Today we’d like to introduce you to Joel Erdmann
Hi Joel, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
Growing up in a small town in Nebraska, I always dreamed of a career in the performing arts. In 2017, I moved to California to attend college for dance, where I was fortunate enough to travel the world to teach singing and dancing as part of music outreach programs across Europe, Japan, and the U.S. After graduating, I embarked on a journey to make it as a professional performer, booking jobs with Nike, Renee Rap, and even landing my first cruise contract—something I’d dreamed about since childhood.
But as life often does, it threw me a curveball. After seven months at sea, I returned to California, ready to continue my pursuit of performance, when I was struck by a sudden health issue—appendicitis. Doctors advised me to refrain from dancing or lifting for at least eight weeks, leaving me in a difficult position. I needed to adapt fast, and this is where I pivoted to content creation. With a background in performance and an eye for creative direction, I began producing user-generated content (UGC) for brands. While it wasn’t much at first, it allowed me to keep going and pay the bills.
Once I recovered from appendicitis I landed a unique opportunity as a dancer at Knott’s Berry Farm for their Halloween Show. I would commute from Burbank to Buena Park for training and shows, using the extra time in my car to start live streaming on TikTok. It was there that I began to leverage the skills I had developed in content creation and performance, posting daily and interacting with my growing community.
Over time, my social media presence grew rapidly. In just over a year, I went from 6,000 to almost a million followers across multiple platforms. The switch from performing on stage to creating content online and building my personal brand became a natural next step. Along the way, I signed with modeling agencies, allowing me to continue my creative journey as a model and content creator. This new career path has given me the chance to merge my passion for art, performance, and personal expression in a way I never imagined.
What began as a setback turned into the launchpad for an exciting new chapter, and I couldn’t be more grateful for the unexpected path that led me here.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
Growing up, I really struggled to find my place. I was bullied and often felt like I didn’t fit in, especially because I was passionate about things like dancing, music, and the arts. Some kids even went as far as to beat me up for being different. I remember one school counselor telling me that my dreams were foolish and that I should always have a backup plan. That really stuck with me, and honestly, I questioned myself a lot back then.
When I switched gears from performing to creating content, it was tough. I didn’t see immediate results, and it was hard to just trust that it would all work out. Every day, I had to stay consistent—posting, planning, and hoping that my hard work would eventually pay off. And when things started to pick up, it came with a lot of negativity and hate online. As an empath, it was especially tough to separate my emotions from my work, but over time I learned to push through and stay focused on what I love doing.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I’m a model and content creator, and I focus on creating content around fashion, skincare, and fitness. I’ve built a community where I get to share my love for taking care of myself and showing others that it’s okay—no, it’s necessary—for men to want to look and feel like the best version of themselves. In a world where self-care has sometimes been seen as just a “female thing,” I really aim to break those barriers. For me, taking care of yourself isn’t just about looking good—it’s about feeling confident, strong, and empowered in your own skin. And honestly, I think that’s what makes it sexy.
What I’m most proud of, though, are the messages I get from people telling me that I’ve inspired them to make a change in their own lives. Whether it’s getting into fitness, starting to create content, or pursuing modeling—knowing that I’ve had a positive impact on someone else’s journey is what drives me. I’ve had people tell me that they finally feel comfortable in their own skin, or that they’ve started taking better care of themselves, and that means more to me than any number or milestone. It’s the reason I do what I do.
One thing that definitely sets me apart is my work ethic. I’m never satisfied with anything less than great. I’ve always believed that if you’re going to do something, you should put your heart into it and give it your all. Whether it’s a fashion video, a skincare routine, or a fitness challenge, I want everything I put out there to reflect the best of me and my abilities. I don’t believe in just going through the motions—I’m always looking for ways to improve, learn, and grow. I think that mindset has really helped me build my brand and connect with people who resonate with the message
Before we let you go, we’ve got to ask if you have any advice for those who are just starting out?
Consistency and showing up every single day—that’s the secret. The way to create the life you want, the things you desire, is by going after them relentlessly. I’m talking about doing it even when it feels tough or when things don’t seem to be moving as fast as you want. But if you keep showing up, day in and day out, that’s when you start to see real progress. You’ll pass the people you were once chasing, and you’ll find yourself in a place where you’re the one others are looking up to.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/joelerdmann_/
Image Credits
Adam Washington
Aldrin Del Carmen
