Check Out Lindsay Musil’s Story

Today we’d like to introduce you to Lindsay Musil.

Hi Lindsay, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
I’m originally from Chicago, Illinois, I moved to Los Angeles to go to The University of Southern California and pursue acting. Like a lot of people in this industry, it’s been a long road with a lot of ups and downs – moments where things felt like they were really building, and others where it felt like everything stalled out.

Over time, I’ve learned that persistence is key. You just keep going, keep showing up, and keep finding ways to move forward.

The most defining chapter recently has been becoming a parent. After getting pregnant and welcoming our daughter, life shifted – not just personally but professionally and financially as well. We ended up losing our health insurance through SAG right after she was born, which has put us in a position where we have had to fight to get it back.

At first we shifted over to Covered California for health insurance and although monthly premiums are high we were surviving. But in January when we learned that our infant daughter would need a heart surgery around her first birthday we were shocked to discover just how high out of pocket deductibles had reached. We realized how important getting back on our SAG health insurance had become and so the journey to hit it once again began.

Its been incredibly challenging, but it’s also given me a much deeper sense of purpose and resilience. It’s changed the way I look at my career, my priorities and what it means to keep pushing forward even when it feels like you can’t take anymore.

We have been blown away by the way our community has shown up for us. Friends, colleagues, and tons of people we have never even met have reached out, shared resources and offered support in ways we never could have dreamed of. It’s been a reminder that this industry, despite how competitive it can feel, it is also full of warm-hearted human beings who just want to help. There’s a sense of family within the arts community that’s hard to describe until you experience it, it’s a beautiful, beautiful thing.

I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
It definitely hasn’t been a smooth road. One of the more unique challenges lately is that even with our situation being public and so many people showing up to support us, it doesn’t necessarily translate into the kind of work needed to sustain something like health insurance. The industry has changed drastically in recent years making it very difficult for all actors to book work, no matter what level. The truth of the matter right now, no matter how harsh it may be is that the opportunities for work are simply more limited right now.

Even though it all feels scary with a deadline approaching to hit the minimum for our health insurance, we still feel positive overall.

If anything, it’s been a lesson in patience and perspective. It has also been a reminder to stay focused, and trust that things will come together in time.

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I’m an actor and have been fortunate enough to work on projects that i’m really proud of, including True Detective, I’m Dying Up Here and the movie Fool’s Paradise. Each of those experiences felt like meaningful milestones for me, not just because of the projects themselves, but because of what it took to get there.

What I think sets me apart from others is less about any role i’ve done and more about consistency. I have always believed in working, no matter what that looks like in any given season of life. I have worked in restaurants on and off since I was 16 years old. I even spent a year in NYC working at a finance firm. I have and always will make it a priority to stay grounded and support my family. That mindset has kept me steady through the ups and downs of my career and given me a lot of life experience.

I’m also excited about what’s ahead. Throughout this difficult time trying to hit insurance we have been able to secure a few jobs, one of which is an upcoming episode of 9-1-1 and even a role on It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia – Charlie Day is not only incredibly talented but one of the kindest people I have ever worked with.

Are there any important lessons you’ve learned that you can share with us?
I’ve learned that you really can’t predict what life if going to throw at you until you’re in it. There are moments that can feel so overwhelming and heavy that it’s hard to imagine how you’ll get through them.

But what i’ve come to understand is that life keeps moving forward, no matter what. And within that, you have a choice in how you meet it – how you move through it. You can stay stuck in the weight of what’s happening or you can try to move through it with a sense of light and positivity.

That doesn’t mean ignoring how you feel or how hard things are. It just means choosing as much as you can, to stay open and find moments of light. And I think or at least I hope that over time, that choice makes a difference.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: @lindsaymusil

Image Credits
David Zaugh

Ben van Berkum