Lifestyle

Youngest Trickshot Artist Zahidul Islam (RJTRICKSHOT) in an interview

Published

3 years ago

May 27, 2022

When people think of trick-shot artists, there are a few names that immediately to mind. Mike Massey and Florian Kohler come to mind right away. Zahidul Islam aka RJ TRICKSHOT can now be added to the list of trick shot artists who come to mind when gamers think of them.

When did you start doing trick shots?

I started playing pool when I was thirteen years old. I began practicing trick shots when I was 17 years old and have never looked back.

How many hours a day do you practice on average?

In a single day, I can play pool, billiards, artistic, or trick shots for 5 hours.

Who has been the most influential artist in your life?

Mike Massey and, especially, Florian Kohler.

One thing I’ve always loved about your videos is how distinctive they are. How do you consistently come up with new trick shot ideas?

It runs through my head every time I practice. I periodically watch trickshot videos by legend players, notably Florian’s. I keep an eye on him and try to imitate some of his difficult shots. I also write down and save new trick shots on my phone as I think of them. Many of my creations aren’t posted online because many others may claim them as their own. I’m now taping everything I’m doing, and it should be accessible soon. I’m always thinking about how well-developed my idol is and how much patience a trick shot requires. On a good day, it’s easy to make trick shots, but not every day is the same, so artists occasionally give up.

So far in your pool career, what do you consider your proudest achievement?

Florian Kohler’s visit to my house was the most productive moment of success, from my perspective. For two days, he coached and taught me a variety of trick shots while sharing all of his secrets. Being a part of the next pool legend is also quite exciting.

You started off doing trick shots developed by Mike Massey, Florian, and others on YouTube. How do you feel now that your photos are being copied?

This is always fascinating and surprising. Being a part of the pool’s history is a dream come true for me. Any of the trick shots that are available online can be copied by anyone. On social media, I received a lot of encouragement, and one fan told me that witnessing my trick shots had tremendously inspired him. After that, he even brought a pool table, so I decided to give him a free trick shot lesson. He was overjoyed, which was the highest compliment I could have received.

You masse a lot and shoot most of your movies at home. How often do you replace your table’s felt?

It varies entirely on how much I play on any given day. But it’s more likely that my feelings shift every three to four months. Predator Cues, fortunately, sponsors all of my pool products, including the felt.

What recommendations would you provide to someone interested in pursuing an artistic pool career?

Simply take pleasure in what you’re doing. Unlike the ordinary pool, which can become tedious after a while, the trick shot can be exciting to create. It becomes tiresome to drill the same shots over and over. You’ll be OK if you use your imagination!!

Lifestyle

Derik Fay: The Strategist Who Built Empires Where Others Saw Limits

Published

1 day ago

June 22, 2025

Michelle Langton

In the ever-changing landscape of entrepreneurship, few names carry the weight of strategic precision like Derik Fay. Behind the scenes of some of the most dynamic, growth-driven companies in America, Fay has become a master at the art of scaling businesses without sacrificing soul.

What makes his journey all the more compelling isn’t just what he’s done — it’s how quietly and deliberately he’s done it. Born in Westerly, Rhode Island, on a cold November day in 1978, Fay didn’t come from connections or capital. He came from resilience. Raised in modest circumstances, he developed a mindset early on that would come to define his success: if a door doesn’t open, build the damn frame yourself.

At 6’1″, Fay’s physical presence is matched only by the magnitude of his vision. Over the past two decades, he’s grown from a solo operator into a force that touches nearly every major sector in American business. He is best known as the founder of 3F Management, a multi-sector venture and private equity firm that acts less like a bank and more like a command center — diagnosing broken business structures, overhauling teams, and rebuilding revenue engines from the inside out.

But 3F is only the beginning. Fay holds active leadership or board roles across a broad range of ventures, including Around the Clock Fitness, SalonPlex, Results Roofing, BIGG Pharma, Tycoon Payments, Eratyc Entertainment, FayMs Films, and even the combat sports disruptor Bare Knuckle Fighting Championships (BKFC). Each of these businesses reflects a different side of his philosophy: high-functioning systems, vertical integration, and zero tolerance for mediocrity.

And while his public persona is often understated, the reach is massive. His online presence alone has generated billions of views, with over 1.4 million followers engaging with his strategic insights, mentorship content, and thought leadership across platforms. He’s not an influencer — he’s an executor with influence.

Yet behind the numbers and headlines is a family man. Since 2021, Fay has shared his life with his partner, Shandra Phillips, whose presence he often credits as grounding his often chaotic, deal-driven world. Together, they raise two daughters, Sophia Elena Fay and Isabella Roslyn Fay — the true north to his professional compass.

Despite his vast portfolio, Fay is not driven by applause. He’s driven by the ripple effect. Every deal, every venture, every mentorship session carries the same intention: to leave people, companies, and communities better than he found them.

He’s also begun exploring a new frontier — film and entertainment. Through FayMs Films and strategic partnerships with entertainment studios, Fay is merging business with storytelling, stepping occasionally into the spotlight as an actor and executive producer. It’s a logical evolution for a man who’s spent his life crafting narratives — only now, some of them play out on screen.

And while many entrepreneurs spend their careers chasing validation, Fay has been repeatedly recognized in major outlets like Forbes, Yahoo Finance, and Maxim, not for buzz but for results. He’s been cited alongside legacy names in global business and continues to operate with the same laser-focus that got him through his first startup, his first failure, and his first million-dollar win.

In a time when founders obsess over being seen, Derik Fay has built something far rarer — he’s become essential. Not just to his companies, but to the evolving definition of what modern leadership looks like: measured, disciplined, people-first, and unapologetically ambitious.

He doesn’t just build businesses.
He builds systems that build people.

Derikfay.com