How Being Friends with Wes Barker Has Messed with My Head ". I thought I worked hard — until I met Wes Barker .

Learn from the best, do what they do best and make it your own. -Me

Pieces of the Puzzle : Chris Ramsay

I owe a lot to Chris. When I first met him, he saw a potential that I hadn’t even recognized in myself. He believed in me when no one else did and gave me the right knowledge and tools to start showcasing myself on social media. I remember him telling me that platforms like Instagram and YouTube were the new TV. At the time, I didn’t fully understand what he meant, but I trusted him—and he was right.

Wes is the funniest guy I know, and he’s also a relentless workaholic . He’s the literal definition of a GO-GETTER. He has this superpower : when he wants something, he just does it . He doesn’t waste time worrying about what could go wrong. His mindset is simple—“If I wanna do it, I will.”

Need proof? He wrote a book, created his own sold-out magic show, Wes’ Magic Hole in Austin, TX (he’s trusting the power of good marketing ), and moved from city to city to make his dreams happen. He’s done it all, and then some.

Because of Chris, I fell in love with the world of filmmaking, photography, and editing. He showed me that magic wasn't just about performing a trick; it was about creating a story, a moment that people would remember. His way of telling stories through simple tricks and editing made me realize the power of how we present our art to the world.

Discipline will get you farther than motivation. - Unknown

If you’re looking for a performer to be inspired by, look no further than Wes.

His hustle, determination, and absolute refusal to take no for an answer are next-level.

Chris didn’t just teach me about content creation; he also pushed me to step outside my comfort zone. He encouraged me to travel with him, to meet amazing people and some real superstars. Every time we hit the roadtogether, I came back feeling inspired and grateful for the experiences and connections we made along the way.

Wes if you’re reading this..., you still owe me $185 for that bar tab.

18

What sets Chris apart is his ability to take something so simple—a trick, a moment—and turn it into something meaningful. He’s one of the best storytellers I know, and because of him, I started to understand how to make sense of the magic I perform and how to share that with the world.

This all wasn’t just to kiss the asses of my friends, I need you to understand that the people I hang out with influence not just me but my magic too. We cannot create art in a vacuum.

90% of magicians tell bullshit stories. How many of you out there grew up never seeing it snow?

I also call BS that 70 percent of you had a grandfather that showed you Mcdonalds Aces . Grandpa got a coin behind your ear, maybe…. and please that prop is not from a trip you took to the orient.

Chris wasn’t just a mentor; he became a brother in this journey. And I’ll always be thankful for his guidance, belief in me, and for showing me how to turn my passion into something that could truly resonate with people.

Being vulnerable gives your audience permission to be vulnerable. Don’t take their vulnerability for granted. Treat it with respect. Don’t lie to them. Stay humble. And protect the fictional bubble that you’ve built around the two of you.

-Chris Ramsay

19

What makes Alex Boyer stand out isn’t just his tricks—it’s his heart.

Beneath the flashy performances and television fame lies a deeply empathetic soul who has never forgotten where he came from.

"My parents taught me that love and respect come first," he says. “And amidst all the chaos, my sister Janie has been by my side since day one, the first to believe in me. Thank you for always being my first fan and my greatest ally.” For Alex, magic isn’t just about fooling people; it’s about connecting with them.

Alex’s childhood, filled with music, family values, and a healthy dose of rebellion, shaped the performer he is today. Whether he’s dazzling an audience on stage or crafting content for his social media followers, Alex’s mission remains the same: to make people feel, think, and believe.

"I’ve been told I’m too much, I’m too ambitious, too different," he admits. "But that’s exactly what makes me, me. Magic is about embracing the impossible—and that’s exactly what I’ve done."

As he sits on the cover of Vanish Magazine , Alex Boyer isn’t just a magician; he’s a storyteller, a rebel, and tries to be an

20

inspiration for anyone who’s ever dared to dream a little differently . And in his hands, even a simple deck of cards becomes a reminder that the real magic isn’t in the trick—it’s in the story you tell.

Eugene Burger, a magician who was the king of story telling. You’d be wise to ask him about the art and craft of that. Use this link to ask him anything you’d like.

Growing up in Gatineau, Quebec, Alex’s passion wasn’t always celebrated.

His parents, free spirits who valued love, respect, and classic rock above all else — stood firmly in his corner. But outside the Boyer household, the world wasn’t so forgiving.

High school was a battlefield of misunderstandings. Teachers and adults couldn’t fathom why a teenager would willingly forgo "serious" studies to focus on sleight of hand.

