Rich's Vegas story that makes the boss pivot back to sports
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Rich Shirtley recounts a transformative and chaotic trip to Las Vegas centered around a canceled Ozzy Osbourne concert and an unexpected, intense experience at the Cirque du Soleil's Michael Jackson: One show. After Ozzy broke his hip and canceled his final tour, Rich and friends decided to embrace the moment by trying edible gummies before attending the show. What began as a lighthearted adventure quickly spiraled into a profound and overwhelming psychedelic experience—starting with terror during 'Thriller' as zombies walked through the crowd, then shifting to euphoric transcendence during 'Man in the Mirror,' where Rich felt a deep spiritual connection, cried uncontrollably, and felt 'like I've touched God.' The emotional rollercoaster left his friends catatonic, and Rich ended the night wandering into an EDM club before collapsing into sleep. The story becomes a humorous yet poignant meditation on vulnerability, the unpredictability of substances, and the power of music to evoke deep emotional and spiritual responses. Despite the chaos, Rich reflects on the experience with awe and self-awareness, vowing to avoid edibles forever.
Edibles can cause extreme, unpredictable emotional swings—ranging from panic to profound euphoria—especially in unfamiliar settings.
Music, particularly iconic songs like 'Man in the Mirror,' can become deeply personal and transformative during altered states.
The experience of a live show can be amplified dramatically by substances, but the emotional aftermath may require significant recovery time.
Even when plans fall apart (like a canceled concert), spontaneous decisions can lead to unforgettable, life-changing moments.
Personal boundaries around substance use should be respected—Rich now avoids edibles entirely after this experience.
Ozzy’s Final Tour and the Vegas Trip
Rich shares his excitement about seeing Ozzy Osbourne’s final tour in Vegas, only to learn he canceled due to a hip injury, prompting the group to pivot to a new plan.
The Gummy Experiment Begins
The group decides to try edibles before attending the Cirque du Soleil show, with Rich admitting he’s inexperienced and unsure of dosing.
The Horror of 'Thriller' – A Panic Attack in the Crowd
“I'm sitting there in an absolute hellscape as the entire song goes, and I honestly think this is the moment I'm going to die.”
The Euphoria of 'Man in the Mirror' – A Spiritual Awakening
“All of a sudden, I start crying in front of all of my friends because every word in that song makes sense to me. And I'm like, this song was written for me at this very moment.”
Aftermath and Reflection: From Chaos to Clarity
“I can't do the edibles. Can't do, it's just too much. Anytime I've ever tried, it's something like that where I'm literally laying in my bed panicking, thinking about how stupid my name is.”
“All of a sudden, I start crying in front of all of my friends because every word in that song makes sense to me. And I'm like, this song was written for me at this very moment.”
“I'm sitting there in an absolute hellscape as the entire song goes, and I honestly think this is the moment I'm going to die.”
“I can't do the edibles. Can't do, it's just too much. Anytime I've ever tried, it's something like that where I'm literally laying in my bed panicking, thinking about how stupid my name is.”
Hosts
Rich Shirtley
person
Michael Jackson
person
Cirque du Soleil
organization
Ozzy Osbourne
person
Ken Laird
person
Michael Jackson: One
media
Ted Johnson
person
Guns N' Roses
other
Ha Ha gummies
product
AC/DC
other
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