Meet MJ Guest | Singer Song Writer, Fire Dancer, and Dog Trainer

We had the good fortune of connecting with MJ Guest and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi MJ, is there something you believe many others might not?
“A jack of all trades is a master of none.” I beg to differ. To start, that’s not even the full quote. The full quote is “ Jack of all trades master of none, though oftentimes better than master of one.”
Checking into one thing and believing only one thing is meant for you is a suffocating mentality. We are meant to explore and reach past our comfort zones.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
Just your friendly neighborhood siren. With an origin story forged in fire, and a hypnotizing voice, I currently write co produce and record with Perch Studios in Long Beach California and working in Hollywood. It’s a dream come true.

My first love was music. At the age of 7 my house caught on fire while my older brother and I were at school and my father was at work. My mother and 3 year old brother were trapped from the flames and suffocated before help arrived.

The loss of the house and my family members destroyed an already volatile father’s spirit. His anger, alcoholism and discipline became unbalanced and the three of us soon ended up homeless. At one point while living in a motel, I would lock myself in the motel bathroom to hide from my fathers intoxication and would listen to the radio on the floor for hours envisioning a life outside of my own. Music always understands us.

At 10 years old my brother and I were fending for ourselves. Living in and out of a motel, collecting soda cans out of dumpsters for money, missing school until social services got involved. We were taken out of my father’s custody and lived with different family members until our aunt and our uncle gained full custody of us.

From rags to riches, I was able to personify my version of the fresh princess. Living with my Aunt and Uncle opened up opportunities for me to get involved with not just singing, but a shot at a normal life.

I established myself as a professional vocalist at the age of 24, when I moved 1500 miles away from home and started my career as a lead vocalist for a cover band with Stuart Logan Productions in Baton Rouge Louisiana. While the lifestyle became old and the need to express my original music caused an early conclusion to this musical career choice, I obtained experience performing in front of live audiences and manifested a unique and alluring stage presence.

I was lost for a while and didn’t find something that made me feel passionate until the pandemic. I started an LLC working with pets. I became a cross country pet transporter for my own company Highland Pet Logistics. I Drove to 49/50 states, had over 500 5 star reviews and made beautiful relationships with families, breeders, rescues, sanctuaries, and animals.
Traveling on the road by myself gave me enlightenment and it brought me back to self love and self grace. Before transporting I had a drinking problem. I would drink emotionally to combat depression. It sounds so silly looking back, but I am able to confidently say, I am over a year, and four months sober. I have lost over 40 pounds in the last year, was accepted into an apprenticeship for dog training at one of the best facilities on the West Coast, and I Have created a beautiful sense of homeostasis working full-time in Los Angeles while getting to make my own music with like-minded human beings.

Moving forward I plan to showcase my Leo spirit in the Perch family and in my apprenticeship. In my downtime I am crafting new techniques that feed my spirit and my body for performance value as well as spirited values. My fire spinning, parkour inspired flow, and vocal skills combined are unparalleled. And the best part about it is that they are all still growing. These are all things look forward to continue to grow myself with.. With light, love, and a whole lot of sexuality, I’m here to fuse the masses.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
So, I’ve been here only since December, and I am very picky about food. Also, I am more particular about hidden adventure. Topanga is beautiful and the hikes are so much different from the east coast. I also must say the beaches are everything. If you haven’t been around I highly recommend Point Dume. Repelling is always a fun tactical skill to practice and there’s plenty of communities you can join for proper training. Food wise, the taco stands are where the foods at. You don’t get it like that in Philly. However, I am still looking to find the best SoCal cheesesteak.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
My first and greatest love will always be music. When I was seven, my house caught on fire and killed my three-year-old brother and mother. My father spiraled afterwards and we ended up in and out of homelessness. At one point we were staying in a hotel for a while and my father’s life defeats turned him even more callous, careless, and dangerous. I remember locking myself in the bathroom when he’d come home late from the bars swing red and I would put on my headphones and sing along to the radio top hits on the bathroom floor till I’d fall asleep. Music has always understood me and has always carried me through my hardships. I honestly don’t know who I would be without it.

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mj_guest?igsh=OGQ5ZDc2ODk2ZA%3D%3D&utm_source=qr

Other: https://linktr.ee/PerchStudios?utm_source=linktree_profile_share