I thought money stress was part of the actor’s life… until I discovered it didn’t have to be.
TL;DR - This Week in The Lead Actor Weekly
• I used to juggle $35K in credit card debt, late taxes, and constant money stress
• Working with Mel Abraham gave me a plan, zero debt, and financial peace of mind
• Most actors think wealth starts after their big break, but it actually starts now
• Mel’s free Money Machine Experience begins Sept 18 (3-part live training)
• September Monologue Showcase deadline: Sept 30th
FEATURE STORY: From the Desk of Joey Freddy Larsen - Starving Artist to Money Machine
Me and my money mentor, Mel Abraham. This guy changed my entire financial future.
Here’s a story I’ve never fully shared before.
For years, I lived in the “starving artist” cycle. On the outside, I looked like I was making it. I was booking gigs, paying bills, and chasing the dream.
But behind the curtain it was messy.
• I was chronically behind on bookkeeping and taxes, sometimes a few years late
• I had $35,000 in credit card debt spread across three cards
• I was constantly juggling minimum payments, robbing Peter to pay Paul
• I had no savings, no investments, and no plan
• The worst part was the constant stress, anxiety, and guilt about money
I told myself the same story most actors tell themselves:
“Once I book that big role, once I am making X per month, then I will finally get my money sorted.”
But that magical day never came. Waiting only cost me peace, freedom, and opportunity.
The breaking point came at dinner with friends. The bill hit the table and my heart sank. I would swipe my card and silently pray it would not decline. On the outside I looked successful, but inside I felt trapped.
That is when I found Mel Abraham.
Mel taught me something that flipped everything upside down:
“You do not have money problems. You have money symptoms. Your financial situation is simply a reflection of your habits up until now. It is not a predictor of your future.”
That truth hit me like a lightning bolt.
Fast forward to today:
• I have zero credit card debt
• I have built an emergency fund for unexpected expenses
• I hired a bookkeeper so I always know my numbers
• My taxes are filed on time for both personal and business
• Most importantly, I no longer carry stress and anxiety about money. I finally have clarity and confidence
No more feast or famine. No more starving artist. Just a clear plan that actually works.
And here is the kicker: none of this was rocket science. It was about learning a few simple foundations and putting them into action.
That is what Mel does best. He makes money simple, doable, and creative-friendly.
And now he is teaching it for free.
Join Mel live for The Money Machine Experience starting Sept 18, free for actors in our community.
🎯 The Money Machine Experience LIVE
A free 3-part live wealth training experience with Mel Abraham
Here is what you will learn:
• Discover what stage of the Affluence Journey you are in and how to move forward
• Apply the 5 Core Wealth Principles to build freedom even if you are living gig to gig
• Understand the 5 Income Types that create long-term security
• Follow Mel’s 9-part Wealth-Building Blueprint to design your dream life
• Build your own Money Machine so your income creates freedom instead of stress
đź“… Starts Thursday, Sept 18 (with replays included)
👉 [Save your free seat here]
Imagine stepping onto set knowing your future is already handled.
Imagine every paycheck building freedom in the background.
Imagine never again saying, “I will figure out money once I have made it.”
That is the shift Mel gave me, and he can give it to you too.
FREE TOOLS FOR ACTORS
• 🎠Audition Checklist – Walk into every audition 100 percent prepared
• 📊 Audition Tracker – Track your auditions and measure your progress
• 💼 Agent Q&A Guide – Know what to ask before signing with an agent
• 💬 Audition Affirmations – Build confidence and consistency with your mindset
👉 [Access all free tools here]
UPCOMING EVENTS
📅 Your Next Lead Role Workshop – Tuesday at 7pm ET
📅 Monologue Jam – Thursday at 7pm ET
📅 September Monologue Showcase – Submissions due Sept 30
P.S. If you take one thing from this week’s newsletter, let it be this: you do not have to wait until your “big break” to build wealth. You can start now with what you already have. That is exactly what Mel Abraham will show you in The Money Machine Experience. It is free, it starts Sept 18, and it might be the shift you have been waiting for.
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