We’re looking forward to introducing you to Mimi Tempestt. Check out our conversation below.
Hi Mimi , thank you so much for joining us today. We’re thrilled to learn more about your journey, values and what you are currently working on. Let’s start with an ice breaker: What do the first 90 minutes of your day look like?
The first 90 minutes to 2 hours of my morning are probably the most magical parts of my day. It’s when I get the most done, and it’s when my best ideas come to me as well. I wake up every morning at 5am and partake in a 10-15 minute meditation. I get ready for a one hour Hot Pilates class at The Humbled Body by 7am or I make my way to the gym, and by 9am I start my day fully with writing, editing, reading, teaching or venturing to the Charles E. Young Special Collections Library at UCLA to go through “The Wanda Coleman Papers”/Archives. It’s been my ritual for a little under a year, but I’ve been an early morning person for years now. I get my drive for preparedness from my father. It’s amazing. It’s a testament of my discipline and sobriety. If anyone reading this believes they get things done, best believe I’ve accomplished by noon what you accomplish in a day. Early mornings, meditations, and rigorous workouts before 8am are the key to my success. It’s the repetitive habits of every successful Leader, Artist, Musician, Guru, Director, and Visionary in history.
I’m in the sector of human beings that believes and practices “the early bird gets the worm.” Not only do I outwork my competitors, I’m up earlier than them too.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
Yes! My name is Mimi Tempestt. I’m a successfully published and award-winning author. I’m a scholar who will officially receive my Ph.D in Creative/Critical Writing & Literature from UC Santa Cruz by Spring 2026. I’m a curator, world-traveler, professor, and dreamer. When I first participated in Voyage sometime in 2018 or 2019, I was a musician. I still love music, but the pandemic, like for many people, shifted my trajectory. Since then, I’ve transitioned all my creative skills and output to becoming the best & most successful writer in the universe. That goal for myself may seem hyperbolic, but it’s the only goal I find worthy of achieving at this point in my life. It’s what keeps me going more than anything in the world.
My story is both unique and relatable. I’m a bit of an anomaly. I grew up as an ugly duckling who grew into a gorgeous swan. I was born and raised in Los Angeles, in a neighborhood known as Chavez Ravine. I come from Black and Mexican roots. My family are all professional athletes/coaches, and somehow, someway, I ended up being a creative. I was made that way, don’t know why, but throughout the discovery and expression of my gifts, I went through many trials and tribulations (humble/working-class background, drug addiction, obesity, betrayal, abuse, bullying, etc, you name it), and through it all I managed to follow my muse and be in alignment with my purpose, which like previously stated, is to be the best, most successful and celebrated writer in the universe.
My “Brand” or intention behind my story is to showcase less of a “Rags to Riches” trope to more of a “Reality of Resilience” possibility. I’m vocal about personal and systemic hardships in my writing, because I believe every person on this planet has a gift, and by showcasing my innards through the expression of my gift, others will be inspired and motivated to do the same. I believe when more folks are aligned with their gifts and purpose in life (however big or small), the possibility of harmony, equity, and freedom is possible throughout the world. Part of my mission in life is to showcase the principles of resilience in order for others to feel inspired enough, confident enough, and brave enough to instill those principles for themselves. I live by the phrase “Lead by Example,” a moniker I received from my mother at a very young age. My “Brand” is to “Be 1000% Uniquely & Authentically You. However Hard, However Easy. ” That’s where your power to overcome any obstacle, any negative programming or challenge lies.
Appreciate your sharing that. Let’s talk about your life, growing up and some of topics and learnings around that. What part of you has served its purpose and must now be released?
Wow! What a question…
There are many versions and parts of me: Mia, Mimi, The Eldest Daughter, The Eldest Grandchild, The Good Girl, The Rapper, Victim, Survivor, Artist, The Bad Girl, L.A. Woman…
So many versions that I have laid to rest over the years, but the part of me that has served its purpose is the version that prioritizes everyone’s needs, expectations, and feelings over my own. I’ve offered that up to the Gods, and they will do with that what is necessary. In the past two years, I’ve become deliciously self-full, and have learned to prioritize my needs, wants and desires before anyone and anything. I’ve learned the necessity of boundaries, of detailing and maintaining my values, and pouring into me: first.
If you could say one kind thing to your younger self, what would it be?
