IN THE SHED

For musicians, going "In the Shed" means locking out the world and surrendering to the all-consuming obsession of the craft. For Tyler Ransom—a 25-year-old producer, singer, and jazz guitarist—it's also how he fights for a better quality of life.

Diagnosed with Nephrotic Syndrome at just 18 months old, Tyler has spent decades navigating a cycle of relapses, hospital procedures, and fragile hope. But for the last two years, he has been in a rare, tenuous remission. Whether in or out of remission, he has always been tenacious and disciplined in his pursuit of his dreams—from martial arts (BJJ) in his youth, to graduating from The New School of Performing Arts, to making it on his own in NYC.

Director Marlon Ransom has documented his son's life for the better part of 18 years, and the result is this behind-the-scenes look at a family pushed to the brink.

But this is not a story about overcoming illness through positivity; it is a raw portrait of an artist using his craft to reclaim control. As Tyler pours his survival instinct into every chord, In the Shed poses a universal question: What if the very thing that challenges you is the key to everything you're capable of?

To be "chronically positive" is to spend more time focusing on the positives, while keeping negative thoughts and actions to a bare minimum.

My son, Tyler, has been enduring a lifelong battle with a rare kidney illness—one that has meant countless hospital stays, medications, and an exhausting physical toll. Through it all, he has maintained a positive outlook that betrays his years. A decade-long student of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, a straight-A student, and an accomplished jazz guitarist with his own band, Tyler Ransom and the Handsomes, he seemed to have a secret others were missing.

So I asked him about his process. How does he approach adversity? How does he stay focused on his goals? His answer was a simple, yet profoundly insightful, five-step system. I started applying it to my own life—both personally and professionally—and the results were immediate. Learning from my teenage son has not only humbled me, it has empowered me.

This book shares that system with you. Read it. Put it to work. And discover what being chronically positive can do for your life.