We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Sean Kanan. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Sean below.
Sean, so great to have you with us and we want to jump right into a really important question. In recent years, it’s become so clear that we’re living through a time where so many folks are lacking self-confidence and self-esteem. So, we’d love to hear about your journey and how you developed your self-confidence and self-esteem.
Initially my training in martial arts helped me immensley. Ultimately as I became more in touch with my authentic self and realized that was enough, I became more self confident. As far as self esteem: I am a firm believer that self esteem comes from doing estimable acts. I always do my best to bring value to every situation and be of service. .
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?
Actor, writer, author, comedian, and Emmy® award-winning producer Sean Kanan’s first role in Hollywood was bad-boy “Mike Barnes” in the blockbuster franchise film Karate Kid III. In 2022 Kanan reprised his iconic role, receiving critical acclaim in the pop-culture hit series’ fifth season of Cobra Kai, now streaming on Netflix.
Kanan also appears as bad boy with a heart of gold, “Deacon Sharpe,” on the world’s most-watched daytime drama, CBS’s The Bold and the Beautiful, and has portrayed the same role on its sister show, the number one daytime drama in the U.S., The Young, and the Restless. Before joining the premiere daytime lineup, Kanan played “AJ Quartermaine” on General Hospital. His other credits include two 2021 films with Bruce Willis, Survive the Game and The Fortress, and the Lifetime movie Sinister Society.
In 2021, Kanan won the Daytime Emmy® award for Outstanding Limited Series as the Executive Producer and Creator of Studio City (Amazon Prime), for which he was also Emmy® nominated in the categories of Outstanding Lead Actor and Outstanding Writing Team. Kanan previously won the Indie Series Award for Outstanding Lead Actor for portraying Studio City protagonist “Sam Stephens.”
Kanan has authored four books. His latest, Welcome to the Kumite, draws on intimate personal stories to illustrate his strategies and philosophy for achieving success. He is part of a series with his third book, Way of the Cobra (WOTC), “Transform yourself, and you can transform the world.” Sean’s first book, The Modern Gentleman: Cooking and Entertaining with Sean Kanan, received rave reviews. His second, Success Factor X, became an Amazon New Release Best Seller after less than one week and was named one of the twenty most inspirational books in the last two decades by Book Authority.
Whether lobbying on Capitol Hill to raise awareness about bullying or performing stand-up comedy in Bosnia to entertain the troops for the USO, Kanan remains active in numerous charitable organizations, including The American Cancer Society, various animal advocacy groups, and serving as the international youth ambassador for Boo2Bullying.
In 2016, Kanan received the 400th star on the Palm Springs Walk of Fame for his creative work and acts of charity in Hollywood.
Born in Cleveland, Ohio, Kanan resides with his wife, Emmy®, award-winning producer and writer Michele Kanan, in California. He celebrates his birthday on November 2.
Follow him on Instagram @sean.kanan and Twitter @seankanan.
If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
The three qualities that have always served me well are tenacity, adaptability and commitment to personal growth.
My advice to anyone starting out is this. Find something you love then learn everything you can about it both educationally and experientially. Remain teachable and humble but know your worth. Commit to creating a bullet-proof process. This refers to constantly leveling up through self-awareness and acquisition of knowledge. Stay out of the results. Results are often beyond your control. Effort and hard work are within your control. Lastly remember that talent is a gift from God but without hustle and dedication, it can create false confidence that will create disaster if relayed upon alone. I just read these wise words earlier today and they are so true. “Everyone wants your spot until they realize what it takes to play your position.” Lastly read my books. They contain my very best advice. Start with Way of the COBRA then the sequel Welcome to the KUMITE. You will thank me.
All the wisdom you’ve shared today is sincerely appreciated. Before we go, can you tell us about the main challenge you are currently facing?
I believe this is an issue most successful people encounter. How to martial your two most important resources which are time and energy. As I have gotten older I’ve learned to work smarter. I have gotten very good at developing the power to say “No.” This way I do not spread myself too thin, agree to things that later become a burden instead of a blessing. Additionally when I give my word and say “Yes” to something, people know I will give it my maximum effort which has become formidable and highly effective when not competing with the depleted energy and thieves of time.
Contact Info:
- Website: WayOfTheCobra.com
- Instagram: @sean.kanan
- Facebook: Sean Kanan
- Linkedin: SeanKanan
- Twitter: @SeanKanan
Image Credits
Getty Images, Sean Kanan, Getty images, Sean Kanan, Getty Images
