MICKIE LAREE JAMES-ALDIS // Professional Wrestler, Singer/Songwriter, Actress, + Model
MICKIE LAREE JAMES-ALDIS
Professional Wrestler, Singer/Songwriter, Actress, + Model
What was the aha moment you had to inspire you to launch your business?
From a wrestling standpoint, I was fresh out of HS and I didn’t have a direction for my life as my friends were all planning what they were going to do and that really made me think. At the time I was working at a bar, grew up a wrestling fan and in the bar they would always have wrestling on and I was just such a fan girl, everyone knew it. A friend of mine suggested I try it out, because I already had a bold personality and I was a social butterfly. His friend had a wrestling school so I figured I’m already a huge fan, I’m looking for some direction in my life, this could be it. The first day I stepped in the ring I knew I wanted to do this, I knew I was meant to be there and I kept telling myself I want this, I want this so bad. It took me 5 years before I got signed and actually made it but I knew from day 1 this was my aha moment of where I was meant to be.
My defining moment for music was being on the road full time for wrestling. I was traveling by myself a lot so I started writing since I already had this time to myself and I decided I needed to just go after it. I’ve always gone after what I wanted to do expect for singing. As a child I was always singing and recording myself, it was definitely a dream of mine to become a singer and I realized I wasn’t pursing a childhood dream because in that moment I was acting on the fear of being inadequate. I decided to go after it and make myself better at it. I wanted to do it because it was one of those childhood dreams that seemed impossible but I realized the only thing holding me back was fear. This aha moment started this amazing journey for me, and really my first producer poured belief into me and that really sparked my determination to make it happen.
Did you know that this was the right path for you? What kind of confirmation did you receive to make it feel in alignment?
I just feel like you get signs on your path that let you know that it’s right for you. There were signs that made me question things but I always kept in my mind that it is always darkest before the dawn. I was tested over and over again by life along my journey but we all have those trials. For me I just had to take a little break and step away from the ring to look at the bigger picture because I knew I wasn’t getting the break I deserved but it helped me realign my focus. I was getting those signs that I am exactly where I am meant to be. It’s crazy because we all will always be tested but deep down I knew this was the right path for me.
Recently for music, a random girl reached out to me because she got the lyrics of one of my songs tattooed on her. We easily give up on dreams as children because of something someone says to us and those “I’m going be xyz” fade away because people get hit with reality and stop believing in themselves and their dreams. There’s a reason your generally passionate about something and it’s a waste of your spirit and aura if you don’t pursue it. You’re wasting your life talent and you never know if it could help other people. That was a such a huge sign for me to see getting over my fear of not being good enough to sing lead to someone being so moved by my lyrics they got it tattooed on them.
What action steps can you share with women that are looking to follow their passion in business?
Look in the mirror every morning and remind yourself what your capable and that you are capable of doing. Don’t stick to this clear absolute plan because from my experience I’ve learned that being open minded and open hearted is the best path to take. Sometimes we get this set path in our minds and think we must stick to it and that it’s only way to follow your passion. Sometimes these golden opportunities present themselves and we close the door because they aren’t part of that original perfect plan. There is no clear path or perfect way to get there and for every person its different and creates your story. Continue to follow and pursue your passion through the bumps and turns along the way and that’s the best action plan to get you where you set out to be.
What was a moment you seemed to have failed but you now recognize it was a blessing?
In wrestling, I was first debuting 5 times, meaning I debuted on TV but we came back after filming and they would say we just don’t see it working for you guys together. We like you separate but not together and pulled the match from TV. I went home early for holidays and I just didn’t understand where it was going wrong. I was constantly throwing ideas at them and it was like they weren’t even listening. They then would move on and focus on other talents and in my mind, I was telling myself I messed up, I’m not good enough, doubting myself completely. I went home and had a come to Jesus moment with my mom and prayed and thought about everything I was feeling and experiencing. I came to the realization that I needed to just come back stronger than ever with amazing ideas, I knew deep down I needed this time to reflect. I’m so grateful in hindsight because if I debuted in those moments, I was supposed to originally, I don’t think I would’ve created the same pathway. Being tested and turned down pushed me to create the really incredible legacy I did for myself and change the landscape for all women in wrestling. Looking back hindsight 2020 I wonder how different my career would’ve been if I debuted in those other chances, I don’t think it would’ve had the same weight and I was immediately put in as the top female. You get tested and tested and tested but it was all a blessing looking back.
What does business for your soul mean to you?
If it doesn’t make you happy or fulfill you then you’re not doing what you’re supposed to. Ultimately even if you’re successful but not happy, whatever you are doing is not meant for you. Do what makes you happy because life is too short. We live our lives trying to please other people and our first goal is never to do what makes us happy but it should be. If that’s not the life your living then you’re not living. You’re not really living a fulfilled life. Business goes beyond success and money and if you’re soul is not fulfilled off of that success than you need to step back and find out what will set your soul on fire. Business for your soul makes you happy, fulfills you and creates success.
How can FEMS find you?
Website: mickiejames.com
Insta: @themickiejames
FB: Mickie James
Twitter:@MickieJames
ABOUT MICKIE LAREE JAMES-ALDIS:
Mickie Laree James-Aldis is an accomplished American professional wrestler, singer/songwriter, actress, and model, who is presently associated with the ‘World Wrestling Entertainment’ (WWE) brand Smackdown.’
She uses the ring name “Mickie James.” Her wrestling career, spanning almost two decades, began in 1999. Initially, Mickie worked as a valet in the independent circuit. She first drew national attention working with ‘NWA: Total Nonstop Action,’ where she became part of the stable called ‘The Gathering.’
She made her ‘WWE’ main-roster debut in October 2005 in arguably one of the most influential female storylines of all time. She emerged as a five time “WWE Womens Champion” and One time “WWE Divas Champion” claiming recognition worldwide as the top Woman in the Industry.
Upon departing WWE in 2010 she returned to ‘Total Nonstop Action Wrestling’ (TNA) and won the ‘TNA Knockouts Championship’ thrice, becoming a total Nine Time Womens Champion. Then, making history by becoming the first woman to ever hold all three Nationally recognized women’s television championships.
In 2010 Mickie James went on to release her first single “Are you with me” and her first album ‘Strangers & Angels’ with notable producer Kent Wells in Nashville TN. In 2013 Mickie was signed to “Eone Music Nashville” where she gained momentum in the release of her Single ‘Somebody’s Gonna Pay.’ with her first music video. Followed by her album “Somebody’s Gonna Pay” Which featured her TNA entrance music “Hardcore Country” as a bonus track.
Since then, Mickie has continued working on her new projects with fellow songwriters, and released five new singles with “SMG music and media” out of Grand Rapids Michigan. She’s collaborated with names such as “The Yang Yang Twins” on her single and music video “Left right left” She was inducted in the Native American Music Awards (NAMA) Hall of Fame in 2017 and has won 3 NAMA Single of the year/ Song of the year awards. Mickie recently opened for County Music Icons “Big & Rich” in her hometown of Richmond Va.