Mike Messier and the Art of Living Life on Your Own Terms
As I continue expanding the scope of my interviews—reaching out to voices you may not have heard, but definitely should—I recently had the pleasure of sitting down with someone who embodies the spirit of independent creativity in its rawest, most honest form.
His name is Mike Messier.
You may not know him yet.
But you should.
Mike is an actor, director, screenwriter, producer, and—believe it or not—a former professional wrestler. He’s also a festival founder, an artist who wears many hats, and even a pet sitter when the rent calls louder than the muse. He’s not Hollywood-famous. He doesn’t have a team of publicists working his angles. But what he does have is something a lot rarer: a life built on creativity, perseverance, and purpose.
And in today’s world? That might just be the more radical choice.
From Wrestling Rings to Film Reels
Mike Messier is not your typical artist. He didn’t follow the well-worn path to L.A. or New York hoping to catch lightning in a bottle. Instead, he built his own weather system. He carved his name in independent film and performance art, not by waiting for the right opportunity, but by making his own.
To fund his projects, Mike started his own film festivals. Think about that for a second. Most people wait for acceptance, chase validation, hope for approval from institutions that often never call. But Mike? He created the space himself.
He’s written and directed indie films like Disregard the Vampire and The Impeccable, hosted talk shows, published poetry, and even ran his own YouTube channel for creative minds and misfits. When money got tight, he didn’t fold. He pivoted. He became a pet sitter, a wrestling personality, a voice-over actor—whatever it took to keep the flame of his creative life burning.
Mike didn’t sell out.
He bought in—fully—to who he is.
The Creativity Hustle
In my interview with Mike, one thing became crystal clear: this guy is doing it for the right reasons. He’s not chasing red carpets or streaming deals. He’s chasing truth. He’s trying to connect with people, to tell stories that matter, and to create art that makes you feel something.
And yeah, it’s not easy. He’s not flying private or cashing six-figure checks. But here’s the question I keep coming back to: What’s wrong with that?
Why do we measure success only in money, fame, and followers? Why do we ignore the people who are living life on their own terms—people like Mike—simply because they aren’t trending on social media?
Mike’s story reminded me that there’s another kind of success: the kind that comes from staying true to your vision, waking up each day to do work that feeds your soul, even if it doesn't feed the algorithm.
What We Can Learn From Mike
So, what can the rest of us take away from a guy like Mike Messier?
1. Build the World You Want to Live In
Mike didn’t wait for someone to hand him a spotlight—he built his own stage. Whether it's launching a film festival or self-producing content, Mike proves you don’t need permission to create. You just need guts.
2. Redefine Success
We’ve been conditioned to believe that success is only valid if it comes with a paycheck or paparazzi. Mike flips that idea on its head. He’s not rich by Wall Street standards, but he’s rich in purpose, persistence, and perspective. That’s worth something.
3. Adapt, Don’t Quit
When things got tough, Mike didn’t give up. He found new ways to keep going. Wrestling gigs, pet sitting, teaching workshops—it’s all part of the patchwork life of an artist. And that flexibility? That refusal to bow out? That’s resilience in action.
4. Love What You Do, No Matter Who’s Watching
Mike doesn’t create for likes or clout. He creates because it’s who he is. Because it’s how he makes sense of the world. And honestly, in a culture obsessed with performative success, that kind of authenticity is a rare and beautiful thing.
So, What About You?
After talking to Mike, I walked away asking myself a few questions. Maybe you should too:
Are you living a life true to who you really are?
Are you making space for your passions, even if they don’t pay the bills?
Are you measuring your worth by someone else’s ruler?
Maybe it’s time we all start doing things a little more like Mike.
Check out his work. Watch his films. Listen to his words. Support the people who are quietly, courageously, building creative lives under the radar.
Because people like Mike Messier—they remind us of what’s still possible when you dare to follow your own path.
You can learn more about Mike and explore his creative work at:
🌐 mikemessier.com
Stay curious,
Matt Pierce
