Today we’d like to introduce you to Ariel Grinspoon
Hi Ariel, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
From a young age, I knew I was meant to sing and be onstage, but crippling anxiety and body dysmorphia made that dream feel impossible. I constantly questioned if I was “enough.”—pretty enough, talented enough, strong enough to face rejection. So instead of pursuing my love for music, I took a different path, climbing the corporate sales ladder for 20 years, chasing stability and success.
At the same time, life threw me some devastating losses. My father was diagnosed with Parkinson’s when I was in high school. After almost 17 years of infections, hospital visits, and surgeries, he passed away, just five days after my first baby was born. In the short few years that followed, I lost my uncle (ALS), my dog, my father-in-law, and my mother was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s. I never truly took the time to process those losses—I just kept going, focusing on motherhood and money. I thought with every dollar I added to my salary, I was “filling my cup”.
But I wasn’t. What I realize now is that my true fulfillment—those moments that actually fill my cup—come from being my authentic self, doing what makes me happiest, without fear of judgment. So when I found myself trapped in a toxic work environment where every day had me more anxious than the next, I faced a life-altering choice: stay in a situation that was crushing my spirit, or walk away and finally embrace who I am.
I chose myself. I chose music. And it was the best decision I’ve ever made. Now, I wake up every day doing what I love, sharing music, and being fully present for my family. It’s not just about singing—it’s about reclaiming my joy, my purpose, and my voice.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
My journey has not been easy. My insecurities held me back. I was terrified of rejection, and being seen in a way that felt unbearable. So instead of stepping into the life I truly wanted, I hid.
I threw myself into sales, focusing on financial success as if it could somehow fill the void left by the people I had lost.
For years, I lived in survival mode, chasing external validation and avoiding the deeper pain that I didn’t know how to confront, but no matter how much I achieved financially, it never truly fulfilled me. I wasn’t living as my authentic self—I was just existing. I had everything I had ever wanted in life; 2 healthy children and a husband who truly loved me, but I felt incomplete.
It took reaching a breaking point in a toxic work environment for me to finally wake up. I realized that I couldn’t keep living for other people’s expectations or letting my fears dictate my life. I had to take control and embrace who I am, which meant finally pursuing music—the thing I had loved all along but was too afraid to fully step into.
Fighting for myself has been the hardest and most rewarding thing I’ve ever done. I’m still healing, still learning to silence the voices of self-doubt, but every time I step onstage, I feel more alive. Music is my way of reclaiming my power, my body, and my story—and I won’t let fear hold me back anymore. I can’t, my kids are watching.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
At its core, my work is about connection—through music, emotion, and shared experiences. As the lead singer of Solid Maybe, I bring my voice and heart to every performance, blending raw emotion with a wide range of music that speaks to people’s souls. From the pop anthems of Chappell Roan to the timeless magic of Fleetwood Mac, I love taking songs that people know and love and making them my own, creating moments that feel both familiar and new.
But my work goes beyond just singing. Music is my way of telling stories—of struggle, resilience, joy, and everything in between. I bring real emotion to my performances because I know what it means to feel deeply. When I sing, it’s not just about hitting the right notes—it’s about making people feel something. It’s about creating a space where people can escape, celebrate, grieve, or just be.
Whether it’s through live shows, social media, or future original music, I want my work to inspire others to embrace who they are, chase what sets their soul on fire, and know that they are never alone in their struggles.
Music saved me, and now, I get to share that gift with others every single day.
Networking and finding a mentor can have such a positive impact on one’s life and career. Any advice?
At the end of the day, mentorship isn’t just about guidance—it’s about having people who see you, who lift you up, and who remind you of who you are when you forget. I’m grateful for every person who has been part of my journey, and shown me that vulnerability is a superpower and that authenticity is what truly connects people.
The best advice I can give is this: once you find something you truly love, give it everything you’ve got. I’ve learned that the more I put in, the more I get back. I hope to inspire others to push past fear and go after what sets their soul on fire.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.solidmaybemusic.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/solidmaybemusic/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/solidmaybemusic/
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ariel-grinspoon-19a08717/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@SolidMaybeMusic
