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"It's like walking dogs, but you don't have to pick up poo."

That's how Chuck McCarthy describes his job as The People Walker. It's a joke, of course, albeit one that the L.A.-based actor delivers dryly enough over the phone that it almost feels profound.

But that's basically how he managed to turn people-walking into a second career. Acting work comes in waves, even for the biggest names in the industry, and he was looking for something to fill the time and get him out of the house when he was between gigs. He knew some people who made extra cash by walking dogs, but he didn't want to pick up poop, "which is really what you're being paid for," he said.

During the spring of 2016, McCarthy took inspiration from advertisements in coffee shops and on telephone poles and began to promote his business as the People Walker.

The concept was simple: If you needed companionship on a walk, for whatever reason, McCarthy would show up and stroll alongside you at the low, low cost of $7 a mile.

At first, it was definitely a bit of a joke. But by the end of the summer, he was getting regular, repeat business, walking more than one person a day on average. He even received people-walking requests and news coverage from places like Norway and France.

It's almost like people are eager to connect with other people in real life in a low-pressure, stress-free kind of way.

Sometimes people just want a human interaction with low expectations.

"I enjoy talking to people and learning about other people," he said, explaining that he tries to listen more than he talks. "People aren't usually, like, confessing tons of stuff to me. But I don't want to make them feel like they couldn't tell me something, either."

This is particularly important when it comes to the celebrity culture that permeates Los Angeles. As he explains in his people-walking FAQ, "All of our walks are 100% confidential. We won't leak any stories to TMZ ... unless you want us to leak a story to TMZ" — which, yes, costs an additional fee. It is Los Angeles, after all.

(In the FAQ, he also says that while he is not a licensed therapist, he'll happily charge you therapist rates, although you should probably contact a professional if you need someone to help you sort your problems out.)

Of course, McCarthy's not just in it for the money. Being the People Walker comes with its own benefits, too.

In just a few months, McCarthy's already shaved a few inches off his waist — although he's quick to point out that he hasn't necessarily lost weight, and that weight and health and happiness are not necessarily linked.

But in general, just getting out and walking does make him happier. Plus, it helps him with his acting career.

"The more people that you have contact with, that you're around, that you can hear a story from or learn from something, that gives you material or things to pull from for acting," he explained. "Meeting different people, and talking to different people, and learning things, and hearing stories can never hurt an actor, or writer, or any other type of artist."

McCarthy plans to launch a People Walker app soon — think of it like Uber but for human interaction.

The app will connect people who want to be walked with other potential people-walkers in their area — who, of course, will be ranked and vetted by other users.

Simply put, People Walker Chuck McCarthy is the real deal of human awesomeness.

But if you're still not sold, check out the video below.

If you live in L.A. and are looking for companionship, you can get in touch with the People Walker on Facebook. Or, if you're looking to start your own people-walking franchise, visit ThePeopleWalker.org to stay in touch with McCarthy as he plans his great expansion.