“Lost” Actor Sebastian Siegel Interview

Below is an interview I had with actor, director, fitness model, and author Sebastian Siegel. Enjoy!

Let’s start off with getting a little background information for those who don’t know who Sebastian Siegel is. You were born in Oxford, England, lived in Hawaii and Texas, and much later moved to California. You played a strong supporting role in Tyler Perry’s THE FAMILY THAT PREYS which opened #2 at the box office in September, you’re playing a role on a couple episodes at the end of this season of LOST, and you have graced the covers of over 100 magazines and billboards – but before all of that, what were you doing with your life and what got you started in the industry?

Sebastian Siegel: I was in theatre since I was seven. In high-school, since it practiced at the same time as all sports, I wasn’t able to do both. So I would wake up early in the morning to get a sweat, and then I’d train hard with weights late in the evening. I remember I would wake my roommate up in the mornings at 4:45 am and talk him into going to the common room to skip rope, and it would be 20 degrees in there sometimes. Anyway, like many people who train intensely and with commitment, I think what I didn’t find emotionally in my personal life as a boy, I found with intense exercise. The challenge and reward, the self-esteem and camaraderie, the commitment and the rush. It instantly became an integral part of the way I lived. Years later when I moved to California, I was very fortunate to be able to shoot covers and ads and campaigns.

What is your favorite part of being in the health and fitness industry?

Sebastian Siegel: I enjoy being around people who love the high of intense exercise, who have work ethic. I especially enjoy meeting people who love to push themselves to the limit for the simple pleasure of the challenge. I’ve enjoyed so many moments when people I don’t know have introduced themselves and shared their stories with me about being inspired and overcoming challenges.

I know your workout is very unorthodox, but could you describe to us a little bit about what your regimen looks like?

Sebastian Siegel: I never do the same workout. I go in with a basic idea and a commitment to push myself to the limit. I like to warm-up really well, and then I like to train really hard, usually a little over an hour, sometimes more. Generally, I do a multitude of sets – I don’t count, and I keep the rest to a minimum. If I’m squatting, for instance, and it’s feeling great and the pump is there, I’m good to keep at it for an hour and a half. Then on the next leg day maybe I’ll mix it up with lunges, stiff-legged and ext/curls. I do deep movements with relatively moderate weight and with as much intensity as possible. I like to be innovative and try different approaches – there are always ways to integrate new things.

I’ve always trained from the inside, out. Meaning, I do it for the love of the feel, not any particular outcome. I believe in listening to the body, in pushing as hard as possible, and then letting the body respond how it will. So if hitting the bag, running the stairs, or lunging across the gym feels great – I would keep going with it until I’m tapped. I wouldn’t set a certain number of sets or amount of time as a limit. Bodybuilders need to specify and be more scientific in their approach because they’re gearing towards being in their best shape on a certain contest date. As an athlete who loves the high of intense training but doesn’t need to be in any particular shape from one day to another, but who wants to be in the best shape for life, I can afford to trust my intuition in designing that training.

It takes drive to be continually innovative, discipline to choose exercises you aren’t initially inclined to do, and awareness that you’re challenging yourself in ways to develop your physique thoroughly and with balance. The excitement we felt when we first understood the connection between pushing to physical exhaustion and the reward of becoming stronger, is the same excitement that I still get every time I set out to train. Every single time, it is a choice to interpret this pain as pleasure, as a gift to the self, as an opportunity to excel; to make it new and magical and gritty every time. For me, it’s more of a paradigm, or principle, applied with discipline, than an actual regimen.

Does your diet change throughout the year or do you stay pretty lean year round? What does your diet look like?

Sebastian Siegel: The same all year – train hard, eat healthy natural food about every three hours. I’m big on steak, but only grass-fed, no exceptions; I order from Grassland Beef (US Wellness Meats). I eat more vegetables and drink more water than anyone I know. I use a variety of mustards, vinegar, and oils. I like oatmeal, and organic apples and berries. I write a shake column and top 5 list for REPS magazine – if you wanted a log of completely innovative, healthy, muscle-building and energizing shakes, they could supply you with the last couple years of my recipes by request.

How about some insight on photo shoots… Do you have any preparation tips or tricks to help out those looking to break through in the industry and possibly one day land themselves a cover?

Sebastian Siegel: I like to get a little extra sun and sweat, maybe cut calories a touch, but that’s about it. And being in shape is one thing, an obviously critical factor in that regard, but I think the most important element about being in a magazine otherwise, or in any business, is to be cool, kind, and show up to contribute. Everyone wants to work with people who have positive attitudes, and who celebrate others. Life is short and work is an opportunity, make it fun.

Spirit Garden Nutrition (SGN) was raving about you. For those who have never heard of them, can you tell us a little bit about them?

Sebastian Siegel: Their flagship product is Emerald Balance. It’s an organic superfoods drink. It’s alkaline, nutrient dense, cellular and immune support, antioxidants, and great for energy, hair, skin and connective tissue. It tastes excellent and they make it in chocolate, and a kids version as well. They also just developed a highly cost-effective vitamin/mineral/energy drink called EcoDrink, which opens in Costco this month. SGN was created by people who care, and is family owned and operated.

What supplements do you personally take?

Sebastian Siegel: I’m not under any endorsement contracts so I don’t take much. I use Emerald Balance every day, often multiple times, and the highest quality protein shakes, usually in the mornings and post-workout.

You just got back from working in Hawaii, do you train any differently when you’re filming?

Sebastian Siegel: Yes. Working in Hawaii is definitely a blessing and I take advantage of being outdoors and in the ocean when I’m there. I was swimming about a mile a day, and aggressive hiking about 5 miles or so each day. “The Family That Preys” filmed in Atlanta, so during that one, I eased off the weights and integrated more boxing, skip-rope, and stairs.

You also give back to the community – I have seen pictures of you reading to children and doing tandem bike rides with intellectually challenged – I tip my hat to that. Giving back is one of the best things you can do for a community. Can you touch on this subject a little?

Sebastian Siegel: I think if you’re going to be involved it’s important to be involved with an organization that doesn’t use the financing for “overhead,” and with ones that actively take part in improving lives. My favorites organizations are Best Buddies and The Smile Train.

Who is your favorite bodybuilder?

Sebastian Siegel: Growing up, Schwarzenegger. He’s an excellent success model, and his drive and discipline resonated with me early on. When I see and hear him talk today, he still has the same focus, and he wields it with a great sense of humor. Seeing Conan as a boy also certainly had a wonderful impact on me. There are so many amazing modern bodybuilders. Ronnie, Dexter, Victor, Jay – all the guys who have been in these ranks are killing it, just killing it. Kai Greene, this guy’s physique is insane, and I like his eccentric style. I admire many of my friends and acquaintances who are pros.

Is there anything you feel especially grateful for that helped you get to where you are today?

Sebastian Siegel: Wow. I’m grateful for so much. Certainly the discipline I learned from intense training and bodybuilding as a young boy, the freedom of expression I found in theatre, the amazing authors I discovered in the last ten years, the subtle protocol of care for the land and people that I was exposed to in the culture of living part-time in Hawaii, and the people who believe in me.

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