Meet Daniel Morrison

Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Daniel Morrison. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Daniel, we’re thrilled to have you sharing your thoughts and lessons with our community. So, for folks who are at a stage in their life or career where they are trying to be more resilient, can you share where you get your resilience from?

I recently wrote about several setbacks in my life on Substack, and it gave me a bit of clarity on resilience. I think any resilience I possess has been shaped by the hardest and most humbling moments of my life.

The first was when I applied to business school. I was denied by every school I applied to—including the one I eventually attended. I had no business background, no admissions consultant, and no idea how competitive the process really was. But instead of giving up, I doubled down. I studied for the GRE, rewrote my essays dozens of times, and eventually took the bold step of reaching out directly to the dean of admissions at USC. That email—and the videos I sent of me leading my students—led to me being “un-denied”, interviewed, and ultimately accepted. I even earned a scholarship my second year!

The second was during business school, when I applied to over 50 internships and was rejected by every single one. I poured myself into resume revisions, cover letters, mock interviews—you name it. And still, nothing. It was brutal. But it reminded me that effort doesn’t always equal immediate success—and that rejection doesn’t mean you’re not worthy. I found another path forward and kept going.

The third was earlier in life, when I lost my dream of becoming a professional trumpet player due to an overuse injury. That dream had defined my identity for two decades. Losing it felt like losing a part of myself. But in that loss, I was forced to rebuild, to reimagine who I was and who I wanted to become.

All of these experiences were painful in the moment—but they gave me something far more valuable than a clean, linear success story. They gave me grit. Perspective. And an unshakable belief that setbacks don’t define us—how we respond to them does.

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

I’m fortunate to have a few creative fires burning right now, each one rooted in storytelling, purpose, and community.

By day (and many nights!), I work as a marching band Program Coordinator and Designer through my company, Morrison Creative. I spent 11 years as a high school band director, and it was during that time that I truly fell in love with the collaborative, artistic process of putting together a marching show. There’s nothing like seeing a concept come alive on the field through the hard work of passionate students and educators.

During the pandemic, I also launched Happy, Not Satisfied—a mindset I used with my students that took on a life of its own. What started as a personal mantra has evolved into a Substack, a podcast, and a keynote speaking platform where I share stories about growth, grit, and the pursuit of excellence without losing gratitude. I’ve been honored to share the Happy, Not Satisfied message with nonprofits, schools, and companies, helping people reframe success as a balance between ambition and gratitude.

Most recently, I co-founded The Voice of San Antonio alongside Eleanora Morrison and Lorenzo Gomez. VOS is a contributor-driven thought leadership platform that elevates visionary voices across our city. We launched just a month ago and are already seeing incredible traction—over 150,000 views on Instagram alone. It’s been energizing to help shape something that showcases the people, ideas, and innovation that make San Antonio so special.

Across all of these projects, what excites me most is the opportunity to build—whether that’s a performance, a platform, or a perspective—and to help others find their own voice in the process.

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?

Learning to move through failure—and using it as a tool for growth—has been transformative for me. I can point to specific, painful moments where I made the conscious decision to keep going, to find another path forward. Those decisions shaped who I am. Without them, I wouldn’t be here.

Equally important has been the power of relationships. Taking a genuine interest in others, reaching out to people I admire just to grab coffee, and being intentional about how I build friendships—those efforts have opened doors I never could’ve planned for. Opportunities have often come from connection, not strategy.

And one thing I always share with younger folks: say yes early and often. There’s a lot of social media noise these days about setting boundaries and learning to say no—which absolutely has its time and place. But in your early 20s? That’s the season for yes. For trying things, meeting people, and stretching beyond your comfort zone. We don’t find ourselves by standing still—we find ourselves by exploring.

What has been your biggest area of growth or improvement in the past 12 months?

Six years ago, I got incredibly serious about my health. I threw myself into it—working out regularly, eating clean, meditating, journaling, the whole thing. I have a bit of an all-or-nothing personality, so I went all in. And at the time, it was exactly what I needed.

But over time, that intensity started to work against me. What began as a positive transformation slowly became rigid. I was so focused on discipline and optimization that I started to limit not just my habits, but my joy.

Over the past six months, I’ve shifted my approach. I still hold onto the habits that serve me—consistent exercise, mindful eating, taking care of my mental health—but I’ve loosened the reins. I’ve created space for spontaneity, flexibility, and fun. And as a result, I’ve never felt better—physically or emotionally.

It wasn’t an easy shift. I was afraid that letting go might undo the progress I had made. But what I’ve learned is that a strong foundation doesn’t crumble easily. The good stayed, and what changed was my mindset. By releasing the need to control every part of my life, I’ve made room for joy—and that’s been the most powerful transformation of all.

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.
Resilience
Portraits of Resilience

Sometimes just seeing resilience can change out mindset and unlock our own resilience. That’s our

Productivity
Perspectives on Staying Creative

We’re beyond fortunate to have built a community of some of the most creative artists,

Confidence
Kicking Imposter Syndrome to the Curb

This is the year to kick the pesky imposter syndrome to the curb and move