We were lucky to catch up with Blake Kelley recently and have shared our conversation below.
Alright, so we’re so thrilled to have Blake with us today – welcome and maybe we can jump right into it with a question about one of your qualities that we most admire. How did you develop your work ethic? Where do you think you get it from?
B0rn in Louisiana and raised in a blue-collar community in southeast Texas, I learned at an early age that if you want something, you will have to work for it. Both of my parents were college athletes, and I quickly decided that was what I want to pursue as well. I give all credit to my parents for not only laying out a blueprint but also keeping me honest with the pursuit of this goal, even when I was stubborn. This came with long days with football workout, most of them when no one was around to see. Fast forward a bit, and I was a wide receiver on the Texas Tech University football team. Even then. the same principles applied. If I wanted to get playing time. I needed to continue to follow the work habits that my parents taught me. It was a great feeling to not only be naturally talented at something but also have the work ethic instilled by my parents to boost this craft.
After Football was over, I had a big identity crisis. I was lost and did not know what I was put on this earth for, especially after I had completed the only real goal I had set for my life. I knew that the same principals of work ethic that my parents taught me would apply in any endeavor moving forward, I just didn’t know what direction to head.
I chased many different goals and fields, but nothing has felt “right” ever since football………..until now.
I took a leap of faith after many talks with family and friends and accepted the opportunity to compete in an acting show. I’ve always been told I have a loud, bright, witty soul, but never once thought about acting. Although many of my peers have told me countless times that I should “try acting”
During this acting show. I realized that for the first time since football. I have fallen in love with a craft that i not only enjoy but have natural ability at. I’m excited to pursue this new craft with the same work ethic and intensity that my parents have taught me over all these years.
Let’s take a small detour – maybe you can share a bit about yourself before we dive back into some of the other questions we had for you?
I’m an aspiring actor, with a newfound love for the craft. I work as a sales manager to stay afloat, but I’m taking acting and improv classes to sharpen my skills. I’m signed by NTA talent agency. and they are assisting me with gaining new opportunities. Im also into high level dog training, and own a 3 year old male German shepherd.
There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?
I would say learning how to work, being consistent, and learning what you love about a craft.
they all are sort of intertwined. Being consistent is brick by brick. day by day. small deposits toward the goal you’re chasing. nothing worth having comes easy. and you need to always be reminding yourself “would this make 10-year-old Blake proud?” and “will you be able to look back and think this was a good move”
that leads into learning how to work, which is based around consistency. pushing through adversity, and knowing no one is coming to save you, and you still remain.
Learning to love the craft – In anything we do, there will always be points to where it just feels like work. It’s also easy to say “i love this”…….but what do you love about it? in football i loved the physicality of the sport, I loved running and catching the ball, i loved the comradery with my teammates. I would remind myself of these particular things when i was tired and didn’t feel like working. narrowing the scope on the thing you love about a craft will make it easier to understand why you are working so hard, especially in times that you may not see the finish line.
What was the most impactful thing your parents did for you?
the most impactful things my parents did was give me the greatest gift that any kid could receive…….they believed in me. Even when I was tired and confused, they remained consistent.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: @Blakekelley__
