Mike is flying solo for another Coffee Time Kicks episode, and he brought a good one. He sits down with photographer and content creator Adham Abousalem, better known as Chef Doomy, for an honest conversation about building a craft instead of chasing a following.

They get into why this wave of oversaturated releases is quietly handing power back to the collector, what actually makes someone a sneakerhead (it has nothing to do with brand loyalty), and how New Balance helped make comfortable runners cool again in a post-Yeezy world.

Adham shares his origin, from collecting dubstep band tees and borrowing a friend's camera to becoming one of the most respected shooters in the space. He talks openly about how COVID drained his motivation, why ComplexCon changed his trajectory, and why shaking a hand still beats sending a DM.

Then there's the Ronnie Fieg moment. Adham explains how a genuine, no-agenda conversation at an All-Star weekend Kith panel led to Ronnie gifting him a 1-of-36 Kith x Nike Air Max 95 in "Beetroot," with a handwritten note he won't forget.

It is a real conversation about doing the work for the love of it, staying positive, and letting the opportunities come when they come.

Follow Chef Doomy: @chefdoomy on Instagram and Twitter/X.

New here? Subscribe to the Sneaker History Podcast, leave a review, and tell us your favorite Kith release or your favorite Chef Doomy photo in the comments.

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