Breaking Free from Burnout

The Playbook With David Meltzer

In today’s episode, I sit down with Mikael Brandrup, a Copenhagen-born artist who left behind the golden handcuffs of corporate design to find freedom through expression. We talk about what happens when your supposed passion starts to drain you, and the difference between building for others versus creating from within. Mikael shares how burnout forced him to reset everything, leading to a risky move to LA, two distinct painting styles, and a mission-driven career that now supports environmental causes and younger artists alike. His journey is emotional, chaotic, and deeply creative—and it all started when he chose to stop following rules and trust his instincts instead.