The Art of Holdings #5

CONCEPT
Lessons From the Mosh Pit - Learn, Optimize, Survive

At a festival like Rolling Loud, you’re essentially cramming years’ worth of entertainment into three days. To enjoy it fully without burning out, you need a system. Mine can be summarized into 3 phases: Learn, Optimize, Survive. It’s no different than building a business or managing your career.

Phase 1: Learn

Day 1 is for learning. You’re figuring out the lay of the land, setting meeting points for when you get lost, and navigating how to get in and out with minimal friction alongside 100,000 people. It’s overwhelming because everything is new, and mistakes are inevitable.

Some key lessons we learned on Day 1:

• Be efficient with your energy. It’s easy to overdo it. If two artists you love are on different stages at the same time, running back and forth will burn you out quickly.

• Make smart choices. That heavy jacket you thought you needed? It’ll become more of a burden than a benefit. Better to leave the non-essentials at home tomorrow and bring only what is necessary. Ruined your favorite pair of shoes from the dirt and mud? (RIP to my Yeezys). Wear a pair of throwaways next time.

• Expect the unexpected. No matter how much you plan, things will go sideways—whether it’s a last-minute schedule change, long lines, or technical issues. Stay flexible and adapt on the fly.

Lesson: Dive in headfirst, learn quickly, and carry those lessons forward.

Phase 2: Optimize

Day 2 is all about taking what you learned and refining your plan for maximum success. 

• Double down on what works. If something made your life easier—like a specific route, a go-to meeting spot, or a reliable vendor—stick with it and refine it further. Consistency saves energy.

• Streamline your movements. Identify shortcuts, avoid bottlenecks, and plan your timing to minimize wasted energy—whether it’s getting to a stage, refilling water, or grabbing food. Efficiency is everything when resources (like energy and time) are limited.

• Plan for sustainability. Optimize your energy, hydration, and downtime so you can last the full ride. It’s not just about doing more—it’s about doing the right things for the long haul.

Lesson: Continuous improvement is key to thriving.

Phase 3: Survive

By Day 3, you’ve optimized your system—but it’s still a challenge. You’ve earned a few battle scars and lost some soldiers along the way (RIP to the many phones, shoes, hats, chains, and people who didn’t make it to the next day). This is where most people give up.

Success, whether in life or business, is often long, tedious, and full of sacrifice. But the hardest part? What worked yesterday may not work today. The real challenge is fighting to keep what works alive while constantly adapting to stay ahead.

In a free market—or a crowded mosh pit—your competitive edge doesn’t last forever. If you’re not improving, you’re falling behind.

Lesson: Stay adaptable and resilient. Just because you’ve optimized doesn’t mean the challenges stop coming. Success requires the ability to adjust on the fly, face setbacks head-on, and keep pushing forward—even when it feels like you’ve given it everything you’ve got.

Bonus Lessons

• Go with the flow. When mosh pits are opening all around you and you’re in the middle, you don’t have much choice but to own it. Resisting is what gets you into trouble—or worse, gets you hurt.

• Be present. Always keep your head on a swivel. In a crowd, in life, or in business, most people have good intentions, but outliers are always lurking. 

• Have fun. No matter where you are in life or your career, don’t forget to let some steam out. This is not just a recommendation—it’s a prescription for long-term success.

Lesson: Do things that are new, exciting, and challenging. If you don’t, what’s the point of working toward success—or living at all?