Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Knightmage . We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Knightmage , we’re so excited for our community to get to know you and learn from your journey and the wisdom you’ve acquired over time. Let’s kick things off with a discussion on self-confidence and self-esteem. How did you develop yours?
I think that developing confidence and self-esteem is a constant battle with all creatives. Some days you get a win and some days you lose but the main thing is that you don’t give up. Not only are you fighting with your own self-worth but outside factors such as other people and their opinions of you can influence the way the battle sways.
For me it was hitting a point in my life and realizing just how short life is and how absolutely ridiculous it is to not unapologetically be yourself. When you look at people and see how they go about their life, you can almost tell if they’re just existing or are they living. And the thing is there’s absolutely no wrong way to go about life but I wanted to make sure that I was doing it the way I wanted and not what was expected of me. Learning to be you and letting yourself share with others is a very freeing state of being.
It takes time and it definitely took time for me but I have to give all the credit to cosplay and my found passion for helping me find my way. Gradually exploring my creativity was like unlocking parts of myself I had no idea was there and not with just the physical aspect either. Mentally and socially with interactions and public speaking specifically. Seeing people from all walks of life from all around the world in the community helped me realize that it’s ok for me to be me. Like I said, it’s a battle that’s never going to be over but you can’t stop fighting because whether you know it or not, you’re helping someone else fight their battle too.
Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?
I basically have two full-time jobs; one is my career and the other is my passion.
My career is in Law Enforcement. I’m a 23-year Deputy for the Mahoning County Sheriff’s Office in Youngstown, Ohio. When I first joined, I didn’t fully understand or appreciate the need for Law Enforcement but as time went on, I realized the difference it truly does make. I also didn’t know the extent of how broken the system is which is why I’m still doing it. I believe that the only way to see the change you want is to be it. I’m very fortunate that my department sees the value in my passion for the arts and fully supports it. It brings me great satisfaction being a community outreach Deputy and connecting with kids and even adults, I’m very open with my career and passion as I like to break the stigma of people who wear a badge and the actual person behind it. I’m of the belief that many people don’t need authority but sometimes just needs someone that understands them. I’m fully aware that no one person can make a mass change in attitudes, policies, and morals but if I can make a positive impact on just one person, then it’s worth it.
My passion for cosplay and the arts is going on 11 years. I’m a huge advocate of expressing yourself how you see fit, especially when it comes to cosplay. Cosplay at the core is nothing but your fan art of a character and while art is subjective to others, there’s no wrong way to do your own fan art. It doesn’t matter your race, sex, body type, or anything else. Cosplay is for everyone! I’ll often speak on the physical and mental benefits of cosplay and how therapeutic it can be. The truth is the cosplay and convention community is a very social community full of socially awkward people, which is exactly why we all understand and accept one another. I also love to teach the things I’ve learned whether it be armor making or makeup techniques. If I can help another person improve themselves then the goal has been met. With cosplay my other goal is to give back just as much as it’s given me. I do tons fundraising for various charities worldwide as well as participating with hands on events and hospital visits.
In general, I’m pretty much known as the “positive diverse cosplay charity cop” and I’m totally ok with that. I think have a pretty unique perspective when it comes to both the career and the passion and how I intertwine the two. I’m extremely proud of all my accomplishments and awards no matter how big or small. I’m also always humbled by the love shown from fans. Never in a million years did I think I would be doing the things I’m doing now.
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?
Three things that’s worked for me and that I think is great for anyone are being driven ,being diverse and being humble.
The most important thing for any journey is not just the motivation to start but having that drive to keep going. Sometimes you might not have an end destination in mind and that’s ok. As long as you’re moving forward. Again, it’s that are you existing or are you living? Having that personal drive of want to live and do it the best way I can has helped my journey progress.
Having a diverse portfolio and the willingness to step outside of comfort zones and challenge myself has been instrumental in not only building my confidence but also getting my opening doors for new opportunities.
Remaining humble throughout the journey is key to making it work. You can work hard and you can be incredibly skilled but much of life and your journey boils down to luck. Being thankful and grateful keeps things in perspective and grounded. At any given time your journey could be derailed. Enjoy the moment and be thankful for having it.
Before we go, any advice you can share with people who are feeling overwhelmed?
Feeling overwhelmed at some point is something we all have experienced. For me it’s usually with my schedule and finding a way to balance everything. My schedule is pretty crazy. The day job, charity events, conventions, other obligations, creating new things with deadlines, and having a social life. It took a while but I figured it out. I had to learn to prioritize and also say no to things but also combine my passions. An example of that is when it got to a point where I would have a charity event but also an opportunity to go across the world for a different event. I want to do and make an impact with both but how do I do that? So, I decided that I could attend the conventions and while there fundraise for local charities by giving out my autographs and prints for free with an optional donation to whatever charity I’m supporting there. Also, when traveling and if it’s possible I’ll contact the local Children’s Hospital to see If I can do a visit in costume. I figure if I have a costume with me already then why not? It’s a win-win. I get to have fun and do some good.
Other areas of feeling overwhelmed include being put in a public spotlight and navigating that including the negativity that comes from being on social media and an artist. Cosplay is very much an art form and all art is very much subjective. With that comes opinions, unwarranted critiques, and downright negativity for the sake of being negative. Racist, sexist, body and age comments are bound to come and it’s easy to overlook the thousand positive comments and focus on the few negative. I had to get comfortable and confident with who I am, what I do, and what my message is in the face of that struggle. Not just for myself but to show others who may want to do things but is afraid of that negativity to not give up on doing what they love.
The best strategy is always putting your physical and mental health first. Prioritizing and sometimes standing your ground with a firm “no”. It may take time but you have to find your tolerance. What works for someone else may not work for you but there is good healthy way to balance things out there.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.knightmage.org
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/Knightmage100/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Knightmage1
- Other: Linktree: https://linktr.ee/knightmage
Image Credits
Triple Click Photo