High school was a battlefield of misunderstandings. Teachers and adults couldn’t fathom why a teenager would willingly forgo "serious" studies to focus on sleight of hand.

Their solution? Psychologists. Pills.

They were convinced Alex had issues— after all, what "nor-

21

mal" kid spends hours perfecting a double lift, studying how people feel and think, instead of memorizing algebraic equations?

But Alex was quick—not just with his hands, but with his wit. For three months, he faked taking the prescribed pills, palming them like any good magician. Then, in a climactic act of rebellion, he walked into the psychologist’s office, emptied 3 months worth of untouched pills onto the desk, and declared, “I don’t need these to focus. I just need

22

Photo by Joé Weller

something worth focusing on.” (He passed his last exams without pills)

THIS IS THE NATURE OF ART… we all need something worth focusing on.

Once he turned 18, the constraints of high school couldn’t hold him back any longer. He dropped out to pursue his passion full-time, working relentlessly as a magician. He called businesses, hustled for bookings, and built a career from the ground up.

“I've always felt like I had different personalities living inside me, each with its own voice, its own way of seeing the world. It’s a kind of madness, really —a swirl of ideas, doubts, dreams, and instincts. But it’s that very chaos, that constant dialogue in my head, that drives my creativity. It’s from this storm of thoughts and emotions that I pull inspiration from, and it’s in embracing this madness that I’ve found my true voice as an artist. Each personality, each voice, contributes to the magic I create, and without that internal energy, I wouldn’t be who I am today.”

Ironically I always seem to date people with a lot of personalities in them too, but they aren’t artists. I wish I’d saved those pills from school….

23

My journey wasn’t without its heartbreaks. Life has a way of testing people, me especially , and the darkness of these experiences became the fuel for my magic and music. The emotional intensity of struggles, my rebellious spirit, and the rawness of my heart shaped my unique style—one that could move audiences on a deep, personal level.

Imagine being four years old, sitting in the dim glow of a Quebec evening, your parents —true-blue hippies—engrossed in the TV as they always were during dinner. The flickering screen was a constant companion until one thunderous storm rolled in, knocking out the power. For hours, the house was wrapped in darkness, lit only by the flash of lightning and the warmth of candlelight. But then, just as suddenly as it left, the electricity returned, and with it came a serendipitous spark of destiny.

Inspired by the multi-faceted characters of Johnny Depp and the rebellious nature of rockstars. I embraced a variety of personas. Magic became more than a series of tricks; it was an emotional expression, a rebellion against the norms, and a way to make people feel something powerful.

The TV buzzed back to life mid-broadcast, and there he was—Alain Choquette, Canada’s own magic maestro, captivating an audience with impossible wonders. For little Alex Boyer, it was less a moment and more a calling. While most kids his age were picking their nose, dreaming of ice cream, and wondering how to get the three balls in one cup, (it’s a famous YouTube video with girls, and a cup, don’t search for it, that’s my parting gift to you) Alex decided right then and there that he would become a magician.

“I’ve always had this dark little heart,” I freely admit with a chuckle. “But it’s what drives me to create—whether it’s in magic or music. You have to break the mold and make it your own. Magic, like life, isn’t one-dimensional.”

24

But not just any magician. Alex didn’t dream of dusty top hats and stiff tuxedos—he dreamed of stages that pulsed with energy, audiences that screamed his name, and a presence that left people mesmerized long after the curtain fell. He wanted to become the Elvis of magic, a true rockstar in his craft.

From the moment I started performing, I had a vision that no one else quite understood. I wanted to bring the energy and emotion of a rock concert to magic, to become a "rockstar " of the craft. Every time I told my boys about it, they laughed and told me to forget it—it was going to be cheesy. But deep down, I knew there was a way to do it. It wasn't about pulling off illusions with weird faces or blasting 80s rock music in the background. It wasn't about having glamorous assistants or over-the-top theatrics. For me, it was about creating an emotional connection with the audience. I wanted them to feel the same excitement, joy, and passion that music brings. By combining my knowledge of movie scores with storytelling, I was able to craft moments that made people feel something profound. My goal was simple: to have the audience react, just like they would at a rock concert — laugh, cry, scream, and experience something unforgettable. Magic, to me, is like music—it’s about evoking emotions, creating a rhythm, and giving the audience an experience they’ll never forget.

"Rockstars were my superheroes," Alex recalls. "I grew up watching legends like Freddie Mercury, Motley Crue, Marilyn Manson, Michael Jackson, Ozzy (list goes on and on) and I thought, ‘Why can’t a magician have that same electric energy?’ I didn’t want to just perform tricks—I wanted to fly."

25