Do We Create, or Does Creating Shape Us?

What makes someone a builder—not just in the physical sense, but as a creator of ideas, spaces, and possibilities? Is it a trait we’re born with, or does it emerge through the moments that shape us?

Marcus Metzger, our guest on Season 3, Episode 4 of Uncharted: Your Sidekick for Life Podcast, has spent a lifetime answering that question with his mind, his hands, and a relentless curiosity.

Marcus is the Executive Director of HiCAM—the Hays Innovation Center for Advanced Manufacturing—but his story begins long before that title ever came to be. It starts with a restless kid, a red Radio Flyer wagon, and a construction site.

As a child, Marcus wasn’t the type to sit still. He’d disappear into the woods, dragging along his little red wagon to scavenge scraps from nearby construction sites. To him, these weren’t just discarded pieces of wood and metal—they were materials waiting to become something new.

His father, a natural tinkerer, fostered that spirit of curiosity. In their home, no toy stayed broken for long. Marcus learned not just how things worked, but that he had permission to take them apart, understand them, and make them better. And as he quickly found out—sometimes, breaking things was the best way to learn.

As Marcus grew older, the world started offering structure, rules, and expectations. He was good at science and technology, and his path seemed clear—until it wasn’t.

At just 13 years old, he built a machine called the Ballistic Accelerator for a state science fair. A contraption of carefully designed angles, springs, and measurements, it won him recognition, but more importantly, it fueled his belief that he could create something meaningful.

That belief led him to an incredible opportunity—a specialized program at the University of North Texas to study computer science. It was a chance to accelerate his education, but when his friends pointed out that it meant leaving them behind, Marcus made a choice that would stay with him. He remained close, and pushed away the dream.

Looking back, he sees it as a pivotal moment—not necessarily one of regret, but of recognition. Sometimes, we silence the voice inside us in favor of the voices around us. It wouldn't be the last time he’d have to decide between staying comfortable and taking a leap.

Fast forward through a few detours—dropping out of high school, earning a GED, selling computers at Best Buy, taking odd jobs to make ends meet—Marcus found himself in Austin, at a community college. It was there, not at a prestigious university, that he rekindled his passion for learning.

Then came the next leap: he dropped out again.

Why? Because something else was calling.

He discovered the world of interactive art installations, where technology and physical design intersect. Spaces that invited people to engage rather than just observe. He followed that spark all the way to New York, where he co-founded a creative technology studio, taught himself fabrication, and built a thriving career in large-scale interactive design.

His crowning project? The infamous Death Star—a massive, six-foot aluminum sphere embedded with 40,000 individually placed bullet casings. A project that only happened because, as Marcus puts it, "the first way we tried to build it failed, so we figured out a new way."

That’s the thing about builders. They don’t stop at obstacles. They reimagine what’s possible.

Now, Marcus has taken that same passion for creation and turned it toward something bigger: giving others the freedom to build. HiCAM, named after his late mentor Warren Hays, is a place where people can learn about robotics, digital fabrication, and advanced manufacturing. But more than that, it’s a space that gives them permission to experiment, fail, and innovate.

His philosophy?

Education, he believes, isn’t about cramming information into someone’s mind—it’s about igniting curiosity and giving them the tools to pursue it. And as Marcus has proven, sometimes, all it takes is a little space, the right materials, and the freedom to create.

Whether we’re building a career, a project, or a life, the process is rarely linear. There will be detours, failures, and moments when we question whether we’re on the right path.

But the real question is: Are we still creating?

What are you building? And more importantly—what’s stopping you?

Listen to Marcus Metzger’s full episode on Uncharted: Your Sidekick for Life Podcast—Season 3, Episode 4.

Marcus Metzger: Marcus is the Executive Director of HiCAM, the Hays Innovation Center for Advanced Manufacturing. Personally obsessed with the intersection of Art, Design, and Technology, Marcus has spent his career exploring how creativity and engineering merge to push boundaries. Professionally, he is focused on developing next-generation additive metal and subtractive hybrid manufacturing technologies.

With a deep background in digital fabrication, robotics, and interactive installation design, Marcus has built a reputation for tackling disruptive technologies and fostering innovation in the maker community. His work spans everything from large-scale public art installations to cutting-edge manufacturing advancements, making him a dynamic force in the fields of technology and creativity.

Natalie Peyton: Peyton studied theatre and film in Australia, New York and LA and performed stand-up on the “three coasts.” She honed her podcast executive skills over the last 4 years developing and producing dozens of podcasts and even hosts a children’s mindfulness bedtime program. If you would like to listen to her work, here it is: Snoriezzz

Leon Vanstone: Leon brings his curiosity and sharp interviewing skills to the table, facilitating insightful discussions with our mentors, extracting valuable lessons and insights to empower listeners on their own path to growth and achievement.

Dan Dillard: Dan, with his thoughtful approach and engaging style, delves into the minds of our mentors on the podcast, crafting compelling interviews that uncover the wisdom and experiences driving their success and impact.

This blog was written by Anais Schmidt, one of the hosts of the Uncharted Podcast in charge of the Gen Z segment. Anais is also a musician. When not in her studio, she tours Europe with Monte Mai.

If you would like to join the conversation email us at anais@foundingup.com

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