We recently connected with Sam Brooks and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, Sam thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. It’s always helpful to hear about times when someone’s had to take a risk – how did they think through the decision, why did they take the risk, and what ended up happening. We’d love to hear about a risk you’ve taken.

I truly believe anyone willing to pursue the arts is ultimately taking a risk. Artistic expression is beautiful, personal, and takes vulnerability to put ones self out there. That in itself can be a risk for most.

Auditioning is my job as an actor. Taking risks that further distinguish the uniquenesses and authenticity in my work are the risks I enjoy taking.

For example, in the audition that booked me the role of Travis in The CW show ‘Stargirl,’ I took a massive risk and mirrored myself (it looked like I had an identical twin join me on camera to act as the other character in the scene). Think ‘Legend’ with Tom Hardy. I thought, no one will do this and it still serves the story so.. why not?

I ended up being cast from this audition. Fast forward to when we were filming season 1… I was sitting outside my trailer and Luke Wilson walks up to me and introduces himself. He mentioned that he enjoyed my audition (which blew my mind he even saw it/wanted to see it) and wished me luck on my journey as an actor. A moment I will never forget and it was made possible from taking a risk.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

One day I hope to look back on the life I’ve lived and be able to say my purpose was to be of service through creativity. That would be a life well lived in my opinion. Acting is definitely something that feeds my spirit and brings me an abundance of joy. However, so does singing, writing, generating ideas for businesses, creating marketing campaigns, composing jingles for advertising, and the list goes on.

Creating is what gets me out of bed in the morning and keeps me up at night. The fact that I have been able to make a living doing so, is truly a blessing. I hope to continue living a life being of service through creativity and maybe…just maybe.. by doing so that inspires others to pursue their dreams as well…whatever dreams those may be.

Learning and unlearning are both critical parts of growth – can you share a story of a time when you had to unlearn a lesson?

Going after what you want doesn’t necessarily guarantee it will be a glamorous pursuit. In the beginning, I fantasized this grandiose journey filled with legendary tales and successes. I thought it would be a journey for the ages resembling a hero’s conquest like those in the movies.

However… I’ve learned along the way it is a long and vigorous climb up the mountain. I’ve had to unlearn that unrealistic story I was telling myself at the start of the ascend and hone in on a more realistic vision. That of, control what I can control, learn to keep taking one step at a time, and to make sure I have very specific goals because that will act as my compass. Do this and everything else will unfold how it unfolds.. As long as I keep climbing I will eventually get to where I am going.

To sum it all up… at first I was in love with idea of the end result or what it would feel like once I’ve achieved my goals. Now I am simply in love with the process. I’m no longer fantasizing about the top of the mountain. I’m just enjoying the climb.

For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?

Being able to play. Never losing that inner child within and constantly experimenting with creativity. Being a creative keeps my spirit young and free. It allows me to be able to continually ask myself “how can I make this better?” whether that’s in my art, relationships, business, overall life habits, etc… I’m not saying one has to be an artist to experience this feeling nor has to be a creative to have the desire to better their lives. It is simply what makes my life feel this way and a path that brings me the most joy and sense of value.   

Contact Info:

• Instagram: @storyofsambrooks

Image Credits
4th pic (me in pink shirt): Adrian Mora