The Life and Times of Kevin Hipes, the New York Forrest Gump
Date Published: July 24, 2025
Caribbean—meet Kevin Hipes, the real-life New York Forrest Gump.
Book of Me is not your average memoir. It’s a laugh-out-loud,
tear-in-your-eye, one-of-a-kind true story collection from a man who has lived
more lives than most of us can imagine. Factory worker. Hippie. Banker.
Entrepreneur. Rockstar (sort of). Preacher. Politician. Oil tanker owner.
Cancer survivor. Bipolar truth-teller. Kevin Hipes has worn all these
hats—and more.
Told with warmth, humor, and heart, Kevin’s stories come alive in this
unconventional autobiography. Originally recorded as a series of YouTube
episodes on his channel Planet Hipes, these 66 episodes have been transformed
into a compelling, easy-to-read book that invites you to laugh, cry, reflect,
and recognize a bit of yourself along the way.
Whether you’re looking for a good laugh, a touch of inspiration, or a wildly
entertaining ride through 70 years of true-life adventures, Book of Me will
leave you smiling, thinking, and maybe even saying, “Hey, I’ve got
a story like that too.”
📺 BONUS: After reading the book, head to Kevin’s YouTube channel Planet
Hipes and experience the stories told by Kevin himself—animated, real,
and unforgettable.
Because life’s not about the destination—it’s about the
journey. And Kevin Hipes has one hell of a story to tell.
Kevin Hipes is a born storyteller, lifelong entrepreneur, and proud New Yorker
with a personality as big as the adventures he’s lived. Often called
“the New York Forrest Gump,” Kevin’s life has taken him from
the streets of Queens to the pulpit, to business boardrooms, and even to the
deck of his very own oil tanker in the Caribbean. As Kevin often says
“Forrest owned a shrimp boat, but I owned an Oil Tanker and my story is
true!”
With no formal writing background, Kevin still managed to turn a lifetime of
unbelievable experiences into a heartfelt, hilarious, and deeply human
book—Book of Me. Rather than writing in the traditional sense, Kevin
recorded over 100 personal episodes for his YouTube channel, Planet Hipes,
then compiled them into a unique memoir filled with wit, wisdom,determination,
and raw truth.
As an uneducated street kid from Queens, Kevin has lived many lives from
factory worker to Hippie, to rockstar (almost), banker, preacher,
restaurateur, politician and more. He shares not just the ups and downs of a
seven-decade journey but speaks intimately about being a cancer survivor who
also struggled through and dealt with a bipolar disorder, keeping the high
energy manic side while overcoming the devastating depressions that plagued
him through most of his life. You will find Kevin’s faith in God,
unrelenting positive mindset and sense of humor make for a powerful story
boldly told in his own words.
Kevin currently lives in Orlando, Florida, where he owns and runs HCB Real
Estate, a retail commercial brokerage and development firm. Book of Me is his
debut memoir and a testament to the power of authenticity, faith, and
self-deprecating humor.
Follow Kevin’s stories on YouTube: Planet Hipes and experience the
animated storyteller in action.
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