Tom Xiao

‘Been to all 50 states once, lower 48 twice, lived in 3 countries and continents, realized the sun will never set on the places I called home. Visited 6 continents and 42 countries, I even once traveled to 30 of them in a year. I’m a captain, lifeguard, author, artist, musician, film director, screenwriter, producer, editor, solo backpacker, and PPL/UAS rated pilot. There ain’t nothing I can’t do, no sky too high, no sea too rough, no muff too tough. Learned a lot of lessons in my life, versatility and values are everything. Did it my way and never compromised on what I stand for. Anything in life worth doing is worth overdoing, moderations for cowards. I’m a passionate filmmaker, I’m a trained pilot, I’m the most well traveled solo backpacker you will know. So if you’re feeling behind then you better run, because this guy’s been there, done that, and it’s going back for more.’

‘For six years, I have been developing the ‘Complete Package’ model. Limits are Perceived is for me to find out what’s possible, and define my own destiny. For me, it was never a straight path to the top. Looking back, 2021-2026 are the six years of relentless self improvement, identity change and a rebuild of who I am. I now remember them as the golden years of my life, as I had to overcome my canon in these reconstruction years; some are physical, from Lasik to Invisalign; some are developmental, from owning my first vehicle to investment finance; some are mental, from the courageous shift of how I participate in American culture as a senior in high school to the countless crises I had to overcome in this era. Here are just a few to be remembered:

2020 The Canon Event

2021 Emotional Adversity Crisis

2022 Accident/ Grief Crisis

2023 Asia Environment Crisis

2023 First Directing Crisis

2024 Solo Flight Malfunction Crisis

2024 Medical Emergency Crisis

2024 First PPL Failure Crisis

2025 Serbia Backpacking Crisis

2025 Feature Film Integrity Crisis

2025 Second PPL Crossing the Threshold

2026 50/50 states – the Everest Moment

The only security a man can have is a reserve of knowledge, experience, and ability. For me, it was until the return from London to pass the PPL checkride for the second time, become the recognized filmmaker, and pass the finish line of traveling to every state, that I have finally completely realized this model and seeing myself as a complete package, regardless of how others see me. I spent six years becoming the person I needed to be. Now I get to live as him.’

Some wisdoms I abide by:

Leadership is influence.

Luck is the residue of design.

Three things cannot be long hidden, the sun, the moon, and the truth.

Leap and the net will appear.

If you feel it, chase it.

Don’t be careful, be confident.

The world is a book, and those who don’t travel, read only a page.