HEAVY HITTERS W/ GUEST: DR. SPENCER MILLS (Ep #3)

On the third episode of Heavy Hitters, hosted by Clay Edwards on 103.9 FM WYAB, the spotlight was on Dr. Spencer Mills, a multifaceted entrepreneur whose diverse ventures embody the spirit of "outlaw entrepreneurship." Broadcasting live from the Men’s Health and Women’s Wellness Studio in Mississippi and streaming across platforms like Facebook, X, YouTube, and Rumble, the show delved into Mills’ inspiring journey, his passions, and his definition of success. The episode, aired on May 19, 2025, offered listeners an engaging conversation filled with stories of cars, veterinary medicine, documentary filmmaking, and entrepreneurial grit.

 

Clay Edwards opened the show by introducing Mills, a veterinarian, custom car shop owner, and documentary filmmaker whose eclectic pursuits inspired the creation of Heavy Hitters. Edwards recounted how he first met Mills while making cold calls to sell radio ads. Intrigued by Mills’ reputation at Gangster Garage, a custom car shop in Gluckstadt, Edwards popped in to check it out. The two hit it off, bonding over their shared love for cars, culture, and storytelling. This chance encounter led to Mills’ appearance on the show, where his dynamic personality and diverse ventures took center stage.

 

Mills, a 36-year-old Jackson native, shared his path to becoming a veterinarian. Growing up on the north side of Jackson and attending Jackson Academy, he initially pursued a pre-med track at Ole Miss, driven by a childhood dream of owning a Lamborghini—a goal his parents tied to becoming a doctor. However, during his junior year, Mills began working at a veterinary clinic and discovered a passion for animal medicine. The excitement of going to work each morning signaled he was on the right path. He switched gears, applied to veterinary school at Mississippi State University, and graduated with a doctorate, albeit with significant student debt and a modest starting salary.

 

After vet school, Mills worked under mentor Dr. Dale Wilson at Mansfield Animal Clinic, where he was thrust into responsibility early on, managing the clinic solo within months of graduating. He also launched Mills Mobile Vet, a concierge house-call service, showcasing his entrepreneurial spirit. Recognizing a gap in after-hours pet care in Madison County, Mills and Wilson opened UrgiVet, an emergency veterinary clinic off Highway 51 in Madison. Now five years strong, UrgiVet has become a vital resource, drawing clients from the Delta, North Mississippi, and beyond, despite minimal advertising until recently partnering with Edwards’ show for brand recognition.

Mills’ ventures extend far beyond veterinary medicine. At Gangster Garage, he oversees a boutique custom car and motorcycle shop that tackles unique, high-end projects, from exotic cars like Lamborghinis and Ferraris to family heirlooms like a 1963 classic with just 4,000 miles. The shop specializes in detailed builds, paint correction, ceramic coating, and collaborations with local partners for powder coating, tinting, and wraps. Mills described Gangster Garage as a “southern West Coast Customs,” emphasizing quality over quantity and a willingness to handle projects others shy away from. His personal fleet, including a 700-horsepower Ford Raptor and a V8 Hummer H3, reflects his lifelong love for cars, sparked by that childhood Lamborghini dream. While he’s owned a Lamborghini in the past, Mills now focuses on vehicles that bring him joy, like his Raptor, which he calls a tangible reward for his hard work.

 

The conversation took an unexpected turn as Mills revealed his foray into documentary filmmaking through 13th South Productions. His entry into the industry came through a connection who needed custom cars built for a movie. This led to a partnership with a seasoned filmmaker who saw Mills’ potential and invited him to work on a feature film shot in Canton, Madison, and the Mississippi coast. Within three years, Mills climbed the ranks to producer—a rare feat in an industry where such roles often take decades to achieve. His documentary work includes Little Brother of War, which explores the Choctaw game of stickball, a culturally significant sport akin to NFL-level passion for the tribe. Filmed at the Choctaw Fair, the project is nearing a streaming deal with major networks. Mills is also wrapping up Seize the South, a documentary on Mississippi’s medical cannabis industry, featuring interviews with patients, doctors, lawmakers, and celebrities like Cheech and Chong, Jim Belushi, Mike Tyson, Willie Nelson, and soon Ric Flair, whom Mills will interview on June 13, 2025, at Southern Sky Brands’ Pearl dispensary.

 

Throughout the episode, Edwards and Mills explored the theme of outlaw entrepreneurship—blazing one’s own path to success. Mills’ ventures, from UrgiVet to Gangster Garage to filmmaking, are fueled by his passions for animals, cars, and storytelling. He emphasized the importance of networking, noting how connections opened doors to his film career and other ventures, including a forthcoming gun and ammunition business, which they didn’t have time to fully discuss.

 

When asked to define success, Mills offered a heartfelt response: it’s about doing what you love, making a living from it, and finding fulfillment in the impact you have on others. For him, success is saving a pet on the brink of death and witnessing the owner’s relief, or building a custom car that brings joy to a client. It’s about waking up excited to work and leaving a positive mark, whether through a saved animal or a story told on screen. Reflecting on his journey, Mills admitted to moments of realization—like seeing his Raptor in a window’s reflection and remembering the struggles of vet school debt—where he acknowledges how far he’s come.

 

For those struggling to find their spark, Mills’ advice was simple yet profound: pursue what excites you. Find something that makes you eager to get up each morning, and don’t be afraid to take risks or pivot from a stable but unfulfilling path. His own leap from pre-med to veterinary medicine, and later into cars and film, exemplifies this mindset.