I feel fortunate enough to probably be the only person who actually knows the real Eric—his true self, the side that’s rarely seen by the world. And I am forever grateful for that. To this day, I’m endlessly grateful to have him in my life. If you’re serious about your craft, find a mentor. Not just someone to idolize, but someone who pushes you, guides you, and calls you out when you need it. He still drives a mini van, that’s how true to himself he is. Yea a minivan… let that sink in.
Naturally, I wanted to learn everything I could from him. I started asking him questions about the business of magic. I think he noticed something in me that set me apart from the other young magicians. Maybe it was my seriousness , my hunger to really understand the craft and the grind behind it.
More on the other Big Trick Energy talent and their effect on me but first my mentor. I met Eric Leclerc when I was 13 years old. I was running the local magic shop, back then, he was the magician. He had already done it all—won countless awards, starred in TV shows, and toured across Canada. Keep in mind, he wasn’t much older than I am now. (By the time you’re reading this Eric is probably 45 by now) To me, Eric seemed larger than life, like he had cracked the code to magic and life itself.
Eric became my mentor and, eventually, my big brother. He didn’t just give me advice about magic; he gave me lessons about life. He’s the guy who taught me how to dream big but also how to execute, how to stay grounded while reaching for the stars. Since Eric is 10 years older than me (90 in magician years) we’ve had our fair share of head-butting over the years but we’ve always found common ground.
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FEBRUARY | 2025