Please introduce yourself. What do you do? Why? What do you want people to know about you?
I’m a screen actor that’s made for action. In 2014 I was a professional boxer and unbeaten after winning 6 fights back to back. My next fight was for the English title but I was referred on an eye exam and had to retire before hand.
I was at a loss after this and didn’t know what direction I was going to go down in life. I didn’t want to focus on the past and set myself a new goal of being an actor. I auditioned for drama school and the rest is history.
I’ve converted all of the attributes that made me excel in boxing and transferred them into acting. When I was boxing, I was the first person in the gym. But the last one to leave.
Now I’m up every single day fighting to be better and go further. I’ve got a championship mindset. And it is paying off. The ball is rolling and I’m well on my way to the top.
Hand on my heart, I could be acting alongside any named actor in the world and I wouldn’t look out of place. I’m so confident in my own talent and have the work ethic to match.
What qualities make you different and unique from everyone else in the industry?
I’ve got unwavering faith that I’m going to succeed in this industry, and I match that faith with extra ordinary hard work.
One of my best qualities is the fact I’m not afraid of failure, I never have been. I don’t care about losing or not getting the audition I went for because I know It’s all part of the process.
I work so hard everyday on my craft. And week by week I progress. My favourite saying is. “If you’re the smartest person in the room, then you’re in the wrong room” Everyday is a school day for me and I never stand still.
As soon as I’ve finished filming one role. I’m looking how I can be better for the next. The compounding effect of this equals success. I always make sure I’m the hardest worker in the room and treat acting like a business.
I work on all aspects of my craft from stunt training to accents to screen acting. I find in an industry that’s so competitive. You have to have more in the locker than just being a good actor.
Describe THAT moment when you realized you’re doing what you were born to do.
After I retired from professional boxing, I went on a television series called Special Forces Ultimate Hell Week. It was a 6 part series for the BBC to see if an average person could complete Special Forces training.
I reached the final of the series and proved to be one of the toughest civilians in the country. When I was being put through what I can only describe as Hell from two American Navy Seals.
I remember just getting a buzz for the camera, and it lit a fire inside my belly. I knew there and then I wanted to be in films. It was kind of a distraction for me as I was getting blasted from different Special Forces from around the world, But all the way through the show I just kept pretending that I was starring in a war film.
As soon as I got home and my bruises and bones recovered, I set out on my new journey of being an actor.
What’s been the biggest challenge you’ve had to go through and how did you grow through it?
The challenges for me aren’t in acting but life in general. Life is hard, no ones going to give you anything on a plate and there’s no easy ride. Nothing in life that’s worth having comes easy.
As I said earlier I’m a former unbeaten professional boxer and I’ve got a championship mindset, I don’t look at problems like the average person. If I come to an obstacle, I find away around it or smash through it haha.
Sure I could say something like, oh once I auditioned for a role that I really wanted and didn’t get it. But that aint me. If I didn’t get it, It’s because It wasn’t right for me or I wasn’t ready for it.
For every knock back I receive I look at how I can improve and use it to make me a better performer. I’ve lost loved ones in life and seen people fight horrible diseases.
Actings easy peasy compared to what other people are going through and I’m grateful to have the opportunity to do what I’m doing.
Who are the TOP 3 people you’d want to meet that could elevate your career or business? Why these specific individuals?
In no particular order, these are three actors that I would love to work with. Nicolas Cage, He’s starred in some of my favourite films to date. Gone in 60 seconds, Con Air.
He’s been in so many, I would never of dreamed to be an actor when I was a young shy kid watching his films. So to be able to stand on screen with him would be a real high.
Stephan Graham, I think he’s one of the best actors the UK’s got. I’ve never seen him in a role and not believed him. I find that a lot of actors I see in films or TV I just don’t believe them.
He stands above the rest and he smashes every role he does.
Scott Adkins, I really want to work with Scott down the line.
He’s a great martial artist and I think we could have a really good fight scene together. He’s done so well in his career so far and It’s great to see UK talent smash it on the big stage.
Drop your social media links.
Twitter: @gatenbygas
Instagram: https://instagram.com/gatenbygas