We were lucky to catch up with Marcel Williams recently and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Marcel, appreciate you sitting with us today to share your wisdom with our readers. So, let’s start with resilience – where do you get your resilience from?
Life is full of surprises, some good and some bad. I’ve had my fair share of both, and I’ve learned to embrace them as part of my journey.
When I was an adolescent, I struggled to fit in or find my identity, and I experienced a lot of bullying. As we know, kids can be relentless and it’s often a dog eat dog world. In my family life there was a lot of disruption and imbalance too.
Then, when I was 13, something happened that changed my life forever. I had a medical emergency that left me in a coma. I don’t remember much, but I know it was serious. They had to fly me to the nearest hospital and my recovery process was months of rehabilitation. I had to relearn many basic things and it also complicated that identity crisis and struggle to fit in. It was hard, but I didn’t give up.
After high school I decided to join the military. I wanted to serve my country, and also prove to myself that I could do anything I set my mind to. In the Air Force, I learned a lot about resilience. They taught us that resilience is not just about bouncing back from adversity, but also about growing and thriving in the face of it. They showed us the four key pillars of resilience: mental, physical, social, and spiritual. This helped me develop my skills, abilities, and values, and also connect with others in a powerful way.
But even with all the tools, training, life hurdles, and even support, I’ve still faced some of the hardest times. The toughest one was when I lost my father. He was more than just a parent to me, he was my friend, my mentor, my hero. He always encouraged me, supported me, and believed in me. My parents taught me to love life, and to never give up on my dreams. Losing him was like losing a part of myself. It was the hardest thing I ever had to deal with, and I still miss him every day.
But I also know that he would want me to keep living, keep growing, and keep improving. He would want me to be happy, and to make a positive difference in the world. That’s what I try to do every day. I accept the fact that life is not an easy ride, but it is a wildly beautiful and complex adventure. We all have our own battles that can make us stronger, wiser, and better. We all have our own stories that can inspire, motivate, and empower others.
Thanks for sharing that. So, before we get any further into our conversation, can you tell our readers a bit about yourself and what you’re working on?
I am a multi-talented and versatile creator who has a passion for storytelling in various forms and mediums. I started my journey as a broadcast journalist in the Air Force, where I specialized in communication, radio, AP format writing, and storytelling. I received extensive training in videography and photography, and I produced hundreds of award-winning and widely published video and photo content pieces during my tenure in the military.
I love the creative process of transforming an idea or a message into a visual representation that communicates effectively and aesthetically. This love along with my foundation lead me to pursue personal content creation on social media.
During the quarantine lockdown of covid in 2020, I quickly developed my brand and following, which now stands at over 2.2 million followers across my platforms, notably Instagram and TikTok. I create engaging and entertaining content that showcases my personality, skills, and interests.
I am currently in an acting program at the New York Film Academy, where I am pursuing a career in acting, voice acting, and entertainment overall. I am very excited about this new challenge and opportunity to express myself and connect with others through the art of performance.
You can find me on your favorite social media platforms @marceldwilliams, where I share my work, my thoughts, and my life with my amazing fans and supporters. Thank you for reading and I hope you enjoy my content!
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?
I’d narrow down the three qualities that have impacted me the most in my journey as adaptability, resilience, and a commitment to continuous learning. My advice to those early in their careers is to embrace change – as it is a guaranteed constant in life, which in turn builds your resilience, and foster a mindset of continuous learning. Learning is how we evolve and grow. These qualities will not only contribute to professional success but also ensure confidence and personal success, which is more important.
Is there a particular challenge you are currently facing?
I’ve been grappling with persistent headaches for some time, and amidst numerous visits to the doctor, we recently uncovered some disheartening findings. It turns out I have a cyst in my brain, likely responsible for my ongoing discomfort. Coping with this has been a significant challenge on multiple levels—mentally, spiritually, and physically. Fortunately, I’m surrounded by a wonderful support system, and I maintain unwavering faith in my ability to recover. I’m embarking on the journey of consulting medical specialists and engaging in self-healing practices. It’s just another hurdle in life that I am determined to overcome!
Contact Info:
- Instagram: @marceldwilliams
- Linkedin: Marcel Williams
- Other: TikTok: @marceldwilliams
