud of that. And for other people like me who spend their lives with headphones in. I make music for them. I think social media has such a negative impact on us as a society. There is always something negative happening and that sets the mood for the day. But, we all have a favorite genre of music. We lean more towards the genre that makes us feel the best inside. I personally don't have a favorite genre of music, I just like music that I can relate to. I do not consider myself a rapper, I just make music for those people. The ones that have no one to talk to, the ones that feel unrelatable, the misfits, the ones that feel outspoken, etc. I just want people to keep using me like they always have. Not because of what I have. But use me as a sign of hope. Things are going to be Okay..
Knowing what I know now, the best advice I would give to myself is to. Make plans but write them in pencil. While plans can give you clarity, don’t get fixated on them. Plans will almost always change. It’s called living life with open arms right? You will end up where you’re meant to be. Read a book that will challenge your perspective of life. You may not agree with it, but explore why you don’t. It could be life changing. Find your tribe and build it. Be careful about the kind of people you let in. Choose people who will give you a boost rather than those who pull you down. Don’t worry about sounding needy or emotional. Speak up and be honest about how you feel. Also, Know when to leave. Then take a closer look at the problems you face. Are they important to you? Or someone else? Make certain that you’re not living someone else’s values. Double-check that the things you consider important weren’t foisted upon you by parents, teachers or friends. Most importantly, Take the time to process your pain, anger and hurt. Put yourself in the other person’s shoes to gain another perspective on what happened. Forgive yourself for your contribution to what happened. Leave it in the past and focus on where you’re headed in the future
Something that I currently enjoy about the new industry that I have chosen is seeing the demographics. It’s a weird flex but I like to study the population around me. When I was in the Army, I was afforded every single opportunity to travel the world. So I did. One of the biggest things that I noticed, Was that there were a lot of people who agreed on the same stuff. Or felt passionate about the same things. But, they refused to talk to each other just based on how they dressed. One thing that I add to every design is Emotion. No matter how you dress, How we feel on the inside doesn't change. Just because most of your wardrobe is Yellow, or Orange, Or even Pink. That doesn't mean that you don't have any traumas, and struggles. So I will take a dark meaning design and put it on a bright shirt. Your looks do not define you. Who you are on the inside does. So I make Shirts for everyone in my opinion. I want to encourage people to stand out, and be who you want to be. Wear your heart on your sleeve. You never know who, or what you may attract.