Standout Authors Unbound amplifies the voices of underrepresented writers and indie authors to disrupt an industry that rewards conformity over authenticity.
What if the hardest chapter of your life is the one that teaches you how to finally tell your story?
Miguel A Castillo Jr. aka Big Mike’s journey doesn’t follow a neat, inspirational arc. It’s messy. It’s uncomfortable. And that’s exactly what makes it powerful.
In this conversation, Mike shares how he went from being morbidly obese to becoming a boxer and coach, from law enforcement to prison, and from isolation to discovering his voice as a writer. Along the way, he found resilience in the ring, clarity in solitary confinement, and purpose through reading, writing, and education.
This is a conversation about accountability, transformation, and what happens when you stop running from your past and start using it.
Highlights
Transformation through adversity
Big Mike doesn’t frame his past as something to erase or outrun. He talks about it as the very thing that shaped him. The hard moments didn’t define him forever, but they did force him to evolve, reflect, and choose a different path forward.
“I was able to really become a better person. I think that’s a powerful lesson, especially for people who have done those things or similar types of things and can learn to evolve from it.”
Persistence matters more than talent
Progress didn’t come from shortcuts or sudden breakthroughs. It came from staying in the work, especially when it felt repetitive or uncomfortable. Big Mike’s message is simple, but earned.
“Never give up. You know, like just, and I know that sounds corny, but like that it’s so real, like, never stop believing in yourself, right?”
Education and self-reflection create real growth
Growth didn’t happen accidentally. It happened through intentional reflection and learning. Books, writing, and quiet thinking became tools for rebuilding and understanding himself at a deeper level.
“All the growing happened to me through books, through reading, through writing, through that self-reflection.”
There’s no single right way to grow
Big Mike emphasizes that personal growth isn’t a copy-and-paste process. What works for one person may not work for another, and that’s okay. The real work is figuring out your own rhythm and process.
“I think the most important thing is to figure out your own methods for doing things because everyone works different.”
Writing as a way to understand yourself
For Big Mike, writing is about clarity. Putting words on the page helps him process mistakes, patterns, and decisions he might otherwise avoid.
“I write so I can understand myself, right? I write so I can understand my mistakes, right?”
Community changes everything
One of the biggest surprises in Big Mike’s journey was how powerful community could be. Being surrounded by people doing similar work created momentum, support, and accountability he couldn’t have built alone.
“The most important thing that I got out of my MFA was the building of community, that cohort.”
Growth requires humility
Big Mike doesn’t position himself as an exception or a success story without flaws. He talks openly about being human, making mistakes, and continuing to learn from them.
“I’m not going to say like that I’m special or anything because I’m not. I’m just a regular guy and I make mistakes every day.”
Fear is part of the process
Avoiding fear keeps you stuck. Big Mike encourages leaning into discomfort, not because it’s easy, but because it leads to real growth.
“Do something that scares you. And that will make you a better person.”
Preparation makes luck useful
Luck alone isn’t enough. The work you do before the opportunity shows up is what allows you to take advantage of it when it finally does.
“You gotta work hard so when luck comes knocking on your door, you’re prepared.”
Closing reflection
Big Mike’s story is a reminder that writing requires the courage to document your evolution instead of hiding from it. You don’t need a clean past or a perfect path to tell a meaningful story. You need honesty, resilience, and the willingness to keep going.
If you’re an author, a creative, or someone sitting with a story you’re not sure you’re allowed to tell yet, let’s talk about it. Share your journey in the comments.
Thank you Hady Méndez, Caroline Mufford, and many others for tuning into my live video with Miguel A Castillo Jr.!
