THE GREAT READING OF LIFE
MAY JUST BE THIS BOOK…
Well, it’s me. It’s him. It’s T.I.M. On my adventures of completing NAM, Naked Alien Massacre, (as you all know… that’s my passion-project body-positive monster movie) I got to briefly meet with the owners of Laguna del Sol Family Naturist Resort, Suzanne & Wayne Schell. Suzanne was just lovely and even makes a speaking cameo in my movie which was a blessing.
The stories from Wayne’s life were not only impressive but also inspiring. In fact, he jam-packed as much as he could into his own sixty-two-page article-style magazine flavored book, called The Great Road of Life. Full of childhood memories, great photos, life’s challenges, but most importantly, a healthy dose of luck! If luck were a person, it would be Wayne Schell. He certainly had his fair share of bumps in the road, but he looked at every single one of them as an opportunity to grow and be the best version of himself. For a history buff, this book would be right up your alley, as you will get to read a firsthand account of what life was like back in the day. Since he was born in the middle of the Great Depression, his family was always seeking the next job to get them ahead. At one point, his dad was building a house next door while they lived in a garage. To keep warm during the cold winter, they would climb onto the coal tenders and steal coal. Unbeknownst to them, the coal had been soaked in oil, and it almost caught the garage on fire! But they were always resourceful and kept moving forward. At a young age, he learned how to spin a wrench, which would help him later in life. During his teenage years, he worked a lot of odds and ends, including factory work, yard work, gas stations, as a bellhop, and so many more. Working and going through school. When he joined the Marines, they needed mechanics, and that one skill he obtained at a young age definitely came in handy. His discipline and structured demeanor got him jobs that wouldn’t be so easy to come by. Yet luck was on Mr. Schell’s side! However, one of the most memorable jobs he ever had was when Hamilton Maze asked him to mow his lawn. Hamilton Maze to him was what Robert M. Dietz was to me growing up in a poor disadvantaged small town in Pennsylvania. Bob Dietz saw something in me and helped guide me during my poor and directionless youth. Reading that section brought a tear to my eye at the reminder of those people who effect us in our lives. Into adulthood, he still pursued any job that could give him the skills he needed. “Key to one’s success is loving what you’re doing.”
Before moving from Illinois to California, Wayne was introduced to another mentor, Frank Klause, who would also change the course of his life. The fork in the road, as Wayne puts it. During all this, he learned one big thing: “If you can’t solve a problem, you’re not educated
enough. Revisit the problem occasionally, and it may be achievable.” Garnering a lot of luck, Wayne kept walking that road looking for the next challenge. He owned his first business, had business partners, had falling-outs, but ultimately walked away with the understanding that no matter what he touched, he could turn a rock into a diamond. With enough grit and determination, he was unstoppable. But if you asked him, he would say, “God works in mysterious ways.”
His current path in life is owning two nudist resorts, Laguna del Sol Nudist Resort and Mira Vista Resort. “Nudity will keep you going for a month; the people you meet will keep you a nudist forever.” I completely agree as a lifelong naturist / nudist / clothesfree fellow myself I couldn’t possibly agree more! So, his goal is to give people the best experience possible at a nudist resort and after two weeks at LdS I certainly think he’s created that environment. One thing Wayne can share with the world is his wish to help young people who weren’t blessed with a silver spoon, which isn’t a bad thing, but your success will solely rely on you. And to keep eyes open for luck! Mr. Maze and Frank Klause believed in him and gave him the hand-up he needed. His dedication to the job at hand and willingness to go out of his way to help others brought on even more opportunities. He never forgot about the middleman. Plus, his ability to think outside the box in truly innovative ways also led to his path to success. Just remember, “If you want to be successful in a new business, first recognize the need and fill it.” Uber is an example. “If someone sees that you have a good business model, others will try to duplicate what you’re doing.” As a filmmaker, a publisher, and a nudist; I must say when Wayne told me that somebody should make a movie inspired by his book – I AGREE. I look forward to speaking with him again and kicking that concept around. Could be a darn fine project.
For more stories about the life of Wayne Schell, check out his book, I believe it’s available on amazon. In the meantime, I’m sure he would love it if you stopped by one of his resort properties and said hi.
About Author