If I could say kind things to my younger self, I would tell her that her observations and feelings about the chaos in her world are accurate, and to never let anyone gaslight her into believing otherwise. I would tell her to protect herself, to prioritize herself, and that the adults in her world don’t have the skillset to nurture her in a way that is essential for her growth. That eventually she’ll forgive them, because she is meant to surpass them mentally, spiritually, and emotionally. I would tell her that being fat is not a sin, and that she’ll eventually figure out healthier ways to cope outside of food. I would tell her that she’ll even become a Pilates instructor, a full-time gym baddie who works out, does yoga, and lifts weights at least 4 times a week. My younger self wouldn’t believe that, but it’s true. I would tell her that it’s going to be okay, and that she will make it out of Los Angeles. I would tell her that her dreams are important, and they are the key to making all of her decisions. I would tell her to be herself, and to avoid anyone who makes her feel less than who she knows she is. I would tell her that she’s going to lose a lot, but it’s in service to all the prosperity she will gain. I would tell her that as she’s climbing the mountain to look forward, and never look back. I would tell her that she made it to Paris, Bali, London, Mexico City, New York, Thailand, Italy, Cuba, more, and that every major city in the world is her playground.
I would tell her that she is in the process of writing not her first, not her second, but her third book. And that everyone around her is anticipating, incredibly curious, and excited about what she’s going to do next….
I would tell her to never give up, and that it may get dark at times, but when the light comes back it’ll become brighter than she ever imagined. I would tell her that she is the light, and she is a star.
Next, maybe we can discuss some of your foundational philosophies and views? What are the biggest lies your industry tells itself?
I’m going to give the secret formula to the crabby patty recipe…
Luck is real, but it’s formulated around those who are willing to take a chance on themselves and their craft. There are brilliant writers in my industry who psych themselves out with the fear of being perceived by others, so they never put themselves or their work on the line or they stay in a zone of safety, and there are writers, often hypocrites, who have no fucking business talking to auditoriums of people about the world, their politics, or even how to construct a proper sentence, but because they are willful and eager to tap dance for an audience they are successfully received. There is no right or wrong here, I guess, but there is a battle of wills
Sometimes the lie isn’t simply the industry. Sometimes it’s what you tell yourself, especially for writers of color, about what you’re worth. Be worthy for yourself and your community first. Ask for your worth, and the “industry” and the world will adjust itself to you.
I get by successfully, because I know exactly who I am and what I’m worth. I demand for my worth in every business dealing, because I do the dirty work that no one around me is willing to do. Meaning I only say “yes” to opportunities that are in alignment with my value and values.
Be willing to walk away when necessary, and know when to take a risk. Follow your gut. Know thyself. Put your head down and focus on thyself. Do the work. Greatness requires sacrifice.
The Truth: What are willing to sacrifice for your dreams, and are you mad at others for pouring more into it than you?
Thank you so much for all of your openness so far. Maybe we can close with a future oriented question. What do you think people will most misunderstand about your legacy?
I try not to care too much about what others are thinking, but it’s possible that people will misunderstand the importance of my work ethic, and how much I actually sacrifice personally to reach professional milestones. I don’t have a partner. I don’t have children. I’ve yet to experience someone worthy of keeping my attention. Those desires exist within me, but any hint of a distraction gets removed from my world. I’m very intentional about who gets my time; this extends to family and friends too. I’ve never loved anyone or anything more than I love my purpose of being a writer, and I don’t feel guilty about that either. I’m not certain many people, especially women, are typically understood for expressing this type of sentiment out loud.
People may misunderstand how it’s taken me decades to be the person and the writer I am now too.
I’ve sacrificed relationships, friendships, quit jobs, worked crazy jobs, saved money, lost money, overcome horrifying scenarios and circumstances, invested entire summers to my craft, drove hours for months on end for school, tap danced in basements, recited poetry in parking lots for a crowd of two, been up, been down, been everything in-between, and much more to claim and maintain my spot. People only see the finished product, but they never see the blood, sweat, and tears that truly goes into it. I understand that I make it look good, but I believe if people knew the fullness of what I’ve endured to get to this point they wouldn’t believe it. They wouldn’t want to walk in my glass slippers either.
When I say I got it out the mud, I’m really saying that I’m meant to bloom like the lotus flower.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://citylights.com/general-poetry/delicacy-of-emracing-spirals/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mimi.tempestt/
