Today we’d like to introduce you to Rodney Davis
Hi Rodney, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
Back in May gof 2021, my world was shaken up. After some routine lab work at my Primary Physician’s office, I was contacted two weeks after my visit with the results. The voice on the other side of the phone was one of heightened concern about my well being. I couldn’t understand what had happened or why. I quickly scheduled a follow up appointment for two weeks later. During that follow up, I was provided with a rarher dim outlook. My doctor wanted me to check into the hospital to get further testing. It was from there and following a biopsy that i was told that I had CKD (Chronic Kidney Disease). To go a step further, I had end stage renal failure which meant unless I started Dialysis and got on the transplant list, I could die. At that very moment, I could have given up on life. Here I am 36, 37 years old at the time, married, and with so much life to look forward to. Now, I have to this life altering illness to conquer. I had to shift my focus and adapt. And adapt I did. After missing several weeks of work to adjust to dialysis, I made the determination that I would see this through. I adjusted my diet, a low sodium diet, which is a requirement for a disease like CKD. From there, I decided to get back to what made me happy and what I was passionate about which included working music events with an independent radio station based out of Atlanta, GA called 2Hot Radio which puts on live events during the year throughout the country including during Super Bowl Weekend, acting and writing. In 2023, I played the role of a Journalist in a film titled Coke Squatch. I also filmed an episode of NBC Universal’s Chicago Med and had the luxury of filming an episode of NBC Universal’s Chicago Fire in 2024. Looking ahead, I have some graphic novels set for release in 2025 the first of which is Silverstone and hopefully more acting projects.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Nothing about my journey has been easy. Just two months prior to being diagnosed with my illness, my younger cousin of one year Antonio passed away. We were close like brothers. Still grieving over his loss, my diagnosis was equally a powerful blow and disruption for my family. This just so happens to have occurred during one of not the worse pandemics in history of mankind. Maintaining my faith, I believe that there will always be obstacles thrown at you such as those, that test you in ways you will never understand. Its how you respond to those and what knowledge, wherewithal and foresight you learn and ultimately gain that allows you to move forward and take future challenges and roadblocks head on.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
When I am not committing to my music, acting or writing work, I work full time for a Global innovation company, Eastman Chemical. My role is that of a customer facing service role. My main area of focus involves working with dealers and dealerships who have partnerships with my company and purchase our products. Eastman has often been touted as one of St. Louis best places to work and having been affiliated with the company since 2016 and obtained have the success and recognition including with external partners nationally and to an extent internationally that I have. The reputation is valid. If there is anything I am proud of, its the connections and relationships that I have obtained by not only my ability to listen and multi-task but also to be coachable and lately a leader for those that have followed after me. If I were to pinpoint something setting me apart, its being able to understand people and situations and knowing how to navigate with whatever you are presented with at a given time. Meet individuals where they are and treating them uniquely is essential whether in the workplace or in life as a whole.
Have you learned any interesting or important lessons due to the Covid-19 Crisis?
What the crisis ultimately taught me is to not take life for granted. I gained an appreciation for the quality in the manner of how we choose to live and how it can be thrown off course at any instance and what tools you must equip yourself with to maintain balance and positive outlook.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rjdavis85_/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rjdavis85_/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/@RDDAVISJR
- Other: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm3564664/
