Today we’d like to introduce you to Biz Betzing.
Biz, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
I grew up in the small historic village of Romeo, Michigan where I spent my childhood exploring, dreaming, wondering; always busy with a variety of different activities. Entertaining others was exhilarating to me. I was always performing something, whether that was a skit, play, dance, poem, song, or story. My parents took notice of how busy I was and how I was always deeply fascinated by something in the world or that I had created in my own mind. My real name, Elizabeth, soon become Lizzy-ka-bizzy, and soon after only Biz. It has always been a unique and perfect name for me.
Unfortunately, somewhere along the way, I lost the joy of being an artist by the harsh reality of my set of circumstances. After more than a few near-death experiences from severe anaphylactic allergic reactions, where I was told it was a total miracle for me to be alive from my doctors, I began to develop this deep sense that my life had to have some stronger purpose to it. That I was alive for a reason. At the time, I had not a clue what that purpose was and every second that I did not know felt like a total failure. Wasted time drove me absolutely crazy. I had no clue what my purpose was, and although I was only a pre-teenager with this heavy burden, I decided that whatever I did, I must do exceedingly well so that I’m prepared for my future. I threw myself into my studies, sports, clubs and became a total perfectionist. No matter what I did or how many grades I skipped in my classes, nothing truly satisfied my soul. I had a 4.0 GPA, four varsity letters was involved in 3 clubs and still this whole part of me had been turned off. The creative side. The joyful child who lived her dreams and created with all of her time was no more. I was too focused on building a perfect college application so that I could go to school and be “successful.” Hopefully in college, I would find my purpose.
Because of my abilities to learn and work hard, I was studying in the number one program in the world for Supply Chain Management, purely because I could. Because it would be a steady job. Upon sitting in the 600-person lecture halls and attending a university with 50,000 undergrad students, I began to feel this brooding lack of intentionality. I didn’t feel known or valued whatsoever. I felt like a number. Like everyone else. And I knew that I had never been like everyone else. Even in high school, I was friends with every group but belonged to none. I could identify with every type of person, but no matter what group I would try to belong to, there were many parts of me that would go misrepresented and definitely misunderstood. I developed this angst. This hate for routine, for pattern, realizing that cycles and set processes irked me. Why should other people tell me how to be successful? Why is success mediocrity? Why does no one risk? The idea of being stuck in a career that I was doing because I had the grades for deeply upset me. I knew what I wanted to do. I always had. My dream of becoming an entertainer, an actress and model was always there. The idea ran in my mind daily. But because society told me I had to go to school, that’s what I believed. Until I started to see that society loves cycles, loves set ways, processes, and control.
During my freshman year, I was on a plane from Michigan to Florida when I felt the symptoms of Bacterial Meningitis. I was in excruciating pain so bad that I wailed in agony, unable to move my pounding and very swollen head. I went blind and began to vomit. I couldn’t walk and my back and head hurt worse than anything I could imagine. I went to the hospital thinking I was going to die for sure on the way, where I was thrown into a CAT scan for what they thought was an aneurysm. Soon they bent me over for a spinal tap, also known as a lumbar puncture where they discovered I had meningitis. I was hospitalized for a week. The doctors had believed that I had gone longer than 24 hours with the bacterial meningitis and considered it a pure miracle for me to have survived off the plane. AGAIN. I survived. And without any impairments. This was a huge turning point for my existence. It was there in that hospital that I realized life is too short to play it safe. That I was a spontaneous, creative, risk-taker. That I didn’t believe in patterns and being told what to do and who to become. I went back to school and became super depressed. Not knowing how to change my reality. The depression got worse and worse. During this time, a huge modeling agency in NYC wanted to meet with me. This opportunity brought so much life to a dead season. I began to feel some hope, wanted to meet with me. This opportunity brought so much life to a dead season. The agency told me that I had a huge future in modeling and strongly encouraged me to move to a city to pursue it. Acting and modeling have always been something I was obsessed with. I loved movies, stories, moving people, and getting reactions.
Finally, I saw a therapist who told me, “You have all the power. With every choice, there is a consequence. Sometimes you have to accept the consequence. But you always have the freedom to change your circumstances. You don’t have to be a victim.” Her words changed my life. I did have the power. I knew I was going to have to financially support myself and was going to upset a lot of people, but I knew I could not go on living my life as it was. I was not living. I was existing. I dropped out of school, flew across the country to LA where I could begin a modeling and acting career. I didn’t know anyone. I was scared. But in an exhilarating way. I heard many people say, “see you soon!” or “I give you six months!” which was only fuel to my already strong desire to find my calling, but most importantly to be happy.
