Life, Values & Legacy: Our Chat with DENVER mCqUAID of Hollywood

DENVER mCqUAID shared their story and experiences with us recently and you can find our conversation below.

DENVER, it’s always a pleasure to learn from you and your journey. Let’s start with a bit of a warmup: What is something outside of work that is bringing you joy lately?
It’s snowboarding season babyyy!! An adrenaline junkie at heart, few things in life bring me the peace and tranquility that snowboarding does. It’s a feeling that I struggle to describe as blissfulness doesn’t even come close. There’s a natural high of being in the mountains, weaving through the trees, inhaling the crisp cold air (and a crisp cold beer or 3) either solo or with friends. Snowboarding is something I look forward to each season and can never get enough of.

Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
I’m a comedy Content Creator and Marketing Agency owner specializing in social media, visual effects, and motion graphics editing for major brands and celebrities. I’ve been making comedy videos for over 15 years and have evolved my style and storytelling each step of the way.

Currently working on a new content series focused on being curious about, well everything. From the invention of lava lamps to how Bluetooth works and geopolitics. I’m excited for this new series as it allows me to deep dive into a wide range of topics while maintaining a consistent “theme” or brand around each video.

Appreciate your sharing that. Let’s talk about your life, growing up and some of topics and learnings around that. Who were you before the world told you who you had to be?
An artistic outcast with no friends just trying to fit in and make people laugh. Growing up in the Midwest, I was often surrounded by people who did not understand this way of thinking and did everything they could to dim my light. Rather successfully to be frank. After 2 decades of living in Indiana I finally moved to Los Angeles right after college and have grown exponentially as a person and artist thanks to the opportunities and community Los Angeles has provided for me.

What fear has held you back the most in your life?
The fear of judgement from others. Sometimes these judgements were planted in my mind from others directly. Other times I did that work on their behalf in-turn limiting myself with anxiety, imposter syndrome, and lack of dedication to becoming who I knew I could be.

After years of therapy and building my own success as a solo-preneur I’ve shaken off most of these shackles of doubt and generally don’t give a rat’s ass about other people’s opinions. Especially the opinions of those I don’t know or are doing less than me.

I feel most people, especially Creatives, suffer from this fear of judgement or “being seen” when in reality who gives a damn? Make art. Be a vibe. Enjoy life and forget whoever is so miserable all they can do is talk about you. We love free marketing.

I think our readers would appreciate hearing more about your values and what you think matters in life and career, etc. So our next question is along those lines. What do you believe is true but cannot prove?
The only long term strength Ai actually has is being used for misinformation to not only lie to the public masses but muddy the waters so much we all lose any amount of credibility and trust in all news and institutions across the board.

Take Oracle for example. They currently host all TikTok US data. Their investing / owning Ai data centers and partnering with Ai companies that spew out Ai slop faster than we can keep up an quite literally no one is asking for this. It doesn’t take many brain cells to connect the inevitable dots here of what the long term implications of this “industry” are.

As much as I am an optimist in life I am also a realist. The data and behavioral patterns of elites, US oligarchs, and tech CEOs have shown us for decades they cannot be trusted at their word and to have the best interest of society at heart. Here’s to hoping I’m dead wrong about this but I sadly don’t believe I am.

Okay, so let’s keep going with one more question that means a lot to us: What is the story you hope people tell about you when you’re gone?
We are all cosmic dust somehow breathing and surviving in a world we’ve manipulated nearly to a point of no return.

No one will remember the funny skits and viral hits. No one will remember that cringey thing you did or said. No one will know who any of us were in 100, 200 years.

So when I’m gone, all I aspire to be remembered for are the laughs and good energy I brought into the worlds of others. From my closest friends to the millions I’ve made laugh online.

All I’ve ever wanted to do for others is make them feel happier when I’m around. Each day I achieve this feeling is a day well spent in my life.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://denvermcquaid.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/denvermcquaid
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/denvermcquaid/
• Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@denvermcquaid