Meet Mike Root

We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Mike Root a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Mike, thank you for being such a positive, uplifting person. We’ve noticed that so many of the successful folks we’ve had the good fortune of connecting with have high levels of optimism and so we’d love to hear about your optimism and where you think it comes from.

I was once held back by fear and self-doubt, having faced bullying from ages 10-17 due to my small stature and youthful appearance. Despite knowing I was destined for greatness from a young age, growing up in an area where achieving success seemed impossible made me feel like I was settling for a mediocre life. I had big dreams, but was surrounded by naysayers, so I kept them to myself. I struggled with pessimism, depression, and anxiety, which led me to seek escape through substances. However, after witnessing friends and acquaintances lose their lives and having close calls myself, I had a transformative moment. I realized that I had the power to change my life and create the future I desired. I took responsibility for my own motivation and discipline, and started working towards my goals. I stopped feeling sorry for myself, took a break from the world to focus on my growth, started medication to heal my mind, and dedicated myself to fitness. As I did, the right people started coming into my life. I landed my first acting gig, which made me realize that all the challenges I faced were necessary steps on my journey. Overcoming my struggles and attracting everything I’d ever wanted has given me a profound sense of optimism and purpose.

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?

For the last 8.5 years, I’ve had the privilege of partnering with Matt Kwiatkowski, the visionary who gave me my first break in his debut comedy feature. I was honored to be cast as his co-lead in a film that was a heartfelt tribute to Leslie Nielsen’s classic slapstick comedies: Airplane and The Naked Gun. Titled It’s a Cop Thing, this labor of love was a bold experiment that paid off, as it brought back a dying breed of comedy that had ruled the screens since the silent film era. The film’s massive success, which included a theatrical release in dozens of theaters across the country, was a testament to our unwavering dedication and passion. We seized the momentum and created a sequel that surpassed the original’s success, opening doors to new opportunities and connections with industry leaders. Our latest film, nearing the end of principal photography, promises to be our magnum opus. A scene-by-scene spoof of the 1993 blockbuster hit The Fugitive starring Harrison Ford and Tommy Lee Jones, The STOOGEitive boasts an impressive ensemble of over 130 talented performers from Michigan and beyond! One of those talented performers was actually featured here on Bold Journey! The ever so beautiful, actress/model Miss Jamie Zayac. Witnessing our dreams unfold into reality is a surreal experience, made all the more rewarding by the recognition and admiration of our peers. We’ve gotten a lot of props from our talent in regards to how small our team is. We usually only run a 2-3 man team on set which would look like it’d be pretty overwhelming from the outside looking in. Lets just call it controlled chaos, hahaha. We’ve come a long way since our humble beginnings as small-town boys with big dreams. Through perseverance, discipline, and a willingness to learn from our mistakes, we’ve transformed our vision into a tangible reality. I invite you to join us on this incredible journey by following Defective Dream Entertainment on Facebook, as well as my professional page, Mike Root. Stay updated on our latest production, including the upcoming release of our official trailer. Remember, the power to turn your dreams into reality lies within you. Believe in yourself, stay focused, and never let the naysayers dull your spark.

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?

The qualities or skills that had the most significant impact on my journey are patience, resilience, charisma, communication skills, leadership, business acumen and negotiation, optimism and emotional stability in the face of adversity, proactivity, visualization, and self-criticism, which drives me to strive for excellence. My advice would be to cultivate a mindset that embraces failure and anticipates negativity from individuals with limited perspectives. Developing resilience and patience is crucial, as the path to success is long and arduous. It is essential to learn self-motivation and discipline, as there will be days when you may not feel inclined to take action, but persistence is necessary. Visualize yourself already achieving your goals and experiencing the accompanying emotions. As Jim Carrey emphasized on Oprah, visualization is effective when combined with hard work. It is not enough to simply visualize; one must also take deliberate action. Making incremental progress each day is vital, as every step forward contributes to ultimate success. Set small, achievable goals that will propel you toward your objectives.

As we end our chat, is there a book you can leave people with that’s been meaningful to you and your development?

Think and Grow Rich by Napoleon Hill.
Desire, Faith, and Persistence. Desire is the spark that ignites your journey, fueled by an unrelenting passion to achieve greatness. Faith is the unwavering trust in your ability to succeed and envisioning your triumph. Persistence is the unshakeable dedication to pursue your dreams, no matter the obstacles or setbacks.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://share.google/irNGkzLfguQKtdTCQ
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theofficial.mikeroot?igsh=MWk1ODdvbnozdjM0Mg==
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/1YtQVLaVha/

Image Credits

Photo cred: Defective Dream Entertainment