Good grief! We’ve been on pins and needles – sitting on this news for about a month now and biting our nails in anticipation of sharing it:
Guess what???
Our man Mike In Australia (Michael Miocevich) was on a national television show – talking about SWIRLING!!!
*Jumping up and down*
We were certainly excited that Mike – OUR Mike – received this national coverage and attention.
Seems the producer planned to do a show on Swirling In Australia (later entitled “Dating Race”). She conducted some online searches to find men in Australia who preferred Black women.
Well, we’ve been doing “Monday’s With Mike” for some months now, so guess who she found???
Yeppers!
Out of ALL the men in Australia, she found OUR Mike.
OUR. Mike!
Woot Woot!
One of the things we strive to do in The Swirl World is build relationships. We practice good blogging netiquette and we believe in crediting our sources, both here and on our Facebook page.
We don’t bash –preferring instead to uplift and support.
Particularly special to us is the fact that in some small way, we are making a difference and changing lives – one person at a time.
But enough of the self-congratulations. We’ll let Mike tell you about his experience.
This excerpt is Part 1 – we have more to come!
Mike says:
“So, about a month ago I get a message from Elise Potaka, producer for SBS TV Australia (one of two public national broadcasters, which is bigger than you might think here in Oz), to talk to her about interracial dating, my history of it, ideas and opinions, etc.
Not a problem, I thought; I am more than happy to help anyone who is interested.
Turns out they were looking to do a TV show about it, and got all kinds of information from me about the Swirling community and my life as a Swirler.
Then came the hard question: They wanted to fly me out to the show to be in the audience!
Now this is the part that shocked me. I’ve never been given any kind of opportunity like this before.
To be flown across the country and put up at a hotel and then be on a national TV show?
Unimaginable. So I was nervous. And very hesitant.
You see, for a lot of my life I’ve felt like an outsider – to friends, family, people I meet.
I often don’t feel comfortable around them. I was very much worried about how I might come across for the show.
But then I had to follow the logic of the situation.
I had been invited on because I have been making steps towards a better life. I had taken the chance when I first contacted The Swirl World via Facebook.
I’d done so again when they got me to do a bit of a write-up about myself. Then again when they had me do “Monday’s with Mike,” and again when encouraging me to start my own writing blog.
After that much love and encouragement, I couldn’t let them down.
I couldn’t let myself down.
So I took the chance. And I am so thankful I did! I now feel more comfortable about who I am in my life than I ever have. I stood up for who I am and what I believe – and I felt stronger for it.
I have a lot of big plans I want to make happen, and a lot of changes I want to make in my life before I get to where I want to be, Taking this step has brought a lot of that closer.
So if I have one piece of advice to offer it’s this – If you see an opportunity and you’re hesitant because you worry what others might think or say, don’t be.
Take the leap of faith and go for it, because the rewards in confidence and self-esteem will likely outweigh any physical things you get from it.
Each step you take in the right direction will open new doors and new opportunities. Trust in yourself and step through them. When you look back, you’ll be amazed at the difference it has made!
Cheers,
Mike
To watch the show (and gain an interesting perspective on interracial dating in Australia – plus some delicious accents) – click here.
Mike networked with some of the people on the show and we hope to have some future posts featuring the other guests.
Whew! We can’t wait to see what happens with Mike’s continuing metamorphosis.
Stay tuned for more!
Got a question for Michael Miocevich? Send it to us via inbox on The Swirl World’s Facebook page or by email to ASwirlGirl@TheSwirlWorld.com.
Follow Mike on Twitter @500and50 and read his blog at 500and50.com, or message him on his 500and50 Facebook page.
Copyright © 2014 Michelle Matthews Calloway, ASwirlGirl™, The Swirl World™, All rights reserved.
I certainly am 🙂 It’s interesting the way life takes you in new directions, and this has been no exception. I’m with you ladies all along the way, we’ll make a difference together!
Patricia,
Thanks so much for keeping up with “our” Mike! He’s such a sweet guy – and he’s pleased as punch at being all of “ours.” 🙂
Good for “our” Mike!!