Meet Nich Lyle of North Carolina

Today we’d like to introduce you to Nich Lyle.

Hi Nich, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I’m an actor, author, and Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor! I got my start as a professional actor in my teens doing commercials and indie faith based films in Nashville Tennessee; though I had known since I was a small child, doing theatre every chance I got: acting was the fuel for my soul! When I got to college age, I was told aggressively that I had to find a “real career.” So, being the clever kid that I was, I figured out how to get a full degree in theatre with all the credits transferrable into a bachelors and masters in counseling! I chose the mental health route because I knew if I couldn’t be healing hearts through film and on stage, that was the best way to connect with human stories and help people feel seen and understood. I also did what I could to blend my two passions, studying psychodrama and using role play and media in my sessions. Still, simply being an individual therapist was burning me out more than I could have comprehended as it was happening. I’m an intensely empathetic person and steeping myself in the distress of others for eight hours a day became more than I could bare. I began to quickly realize that I couldn’t go on empowering others to self actualize and follow their dreams when I myself had let mine die. So on a very intense whim one day, I created a new actors access, got new headshots, and submitted to several southeast acting agencies! This started an incredible shift for me as I was quickly brought on set and then signed with my first agency in ten years! It was as I was wandering around a parking lot in Atlanta GA, mumbling my lines to myself, practicing improv, and trying not to panic before my call time, that everything just clicked back into place. I realized in that one silly moment: who my child self was trying to become. I realized that my life didn’t have to only revolve around supporting others and having a “stable job,” I could actually do this. I could have and be everything I’d dreamed of! From that moment on, I vowed to my child self that I would never stop following this dream!
I am infinitely grateful to my time as a therapist for all it taught me about myself, others, and the world. And I am so proud to show up in creative spaces as a listening ear, a mental health advocate, and a person who stands firmly and authentically in himself and his performance!

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
It has not been a smooth or linear road at all! I was a serious professional actor as a teenager but then didn’t do anything in the field for around six years (maybe longer?) as I got my masters degree and began working full time as a mental health therapist. I was also going through a divorce during those years and lost all sense of who I was, what I wanted, or what was possible for me. I was in survival mode and leaned very heavily on academic achievements to give me “worth.” When I returned to acting seriously a couple of years ago, it was life saving. Without returning to myself as a creative I don’t think I would have been able to keep pushing forward. However, I am actually very grateful I did not become successful as an actor in my earlier years! I needed this time to incubate, find myself, learn to love myself, and choose acting because it is my passion- not because I need the validation of bookings or fame.

As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I am a professional film and TV actor, author, and mental health therapist!
I specialize in portraying neurodivergent, queer, and trans characters (I’m an AuDHD, bisexual, gender non-conforming/ trans man!). And similarly, I support these populations through therapy and ADHD/Autism diagnosis!
My first publication as an author is: Progress Loading: Next Level T0-Do Lists! which is a tool to help people like me organize tasks without the shame of traditional check box to-do lists; lets see what we’re actually getting done, not just what we’ve “finished!”
I’m most proud of how I show up on set as an actor! I love what I do, I love the people around me, and when I show up, I’m there to radiate optimism and uplift everyone around me!!
What sets me apart from others (aside from being an AuDHD trans man with an incredibly deep knowledge of mental health) is that I am always having fun! If I’m in a room, I’m here to make you feel seen/loved, I’m here to dance between takes, I’m intensely professional and committed to my job, but I know how to play and I make it a priority!

What were you like growing up?
Growing up, I was exactly the little boy I am now haha! I hated wearing shoes, I loved playing outside with dinosaurs, I commanded a room- always having something to perform for attention and laughs! Little me was loud and passionate and there wasn’t a person who met me who didn’t know in-depth what my current hyperfixation was!

Contact Info:

• Website: https://800casting.com/profile/832954#img=1789251505615
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nich.and.optimism/
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicholas-lyle-7b647032b
• Other: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm6314577/?ref_=nv_sr_srsg_0_tt_1_nm_7_in_0_q_nich%20