Mike Diamond

Your body is a temple. Take care of it, and it will take care of you.

 

Mike Diamond is a Television Personality, Director, Life Coach, and Interventionist. Known for his work on the hit TV shows NY Ink and Bondi Ink Tattoo Crew, which is currently nominated for a Logie Award for Best Reality Series.
Originally from Perth, Western Australia, Mike got off to a bit of a rough start. Battling undiagnosed dyslexia, he started using drugs and alcohol at age 12. At age 16, he was expelled for Aquinas College and finished at Melville H.S. Immediately after graduation, Mike moved to Sydney and enrolled at the Actors Center. He got a job at a local clothing store which, unbeknownst to him at the time, would change his life forever. Lady Luck was on Mike’s side when a customer at the store handed him a Green Card Lottery ticket. Mike won a green card in 1997 and made the move to Miami. Shortly after his arrival, Mike landed a role on the CBS sitcom, Grapevine from Director David Frankel. After Grapevine, Mike moved to NYC, where he worked on various projects including as a guest star on Sex and the City. Mike wrote, created and starred in a VH1 pilot with former STP and Velvet Revolver front man, Scott Weiland. Splitting his time between NYC, Miami and Los Angeles, Mike had regular gigs performing stand up at Caroline’s on Broadway and The Comedy Store. Mike was properly introduced into the tattoo world when he appeared on Miami Ink. He later became the store manager for his good friend, Ami James, at Wooster St and starred on Season 3 of NY Ink. Mike then headed back to his hometown where he wrote, directed, produced, and starred in Bondi Ink Tattoo Crew, based on Bondi Beach. Although Mike has had plenty of “highs” in his life, he has also had his “low” moments along the way. Mike has battled cocaine and alcohol addiction for the majority of his life. The defining moment came at the height of his career while shooting a TV show for VH1. To the outside world, Mike looked like he was living the dream but on the inside, Mike was spiritually bankrupt and miserable. He realized that if he didn’t turn his life around, he was going to die. April 16, 2006 was the day Mike Diamond got sober. Since then, Mike has literally helped hundreds of people on the road to recovery. He is on beck and call to all his clients and friends, helping them through their life problems and battles with addiction.

Where did the idea for your career come from?

Once I became a dad, my vision became crystal clear. I never wanted to complain about having the gift we call life, again. I became conscious of my surroundings and all the blessings that came with it.

What does your typical day look like and how do you make it productive?

Wake up at 4am and do mindfulness meditation.
4:30am lift weights for 30 to 45 minutes
5:00 / 5:15am Cardio which could be a run to bike. If I’m running listen to an audio book. If I’m cycling read. 90 minutes total cardio.

How do you bring ideas to life?

Once I get an idea in my head, I can’t rest until in comes into fruition. I am all about the follow through. We are all very busy people. Just because they don’t get back to right away, doesn’t mean you are not on their radar. Be courteous with your follow up and follow through on any promises made.

What’s one trend that excites you?

The sober revolution. So many people think that you have to be inebriated in some sort of way to enjoy yourself. Living your life and loving your surroundings

What is one habit of yours that makes you more productive as an entrepreneur?

I wake up at 4:00 am, every morning. I am so excited and thankful to start a new day. I do more before the sun rises before most people do before lunch. The early bird gets the worm.

What advice would you give your younger self?

Your body is a temple. Take care of it, and it will take care of you.

Tell us something that’s true that almost nobody agrees with you on.

My age, sobriety and my colitis. People don’t believe the things I can do and have done dealing with these issues.

As an entrepreneur, what is the one thing you do over and over and recommend everyone else do?

Say “Thank You” to everyone. No matter how big or small the task may seem. Gratitude goes a long way.

What is one strategy that has helped you grow your business?

Continuing to try to outdo my best. When I beat the record for running the most half marathons in 30 days, I could have stopped there, but why? I am trying to go even beyond that. KEEP GOING!

What is one failure you had as an entrepreneur, and how did you overcome it?

I failed myself with substance abuse. I decided to get clean, and nearly 14 years later, I have never once wanted to fall back.

What is one business idea that you’re willing to give away to our readers?

I have so many ideas that I would love to come to fruition, but they are just that, my ideas. They are going to work for me because I am passionate about them. If you want to truly succeed, you have to create an idea that excites you. Sparks a fire in your belly.

What is the best $100 you recently spent? What and why?

The best $100 dollars I spent was on these books.
Supernatural, Break the habit of being yourself By Joe Dispenza Money and Unshakable By Tony Robbins
Change Your Brain Change your life By Daniel Amen

What is one piece of software or a web service that helps you be productive?

Instagram. It allows me to connect with so many people on a level that we didn’t dare dream of ten years ago. I love sharing my truth and receiving messages of support from all over the world.

What is the one book that you recommend our community should read and why?

Any book by Joe Dispenza. His books have truly changed my life. Also, my book, 7 Steps To An Unbreakable Mindset. I penned this from a very personal, vulnerable state.

What is your favorite quote?

I was watching a palm tree in a hurricane one morning and couldn’t believe it’s ability to withstand the devastating winds. Everything was getting crushed but the palm tree wasn’t flustered. It keep bending and never broke. In life, we must become flexible in our mindset. When facing adversity, we must become the palm tree in the hurricane and bend, not break.

Key Learnings:

• Live with Purpose. Purpose is the glue that keeps us focused when things seem as though they are falling apart. Whenever my life has gone off track without purpose, I have felt as though I had nothing.
• Have a plan and turn it into action. We can’t hit a target we don’t see. Whenever we have a goal, we need to create action plans to turn our dreams into reality.
• Have Priorities and live by them. Follow the 80/20 rule; 20% effort for 80% of your results.