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

Mike , thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Can you open up about a risk you’ve taken – what it was like taking that risk, why you took the risk and how it turned out?

Every opportunity that’s presented comes with risk. That’s a guarantee. We as actors, performers, artists: we all take a risk in some way or another. To me, theirs not one risk that outweighs another. Example, if I promise you $100 but need $50 upfront as an investment, then I took your $50 and you got nothing I return, you still risked something and had something to lose. Same could be said about life and our industry. I’m going to stick with the actors gene since that’s what I’m more familiar with. When we audition or perform- the risk we are up against is NOT risking. Many times I receive and audition, my first choice of note, is how can I do this different than anyone else. Often times, that includes doin something so memorable that it could be too much or too little. But only the actor can know. My thing is this: for many of the commercial and tv jobs I’ve worked in my career, I used the idea that if I can risk something different- I can get in the room with the director at the callback. Take risks in your auditions, book the call. That’s what I’ve lived by. The reward will find you.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers

I’m Edisto Islands own, and a product of my ancestors. I take chances, I love people and I enjoy my experiences in life. Oh yah, and I do a little acting.

I got into the world of acting entertainment a young age, and it kinda grew from there. From 7-21 years of age, I was in everything imaginable from theater, to musical theater, to film, to commercials and education. The greatest experience for me in highschool was traveling to Stratford Upon Avon to study theater for 3 months. An experience that will last s lifetime.

My brand of work is been considered as Everyman. My brand is to sell an idea and lifestyle that fits into the life’s reflection.

We often hear about learning lessons – but just as important is unlearning lessons. Have you ever had to unlearn a lesson?

That life’s a competition. It’s not. It’s made competitive because we have been taught to feel like theirs not enough. Like the hamster on the wheel. We are running to see who gets there first, when all we have to do is stop running, get off the wheel and take your time.

Can you share your view on NFTs? (Note: this is for education/entertainment purposes only, readers should not construe this as advice)

I have a few friends that are into that, and have AMAZING work like Kruz/Karen Valero, but I’m not really knowledgeable about it 😂. I just know what looks good.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: @mikewhaley82
• Other: You can check the links on my IG

Image Credits
Myself