Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Johnny Washington. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Johnny, thanks so much for taking the time to share your insights and lessons with us today. We’re particularly interested in hearing about how you became such a resilient person. Where do you get your resilience from?
I get my resilience, in part, from the supportive upbringing my parents provided me. I am someone who likes to try new things and put themselves out there. Therefore, I met constant challenges and adversity, both internal and external. My parents provided me with a safety net of love and reassurance, noting that mistakes and failure are a part of life. This helped me take even more risks as I got older. I wouldn’t be where I am today if not for them.
Furthermore, my internal drive and time for reflection picks me up when I feel knocked down. If I feel like I am hitting a wall, I take the time to sit back and reflect on where that mental block is coming from. Giving myself time to sit and breathe, I am encouraged to differentiate between what is a passion and what is a hobby. I can find what I am spending time on that does not reciprocate the energy I am putting into it.
My mindset and the support I receive from my family are keys to my resilient nature.
Thanks for sharing that. So, before we get any further into our conversation, can you tell our readers a bit about yourself and what you’re working on?
I have been an artist for over a decade. I graduated from The University of Michigan with my bachelors of science in music. From 2015 to 2017, I have released three albums under the name Addictive Disposition. The music falls under a genre I call ‘horror rock’, which combines elements of classical music, electronica, rock and jazz. After that, I performed stand-up comedy in the Metro Detroit area until COVID hit.
After the pandemic, I gravitated towards acting. I acted in a sci-fi drama called ‘Space Transports’, playing the evil Emperor Proxima, which was a lot of fun for me to play. I also had supporting roles in the short films ‘The Audition’ and ‘The Coffee Shop’. All three of the aforementioned projects have received numerous awards and accolades from around the world. In October 2023, I performed in A2 Civic Theater’s production of ‘The Matchmaker’ by Thornton Wilder. I played Cornelius Hackl, a charmingly naïve store clerk who will do anything to find the woman of his dreams. In February 2024, I performed in Brevity Shakespeare’s production of Richard III. I played Tyrell, Richard’s loyal executioner. I had a lot of fun with this character as I found him to be gleeful, confident and highly sadistic and cunning. I have recently signed with LA agency Aqua Talent, and I am looking forward to the new and exciting possibilities they can provide me.
I found boxing in June of 2022 and it has become an integral part of my life. All my life, I have been looking for a challenging way to get exercise as I found running on a treadmill and lifting weights to be monotonous. My stamina and endurance are at levels I never thought possible, and they are only going to increase as I continue. I learn something every time I go to the gym, whether it be by hitting the heavy bag or by sparring. I love pushing myself and those around me to be the best version of themselves, and boxing gives me the opportunity to do that. My gym also gives me the opportunity to volunteer for the Rock Steady Program. Our gym trains elderly people with Parkinson’s disease how to box. This not only gives them a chance to work out, but also improve their balance and coordination. It is something I look forward to each week, as their positivity and fighting spirit is an inspiration.
If you’d like a more in depth look at my brand and the projects I’ve worked on, check out johnnywashington.actor for more.
If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
I believe my adaptability has played a critical role in my journey. Change is a constant force in life and my open mindedness allows me to remain flexible in this ever changing world. Discipline has also played a huge part in my journey, especially in my acting and boxing. Putting in the work and finding joy in tasks that are seemingly joyless has made my capacity for learning and retention second to none. Finally, positivity has propelled me to take risks and form relationships that I may not have taken if I had a negative mindset. Make no mistake, I experienced a heavy deal of negativity in my life. I took it upon myself to change my mindset and viewpoint to find opportunities and growth wherever I can. I have always been very trusting of others, and that has opened many doors for me throughout my life as everyone has a unique story with their own perspectives to offer.
So for those early in their journey, remain flexible, believe in yourself and put in the work now so you can reap the benefits later.
Any advice for folks feeling overwhelmed?
When I feel overwhelmed, I try to take a nap. This is my form of mediation and it really does help me. I become negative, snappy and thickheaded when I am overwhelmed. Taking the time to close my eyes and calm down helps me realize that I am in control of my day and I am in control about how I respond to things.
I also prioritize what needs to be done today and what can be put off until a later date. Writing out a to-do list helps get the clutter out of my brain and lets me visualize how much I really have to get done. From there, I can organize my calendar and plan my week based on what is most important.
It is easy to feel overwhelmed in these modern days. I have also found dropping projects/activities that do not give me energy has been a tremendous strategy in how I approach things. For instance, I have someone clean my house once a month. I love to tidy my house as I find it therapeutic. However, deep cleaning chores like scrubbing the bathtub or cleaning the stove drain me of energy. So if I can pay someone to do those kinds of responsibilities while I do something else that gives me energy (like boxing or reading), why wouldn’t I do it. My time is much too valuable to spend it on things I don’t like to do (when possible).
Contact Info:
- Website: https://johnnywashington.actor/
- Instagram: @johnnywashingtonofficial
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/johnnywashingtonactor
Image Credits
Headshots done by Nikita Artinian
