Austin Ross (arosswelding)

I just got back from an awesome trip in Great Bend, Kansas. I originally went up there for a one on one with Rony! There is something magical going on with these one on ones.

It is incredible to put faces to the ones who have watched the YouTube videos over the years.

It is even more special to be able to connect with them one on one through our conversations throughout the day and over lunch.

There is a different and deeper connection when in person with someone. Welding is just the activity that brought us together. The magic happens in the soul connection through the conversations and sharing about one another. Life lessons, hardships, awakenings, etc.

To top it off I was able to connect Rony with and Ol pipeline buddy of mine, Aaron. Today, Aaron owns Iron Therapy there in Great Bend, Kansas.

Aaron Pipelined for Over 10 years and in my opinion was very successful at it. He had the drive, motivation, desire, the hustle, and the grit it takes to make it as a pipeline welder. One thing that stood out to me about Aaron is, he was not afraid to pick up the phone and stay in contact with people.

To become a Pipeline welder and stay busy doing it we must have a network. Obviously, we have to have a good work ethic and be very skilled at our trade, but without the relationships none of that even matters.

One of the skills I am learning in my older age is how to nurture relationships. Calling a former welding partner or former Helper just to check in on them and then calling them again to make sure they made it to their destination ok traveling to and from jobs. Not just calling when I need a job.

Stopping by when I’m passing through to see friends in person and spend a little time with them. I remember a day when I was in such a hurry to get from point A to point B that I didn’t even think about stopping.

What I didn’t realize was, I was missing out on the magic of more meaningful connections with good friends I have met over the years.

My trip to Kansas turned into a networking opportunity for all three of us. I was able to connect Rony and Aaron all while meeting a new friend and catching up with an old one.

Rony, thank you for trusting me enough and allowing me to come share my experience with you! I feel extremely fortunate to have met you and I believe you have a bright future ahead of you my friend.

Aaron, thank you for talking me into staying another night so we could have our coffee talk the next morning there in your studio!

Check out the video of our coffee talk here:

https://youtu.be/b4h7nzqMOKc?si=LEIp_...

If you are in the Great Bend, KS area and need some welding done check out Rony’s Facebook here:

www.facebook.com/share/1D5C2ou42Y/?mibextid=wwXIfr

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1 week ago | [YT] | 313

Austin Ross (arosswelding)

Almost 20 years ago I was right here where these students are now. Attending a trade school learning a skilled trade.

I remember guys like myself visiting the class with their welding rigs and real world experience. It was so inspirational to me.

I wanted nothing more than to weld off of my own welding truck. And them guys stopping by were proof that it was possible. Just by them showing up in the real it made it that much more tangible for myself to achieve.

I don’t know where I would be today without my Welding abilities and the Welding trade. I feel extremely fortunate and I’m honored to give back to the upcoming Welders of the world.

I absolutely love sharing my experience and my knowledge that other guys have taught me over the years.

Through this life experience, I am learning that there are a few “secret ingredients” to living an amazing life and experiencing life to the fullest. I have known for several years now that a good cup of coffee is definitely one of the secret ingredients 😉☕️ C’mon 😎 And over the last several years and even more so after days like this one, I know that SHARING my experience is definitely another secret ingredient to a life well lived.

Thank you Morgan, Josh, Doug the students and the rest of the staff here at Indian Capital Technology Center for welcoming me and allowing me to share my experience and give back! I appreciate the opportunity!

Special thanks to Rony. Thank you for buying lunch!

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2 weeks ago | [YT] | 383

Austin Ross (arosswelding)

No matter where I find myself in the world there’s a special vibe about a local cafe/diner…

I don’t know if it’s just the season of life I’m in

OR

if there really is a magical essence behind face to face service, conversation with a loved one, catching up with the waiter/waitress, the connection made with the random person who sat down next to you at the bar, the flow of systems the wait staff get into during a peak of business…

…It’s like a beautiful free style symphony, they rarely miss a beat, and when they do, it just flows as part of the symphony, so is there really such a thing as missing a beat???

Maybe it’s both…

Whatever it is, the vibe sure is good for the soul.

