We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Jimmy Wienholz a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Jimmy, we’re so appreciative of you taking the time to share your nuggets of wisdom with our community. One of the topics we think is most important for folks looking to level up their lives is building up their self-confidence and self-esteem. Can you share how you developed your confidence?
That’s a complex question for me, especially as someone who deals with clinical depression. But when I step back and look at what I’ve accomplished, I do see validation. I have two multi-award-winning films and have had the privilege of interviewing over 500 guests from the entertainment industry on my podcast. Given the opportunities I’ve had, I believe I’ve done a good job, and I’m always striving to do even better. My confidence comes largely from the incredible support of my closest friends and family, who continue to encourage me on this journey.
Appreciate the insights and wisdom. Before we dig deeper and ask you about the skills that matter and more, maybe you can tell our readers about yourself?
I’m Jimmy Wienholz, and I founded The Horrific Network, a multimedia company, ten years ago. Through Horrific, I’ve built the award-winning Ghost Executioners film franchise, which currently includes a short film, a 40-minute installment, and an upcoming feature. We’ve also produced two seasons of a web series, along with several other projects over the years.
Beyond filmmaking, I lead the production team for Sinister Creature Con, a Northern California horror convention that I’m incredibly proud of. It’s given my team and me the chance to meet and interview some of our heroes live on stage, which has been an amazing experience.
On a personal note, I’m happily married to my wonderful wife, La Donna, and I love the adventures we share together. By day, I work with high school special needs students, which is a role I find deeply fulfilling.
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?
The first quality is perseverance. Life will always have rough patches, but the key is to keep pushing forward no matter what. Things do turn around, even if it doesn’t feel like it in the moment. You just have to trust that process and keep going.
The second is optimism. Especially while dealing with clinical depression, I’ve learned that looking at situations with a “glass half full” mindset is a must. It’s so easy to focus on the negatives, but that can quickly pull you into a dark place. And let me tell you, it’s much harder to climb back up than it is to fall down.
Lastly, humility is crucial. No matter how good you are at something, there will always be someone out there who does it better—even at the highest levels. The people who stay humble, surround themselves with a solid support system, and focus on their own lane tend to find the most success in the long run.
As for advice, I’ll share the same wisdom that was given to me almost a decade ago: If you have a dream, it’s never going to come true unless you take that first step toward making it a reality. If there’s something you want to accomplish, go out and find a way to make it happen. The dream might evolve along the way, but sometimes what it becomes is even more beautiful than what you originally envisioned.
To close, maybe we can chat about your parents and what they did that was particularly impactful for you?
My parents did so much for me, and I could share countless stories about how awesome they were. But the most impactful thing they instilled in me was the mantra: Think. Believe. Become.
Those three simple words were displayed in my mother’s classroom, and they made such a lasting impression on me that I eventually had them tattooed on my body. They’re a constant reminder that no matter the situation, your mindset and determination shape your path. If you think about what you want, truly believe in it, and put in the work, you can become whatever you set out to be. That T.B.B. attitude is something I’ll always carry with me.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/horrificnetwork/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thehorrificnetwork
- Twitter: https://x.com/HorrificP
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheHorrificNetwork
- Other: Podcast Link: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-horrific-network/id1578943290
Image Credits
the images are my own
so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
