Daily Inspiration: Meet Nels Christensen

Today we’d like to introduce you to Nels Christensen.

Hi Nels, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
I started my audio journey in Austin, Texas originally chasing a love for music. I was recording bands, working on indie projects, doing whatever I could to be around sound. But over time, I realized what really grabbed me wasn’t just music, it was storytelling. I got pulled into the world of audio for film and never looked back.

Austin had some amazing creative energy, but the film scene there didn’t move fast enough for me. I wanted more. So I packed up and moved to LA… fully unprepared. I burned through my savings fast, and the next few years were rough. I lived incredibly cheap, got by on scraps, but never stopped learning, networking, and chasing work.

That was 13 years ago.

Now, I’m a full-time post-production audio engineer at a working studio, doing what I love: dialogue editing, sound design, recording, mixing, the whole spectrum. I’ve worked on all kinds of content, from intense horror and explosive action to lighter, imaginative projects, like some of the work I’ve done with The Chosen or Zack King. I enjoy the range. The fact that I get to help stories come to life in such different ways keeps it exciting.

Looking back, I wouldn’t change a thing. Every low-budget couch crash, every impossible deadline, every last-minute gig helped shape the career I have today. And I still feel like I’m just getting started.

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Definitely not a smooth road, but that’s where the best lessons tend to show up.

Finding work hasn’t been the biggest struggle. The real challenge has been convincing people I’m worth more than the bare minimum. In the beginning, I took anything I could get, rushed timelines, low pay, little respect. Over time, I learned that just being willing to work isn’t enough. You have to know your value, and be okay walking away from jobs that don’t align with that. That took time to learn, and it’s still something I navigate carefully.

Another challenge I’ve faced is staying sharp. Once you start to get a rhythm going, steady gigs, repeat clients, a familiar workflow; it’s easy to get complacent. But that’s when your growth stalls. You stop learning, stop evolving. I’ve had to remind myself not to go into any job assuming it’s going to be “just like the last one.” Every project has its own shape, its own needs, and you’ve got to stay curious or you risk phoning it in without even realizing it.

It’s not always comfortable, but that’s part of what keeps the work exciting and keeps me on my toes.

Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I’m an audio editor, mixer, and recordist. I handle everything from dialogue and sound design to VO and ADR recording; whatever the project needs.

What sets me apart is speed and efficiency. When I’m running a session, there’s no wasted time. I stay ahead of the curve so the moment the talent’s ready, I’m already rolling. Clients don’t have to wait on me to catch up, and there’s no room for off-topic drift when we’re in the zone.

Time is valuable, theirs especially, and I take that seriously. My job is to be prepared, and then prepare again, so the work feels seamless and focused. That level of attention is something I take pride in.

How can people work with you, collaborate with you or support you?
Reach out. Im very approachable and would love to hear about what you have going on.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nelsaudio?igsh=NTc4MTIwNjQ2YQ%3D%3D&utm_source=qr
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/nels.christensen.7?mibextid=wwXIfr
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nelsaudio