Story & Lesson Highlights with Lucas Essman

Lucas Essman shared their story and experiences with us recently and you can find our conversation below.

Lucas, really appreciate you sharing your stories and insights with us. The world would have so much more understanding and empathy if we all were a bit more open about our stories and how they have helped shaped our journey and worldview. Let’s jump in with a fun one: What are you being called to do now, that you may have been afraid of before?
Right now, I feel like I’m being called to step into my voice in a way I never have before. For a long time, I leaned on images, modeling, features, and curated projects to tell my story, and while that was rewarding, it was also safer. Putting out a picture or a photoshoot lets people see one version of you, but it doesn’t really let them hear you. I avoided putting my raw thoughts and perspective out there because it felt permanent, and I was afraid of being judged, misunderstood, or not taken seriously.

But I’ve realized that the very parts of myself I used to hold back are what make me different in the first place. I’m being pulled toward speaking openly on different platforms now, like YouTube for example. Where it’s just me and my truth. No filters, no edits, just my perspective on the world and the journey I’m on. It is intimidating, because once you put your voice out there, you can’t take it back. But I think that’s the point. Fear usually points to the exact thing that can transform you, and I don’t want to run from that anymore.

Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
My name is Lucas Essman, and I’d call myself a creative who refuses to wear just one hat. Modeling is where a lot of people first notice me, but it’s never been about just looking good in front of a camera. To me, it’s about expression. It’s about bringing a vision to life, whether that’s through fashion, content, or the energy I carry into a project.

I’ve had my work in magazines and I’ve collaborated with brands, but what I value most is the story behind it all. I’ve had to push through rejection, setbacks, and being misunderstood more times than I can count. That’s what makes me who I am. I represent resilience. I represent individuality. I’m also passionate about speaking for people who are often written off, like those of us who are neurodivergent, because I know firsthand that being different is actually the strongest thing you can be.

Right now, I’m focused on building something bigger than photoshoots. I’m planning on stepping into YouTube and expanding my personal brand, not just to create content, but to spark real connection. For me, it’s about putting out something raw and honest that outlives trends, and showing people that authenticity will always hit harder than pretending.

Great, so let’s dive into your journey a bit more. What part of you has served its purpose and must now be released?
For me, it’s the party boy side of myself. In my late teens and early twenties, I leaned into being wild, reckless, and honestly a little heartless at times. I think I needed that period, because it taught me things about myself, and it gave me experiences I can’t deny shaped me. But I’ve realized I’ve outgrown it.

That version of me served its purpose when I was trying to escape, when I was looking for validation in the wrong places, or when I didn’t really care about tomorrow. But now, I want something different. I crave stability, peace, and more wholesome experiences. I don’t feel the same pull toward chaos that I once did. I’d rather build something meaningful than chase another night out I won’t remember.

It’s crazy because a part of me thought that version of myself was freedom. But real freedom is choosing the life that actually feeds you instead of drains you. That’s the shift I’m in now, and it feels like the most authentic version of me I’ve ever been.

What did suffering teach you that success never could?
Suffering taught me patience. It taught me how to sit with myself when things weren’t going my way, when opportunities weren’t showing up, and when I felt like the world wasn’t really seeing me.

Success feels great, but it can make you think everything is supposed to happen fast and easy. Struggle shows you the truth. It shows you what you’re made of when nobody is clapping, when no one is posting about you, and when you have to choose to keep moving even when it feels pointless.

Living on my own these past few years has brought a lot of that into focus. It hasn’t always been easy to find work outside the context of social media and my creative projects, and there were plenty of times I felt overlooked or misunderstood. Those moments taught me how to survive on my own strength and build resilience in a way that success never could.

Suffering strips you down and forces you to face yourself. And as much as I hated it at the time, it gave me the backbone I needed. Success might show you what you can gain, but suffering shows you who you really are when you have nothing.

Alright, so if you are open to it, let’s explore some philosophical questions that touch on your values and worldview. What important truth do very few people agree with you on?
The truth I hold onto is that nuance and context matter way more than people want to admit. Right now, everyone is so quick to pick a side, to label something as good or bad, right or wrong, with no room for middle ground. I think that’s dangerous. Real life doesn’t work like that. People are complex. Situations are layered.

I’ve learned through my own experiences that when you slow down and look at the full picture, you usually find there’s more going on than what shows up on the surface. But we live in a world that rewards snap judgments and extremes. It’s easier to cancel, dismiss, or write someone off than it is to actually understand where they’re coming from.

To me, nuance is what keeps us human. It’s what allows us to learn from each other instead of just yelling across a line. I know not everyone agrees with that because it’s not black and white enough, but I’ll always believe that context is the difference between judgment and understanding.

Thank you so much for all of your openness so far. Maybe we can close with a future oriented question. What will you regret not doing? 
What I’d regret most is not going all in on the things that actually feel like me. I’ve worked jobs where I felt overlooked and underappreciated, and that showed me how draining it is to give so much of yourself to something that doesn’t line up with who you are. I don’t want to keep clocking into things that don’t matter to me and then look back one day realizing I never took my shot.

I’d regret not chasing my creative work with everything I’ve got. Whether that’s YouTube, fashion, or just being honest about my story, I know it’s bigger than me. I know it could connect with people the way I’ve been connected to by others who had the guts to put themselves out there.

The regret wouldn’t come from missing out on success in the traditional sense. It would come from knowing I played it safe. I don’t want to waste my life trying to fit into spaces that were never meant for me. I want to build something real, something that lasts, something that actually matters.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lucasessman/?hl=en
• Youtube: https://youtube.com/@LucasEssman

Image Credits
Photography shot by Loraine DeMaria.