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Dan

@danieljamesmcd

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A musician must make music,an artist must paint,a poet must write,if he is to be ultimately at peace with himself.What a man can be,he must be -Maslow

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March 17, 2023. I can still remember the very beginning. A “mini doc” featuring the Monster Factory on Vimeo. Then in 2018 the idea floated to make it a series. Then covid hit & everything was put on hold. At the end of the pandemic having the crew flying in to film another sizzle reel to show @appletv our proof of concept. Then getting the call on July 31st from Apple that our show was green lighted. I was overwhelmed. My emotions were “I made it” & “I’m going to fuck this up” all at the same time. That’s just how my brain worked back then. I didn’t know why. I do now.

The process was amazing. I’ve never enjoyed working so hard more. Early mornings. Late nights. All while teaching class. Writing shows. And also trying to be the best husband & father I could be. Learning that my mom had cancer. Inadvertently capturing the moment that I got the news that my mom’s cancer was inoperable & the immediate darkness that fell over me. And like I’ve always done & just pushed through almost immediately. I buried my emotions. Because that’s what I’ve done since my childhood.

I don’t know if I could’ve faced the reality I was losing my mom without this show. I found a support system. The students & crew knew I was hurting. They were supportive. I remember one day on the set I was unable to stop crying. I had to call off filming for the day. Looking back knowing what I know now it was bipolar depression. It subsided after a few days. This show also captured my final days with my mom & I can always watch it to visit her. To say hi & check in with her. The team dedicated the show to her & that meant so much to me.

The show also showcased why I always showed up even when I was going through so many struggles I thought that everyone experienced. The students. I tried my best to guide them & be there for them like I always needed. Never wanting them to feel the way I felt so many times. Abandoned. My brother & sister abandoned me while growing up. My parents abandoned me. My friends. My girlfriend. All in one way or another would find me to be too much or not enough & leave me. So for my students I’d sacrifice anything to help them. I’ll finish in the comments…. by @danieljamesmcd

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7 months ago

Damn. Talk about a legendary career! I don’t think people understand how dominate @lanejohnson65 really was! No doubt the greatest at his position ever. EVER! And once again. Mental health is important & you have no clue how much respect I have for this man. Him speaking out on his struggles with mental health & raising awareness are just as impressive than his on field accolades. This dude rules & hope he has a great retirement! Plus if he ever chose pro wrestling to keep him busy, he’s a natural.

#lanejohnson #nfl #eagles #flyeaglesfly #mentalhealth by @danieljamesmcd

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10 hours ago

#tedlasso #lasso #appletv #believe #relax by @danieljamesmcd

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2 days ago

Going through my phone & came across the last two minutes of our docu series. Probably the best two minutes of my life not including creating my kids. by @danieljamesmcd

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4 days ago

In 1998 I was driving to training & was told prior that I’d need a wrestling name. I wanted to be Danny Mac because that’s what my bookie called me. That was turned down. I saw a billboard while on my way for Snake Eyes & was drawn to the CAGE in green. So Danny Cage was born & green was my color of choice for gear & later carried over the neon green for the Monster Factory. But so many times people thought that Johnny Cage from Mortal Kombat was the inspiration. Nope. The icon Nicolas Cage was.

#nicolas #cage #snakeeyes #prowrestling #movies by @danieljamesmcd

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17 days ago

My love for movies all started in 1982. I can still remember the layout. The smells. The sticky floors & worn out seats that folded up when you stood up. No cup holders. When I didn’t have money I’d sneak in the back door & just sit in the front row. Then leave that same way. Sometimes I’d be the only one in the theater.

#movies #theater #nostalgia #80s #cinema by @danieljamesmcd

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22 days ago

Year after year I’d get to see these “awesome” things said about me. From teachers to parents of friends & everyone in between. One thing I’d never hear is “Are you alright?”

I’d like to think I accomplished exactly what I set out to do. I think what made me a successful coach & teacher was being ignored, mistreated & dismissed pretty much my whole life. I’m done with pro wrestling but I still have some left in the tank for other ventures.

This is just a reminder that some people might be so right yet so wrong about you. The D & F student went on to own the number one training facility in the world by being a teacher who cared & put his students first which lead to my own documentary series. All while having an amazing wife & kids. So in a way, 🖕to the ones that messed up my head as a kid. Some like to call it fuel. But it wasn’t. It was extra weight to carry across the finish line. Took me a lot of therapy & time to figure that out. 🤷😂

So I’ll keep going until the tires fall off. Keep going.

#mentalhealth #bipolar #adhd #trauma #dream by @danieljamesmcd

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23 days ago

#basement #remodel #workingman #woodworking #dyi by @danieljamesmcd

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5 months ago

#task #hbo #hbomax by @danieljamesmcd

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9 months ago