Stronger with Don Saladino: "How to Build a Sustainable Acting Career" feat. Drew Powell

Date: September 30, 2025
Host: Don Saladino
Guest: Drew Powell (Actor: "Gotham," "The Unbreakable Boy")

Episode Overview

This episode explores the realities of building a sustainable acting career, emphasizing personal strength, resilience, and the power of community. Actor Drew Powell joins Don Saladino for a lively, candid conversation that ranges from the challenges of the film and TV industry, balancing health with a demanding schedule, and navigating failures. They also answer live listener questions on training and nutrition, all while maintaining a humorous, encouraging, and down-to-earth tone.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Connecting Through Community and Gym Culture

• Years of Friendship: Don and Drew reminisce about their long-standing relationship, forged in the gym and enriched by shared values.
  • “Since 2017. It feels so much longer...When you meet somebody and you like, connect...it's like you’ve known each other your whole life, maybe past lives.” (Drew, 00:50)
• Inclusive, Supportive Gym Environment: Don highlights the importance of maintaining an intimate, safe community at his gym, Drive495, where celebrities and everyday people are treated equally and with respect.
  • “Everybody felt safe there. Like, it was super chill. Like, it was such a great experience.” (Drew, 07:01)
  • “No cameras, no picture taking. That’s how we kept the intimacy of the place.” (Don, 07:22)

2. Inside “The Unbreakable Boy” and Character Acting

• Film Overview: Drew shares the story behind "The Unbreakable Boy," a Lionsgate film about resilience, family, and living with autism and brittle bone disease, where he plays the protagonist’s imaginary friend.
  • “It’s this really inspiring story about how this kid...is unbreakable in his spirit...and I get to play the lead character’s imaginary friend.” (Drew, 01:32)
• Blending Humor and Heart: Drew’s role required balancing comedic and dramatic acting—a theme he navigates in many roles.
  • “I can almost see this role for you...a bit of humor and a bit of seriousness at the same time.” (Don, 03:12)

3. Body Transformation and Realistic Fitness Goals

• Solomon Grundy (“Gotham”) Transformation: Drew describes prepping for his physical transformation as Solomon Grundy with a compressed, realistic approach to diet and training.
  • “They said...‘You need to completely change the way you look, and you have seven weeks to do it.’” (Drew, 08:59)
• Setting Realistic Expectations: Both agree not every actor needs—or can achieve—a stereotypical “shredded” look.
  • “My thing is, I’m never going to be Brad Pitt...there’s no shredding going on. …You were like, let’s have a realistic goal.” (Drew, 09:57)
• Empathy & Personalization in Coaching: Don’s standout approach is meeting clients where they are and building a plan appropriate to their unique circumstances, a key to lasting results.
  • “You check your ego at the door...and really meet people where they are.” (Drew, 12:00)
  • QUOTE: “We don’t have to go in there with our A game...I honestly believe...getting in and giving me 30 minutes, three days a week...that’s enough.” (Don, 38:09)

4. Navigating Set Culture and Actor Vulnerability

• Changing Team Dynamics: Drew reflects on how every movie or show set feels different, and the profound impact of a close, supporting cast during isolated COVID filming in Oklahoma City.
  • “That’s what you see on the screen, is that we have this really great camaraderie. But...that was circumstantial.” (Drew, 13:00)
• Emotional Demand of Acting: Actors must quickly adapt, travel, learn stunts, and inhabit emotionally challenging roles, often alone and away from support systems.
  • “You have to be vulnerable...we are very empathetic creatures because we have to by nature.” (Drew, 14:46)
• Playing Dislikeable Characters: Drew explains the challenge and fun in portraying “bad guys”—and how he separates roles from his real self.
  • “Sometimes it is harder...it’s human nature to want to be the hero...but also...it can be a lot of fun to be the bad guy, too.” (Drew, 16:24)

5. Mental Health and Family Support

• Mental Health Awareness: Drew stresses the importance of self-care, especially after inhabiting disturbing characters.
  • “I’m a big believer in looking after your mental health on those things, too...you have to really make sure that you’re okay and the other actors are okay.” (Drew, 21:46)
• Supportive Family / Partner Influence: Drew credits his wife (makeup artist, movement practitioner, and "mama bear") for helping him cultivate health and balance.
  • “She’s really gotten into the fascial movement...She’s been really good at being like, ‘Okay, listen...here are the ways that you need to be healthy.’” (Drew, 23:33 & 39:53)

