Meet Leslie Gomez

We recently connected with Leslie Gomez and have shared our conversation below.

Leslie, so great to be with you and I think a lot of folks are going to benefit from hearing your story and lessons and wisdom. Imposter Syndrome is something that we know how words to describe, but it’s something that has held people back forever and so we’re really interested to hear about your story and how you overcame imposter syndrome.
I believe that no artist or creative ever completely conquers imposter syndrome. As a Producer, a significant aspect of our role involves persuading others of ideas that are still in the process of being realized, and then assuring numerous individuals and teams that these concepts will materialize in the way they were promised. From my own experiences, I’ve found that imposter syndrome often stems from the “fake it till you make it” mindset. In the entertainment industry, we’ve all had to project confidence before our dreams transformed into a tangible reality. Shedding imposter syndrome is when you gain confidence in your expertise, meanwhile remaining humble and committed to continual improvement. It’s about embracing what we know with certainty, while still acknowledging that there’s always room to grow and learn.

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?
I’m a Producer, who works predominately on short and long form documentaries for The Ultimate Fighting Championship. I found myself here professionally, because the fighting spirit has long been a big part of Mexican-American culture in martial arts, and I happen to be one of the only Spanish speaking producers living in the fight capitol of the world: Las Vegas. During my time as a freelancer, this landed me in the perfect position to begin my career by producing stories on latino fighters.

Now, I focus on telling human stories from fighters of all different backgrounds, walks of life, and cultures globally. Fighters are especially unique individuals whom use their bodies as a vehicle for effecting change in their lives as well as the livelihood of their families. The most exciting thing about being a Producer is meeting so many different people from different parts of the world and constantly trying to work to embody their likeness in a documentary that spans over only a few minutes. I strive to make their stories connect with ALL people, even those who wouldn’t necessarily think themselves as a fans of MMA.

On a day to day, I am watching fights and researching stories from fighters’ backgrounds that I find to be fascinating, and story-boarding their chronicles into images that we can paint with scenes. Collaborating closely with a Director of Photography (DOP), I direct in the field, with intent on capturing the little moments that authentically reflect the essence of each individual fighter. My mission is to advocate for the telling of diverse stories within the realm of UFC, ensuring that every fighters journey, even the less obvious ones, receives it’s deserved spotlight. My ultimate goal is to give life into the people behind the fights, illuminating their stories for all to see.

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?
One of the most impactful qualities throughout my journey was the ability to be fearless. I always threw myself into uncertain situations, and learned to figure it out as I went. I never denied myself the opportunity, no matter how big the task was. I will always advocate for all folks who are early in their journey to put themselves in “bigger than themselves” situations. This is the only real way to truly learn and outgrow your current skill set.

People-skills also goes a long way. Being personable, and remembering to stay present when following your ambitions can be challenging. Especially in production, when you are working around the clock with high stakes and tight deadlines. It is so important to remember to remain level headed, and remember that it is only television. The entertainment industry can be overwhelming, and ever-consuming. Remaining calm under high pressure situations will take folks growing in the industry a long way.

Advice I would give to someone in terms of setting themselves up for success in the entertainment industry, is to be a master of the specific area of expertise you want to be known for. You cannot know everything all at once, but you can know a few areas very well.

Thanks so much for sharing all these insights with us today. Before we go, is there a book that’s played in important role in your development?
An important book that had been the most valuable in my growth has been The Creative Act by Rick Rubin. This book for me merges the gap between creativity and manifestation, which are two things that are vital in the act of Producing. To produce is to manifest in real-time. This book, for me, merges reality and imagination. It is the literature that makes all creative ideas into tangible works of art.

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