Story & Lesson Highlights with Max Meisel of Santa Monica

Max Meisel shared their story and experiences with us recently and you can find our conversation below.

Max, really appreciate you sharing your stories and insights with us. The world would have so much more understanding and empathy if we all were a bit more open about our stories and how they have helped shaped our journey and worldview. Let’s jump in with a fun one: What do the first 90 minutes of your day look like?
I lift weights like my life depends on it. Doing something extremely hard at the beginning of the day sets the tone for me. It wakes me up, it gets my energy going, and I feel awake and alive walking out of a sweat sesh.

Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
My name is Max Meisel and I am a stand-up comedian. 2025 has been a great year, as I have mostly been on tour opening for Tom Arnold. After hosting and producing my comedy show in Santa Monica- BackDoor Comedy- for two-plus years, some doors started opening up and I met Tom while doing a show in San Diego. I followed up with him and said I’d love to work with him again, and he told me he didn’t have many tour dates on the horizon. So I volunteered myself to organize it for him if it meant I can go on the road as his opening act. From there I got us about ten months and sixty cities all over the country.

Great, so let’s dive into your journey a bit more. What’s a moment that really shaped how you see the world?
I was 19 years old and wanted to play college football more than I wanted to do anything. I still want to play football more than I want to do comedy. I tried to walk-on to the Syracuse University football team and I was essentially told to kick rocks because of my size, or lack thereof. I guess being so young and naive enabled me to break a couple of rules because I walked in to the head coach’s office and essentially pitched myself to him. I marched right past his secretary, introduced myself, and after even he basically told me ‘no’, I gave him a little nudge, told him all I needed was a shot, and that I am not leaving his office without an opportunity to play football at Syracuse University. He then said ‘okay’.
I learned a great lesson that day: if I want something, ‘no’ cannot be an answer that stands in my way.

Was there ever a time you almost gave up?
Oh my god, I’ve almost given up on this thing twice. Seriously. For the better part of thirteen years I had been your run-of-the mill struggling actor in New York. I always had an agent, had auditions, went to acting classes… I did everything you’re supposed to do to try and build a career in the performing arts. I rarely ever booked any work, though. There weren’t a lot of years where I stacked together good momentum. This was tough on the psyche- I thought I sucked, was lacking a skill, or luck, or whatever. At around 32 I was one foot out the door, debating other things to do with my life. Then me and a friend made a hilarious short film that I wrote for myself to star in. It was so fun to make with my friends and it gave me confidence that I did have skills and ability but that perhaps I wasn’t showcasing myself in the right way. It gave me a jolt excitement again. I then moved to LA with good momentum and a film festival-winning short film in my back pocket. Things were good. And then about two and a half years ago I found myself in same grind of waiting for auditions, going to classes, spinning my wheels and waiting. I thought, “Wow, I came to LA and I didn’t make it here too. I’m gonna be one of those guys.” And then out of desperation I started a comedy show. It took off and enabled me to build something that generated momentum right away.

Alright, so if you are open to it, let’s explore some philosophical questions that touch on your values and worldview. Whose ideas do you rely on most that aren’t your own?
I’m a really lucky guy in that my closest friends are amazing people. I trust their opinions more than I trust my own. When I really need to reflect on something I will always go to them. Most of the time, if they have an idea that differs that mine, their insight tells me something of value.

Thank you so much for all of your openness so far. Maybe we can close with a future oriented question. What is the story you hope people tell about you when you’re gone?
I hope people say that although Max was loud and obnoxious he ultimately made everyone’s day a little funnier.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.maxmeisel.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/maxmeisel86/
• Twitter: https://x.com/maxmeisel
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@MaxMeiselComedy

Image Credits
Mike Falzone