6. Failure, Humility, and “Running Scared”

• Actors & Coaches: Paths to Success: Don emphasizes the importance of grinding, humility, and embracing failure in any craft—whether fitness or acting.
  • “Every single person that I am bringing on at some point can tell me about some situations...failure is a part of it.” (Don, 24:53)
• Competition, Auditions, and Uncertainty: Drew vividly describes the relentless audition/rejection cycle, and why persistence is non-negotiable in pursuing acting.
  • “You don’t get the job more than you get it, you know, and, and once you’re okay with that, it makes it a little easier. But it’s never easy.” (Drew, 28:00)
• Never Settling / “Running Scared”: Both Don and Drew reference a mindset of always hustling—never getting too comfortable or complacent.
  • “The best part about being an actor is that you’re always running scared. And the worst part...is that you’re always running scared.” (Drew paraphrasing Dustin Hoffman, 34:33)
  • “Try harder, and there’s no room for complacency.” (Don quoting grandfather, 35:48)

7. Sustainable Fitness for Real Life

• Evolving Goals: As both age and life circumstances change, Drew and Don discuss the importance of adapting training—less about “peak” physique and more about consistency, longevity, and setting an example for Drew’s son.
  • “With everything else you’re doing, it’s enough. And that’s...enough. Sometimes you’re thinking of Gotham...and that was Drew then. Maybe we don’t need that now in Drew’s life.” (Don, 38:09)
• Role Modeling for Children: Parents can influence kids’ fitness habits not by instruction, but by consistent action.
  • “‘What are you doing?’ ‘Nothing.’ ‘And there you go.’” (Don, 39:10)

8. Q&A Segment Highlights

[41:29] Listener Call: Ashton (LA)

• Topic: Nutrition tips for getting “shredded”
  • Don’s Advice: Track your intake and behavior for consistency; assess, don’t guess. “If you’re not assessing, you’re guessing.” (Don, 43:01)
  • “It’s about intentionality and discipline. There’s no consistency, so I’m a compliment guy—I just want to say...so perfectly, it’s like, everybody’s so different.” (Ashton, 45:20)

[46:28] Listener Call: Hannah (Austin)

• Topic: At-home strength training with limited equipment
  • Don & Drew’s Advice:
    • Focus on basic movements: goblet squat, RDL, shoulder press, row, core movement (Don, 48:19)
    • Prioritize full body; keep sessions 20–30 minutes, 3x/week; adjust tempo/reps to challenge muscles (Don, 49:31)
    • “The biggest mistake people make is, ‘my arms aren’t as strong as my legs.’ You can’t compare those things.” (Don, 49:37)
  • Drew’s Encouragement:
    • “I’m much more of an at home guy, like you...I almost always...do the dumbbell program because, to me, I prefer it.” (Drew, 47:34)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “That boy can act.” — Liev Schreiber (relayed by Don, 01:06)
• “My thing is, I’m never going to be Brad Pitt... Was born big... There’s no shredding going on.” — Drew (09:57)
• “You check your ego at the door...and really meet people where they are.” — Drew (12:00)
• “If there’s anything else you can do and find joy, go do that thing. Because this is not a job for the faint of heart.” — Drew’s advice to young actors (26:30)
• “The next phone call could be the one.” — Drew (32:12)
• “The best part about being an actor is that you’re always running scared. And the worst part... is that you’re always running scared.” — Drew quoting Dustin Hoffman (34:33)
• “With everything else you’re doing, it’s enough. You gotta realize it’s enough.” — Don (38:09)
• “I want to have it all...That’s my mentality. And that’s part of what got me where I am today, but it also is a detriment.” — Drew (39:53)

Major Timestamps

• 00:50–03:24: Building connection, “Unbreakable Boy” movie story
• 05:45–07:22: Gym Mafia and Drive495’s unique culture
• 08:59–12:00: Solomon Grundy prep & setting realistic expectations in fitness
• 13:00–16:01: Set life, vulnerability, and challenges of acting
• 26:32–29:21: Embracing rejection and non-linear career paths
• 34:33–36:42: “Running scared” mindset and humility
• 38:09–39:10: Redefining fitness as life changes; parenting by example
• 41:29–46:06: Q&A – Nutritional and body composition advice
• 46:28–51:07: Q&A – Building efficient at-home training

Tone and Takeaways

The conversation stays authentic, energetic, and uplifting, interwoven with humor, candor, and practical advice for sustaining both a fitness and acting career. Drew’s humility, Don’s pragmatic coaching, and their mutual respect make the episode accessible for listeners at any stage—reminding them that lasting success looks different for everyone, and begins with showing up for yourself day after day.

Summary Prepared for Listeners Who Haven't Heard the Episode
This episode is packed with vivid stories about the realities of acting, the importance of supportive environments (both in fitness and on set), and the necessity of persistence and adaptability. Whether you’re an aspiring performer, fitness enthusiast, or simply someone looking to build a stronger life, Don and Drew's advice will leave you motivated to find your own sustainable version of “strong.”