We’re looking forward to introducing you to DJ Mike Justis. Check out our conversation below.
Hi Mike, thank you for taking the time to reflect back on your journey with us. I think our readers are in for a real treat. There is so much we can all learn from each other and so thank you again for opening up with us. Let’s get into it: What do you think is misunderstood about your business?
To be honest, I’m always amazed by how unpredictable and dynamic this whole thing is. I don’t walk into a gig with a fixed setlist. That just doesn’t work for me. When I step into the booth, it’s all about feeling out the energy of the room and letting the crowd guide where the night goes. Every event has its own personality, and I have to be ready to pivot — sometimes multiple times in one set — to keep things flowing.
I often compare DJ’ing to playing chess. It’s about staying one step ahead of the crowd, reading the room and anticipating how people will respond to each track. You’re constantly strategizing — layering music choices, testing reactions, making adjustments in real-time. It’s not just about playing what you like; it’s about translating that into something that connects in that moment.
What works on a Friday might fall flat on a Saturday, even in the same venue. So there’s a level of humility you need to bring to the craft. You can never assume you’ve got it all figured out. You have to stay sharp, stay listening, and be willing to take risks. That’s where the magic happens. It is in that tension between instinct and experience.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
I’m DJ Mike Justis and I’ve been doing this for 26 years. Most of my career has been rooted in bars, clubs, and radio. I’m an open-format DJ because I genuinely love all kinds of music. There’s something special about finding the perfect blend between genres. I live for those moments when two unexpected tracks come together seamlessly and the crowd just feels it. That energy, that surprise…it never gets old.
Thanks for sharing that. Would love to go back in time and hear about how your past might have impacted who you are today. Who taught you the most about work?
I’d have to say my father was the biggest influence on me, especially when it comes to my work ethic and how I carry myself. Growing up, I watched him work incredibly hard, long hours, unpredictable shifts, and he never once complained. He just got on with it. That kind of discipline and drive left a real mark on me.
He taught me early on that hard work isn’t optional — it’s foundational. But more than that, he taught me that your word means everything. If you say you’re going to do something, you follow through. No excuses. That idea of integrity, doing the right thing even when no one’s watching, really stuck with me. He also gave me my first understanding of leadership. He used to say that a true leader doesn’t just stand on the sidelines giving orders , they roll up their sleeves and get in the trenches with everyone else. And that’s something I’ve carried with me, not just in work but in life. We’re all human at the end of the day. Whether you’re the intern or the CEO, we all put our pants on one leg at a time. Titles don’t make people better or worse than anyone else, it’s how you treat people does.
Those lessons shaped not just my work ethic, but also how I try to show up for others. It is with respect, consistency, and a willingness to do the work alongside them.
What did suffering teach you that success never could?
Suffering taught me how to sit with the truth, especially the parts I didn’t want to see. Success is loud, exciting, full of motion. But suffering is still. It slows you down and strips away the filters. It’s scary. It’s lonely. It showed me how to be real with myself and how to find meaning in the quiet, and how to keep going when nothing makes sense. Suffering is uncomfortable. Suffering feels like failure. Success can make you feel untouchable. Suffering reminds you that you’re human. And weirdly, that’s where the strength lives.
Alright, so if you are open to it, let’s explore some philosophical questions that touch on your values and worldview. Is the public version of you the real you?
Who I am at my core: my values, my heart, my compassion, that’s all real. That’s me. But when I step into the public eye, I turn up the volume. I’m loud, bold, outgoing. I’m the life of the party. I take the spotlight, the way a quarterback leads the play. That’s the version the world knows: DJ Mike Justis.
But behind the scenes, I’m the opposite. I’m quiet, reserved, introverted. I’m a homebody who values peace and privacy. That side of me is sacred, and I protect it. Only the people closest to me get to see that version—the real Mike Justis.”
Okay, so before we go, let’s tackle one more area. What do you think people will most misunderstand about your legacy?
I think people sometimes assume it all came easy, that it was just handed to me. They see the version of me that exists now, but not the struggle, not the setbacks, not the countless failures it took to get here. What they don’t always see is the weight that still comes with it.
I don’t just think about how I look in the booth. I think about everyone around me. I worry about sales. I think about the bartenders, the bottle girls, the barbacks. I think about the whole team. If I don’t show up and give everything I’ve got, it affects them. If I have an off night, they make less money. That pressure doesn’t go away. Experience has helped me handle it better, but it’s still there, every time. Behind the lights and the music, there’s a responsibility I take seriously.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: @djmikejustis
- Facebook: https://Facebook.com/djmikejustismusic
Image Credits
N/a
