Meet Dr. Chesmore Simon Montique | AKA DJ Simon Says – Psychologist & Open Format DJ

We had the good fortune of connecting with Dr. Chesmore Simon Montique and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Dr. Chesmore Simon, how has your perspective on work-life balance evolved over time?
I started out much more unbalanced on the work side of things. Going through grad school, a lot of the perfectionist culture caught up to me and I did not feel like I could really take a break. After I finished, I felt like I could finally bring my head above water and was that much more appreciative of life outside of work. I started leaning more into my creative side and got back into DJing and generally just being more present in life – not tossing in turning in bed at night thinking about assignments. As weird as it sounds, I think the more I appreciate life outside of work, the better I can be at my job.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I’ve been a professional student for a long time. I finished my PhD in 2023, but I first started DJing in college around 2012. So I have been in and out of Djing since then, due to school taking up my priority. After I graduated, one of the things I looked forward to most, is getting back into my craft and really trying to see how far I can take DJing. I never considered DJing full-time but now I’m open to the idea. One of the biggest challenges along the way is just the desire to have a stable life. It’s a gig economy, so sometimes you’re booked and busy and sometimes, you’re not, but my family has to eat either way. So I’ve really just learned to not only try and create stability for myself but create stable happiness for me too, and DJing is a part of my happiness. I hope for people to understand that you can never put me in just one box. I’m not just a DJ. I’m a psychologist, a husband to be, father, son, brother, and so much more. Even within, DJing, you can’t put me in a box. For the most part, I play it all.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Honestly, me and my friends would likely spend our time in the crib, drinking and catching up. Food wise, I’d have to take them for Ramen at Ton-ton in ponce city. Have to hit JJ’s for some wings and fish, a hood staple. I would say to hang out, your 3rd spot is pretty cool. Bars and nightlife, Rocksteady and el Malo are usually good times. But you never know where the night will take you!

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I give all thanks to my success to my past, present, and future. To my past, my mother, Avis Montique, thank you for the life, love, and lessons you gave me. I will always live to make you proud and be the man you raised me to become. To my present, my greatest gift, my love, Jordyn. Thank you for holding me down and being my rock through it all. I pray I’m able to spend the rest of my life showing you my appreciation. And to my future, my son, Uri, you truly are my motivation and my ray of light. I hope you realize if I can make it to where I am now, there’s nothing you can’t do. And I’ll be right there to support you.

Website: https://thedjsimonsays.com

Instagram: @djsimonsays

Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/djsimonsays93

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@DJSimonSays973

Image Credits
s/o @whoisaaila on IG for my photoshoot!