This is a sponsored article in partnership with Peperami…
Life is far too short to keep saying no to new experiences and opportunities.
One person who knows this all too well is musician and YouTube sensation Yung Filly, who has teamed up with Peperami in an effort to inspire more people to say yes, step out of their comfort zone, and try something new.
Essentially, they want more people to “go a bit Peperami” and live life to the fullest.
In an effort to prove the benefits of “going a bit Peperami”, Yung Filly decided to surprise one of his closest friends with an experience they’d never forget.
Designer Danny D'Trois is a mastermind in the fashion industry, and not somebody you’d expect to see performing in a synchronized artistic swimming group… and that’s because he’s literally never done it in his life. Nevertheless, when you’re friends with Yung Filly, you never know how your day is going to end.
After taking over Charing Cross Sports Club, Yung Filly invited Danny to come down for the day and check things out. However, the designer knew his old pal was up to something.
“I don’t have a clue what’s going on. But I know it’s Filly, so something rocky is about to happen today. Something… I just don’t know what,” Danny said during his cab ride in.
“So today we are doing artistic swimming,” Filly said.
To which a bewildered Danny asked: “Artistic what?”
Placing full trust in his friend, Danny was led to the swimming pool, where he was introduced to synchronized artistic swimming coach Susan and her group of performers.
“You are going to have a super fast lesson today,” Susan told Danny, before revealing the full plan: “You’re going to be swimming to a live audience - a full routine!”
This revelation was even more than Yung Filly was anticipating, as the musician uttered: “I didn’t know that bit. I swear, I honestly didn’t know that bit.”
The performance would be capped off with a dramatic “power lift” that would see Danny propelled out of the water by his fellow swimmers - which is quite a feat for a guy who says he “gets tired after four strokes” in the pool.
With the challenge laid out - and Yung Filly posing as a lifeguard - it was time to start practicing.
But before Danny could take to the water, he first had to complete some “deck work”. And it’s safe to say that he really had no clue what he was doing, as even his first jump left coach Susan confused.
But as the deck work continued throughout the day, so did Danny’s confidence, and he was soon busting a move, waving his arm around, and doing his best to hold his own among the other performers.
Was he going to win an Olympic gold medal any time soon? Absolutely not. But even Yung Filly voiced his full faith that Danny would pull it out of the bag.
…Then came the time to actually get in the water.
Despite looking great in his trunks, I think the confidence in the room dropped when Danny hesitated to even get in the pool because the water was cold.
Once he was eventually in, it was time to start practicing the final routine - and I think it may be time to reword the old saying of “a fish out of water” to “Danny D'Trois in water”.
Failing to keep up with the other dancers, Danny’s antics in the pool left Filly in tears and laughing uncontrollably poolside.
During a heart-to-heart between the two friends, Yung Filly told his mate: “If I’m being honest, as much as I am laughing, it looks like you’re struggling on certain bits.”
It was then that Danny admitted that he’s not just battling the pressure of having to perform in front of a live audience, but he’s also overcoming a scary experience from his childhood that saw his cousin have to save him from drowning.
At that moment, Yung Filly realised that his friend hadn’t just accepted the challenge in order to try something new and have some fun - it was also about Danny conquering his fears and letting go of his past.
In an attempt to lift the mood and put a smile on his friend’s face, Yung Filly surprised Danny with his swimming attire - a very fetching red and white Victorian swimming costume - complete with a Peperami swim cap. A look I’m sure the fashion designer absolutely adored rocking.
With the swimsuit on and the live crowd in attendance, there was just enough time for Yung Filly to offer the team one final pep talk.
After making sure Danny wasn’t going to chicken out (after all, there was plenty of delicious chicken to go around in his Peperami Chicken Bites), Yung Filly told the team:
“Guys, this is Danny. Good friend of mine. I love him to bits - so does my mum, my sisters, down to my dog. Protect him at all costs. Protect one another. But most importantly, let’s go out there and have some F-U-N. Some fun!
“LET’S GO PEPERAMI!”
And what can I say about Danny’s final performance? Well, let’s just say that Yung Filly was still left in hysterics on the floor.
Nevertheless, the final power lift looked great, Danny ended the routine with a huge smile on his face, and - most importantly - he had tried something new and followed it through to the very end.
Following the performance, Yung Filly sat down with Danny and asked him to describe his overall experience.
“I feel like I conquered a new fear,” Danny said.
“You did, fam! As much as you’re laughing, you actually did,” Filly replied. “Because myself and Peperami helped you conquer your fears, we thought it was only right to get you a gift…”
And lo and behold, Danny is now the proud owner of some tight Peperami-green swim briefs - so look out for the famed fashion designer on your next trip to your local lido.
But most importantly, remember that Danny is somebody who once had a fear of swimming and had never even dived into a swimming pool before his day with Filly. It just goes to show what can be accomplished when you go a bit Peperami and push yourself out of your comfort zone!