Hey everyone, director JMike18 here with an unfortunate announcement to make. I've already announced on Discord (btw if yall haven't, please join the server. Awesome people making the game so alive!) but felt the need to announce and discuss here on the site.

I have played this game almost every season from S69 to S125. That is over 6 years of my life. I have reached a point in my life where I am just so burnt out and tired of what we do here on FMA. Don't get me wrong, I love making the shows and competing and meeting new players. However, the game has not been enjoyable to me for a while now. It has instead been a chore for me to do, especially since I had 4 world class groups who needed that constant attention and rehearsing. Sadly, with my work schedule and busy outside life, I could only rehearse once, possibly twice a day. That did not always go so well for me as it was notorious to see my groups fall down the rankings as the season went by (S125 is a clear example as all 4 of my groups started either at the top or at least in the top 8, then fell to the last few spots in the top 12). I realized during S125 that with how I am able to rehearse, it cannot work with how everyone else is playing the game. For those that don't know me, I am a very competitive person and strive to win. After playing FMA for over 6 years, I've only ever won once, back in S84 where my guard took 1st place in Division II. Thats it.... I can't fathom how many more years of my life I have to put into FMA just to win, to show everyone that my groups are the top dogs.

It breaks my heart to just stop and leave from a game and community that I've put so much time and effort in just because I can't win. Deep down I know it's more than just winning; however, it frustrates me watching over and over again groups/directors that are brand new quickly rise to the top while it has taken me years to be successful. When I started playing back in S69 to S124 (Not S125 for reasons stated above) I had always envision watching my groups all place at the very top of each circuit. I wanted to be that one who had the VERY BEST groups in all of FMA. With how unbalanced my rehearsing schedule is, I resorted down the influence path, always gaining influence to help my scores and the gains that followed throughout the seasons. What I unknowingly did not realize, was that influence does not help you to the fullest. It was at this time period (Basically in the first weeks of S125), that I realized my mistakes and that unless I change my work schedule and outside life... that being at the very top was not reachable for me. I felt so defeated because I've always tried to be a better version of myself as a director and as a human being altogether. However, I had spent years of my time and energy trying reach the very top of our community and just felt that I could not achieve the very thing I wished for when I started back in 2018.

I apologize for the long paragraphs and message; however, Fantasy Marching Arts has been a big part of my life in the last 6 years. It has shaped me into being determined and never give up on your hopes and dreams. Even if I never won the Grand Daddy Division I World Championships, my groups have placed very well in the top 10 overall, and I gladly boast about my guard having 275 wins in all of FMA (That puts my guard in 12th place out of 1,390 guards). I've also learned that even if it takes you longer than most, you will still be successful and gain the acknowledgement from others on how well you are doing. I can't help but thank those of you that helped me along my journey as I traveled around our amazing community from an amateur director to one that became one of the best around. From the bottom of my heart, thank yall so much. As I depart from FMA, just know that I will still be around. This is not a forever goodbye, I would hope and wish to come back in the future, but with some modifications.

I wish everyone the best of luck as yall begin the chaos of S126 (I saw those Division realignments, ouch lol) .

Yours truly,
JMike18 - Director of the following groups (+each group's highest placement):
Lumberton HS Mighty Raider Band - S105 Rise: Division I World Bronze Medalist
Lumberton HS World Guard - S124 Voila: Division I World Bronze Medalist
Lumberton HS Winterline - S124 Timeless: Division I World Finalist, 8th Place
Spirit of the Raiders - S124 We Are....: Division I World Finalist, 8th Place

thank you for all that you have contributed to make FMA what it is today! contributions on and off the field and in discord server are greatly appreciated!

let me know if you still want to be part of FMA Live as we know that commitment is much less!

thank you

Everyone needs a long break from this game after a while. I took years off. Enjoy the time and return when you're ready!