We recently had the chance to connect with Michelle Carney and have shared our conversation below.
Michelle, it’s always a pleasure to learn from you and your journey. Let’s start with a bit of a warmup: What are you being called to do now, that you may have been afraid of before?
Honestly, submitting my first Bold Journey interview terrified me, and yet here I am doing a second. The idea of people reading my thoughts and dreams made me nauseous. Right now, I’m being called to share more of myself with the world and to let people get to know the real me, rather than the version hidden behind roles, designer clothes, and curated photos.
I’m also being called to bet fully on myself. I recently lost my day job, and instead of scrambling for stability, I chose to pour 100% of my time and energy into acting and my creative pursuits. In my mind, there was no other option than to take a leap and see how far I can go. The uncertainty and instability are scary, but what’s life without a little risk?
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
Hi! I’m Michelle — an actress, model, and host based in Los Angeles. Born and raised in Ohio, I’m living a life I never could’ve imagined as a child. I worked as a teacher and in the nonprofit sector until something in my heart told me to pack a bag and solo-travel the world.
I eventually landed in Los Angeles, signed up for an acting class on a whim, and completely fell in love with the craft. Since then, my career has expanded in ways I never expected. I had countless blessings from walking in Paris Fashion Week to interviewing entertainment legends, and even riding a motorcycle for a film. It’s been a wild journey, but through it all, I’ve remained driven by purpose and a desire to make a positive impact through my work.
Thanks for sharing that. Would love to go back in time and hear about how your past might have impacted who you are today. What’s a moment that really shaped how you see the world?
It’s 5 AM and I’m 20 years old, riding in the back of a van through the dusty streets of Siem Reap, Cambodia. I’m half asleep with my head pressed against the window when I notice a line of over a hundred women, children, and men stretching around the block. I couldn’t imagine what all these people could possibly be doing standing outside at this hour. I asked the driver what they were waiting for, and he told me they line up every single morning, hoping to see a doctor. That moment has never left me.
A baby cries next to me on a plane. Someone cuts me off in traffic. The barista hands me the wrong coffee when I’m already late. I now know these problems are small. I don’t let myself stress over the little things. There’s not a day I don’t wake up thankful for a safe home, good health, and the chance to do work I love. Life has given me so much, and I’m constantly aware of how lucky I am just to be here.
What did suffering teach you that success never could?
You don’t learn when you’re winning, you learn when you’re losing. You don’t get stronger when life is easy; you get stronger when it’s hard. Success is rewarding, but struggle is transformative. I am the strong, resilient, and grounded person I am today because I overcame everything I thought I couldn’t. Now, when life throws challenge after challenge my way, I get a little excited. I know it’s going to force me to become better. I’m thankful for everything I’ve suffered through because I would not be who I am or where I am without it.
Alright, so if you are open to it, let’s explore some philosophical questions that touch on your values and worldview. What’s a belief you used to hold tightly but now think was naive or wrong?
I used to believe life and success were linear. You set a goal, slowly climb the ladder, and eventually “arrive” at the top. Turns out life doesn’t work that way. Sometimes you fall five rungs down, you fall off completely, or you discover a new ladder you’d prefer to climb. I’ve learned you can reinvent yourself at any moment. You can change careers, move countries, lose everything, start again, fall in love, walk away, dye your hair, and build an entirely different life. Our lives our ours. We won’t always be climbing straight up. We’ll fail, we’ll fail, we’ll start over. But that’s life, and that’s the beauty of it.
Okay, we’ve made it essentially to the end. One last question before you go. Are you tap dancing to work? Have you been that level of excited at any point in your career? If so, please tell us about those days.
Everyday! My job has had me dancing around my apartment, jumping on the bed, and screaming with excitement in my car. I celebrate every win, no matter how small, because in an industry built on rejection, you have to. You deserve to. I spend my days telling stories, connecting with wildly passionate creatives, and making art. I also work seven days a week, push myself to the edge of what my body and mind can handle, and fail every single day, but I love it. My passion and joy outweigh every single struggle I face.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.michellekcarney.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/michellekcarney/
- Other: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm14892614/
