This past week has been an eye-opening one for this voice actor. It’s always good to start a new year with your eyes open I suppose. Most people make resolutions to get fit, hit the gym, eat better and before you know it, they’re face down in a box of Little Debbie Zebra cakes (my weapon of choice in my fat days). I made that resolution in 2021 and actually did it. I had gastric bypass surgery in August of 2021 and as of this writing I’m down nearly 110 pounds. (thank you thank you).

I had always thought that if I could lose that weight, all my problems would go away. Turns out, not so much. In fact, my mind just shifted off of worries if a chair could hold me, or if I could fit on a ride at Dollywood, or if my knees would give out to other things such as financial, career, and family. I had fallen into the trap that just this week, my preacher expressed as “If Only” or “Stinking Thinking”.

Thinking that “if only” I had a better job, I’d be happy, or “If only” I had more money, then all would be good. In my case, “if only” I would lose this weight, all would be gravy. I do love some gravy, but if only thinking will never get you where you want to be. It just takes you out of where you are. You lose sight of what you really have to be thankful for.

The world is moving so fast these days. Trends come and go with lightning speed. We are always looking ahead for the next big thing. My kids get something and just like that, they’re off on the next thing. If you’re involved in some scandal, as long as it’s not super terrible, just wait and the news cycle will move on to the next tragedy or “historic” event. The University of Georgia just won their second National Championship in a row. (Don’t you dare say ‘natty’. You sound dumb when you say that) What was one of the lead stories on the news this morning? “Fans are looking to next season to see if they can win a third National Championship”. They’re not even enjoying something that not too many other schools not named Alabama have done over the last 20 years. If only we had back to back to back championships, then THAT would really be something.

I’m sure you’ve said that in your voiceover journey. If only I had that Neumann TLM 103 or Sennheiser 416, then I’d really be cooking. If only I had that Whisperoom, then I could make some money. If only Marc Guss would sign me to ACM, THEN I’d be big time. If only I could get that one viral TikTok, then I’d be famous and all would be good. None of those statements is true. We know that deep down, but we tell ourselves if only in order to not face reality. We avoid appreciating where we are and what we have accomplished because we see others posting highlight reels on social media and instead of feeling good for them, we internalize and feel bad about ourselves.

I look at the other people in the gym and how awesome they look, especially the women wearing basically underpants, am I right fellas? I think to myself, if only I could loose a little more, or be younger, or not creak and crack when I get up off the couch. Do you think any of that helps? Nope. I thought to myself just the other day walking around the gym that I’m not an inspiration to anyone. No one looks up to me. But then I thought, there’s someone out there saying, I could have the courage to have that surgery and lose weight like Mike.

You are an inspiration to someone who you might not even know. In order for you to move forward in life and in your voiceover career, you need to stop and take stock of what you have done and sit and appreciate it. You’ll see that you’re further along than you realized. Then your attitude will change and you will look at your job in a whole new way and be happy with the possibilities that 2023 holds.