We recently connected with Michael Vasquez and have shared our conversation below.
Michael, thanks so much for taking the time to share your insights and lessons with us today. We’re particularly interested in hearing about how you became such a resilient person. Where do you get your resilience from?
My Mom & Dad always had my brother and me in sports. Sport is what gave me the ability to be more confident in myself and that confidence started to blossom in High School. One day when school let out and I was walking home a kid called out to me and said Hey you should join the cross-country team. I told him I was not sure that I could run cross-country, but he convinced me that not only could I run but that it would be fun. After a considered amount of convincing I reluctantly said yes that I would join. Running was a true test of my physical and mental abilities because the cross-county coach pushed me beyond what I thought were my limits. My mind and body started to change me, positively and later that year much to my surprise I earned my Letters Man jacket. I have gone on to run a countless number of marathons across this great country and have pushed myself to achieve even more. I have biked century bike rides, run ultra marathons, and competed in a considerable number of Ironman Triathlons.
Thanks for sharing that. So, before we get any further into our conversation, can you tell our readers a bit about yourself and what you’re working on?
I have been working with Oceanside International Film Festival a non-profit for scores of years. My work with them has been both challenging and extremely rewarding. Taking me outside of my comfort zone and helping me to grow in innumerable ways as a person. Providing me with immense opportunities to further my acting career. Having been on stage and in film I can bring that understanding to my Red-Carpet interviews that I do and the films that I judge as part of the Film Festival committee. O.I.F.F. allows me to network and meet extraordinarily great people. A great number of those people have gone on to be good friends, mentors, and teachers. I have found that good teachers can help you with a foundation of understanding that clears a path to success. Do not get me wrong it takes a wealth of demanding work to have a glimpse of success and much of that work is without monetary compensation. It is what I would refer to as sweat equity and nothing is more valuable to me than experience. Volunteering is a good thing and volunteering is what got me my first T.V. commercial. There was no talk of financial compensation, and I did not expect it but one day weeks later I opened the mailbox and much to my surprise I received a check for that work. I am currently studying with an incredibly good Acting Teacher and being challenged to do the work it takes to have more success.
If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
I would say to volunteer to help other people when you can. Take chances in areas that are not your expertise accepting the fact that you might not do as good as others or even make a fool of yourself. Laugh it off and you will learn so much about yourself. Never look at someone and think that they have nothing to teach you because everyone has something to share with you. You know the old saying “You can’t teach an old dog new tricks” Not true, no matter what our age we all can learn something. What I mean by that is, it is never too late in life to try and learn something new. Never give up on yourself!
What do you do when you feel overwhelmed? Any advice or strategies?
When I am feeling like nothing is working and I am feeling defeated. I like to go outside in nature for a long walk with my dog Louie. I stop thinking about what is bothering me and just enjoy my surroundings the trees, hills, bushes, and the sound of the birds, the breeze. The natural world outside helps clear my mind and taking deep breaths helps nourish my body with a whole new perspective. That new perspective oftentimes is enough to help me unlock and resolve to my troubles.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: @ironmanmike
- Facebook: @Michael E. Vasquez
- Twitter: @Michaelezz
Image Credits
I have all rights to images.
