We were lucky to catch up with Mikayla Mier recently and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Mikayla, thanks for joining us today. Any thoughts around creating more inclusive workplaces?

As a model and yoga instructor, there are a lot of stereotypes and expectations about what you may look like. Part of the reason that I chose to work in those fields is because I wanted to challenge myself to find success in a place where I don’t fit the mold. When I first started practicing yoga, I did notice that most of the people in that space were thin white women. I think that I was a little bit intimidated at first because I didn’t fit that description. I had a very similar experience when I first started to get into modeling. In my early days of working in both of these fields, something that stuck with me was how much of a difference it made to have others that were similar to you in the same space, especially when they had found much success in that space. Knowing that someone who also didn’t fit the mold was able to find what I wanted made it seem much more attainable for myself. After I realized how much those people had inspired me to keep going, all I wanted was to be able to do the same for others. I think that not only in my fields of work, but in every other field as well, it’s extremely important to have an inclusive workspace. It inspires many different kinds of people to continue to go after what they want, and gives them the hope that they can achieve it. Diversity is an amazing thing, and works in everyone’s favor, as people who are different from one another can come together and create something beautiful with all of their differing ideas and experiences.

Mikayla, 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 don’t have one specific industry that I work in, as I like to extend myself in many directions. Right now I model, teach yoga, bartend, and I’m in the process of buying a smoothie shop. One thing that’s helped me break into every industry that I’m working in is just believing that I could, and going for it. I know it sounds so cliché, but I truly believe that just trusting in yourself, and believing that you can achieve the things that you want is one of the most powerful things we have. This isn’t to say that I haven’t had many failed projects, because I definitely have. The fields I’m working in now are my successes, but there were many failures before them. But every failure to me is just a reason not to live with regrets about things I never tried. You just have to pick yourself up and either try again, or try something else. I will usually try something else, as I personally live to try and experience new things. There are many people that have one thing that they love and excel at, and they focus all of their energy on that one thing. I think that’s beautiful, and a great way to find fulfillment and integrity in your work, but I am obviously not one of those people. I used to wish I could be this way, but I now embrace my many interests. While it may be a bit overwhelming at times to do so many things, that’s how I find I feel the most fulfilled. I’m this way in every aspect of my life, and my career is no different. I feel that people may have misconceptions about people that choose to explore many career paths. I feel that many people think that you don’t know yourself, or that the things you’re doing are just money grabs, but the reality couldn’t be more different. Right now I have many fields I’m working in as I had previously mentioned. I have a genuine interest and passion for all of those things for different reasons, and they all make me feel fulfilled in different ways. One thing I would like people to know about me is that just because I choose to explore many paths, it doesn’t mean that I go into any of my projects carelessly. I have a deep love for everything that I do, and I take pride in the quality of my work.

Can you tell us about a time you’ve had to pivot?

My biggest pivot in life was about 3 years ago. I was 19 at the time, living in Albuquerque, New Mexico, working in an emergency room, and had recently dropped out of university. I wouldn’t say that I was necessarily unhappy, but I knew that I wasn’t fulfilling my potential, and I felt that I couldn’t do it where I was. Rent in Albuquerque was low, and I made decent money working at the hospital, so I had a good amount of money saved. I knew it was time for me to make a move, I just didn’t know to where. That was when I took a short 4 day trip to San Diego on my days off. I remember I drove, it was a 12 hour drive, and when I drove back to Albuquerque I didn’t arrive until 5am, and had to work at 7am. It was a poorly planned and very short trip, but I absolutely fell in love with San Diego. My lease was coming to an end in a month, so I decided that I was going to move at the end of my lease. A month was really not enough time to get all of my ducks in a row, but I knew I had to go. I moved with a friend, and my sister helped me drive the U-Haul 12 hours to the coast. I didn’t have a job yet, and I had to stay in a hotel for the first 3 days, because the apartment I was moving into wasn’t ready, but I was so excited to be there. I still live here, I’ve been here for about 3 years now, and it was one of the best decisions I’ve ever made. However, it was very difficult for me to stay at first. The first year especially was hard, as I had no family here, I only knew my roommate, and I was struggling to find consistent work, so I was just doing odd jobs here and there, and I was broke. But I’m very proud of myself for remaining hopeful and sticking with my decision, and I’m glad I did because I now have a very fulfilling work life, a wonderful community around me, an amazing girlfriend, and I’m very happy here. Everything just feels right, like it all worked out like it was supposed to.

Any resources you can share with us that might be helpful to other creatives?

In my modeling journey, I wish I knew about casting databases earlier. You only have to show up to one casting, they take some digitals, and keep them for casting directors to browse through. Some of my highest paying jobs were booked through a casting database, and I didn’t really have to do anything. Casting directors just look through these catalogs, and reach out to you if they like your look. If they like your audition, you get booked. It’s very hands off, and a great way to keep yourself in the modeling industry when you work other jobs and aren’t able to go to multiple castings a week. Something I wish I knew about sooner in my yoga journey was the BIPOC scholarship at Corepower Yoga. An in person certification to teach yoga can be very expensive, almost $3000-$4000. Because I didn’t have the funds to pay that at the time, I didn’t pursue my certification until much later when I learned about this scholarship. It’s a scholarship for people of color, and you can attend their teacher training for free. It was an absolute life saver.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: @killerqui

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