Nelven

Since no one can stop time, no one can stop you. - NELVEN

NELVIN’s story is a rare one. By day, he's an oncologist in South Africa, walking alongside patients in some of their hardest battles. By night, he's chasing his first love: music. His new single “Melody” drops this week. 

What struck me most in our conversation wasn't just his talent, but his insights: 

Dreams require courage. NELVEN almost didn't audition for his high school musical -- he thought he'd just end up as a tree in the background. But it turned out that he landed the lead role and discovered a gift that's carried him ever since.

Time is the real currency. In oncology, he's reminded daily that life is short. That urgency fuels his choice to not put dreams on hold. "Too often, people think they have more time," he told me. "But you don't. The only one who can be you -- is you."

Unmet potential is scarier than failure. What keeps him up at night isn't making mistakes -- it's the thought of leaving songs unwritten, gifts unused, potential unreached. That's a message we all need. We may not be balancing hospital rounds with studio sessions, but we all face the same choice: Will we risk embarrassment and chase what matters, or will we settle for safety? 

As NELVEN reminded me: time can't be stopped -- and neither can you, if you keep taking the next step.