Daily Inspiration: Meet Jameel Haiat

Today we’d like to introduce you to Jameel Haiat.

Hi Jameel, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
As a boy growing up just east of Los Angeles, I never would have thought that a career within the Arts was possible, let alone could be successful. But it was… Learning to be who I was, a creative individual, was incredibly difficult in my home. There was violence, abuse, both physically and emotionally. It was traumatic just walking through the door, not knowing what I would encounter. A smile? A slap? A beating? Everyday was a crap shoot. But, those days prepared me for the road ahead. There were tough years through high school, with bullies, continued abuse and then the struggle of nightly “cup-o-noodles” and filling the gas tank throughout college. But I continued to push, to drive, to succeed. Soon after graduating college, I found a job as a Sculptor for a Scenic Company. Then I became a Lead, then a Manager. The hard work, long hours and resilience I learned at such a young age had prepared me for this. I worked at different Scenic Shops throughout Los Angeles, moved to New York and took a job as the Lead Sculptor at the Macy’s Parade and then ultimately landed back in LA.

Soon, I was called upon by the “house of mouse”, as my reputation and circle of connections had grown. I took a job with Walt Disney Imagineering as the Principal Production Designer on the new Pirates Attraction being built in Shanghai. We won the THEA Award for Outstanding Attraction. Next, I moved onto the incredibly complex Star Wars Attraction, Rise of the Resistance, and took charge of both the Disneyland and Hollywood Studios versions. It was an amazing challenge and feat, and one that I am incredibly proud of… Current Chapter… With the pandemic and turbulence of the times, I too was impacted. I was laid off from Disney and had to make a change. Now, living in Hong Kong, I have re-invented myself. I no longer work for any of the “big” Themed Companies. I decided that to be true to myself, I would do what I really loved, to write and paint. So, energized by this wonderfully vibrant city and supported by my beautiful wife, Hilcia, I have just written my first book and published. “Life Edited – Pain. Pleasure. Perspective” is a poetry book that has been years in the work, as my experience as a boy, young man and present self have all come together to hopefully inspire and connect with other fellow souls that are searching for an emotional moment. Currently, I am working on a new novel, that is a story of coming of age and self-reflection, to be published next year.

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?
(Laughing out loud) The road to success and self-realization is never smooth. If you don’t have bumps, then what an incredibly boring ride it would be, like a roller coaster with no drops or peaks. The biggest obstacle for me was overcoming the doubt of those that didn’t believe. They didn’t believe that I could be an artist that my dreams were attainable. Struggling with that doubt was the toughest part of becoming that which I am today. Self-doubt can kill if you allow it, and if you continue to listen to those that harbor toxic thoughts, it becomes a filthy muddy sinkhole.

Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I’m incredibly proud of my new book, “Life Edited”, as it’s personal and very raw. I feel that I am speaking directly to my reader, as a kindred spirit, and sharing some deep personal and sometimes traumatic experiences with them. I feel that I have truly found my voice through my writing and am excited to continue working as a Writer. Besides my poetry book, my upcoming novel, which details my life through my teenage years through young adulthood, deals with the bittersweet aspects of growing up in a turbulent home and with the sweet funny moments of youth.

What does success mean to you?
That’s an easy question. It’s doing what you love and being able to live a simple life doing it. It’s not about how many cars you drive, the size of your home or the latest designer clothes. Success is waking up every morning with a grin, knowing that you get to do what you were destined to do! I have a poem about this in my book… 

“Are you defined
By,
Your clothes,
Your watch,
Your shoes,
Your car,
Your house,
Your education,
Your wealth,
Your ignorance,
Your indifference,
Your inaction?”

Contact Info:

• Email: hello@jameelhaiat.com
• Website: https://www.jameelhaiat.com/
• Instagram: @jameelh1
• Twitter: Haiat.Jameel