Roberto’s Freehold Grill
Freehold, NJ

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1 month ago | [YT] | 273

Austin Ross (arosswelding)

I’m am feeling so happy and grateful for the abundance in my life. I’m thankful for my welding skills. I’m thankful for my welding truck. I’m thankful for the opportunity to be a part of the Local 798 family. I’m thankful for the pipeline community in general. I have met so many great people here on this job and over the years out here on the Ol open road.

Before this job I hadn’t been on a ROW in 6 years but it hasn’t felt that way. Stepping back into this traveling lifestyle feels just like home. Sure, Oklahoma will always be home for me but the people and the community out here on the road is like a home away from home.

Community really is everything. True connection with each other out here makes it feel less far away from home. As a PIPELINER the whole nation feels like home. And that’s special. Honestly from stories I’ve heard, told by my fellow retired weldin partners and others I’ve met out here, this whole big beautiful earth has the potential to feel like home. No matter where we may find ourselves in it.

So, what makes a place feel like home? I’d say it’s the people. The connection we have with each other. And that’s beyond special.

It gives me a feeling of liberation and freedom knowing I can hit the road by boat, plane, truck or train and know that there is always the potential that someone I know will be there at my destination or even on the journey itself to help me if I need it.

We don’t have to travel this road of life alone. In fact, it’s wayyyy better when we are a part of a community. And the way I see it, this community doesn’t stop with the pipeline community.

The world is full of opportunity. And for me, you could say, the pipeline has been a path that has lead to a wider range of connections and relationships across the world. And for that I am feeling extreme grateful.

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3 months ago | [YT] | 540

Austin Ross (arosswelding)

Your next pipeline job is potentially around the corner!

YOU can make a difference in the pipeline industry just by signing these actions on the 798 Action Network Page!

You do not have to be a member of the 798 to sign these actions, however by signing them you are helping the industry as a whole 😉

Have an awesome day!

urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=http-3A__local7…

3 months ago | [YT] | 185

Austin Ross (arosswelding)

Good way to start the morning. 😎👍🏽☀️

Remember, anything is possible.

The first step is BELIEVING. Believing down deep that it is possible. Feeling the feelings of what it would feel like if it were already real.

“Logic will get you from A to B. Imagination will take you everywhere.”

-Albert Einstein

4 months ago | [YT] | 266

Austin Ross (arosswelding)

Done a little traveling this 4th of July weekend. Went to see my brother, his family and some friends in South Dakota. I’ve been needing a backpack to carry in the air port versus the shoulder bag I usually carry with my laptop and luckily my brother somehow talked Lincoln Electric into sending us some stuff and a backpack was one of many things they sent. They also thru in this fancy water bottle! Couldn’t have been more perfect timing! Lincoln has been a long time friend of mine. My first welding machine was an ol Lincoln sa 200 blackface. ‘80 somethin model. Then in 2012 I bought an SAE 300 brand new for the better mileage (😉) still got her today. I appreciate you all sending me and my brother a few things to show your support. If you’re reading this, I hope you had a great holiday weekend! Happy birthday America! @Lincoln Electric @Midstatewelding3194
@BuildWeird

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5 months ago | [YT] | 467

Austin Ross (arosswelding)

If it ain’t a little scetchy, it ain’t livin.

In other words, we are here to experience life and all it has to offer.
The enjoyable and not so enjoyable.

The human experience has a lot to offer.

It just usually takes COURAGE on our part to be able enjoy the full experience.

I am not saying we need to go into a situation unprepared. That’s the HOW & WHEN (thanks @melrobbins for this clarification) But the WHAT to do is on us to have the COURAGE to do what we know is right for us.

Check out Mel’s Video here: https://youtu.be/aGPYyo_Mplg?si=Ehgt1...

6 months ago | [YT] | 182

Austin Ross (arosswelding)

Nuf said

6 months ago | [YT] | 249

Austin Ross (arosswelding)

I had a blast in Bell, Florida teaching this fine group of guys the 12 on 12 branch test.
Thank you Lad Construction for trusting me and my team to come and share what we have learned over the years. Also, thank you for your phenomenal hospitality! Alvin is the owner of Lad Construction. Him and his wife, EL, invited us into their home allowing us to join their family for every meal as if we were family ourselves. I am beyond thankful to have met such good people. 🤙❤️

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6 months ago | [YT] | 474