I initially moved into a house with 28 people sharing six bedrooms to save money for rent. I found a job as a waitress and began to work very hard to support myself and try to begin paying off my loans. Right away, I booked a modeling job with Reebok, which was a nice affirmation. There was so much spontaneity in the lifestyle modeling had brought. So many chances to be outside the comfort zone. I became obsessed with being challenged and experiencing new things. I was so excited for more opportunities. However, after Reebok, I was not booking many jobs. I was struggling to make it a career. It wasn’t until I learned how to look inside my own heart and deal with all my emotional pain that joy was able to come forth. After seeking answers, I had a spiritual awakening, where I experienced the creator of the universe. I was overcome with this peace and had never felt so loved, so full of joy, and of purpose. Every day I would wake up with intention knowing that I was exactly where I was supposed to be. I started to see everything in a new perspective. I began to truly value myself, to understand the intention behind all the pain and hurt. I was developing character. For who I would become. I had felt like everything from my past was so much larger and served a much greater purpose. Everything began to make more sense.
About a year and a half later after many, many, many obstacles, I quit my restaurant job because I had learned the key to auditioning and of joy– Being yourself. WHAT A GIFT. To be in a career where being free and being yourself is why you’ll be chosen. Why you are special. It is when you are able to walk in a room confident in yourself, knowing that you have infinite value –that you shine and stand apart. I love this career where authenticity is attractive. I became a very busy full- time model and actress working for awesome brands like Old Navy, American Apparel, Ulta, Airbnb, Roberto Cavalli, Adidas, New Balance, Dick’s Sporting goods, Samsung, Orange Theory Fitness, Disney, Volcom, BioClarity, Walmart, Ford, Uber, Google, Reebok, KOAJ, Gametime, and many more awesome companies.
I strongly believe that doing what you love and what you were created to do brings a sense of purpose and fulfillment that results in overflowing joy and hope. Once I got a taste of my purpose, I knew I would never let a no in this tough industry stop me. I wholeheartedly believe that if you work hard enough & don’t quit, no dream is too big. Every time I’m in an audition room for TV, Film, or even commercials, I feel this empowerment and total fulfillment. It’s my art. It’s my purpose. Every time I’m on set, I feel that it’s my home. I want to have experiences. I want to live. I want to step wherever I want. I’m free. I’m not a victim. I’m a dreamer. And I’m a doer. I’m not all the way to my goals and my dreams, but I’m loving the journey and all the interesting people I’m meeting along the way.
This year I booked my first film and I look forward to being on several big screens in my future. I look forward to the days where I can use my influence to give people hope and infect them with the overflowing joy that now fills a radiant being. It’s crazy to think that my life had radically changed because I took the power. The power of choice. I choose to live. To stop being a victim. I choose to have meaning. I choose to follow my wildest dreams. To love people. I am free. And I am an Artist.
Has it been a smooth road?
NO. Not at all. BUT, opposition means that you have the opportunity to grow and develop character required for the places you are headed. I have heard many no’s, had many closed doors, and had seasons of financial & housing instability, as well as seasons of chronic health issues.
So, as you know, we’re impressed with your work – tell our readers more, for example what you’re most proud of as a company and what sets you apart from others.
I specialize in being authentic and overflowing joy and positivity onto others. I’m known for my giggles, my big smile, and my quirky personality. I’m most proud of myself for always being down to face the battle and overcome the obstacles. I never quit. I’m proud that I learned how to step away from the norm and live my own journey and found true fulfillment. What sets me apart is that I have a thirst for a meaningful life and unwavering faith that I can do whatever I set my mind to.
Let’s touch on your thoughts about our city – what do you like the most and least?
I love Los Angeles because it has the wildest opportunities. It is a city full of people who think outside the box. Artists with unique perspectives. I always find myself in the most interesting conversations with people I meet at coffee shops, castings, and onset. Anything is possible in LA, but also I can always learn from people. People are treasures walking around, with stories that inspire, empower, and challenge.
I don’t like to focus on the negatives,..but I definitely wouldn’t mind a cleaner city! Haha
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCNlgUIy1lGa-eqNfOAYUtAA?
- Email: [email protected]
- Instagram: @bizbetzing
Image Credit:
Hamid Kootval, Stephen Sun, Livio Mancinelli, Jon White, Eric Blackmon (& I don’t know the other photographers… also these are out of order)
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