Meet Mei Ling Marzonie

We were lucky to catch up with Mei Ling Marzonie recently and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Mei Ling, appreciate you sitting with us today to share your wisdom with our readers. So, let’s start with resilience – where do you get your resilience from?

My resilience comes from a combination of life experiences, challenges, and the determination to keep moving forward no matter what. Growing up, I learned the importance of goal setting, hard work, and consistency. Those values became my foundation, and I’ve carried them with me through every stage of my life.

Being adopted from China and raised in Michigan, in a community where not many people looked like me, I developed resilience early on. Navigating those spaces taught me how to adapt, stand tall in my identity, and keep pushing forward even when I felt out of place.

Resilience has also come from moments where I’ve been knocked down and had to rebuild myself—time and time again. Each setback became a stepping stone, teaching me to trust in my strength and keep going. I’ve learned that there are no shortcuts in life. You have to show up, work hard, and believe in yourself.

That’s where my resilience comes from: my experiences, my grit, and an unwavering belief that I can handle whatever comes my way.

Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?

I shoot, edit, direct, and produce weddings, music videos, music dance videos, documentaries, narratives, commercials, and BTS. I am what they can honestly refer to as a renaissance woman who is actively eager to see the industry change for the better. I shoot and direct mainly documentaries as that is my bread and butter when creating and crafting better stories. I wonder if I will be able to make it all the time, however, I am always able to show up and on time to grow my career in film making. It has truly been a blessing to be here and I am so proud of how far I have come. It truly does take time and I wonder how long I will be able to stay out here in LA. My art for documentaries is all about representation, inclusion, mental health, bettering the environment, race, culture, and more. I love documenting the world within my lens. I also enjoy playing the alto saxophone, exercising, going for hikes, cooking, and finally hanging out with friends.

Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?

Looking back, I’d say the three most impactful qualities in my journey have been resilience, curiosity, and collaboration. Each of these has shaped not only my creative process but also how I approach challenges and opportunities in life.

Resilience has been crucial, especially in an industry where rejection and setbacks are part of the process. It’s about learning how to pivot, grow, and keep going, even when the path isn’t clear. My advice for cultivating resilience is to embrace challenges as opportunities for growth. Reflect on what you’ve learned from every experience and remind yourself why you started in the first place.

Curiosity has kept me open to learning and experimentation. Whether it’s exploring new camera techniques, diving into a fresh genre, or connecting with different cultures, staying curious fuels creativity. For those just starting out, I’d say: don’t be afraid to ask questions, try something new, or even fail spectacularly. Each attempt will teach you something invaluable.

Finally, collaboration has taught me the value of community and perspective. Some of the best projects I’ve been part of happened because I trusted others’ expertise and allowed our ideas to evolve together. To develop this skill, focus on building relationships and learning how to communicate your vision clearly while being open to input.

For anyone early in their journey, my advice is to be patient with yourself. The road to growth isn’t linear, but every step—no matter how small—is progress. Invest in the things you’re passionate about, surround yourself with supportive people, and stay true to your unique voice.

Who has been most helpful in helping you overcome challenges or build and develop the essential skills, qualities or knowledge you needed to be successful?

Honestly, I wouldn’t be where I am today without the people who have supported, challenged, and inspired me along the way. My parents have always been my foundation. They taught me the importance of hard work, perseverance, and staying true to myself. Growing up as an adoptee, navigating identity and belonging wasn’t always easy, but they gave me the space to explore who I am and the courage to face challenges head-on.

I’ve also been incredibly lucky to have mentors and collaborators who’ve guided me. From teachers who encouraged my creativity to industry peers who’ve pushed me to take risks and refine my craft, their advice and shared experiences have been invaluable. One mentor in particular taught me how to turn ‘failure’ into an opportunity to learn, which has completely changed how I approach my work and setbacks.

Finally, my community—both in-person and online—has been a huge source of inspiration. Seeing how others navigate their own creative journeys and sharing stories with people from diverse backgrounds reminds me that success is as much about connection as it is about individual growth.

If I’ve learned one thing, it’s that success is never a solo journey. Surrounding yourself with people who challenge you, lift you up, and share in your vision is everything.

Contact Info:

Suggest a Story: BoldJourney is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems,
so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
Productivity
Where do you get your work ethic from?

We’ve all heard the phrase “work hard, play hard,” but where does our work ethic

Productivity
Tactics & Strategies for Keeping Your Creativity Strong

With the rapid improvements in AI, it’s more important than ever to keep your creativity

Productivity
From Burnout to Balance: The Role of Self-Care

Burning out is one of the primary risks you face as you work towards your