Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Michael Diesel. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Michael, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. We’d love to hear about when you first realized that you wanted to pursue a creative path professionally.
I started riding scooters as a form of affordable transportation my senior year in high school. I was into a bad scene of influences so after graduating high school and no plans for college I was just winging it through life with my 9-5 job at jimmy johns. I seen a cruiser pass me on my scooter one day and said man I need a motorcycle, A car smacking my head with a drink riding down the road on my scooter was a decent influence as well lol. I spent EVERY single dollar I had as well as trading a 60 inch flat screen tv t0 purchase my 1999 Ninja 500. This bike was not only a new vehicle for me but a new identity I had yet to understand. I was obsessed with videos online of people wheeling and knew my bike wasn’t the right one for it so I worked 2 jobs and saved up for my second bike which was my sv650 that created the channels first videos! I’ve always been an outsider and never really fit in so motorcycles gave me a purpose, solitude style of peace. Creating content with them is my way of therapy and expression.
Michael, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?
I am specifically a professional stunt rider, we dedicate our time crashing our bikes repeatedly like bmx to learn new tricks. This sport does not have much financial support from the world so dedication and passion is what really fuels you to keep going. You start out not being able to change brake pads then next thing you know your swapping a motor in a parking lot with hand tools just to make a weekends event. I am a creature of challenge, stunt riding does not have a handbook and the advice is so broad between riders that figuring it out on your own through trial and error tends to be the best solution and I love the sense of satisfaction getting back up off the ground or getting that bike to start again after a bad crash. I feel established and proud of the name I have built for myself in this industry and now find the most value educating less experienced riders on the guidance I was not fortunate enough to receive coming up in the scene.
Is there a particular goal or mission driving your creative journey?
My main goal driving my creative journey is being a better version of myself each and everyday through riding. I have dreams of getting factory sponsorships and traveling the world even more through motorcycles. I have such an obsession with motorcycles that anywhere you put me with them I will find value and that value I crave to reflect to my audience. Spread the love of riding through the world, break the jerk motorcycle rider stigma and make life long memories. I’m a simple guy.
What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?
Hands down the most rewarding aspect of being an artist is interacting with the supporters. It will never not surprise me when a fan is excited to meet you and they express what your content has done to their lives. The most rewarding feeling to know that what your doing has brought value and inspiration to others. No amount of money can replace that feeling.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://DankWheelie.com
- Instagram: @DankWheelie
- Facebook: DankWheelie
- Linkedin: DankWheelie
- Twitter: @DWhoolie
- Youtube: https://Youtube.com/DankWheelie
