#FFB: James Brown III
I've been inspired by James both as an actor and a creative since I first came across his work with Broadway Style Guide. He is living the FFB Lifestyle through and through, leading a life of strength from the inside out! Peering into his life through Instagram alone reveals his dedication to fitness, meditation, Broadway, confidence, & style; in person, he radiates from those values. James is the perfect person to represent "Always Live In Your Spotlight", showcasing an authentic way to live Fit for Broadway!
NOTE FROM JAMES: Hi, my name is James Brown III, I am not related to the late great "Godfather of Soul". I love Broadway and have had the fortune of being in the Original Broadway Companies of The Frogs, The Color Purple, The Little Mermaid, Memphis, Priscilla Queen Of The Desert, Ghost, and Rocky, as well as Wicked and the First National Tours of The Lion King and The Producers. I am the Creative Director & Fashion Editor of Broadway Style Guide.
"Always Live in Your Spotlight" from fitforbroadwayapparel.com
INTERVIEW:
Q: James! This is such a treat! I've been following your journey for quite some time and you're one of the most Fit for Broadway people I know! (guys, follow his instagram @jamesbrowniii for serious motivation!) Can we start at the beginning? What was your journey to Broadway?
A: My Journey to Broadway was anything but typical. I grew up an Athlete, playing football and running division 1 track at Brown University. I was a pre-med psychology major with intentions of being a doctor, when Psych research on male dancers brought me to NYC and landed me my first job dancing with Michael Jackson. By the end of that summer I was cast in The Lion King and there began my career as a Broadway Actor.
Q: How have fitness & health been intertwined along the way?
A: The athlete inside of me will never go away and so fitness is second nature. I've carved out a career that is based on a very athletically physical type and requires my being in shape always. During Rocky my obsession with CrossFit began thanks to a good friend in the cast, Adrian Aguilar...thanks Bro! I also never one to be that actor who needed to "get in shape" for a role, audition, or job, I want to always be ready.
Q: You mentioned loving CrossFit! I’ve yet to try it! Why is it amazing and how does it condition your body for performing? (PS I have to go with you sometime!)
A: CrossFit is great because the general principles of it are the make you a better functioning human being. Unlike strict body building, it's not a superficial fitness regimen, it's designed to truly make you healthier, stronger, more flexible, more fit. It uses olympics lifts, body weight exercises and Metcons (metabolic conditioning) to do all those things. I know what most of you are thinking, it's not bad for you, what's bad for you is not getting the proper foundation training and not knowing how to scale.
Q: The friends I know who are involved in CrossFit also have pretty intense diets to fuel for their workouts. How do you fuel your body for workouts and performing?
A: Intermittent Fasting: another lifestyle change I made during Rocky. I fast for 16 hours of the day and eat for 8 hours. At some point during the fast, ideally towards the end, I work out so that I am using the stored fats and and energy in my body. Once I break my fast I am then replacing what I've used as opposed to packing on more crap. I eat as much in the 8 hours that I would eat in a normal day. It's usually pretty clean, but certainly enough to maintain me for the 16 hours of fasting. I've also cut out processed sugars, I'm not crazy about it but for the most part I don't do it and it's awesome.
Q: I love Broadway Style Guide and your work! It’s the Vogue of Broadway! How does having other outlets besides performing keep you balanced and creatively charged?
A: I love love love having another outlet to create. It's keeps me inspired and motivated. Of course it's hard work balancing it all but I love it so much that it's worth the sacrifices.
Q: Your style is On. Point. and I always associate great style with confidence. What’s your advice for confidence, on stage and off?
A: My advice for confidence: we've only been given this one life, this one mind, this one body so don't apologize for it. Present the best possible version of yourself and know that you are good enough.
Q: Top 3 Fit for Broadway tips for someone just starting out on their journey.
A: Top 3 Tips...
Find something that you enjoy doing when starting to workout
Don’t do binge diets or exercise plans, they aren’t sustainable by definition…Choose lifestyle changes
Drink lots of water
Q: Any daily practices that keep your mind, body, & spirit in balance?
A: I take a moment everyday to assume a very powerful physical position (arms wide open, arms straight up above my head, etc) and pray or just communicate my joys and pure thoughts. I “Choose Joy” daily
Q: Who’s your greatest inspiration?
A: My Parents are my greatest inspiration. They are awesome. My mother is so nurturing and I’ve learned so much from my Father.
Q: What’s your advice for aspiring performers who have their sights set on Broadway?
A: Train hard in whatever discipline you are most passionate about, be well rounded, know your type, try to minimize the No’s by auditioning for things you will be able to present the best version of yourself, don’t take it personal, be yourself, don’t wear jewel tone dresses and character shoes like every other girl at the audition, don’t wear solid color button downs with jeans or khakis like every other guy in the audition, don’t shy away from sex appeal, have fun, play and dream and imagine, use auditions as another day to rehearse and to work, enjoy the journey/the process and don’t be result oriented, and there is not right answer.
Instagram: @jamesbrowniii | Twitter: @TheJBill | JamesBrownIII.com
