Multifaceted Artist BJ Griffin Dives Deep into TRUST

“It takes a deep dive inward to find trust – and to find yourself.”

Sunshine wasn’t the only thing that flooded The Garage on a Friday morning; more than 50 guests – our largest crowd yet! – showed up for the July 19 gathering to hear how multifaceted artist and beloved local creative BJ Griffin dives deep into TRUST to find stillness.

The acclaimed musician, who recently returned to Virginia Beach from traveling the world following his appearance on America’s Got Talent, kicked off the morning with a stunning acapella performance of “Hold On,” citing music as his go-to ice breaker.

A self-proclaimed rambunctious kid with a lot of energy, the Detroit native first experienced a moment of stillness during a family excursion on the Maid of the Mist in Niagara Falls, where BJ says he felt attuned with his inner quiet. Just a year later, in the fifth grade, he picked up his family’s violin (an heirloom that has been passed down for generations) and, for the first time, felt that same sense of calm. Music would thus set the stage for BJ’s journey, but following its rhythm would prove to take formidable trust.

BJ went on to play violin and cello in Virginia Beach public schools and became actively involved with the Virginia Youth Symphony Orchestra, with which he performed across the world. At James Madison University, BJ studied music education, cello performance and the music industry, and began his singing career with Exit 245, an acapella group. Back in Virginia Beach, BJ co-founded Galaxy Music, a private music school, and cemented himself as an acclaimed performer and local community legend with his band, BJ Griffin and the Galaxy Groove.

Despite putting on his best “show face” and powering through a busy performance schedule that included opening for the likes of Lionel Richie and Lauryn Hill, however, BJ began to feel ill – and he was eventually diagnosed with a rare form of kidney cancer. This unexpected diagnosis and its subsequent treatment would lead to a struggle with anxiety and depression. Calling the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline (988) was “a turning point” that led him to seek therapy and take a deeper look at himself.

Music, BJ says, has always felt like a meditation, but he never imagined he’d find an even greater sense of stillness deep in the water. To discover that, he would need to trust the process, however unexpected.

It was a trip to Devil’s Den, a prehistoric spring in Florida, in 2019 that set BJ on an unexpected journey as an avid freediver. Being in the water, he says, was “a magical experience; it felt like home.” Using a GoPro gifted to him by his supportive parents, BJ began filming his dives – ultimately going viral on social media and powerfully challenging stereotypes as a black and plus-sized diver, an opportunity that has provided him with an even greater personal purpose.

In the water, focused solely on his breath – which he can hold for an impressive 3.5 minutes and an act which in itself takes a big amount of trust – BJ says he has encountered the deepest parts of himself. It’s this same sense of presence and stillness that BJ actively integrates into his daily life.

Last year, before taking the stage for his America’s Got Talent audition in front of the show’s celebrity judges, BJ had a panic attack, not something he’s used to experiencing before a performance. With just minutes to spare, he retreated to one of his favorite underwater spots in his mind, taking “a mental dive” to still himself and get back in the moment. It worked; he received four resounding yeses from the judges!

While BJ didn’t advance to the semifinals, the heightened attention provided him with the opportunity to perform for audiences across the world, sharing with them not only his musical prowess but also his message of gratitude, stillness and healing. He is confident, more than ever, that his value comes not from the validation of an audience but for the greater purpose he has identified for himself. He wants people to know that no matter where they are in their journey, they are perfect just as they are – much like a rose is beautiful, from bud to bloom.

After traveling the world over, BJ has returned to Virginia Beach seeking balance and community, things that are not only integral to his well-being but also to his creativity. For these things – and this moment – he is infinitely grateful listen to BJ’s “Daily Gratitude” playlist here: www.bjgriffinmusic.com/daily-gratitude

Leveraging his multiple platforms and talents, BJ hopes to continue to spread his message of self-love to inspire and uplift others. He concluded his talk on this sunny Virginia Beach morning with three powerful mantras:

I am worthy because I exist.

I trust the journey to find the light.

Namaste: The light in me recognizes the light in you.

It’s now on us to say them, repeat them and trust them to be so. Namaste, BJ.

Written by CMVB volunteer blogger Valeria L. Palmertree