Meet Brooke Hoover

We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Brooke Hoover. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Brooke below.

Hi Brooke, we’re so appreciative of you taking the time to share your nuggets of wisdom with our community. One of the topics we think is most important for folks looking to level up their lives is building up their self-confidence and self-esteem. Can you share how you developed your confidence?
I guess I faked it until I made it. I grew up as a shy kid, became super chubby at puberty and beyond so behaving super confidently and trying to deflect with humor was my classic toolkit of protection. And, in a way, it toughened me up for “the biz” and all of its drama and rejection. Yet, I’m also learning that it’s now important to break down those walls and let vulnerability in for me to be able to fully enjoy life. So, my self esteem feels more grounded now and not as sharp and jagged.

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’m an actor, writer and producer with a background in theatre and improvisational comedy. I’ve been a co-star in several shows including “Blue Bloods”, “Law and Order : SVU”, “High Maintenance”, recurring on ABC’s “What Would You Do?” and most recently on the final season of “Manifest”. I’ve also been in a few indie features including “Ted K”, “The Girl Who Invented Kissing” and “The Runner” (which shot on location in my home state of Louisiana). I’m also a voiceover actor who’s narrated a plethora of audiobooks, particularly in the cozy mystery genre. While I love working on projects such as these, my greatest passion lies in working on projects I’ve created.

I’ve written, produced and starred in an award winning short film “Shyft” (now available on on IFT TV – https://iftnetworktv.com/ ) and a webseries starring my late rescue dogs “Pageant Pom Mom” which raised funds and awareness for local rescue pet groups ( www.pageantpommom.com/watch ) as well as my solo shows including “Wayward Souls” (which premiered as part of United Solo Artists Theatre Festival) and “Phat Girl Costumes” (Emerging Artist Theatre Festival).

“Phat Girl Costumes”, a solo show that combines storytelling, Ted Talk and stand up comedy inspired my current podcast “Who’s Dat Phat Girl” now on its third season. It’s a podcast that includes shout outs to my Cajun lineage and my 80’s and 90’s childhood and it’s tales of my 100 pound weight loss and health gain while dealing with PCOS and body positivity and juggling costumes, kale and king cake. I’ve incorporated more interviews this season to learn about others’ journeys because making healthcare easy and accessible to everyone is also a passion of mine as I felt left out in the cold for nearly a decade before I was diagnosed with PCOS. While I’m not a doctor (and haven’t yet played one on TV) my mission is to combine health, humor and hope so that we all feel less alone on this journey of life. I’ve learned as an actor taking care of my instrument, especially while living with a chronic health condition, is of utmost importance. It’s hard to juggle getting sleep with early morning call times or late night comedy shows, but balance is key.

My podcast, “Who’s Dat Phat Girl” is available on all major podcast platforms, including videos on YouTube and transcripts available for download at www.brookehoover.com/podcast

In the coming years, my aim is to tour my solo show “Phat Girl Costumes” and I also have a children’s book in the works.

Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?
(1) WORK ETHIC: I think my mom really raised me for this kind of business. Both of my parents owned their own businesses (my dad is a lawyer, my mom is a floral designer who used to own two shops) so they always taught me that 15 minutes early is on time, on time is late and two minutes late is unacceptable. Which is exactly what we learned in theatre school on day 1 (sometimes the hard way by having to pay a fine). But, being the early bird – that was already in my blood. I learned how to wash clothes when I was five or six, use a hammer and a nail (NOT Fisher Price) when I was nine or ten and was working for a living (“screw allowance!” to quote my parents) by the time I was thirteen. I think the intense work ethic and getting things done on my own was super instilled in me that it’s just so normal now. And, sometimes I wonder if it’s almost not a good thing at times because it’s really hard to relax. But, all in all, it prepared me for long hours and a lot of grunt work AND a lot of work that you aren’t paid for (in money).

(2) BOUNDARIES : As an actor, I’ve had some pretty crappy day jobs. I’ve also had some awesome ones. I’ve also worked for myself as a personal organizer and pet sitter. Having boundaries (with employers, with clients and with myself) was key to avoid burnout and to find the time and energy that’s required to work on a creative career.

(3) RESILIENCE and ADAPTABILITY : Sometimes I wonder if wearing so many hats means I’m not laser focused and I’m just a drifter and if it means “will I EVER get any one thing done really well?” Who knows? What I do know is this : it’s the way in which to survive in a business like this. For example, when the SAG-AFTRA strike happened, I “got lucky” with several audiobooks (which were not on strike at the time of the AMPTP strike) because I already had that skill, that experience and those relationships. If I was “just a film actor” what would I have done? I also have a background in crew and post production because I just love the ability to work in a creative industry and that sometimes means you won’t always be doing your primary thing – that there will be like five or six “primary things” that you do.

ADVICE I have: Have a good work ethic, an ability to find balance and listen to your gut when it’s time to say “yes” or “no” to something. Realize you do NOT always have to say “yes” to everything.

How can folks who want to work with you connect?
I would LOVE to tell tales with people who are on a health journey of any sort : whether you are an actor who’s also a Pilates teacher, someone who’s overcome a debilitating illness, someone who’s a caregiver to a parent with a chronic illness, someone who is on a weight loss journey, someone who’s sick and tired of an industry that is so fat- phobic or someone who would love to tell tales about particular foods from their childhood. These are all topics I’m open to discussing on the “Who’s Dat Phat Girl” podcast.

I’m always seeking to connect with writers and directors, particularly those interested in comedy.

Contact Info:

Image Credits
John Bohnel (Headshots and Who’s Dat Phat Girl)

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