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

Mick, appreciate you joining us today. Are you happy as a creative professional? Do you sometimes wonder what it would be like to work for someone else?

As an artist, creating and collaborating with other artists brings me joy. Given the WGA and SAG-AFTRA strike, I am not currently creating, so I am finding other ways to spark my joy and sustain my lifestyle.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

One of the earliest bits of advice I heard when I arrived in Los Angeles about being an actor was, “If you can imagine yourself doing anything else, do that.” I’ve heard this said to many newcomers and young theatre majors with big dreams, and I think it sends the wrong message. Of course I can imagine myself doing other things – I’m an actor. We’re supposed to have vibrant imaginations.

For years though, I resented this and felt being “only” an actor carried some illusive value while side hustles were embarrassing. Fast forward ten years into my career, and I have found as much joy training clients and helping them reach their goals as I have on-stage or in front of the camera as I have working on my startup company. Thank goodness I have multiple sources of income. The artists/entrepreneurs/creators I admire like Ashton Kutcher, Ryan Reynolds, and Elizabeth Banks don’t limit themselves to one way of expressing themselves and generating wealth, so why would I?

Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?

I have always loved writing, but I have never sold a script despite coming devastatingly close a few times. The first show I wrote that made it to the stage was in 2010, so I have been at this for a minute. In February 2020, I was in negotiations for something I wrote. Imagine that – getting paid to write. A dream come true, and then of course, I don’t need to tell you how March 2020 crushed that plan. Then earlier this year, I won an award as a writer for the first time! That in itself was a big honor, but the most exciting thing was having some street cred to pitch my project. Alas, a week later, the writer’s strike began.

I still fantasize about waking up every morning, practicing yoga, walking my dog and then sitting down to write for 4 hours every day. I won’t stop writing. After years of work and rejection, I’m still here, and I’m not going anywhere.

For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?

The relationships. There is an understanding among artists of what we sacrifice to do what we love. My wife is an actor, and because we both do it, we get each other. We get the ups and downs and why we keep going. Even on the days I don’t feel like going on, she assures me this is hard work, I’m enough, and it’s all going to be okay.

Contact Info:

• Website: micktorres.com
• Instagram: @micktorres
• Other: other websites: wearemismo.com (podcast and writing) micksmovement.com (personal training)

Image Credits
Paul Smith (headshots) Dyan Nord (Yoga photo)