Meet D. Elliot Woods

We recently connected with D. Elliot Woods and have shared our conversation below.

D. Elliot, first a big thank you for taking the time to share your thoughts and insights with us today. I’m sure many of our readers will benefit from your wisdom, and one of the areas where we think your insight might be most helpful is related to imposter syndrome. Imposter syndrome is holding so many people back from reaching their true and highest potential and so we’d love to hear about your journey and how you overcame imposter syndrome.

Wow… Great question. It was a helluva process and a tough journey that was, ultimately, SO worth the time & effort.

I think we’re all motivated to ‘fit in’ and not be the ‘odd person out’ (in our peer group) from an early age. But our innate differences & upbringings make that goal pretty much impossible.

In my case, honest reflection of past events – in my various circle(s) of friends, academics, sports, business and later, Acting & Writing – coupled with reading uplifting material, watching the journeys of countless heroes in movies & TV shows and just desiring inner peace… it finally occurred to me that I WAS enough… and I always had been. Whenever and where ever I’d fallen short or had been fearful even in my victories was ALL because of what I had been conditioned – by others AND myself – to believe about ‘me.’

When I finally realized and accepted that * I * had been the driving force behind a shortage of self-belief and inconsistent or undesired results, I consciously began reprogramming my mind and my expectations of myself… and it’s made all the difference in the world. Most importantly, I now have the inner peace I’d always desired because, like Dorothy in ‘The Wiz’, it had been there all along.

Let’s take a small detour – maybe you can share a bit about yourself before we dive back into some of the other questions we had for you?

What do I do? Well, besides Acting in numerous TV shows, movies & commercials, let’s just say I get to play in the worlds of basketball legends, high-stakes suspense, and heart-thumping thrillers — and it’s never boring! Right now, I’m entering post-production on a documentary about Sam Jones, the Boston Celtics legend who won an astonishing 10 NBA championships, including eight in a row! It’s called “Ten Rings: Sam Jones… A Legend Remembered,” and it’s our tribute to his incredible journey, not only as a player but as a trailblazer who helped break racial barriers in the NBA. From being drafted sight unseen to standing up against racial discrimination, Sam’s story is one of grit, heart, and championship glory, and I can’t wait for everyone to experience it.

But that’s just one side of my creative world. I also write fast-paced, gripping thrillers. My debut novel “Rise of The Unicorn” was a wild ride for me and readers alike, reaching as high as #12 on Amazon’s bestsellers list so far. It’s currently being considered for a Hollywood adaptation (fingers crossed!), so who knows where this journey might go. Think of it as a mix of Die Hard, Inside Man, and The Usual Suspects, with plot twists that’ll keep you guessing until the very end.

And now, I’m wrapping up my second thriller, “11 Minutes, 14 Seconds.” This one has a bit of a deeper, more inspirational angle, as it follows a single dad fighting to remain a part of his daughter’s life, only to discover that she is destined to save the world. It’s a story that blends suspense with heart and spiritual awakening, and I’m really excited about how it’s coming together. If you liked “Rise of the Unicorn,” this one will definitely give you something new and thought-provoking to chew on.

When I’m not creating imaginary worlds, I’m also the founder of Fly Free Entertainment, where I get to mentor and support a new generation of storytellers. For me, it’s all about elevating voices and perspectives, especially those of diverse, non-stereotypical characters who are often left out of mainstream narratives. I’m passionate about not only telling my own stories but also helping others find their creative freedom in this wild industry.

Outside of all that? I’m a dad who loves my kids, basketball, a jazz fan, and someone who believes in savoring life’s little moments — whether that’s a delicious meal, a spontaneous trip, or just some quality time with my mischievous Siberian Husky. Life’s an adventure, and I’m just along for the ride, making stories that hopefully leave a lasting impact on my audience.

So, stay tuned — there’s a lot more to come!

There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?

Curiosity, a light, happy spirit and my ability to self-examine not just why something good or bad happened but more importantly what my part was in why the experience was necessary… in a spiritual sense… no matter how long it took to ‘get’ the answer.

The best advice I can give is, to the best of your ability, please understand how VITAL it is that you learn to love and accept yourself – as you are – despite of one’s own set of personal challenges and issues. It’s fine to want to eventually become a ‘better’ version of one’s self, but it’s not helpful to mentally ‘beat yourself up’ for not being ‘that’ version of yourself just yet.

Hold the vision of who and/or what you want to become in your mind… and no matter how many or how few steps you take each day… Do NOT stop moving in the direction you want to go.

Awesome, really appreciate you opening up with us today and before we close maybe you can share a book recommendation with us. Has there been a book that’s been impactful in your growth and development?

“The Alchemist” by Paulo Cohelo

To realize one’s destiny is a person’s only real obligation.

When you want something, all the universe conspires to help you achieve it.

The soul of the world is nourished by people’s happiness.

That’s what alchemists do. They show that when we strive to become better than we are, everything around us becomes better too.

Contact Info:

Image Credits

Still from “Enterprise”, The Live True Project, Ten Rings Poster

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.
Highlighter Series
Are you doing what you were born to do—or what you were told to do?

Culture, economic circumstances, family traditions, local customs and more can often influence us more than

Highlighter Series
What are you most proud of building — that nobody sees?

We think this is an essential question because so often there is a disconnect between

Highlighter Series
Is the public version of you the real you?

We all think we’re being real—whether in public or in private—but the deeper challenge is