Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Justin Lamar. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Justin, 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?
I believe I got my resilience from growing up in my neighborhood. I’m not saying that I was in the worst or roughest neighborhood, but the people I grew were extremely tough and weakness would be attacked, especially if you were an outsider in this includes my parents. I think my community I grew up in were a proud people that always had to-prove themselves. That mentality helped shape who I am. A lot of my resilience played out on the basketball court no pun intended. Basketball was my first love in through failures or coming up short I learned to be resilient and never quit.
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?
My name is Justin Lamar Simmons and I am a stand-up comedian. Being a comedian allows me to tell stories about my life and what I observe in the most humorous way possible. Since I’ve been doing Comedy, I’ve been able to build a community and fan base that looks forward to my next show. Comedy can be a tough gig between the travel to self-doubt and politics of the game. Because of this I created my own entertainment company named Just N Joy. I also produce a weekly show, called Jokes and Jranks that has become a entertainment, staple in my community. I’ve not only given my self a place to perform and get better but I’ve done that countless others as well. Everyone from beginners to legends have attended my shows. Creating Just N Joy has allowed me to take control of my career and remain relevant in Comedy.
If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
I believe that you have to attack what you are scared of. I first did Comedy because I was scared to get on stage even though I knew I was naturally funny. I was scared of looking and feeling dumb if the crowd didn’t get me. I realized that my fear would stop me from experiencing The Joy of doing comedy. I’m glad I took that step to do it.
I believe you need a good work ethic to succeed in anything you choose to do in life. Sitting around and waiting for things to happen will get you nowhere fast. You have to actively practice your craft to become something special. It doesn’t always have to look good. You have to show up and work and get comfortable outside your comfort zone.
I think it’s important for people to remember that you aren’t better than anybody and nobody is better than you. A lot of times the spaces that we want to be in are intimidating. We look at the “Big Dogs” in the situation as if God gave them more than they gave us and that simply not true. Everybody has a starting point and the longer you wait to start the harder it will be. Half of the battle is simply showing up.
What is the number one obstacle or challenge you are currently facing and what are you doing to try to resolve or overcome this challenge?
My number one challenge as a stand-up comedian is balancing all the different parts of my life. I’m a husband a father a son, and I also work while being a Comedian. There are times where I simply feel drained or I feel like I can no longer continue juggling all these responsibilities.
A lot of artist would tell you that the art fills their soul, but not their pockets or their stomach. We need money for that so, I have plenty of times where I haveran from work to the stage and from the stage back to work.
My father recently passed, so I feel huge responsibility to be there for my mother, physically, financially and emotionally.
As a father and husband, I’m constantly inundated with responsibilities and I believe that’s my greatest job as a man.
Aside from time management and communication with all of the parties in my life, what I do to overcome this challenge is adjust my perspective when I feel everything is too much.
I’m Fortunate to be a father and a husband. I have an amazing wife who supports my career and two beautiful children. While my father‘s passing was tragic, I am fortunate to have had 36 years and a great relationship with him.. I feel a great deal of pride that I can step up and be there for my mother. It’s not that I HAVE to do things, I GET to do them. It’s all about your perspective. I sometimes pretend that someone without loving parents, without a loving family, without employment, and without a passion inhabited my body.
What would they do? How would they act.? The answer is whatever they needed do to make it work. They’d do their best to keep all those things because they’re valuable. They certainly wouldn’t take it for granted because they know what it feels like to be without.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thejustinlamarstory?igsh=cXk4aXN4NWpvcXdn&utm_source=qr
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/1A6qZCvMcm/?mibextid=wwXIfr
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/justin-simmons-20603712b?utm_source=share&utm_campaign=share_via&utm_content=profile&utm_medium=ios_app
- Youtube: https://youtube.com/@justinlamar6324?si=XkbPIyXn0mLzsAKN
Image Credits
“Preach” Mychal Butler
Joey Sasu
so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
