Sebastian Stan Gets Real About Failure, Growth, and Staying Authentic

Summary

Podcast Summary: "Sebastian Stan Gets Real About Failure, Growth, and Staying Authentic"

Stronger with Don Saladino | Blind Nil Audio | November 4, 2025

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Overview

In this compelling 90-minute episode, renowned fitness coach Don Saladino welcomes his longtime friend and client, acclaimed actor Sebastian Stan, for an in-depth conversation about strength far beyond physicality. Together, they discuss the journey to authenticity, overcoming failure, personal growth, mental health, and strategies for staying true to oneself amid career demands and public scrutiny. Listeners get a rare, candid look at Sebastian's evolution as a person and performer—with real advice, heartfelt reflections, and plenty of laughs along the way.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Start of a Friendship and Transformational Journey

• Don reflects on his 15-year friendship and coaching relationship with Sebastian, highlighting Sebastian’s authenticity and humility in an industry often marked by transactional interactions. (03:00)
• Sebastian recounts meeting Don through Duffy, the celebrity trainer, and preparing for his role in "Picnic" on Broadway, followed by "Captain America: Winter Soldier." (04:18)

2. On Building Physical and Mental Strength

• The importance of mindset in fitness: “What I've learned is that your mindset and your belief system is going to go hand in hand with the work you put in the gym.” – Sebastian Stan (06:06)
• The discipline required in theater and how prepping for "Picnic" helped Sebastian develop structure, self-care, and maturity. (08:07-10:44)
• Memorable Moment: Sebastian describes his experience of being the lead on stage, conquering nerves, and meeting acting legends in the audience. (10:05)

3. Navigating Tough Days & Resilient Routines

• Both discuss the reality that bad days are inevitable, especially in high-pressure careers: “It's incredibly difficult to be in your situation and have to show up on a day where you're sick. … You’re going to have a bad day, right?” – Don (11:37)
• Morning routines as a form of self-resistance: “Getting up early is like your first act of resistance against death. … In the morning, you have this opportunity. Get up and stand against it.” – Sebastian (14:12)

4. Daily Practices for Growth & Mental Health

• Sebastian’s current morning routine: waking, hydrating, seeking sunlight, journaling, meditation, and avoiding the phone for the first hour. (17:43–19:34)
• Journaling as self-assessment: “It's more my way of meeting, of finding out what I'm—what, who am I dealing with today?” (19:06)
• The impact of writing affirmations and setting intentions, drawing from Tony Robbins exercises. (19:46)
• The value of treating your mental discipline like physical training: “The same way can be applied to what you're letting inside of your mind.” – Sebastian (20:28–21:16)

5. Relationships, Authenticity, and Boundaries

• The challenge of maintaining authentic relationships amid public life and professional responsibilities.
• “I'm so determined to protect, especially as I'm getting older…my authenticity…because it's the one thing that I know is just the truth.” – Sebastian (22:45)

6. Choosing Projects & Accepting Uncertainty

• A candid look at how Sebastian selects roles, emphasizes collaboration and meaningful stories, and relinquishes control over unpredictable industry timelines:
  • “There are so many times in this business where…you're not financing it, you’re not controlling when it’s going to go…At some point, you got to go, okay, maybe it’s not the right time.” (30:17–33:09)
• Don and Sebastian compare career pivots, rejection, and the realization that setbacks often lead to unexpected opportunities. (34:23–35:11)

7. Embracing Challenge, Failure, and Vulnerability

• The necessity of vulnerability to achieve mastery—drawing analogies to sports: “You have to be comfortable being vulnerable and also, you got to get out of your house.” – Sebastian (44:03–44:16)
• The importance of courage and self-acceptance, especially for those with less opportunity: “At the end of the day, how do we deal with whatever it is, right? It's this battle with acceptance and courage…” (46:30)

8. Evolving Perspectives on Self-Care & Time

• Both discuss how priorities shift with time: “I don't want to waste time. I can't waste any more time because time is really precious…” – Sebastian (48:04)
• The difficulty and necessity of setting boundaries and saying “no” to maintain health and focus. (49:07)

9. Flow States, Complexity of Emotions, and Allowing Down Days

• Sebastian acknowledges that not every day will be productive or positive, and that’s normal—even essential—for growth: “You can't achieve that all the time. It’s impossible.” (52:25)
• "There’s a world where both exist at the same time, by the way. That’s actually what’s difficult on this planet…” – Sebastian, on emotional complexity and conflict (52:26)

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Mindset Over Willpower:
  “Your mindset and your belief system is going to go hand in hand with the work you put in the gym.”
  — Sebastian Stan, (06:06)

• On Early Mornings & Life:
  “Getting up early is like your first act of resistance against death… I'm gonna seize this day, you know, and I just love thinking about that.”
  — Sebastian Stan, (14:12)

• On Authenticity:
  "I'm determined to hang on to my authenticity because it's the one thing that I know is just the truth."
  — Sebastian Stan, (22:45)

• On Handling Setbacks:
  “For every time in life you're feeling rejected, you're being redirected to something else or something better, and you have to take that mindset. Rejection is… healthy.”
  — Don Saladino, (80:23)

• On Vulnerability & Growth:
  “Vulnerability, uncomfortability, failure, fear, whatever those things are, they're real essentials. Boredom, essential.”
  — Sebastian Stan, (45:05)

• On Rest & Recharge:
  “If you cannot beat yourself up about it and just give yourself a chance to kind of reset… for you to come back stronger the next day.”
  — Sebastian Stan, (74:49)

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Important Timestamps

• Meeting & Early Career Transformation: 04:00–08:41
• Picnic and Mental Growth: 08:07–10:44
• Facing Bad Days in The Limelight: 11:37–15:34
• Morning Routine & Journaling: 17:43–19:34
• Authenticity, Relationships, and Boundaries: 22:45–24:57
• Choosing Challenging Roles & Industry Realities: 29:14–33:09
• Handling Setbacks & Career Pivots: 34:23–36:26
• Embracing Vulnerability: 44:03–45:55
• Mental Health & Positive Framing: 45:05–48:04
• Flow States and Allowing Down Days: 52:25–54:03

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Listener Q&A Highlights (64:37–81:04)

1. Returning to Broadway?
   • Sebastian would consider returning, possibly for a "Talk Radio" anniversary, but hasn't chosen a bucket-list show yet. (66:18)
2. If You Could Watch Only One of Your Own Films:
   • "Tony and Tina's Wedding" for its nostalgia and uniqueness. (67:45)
3. Managing Anxiety:
   • Approach through the body first: “You can’t think your way out of [anxiety]… slow down, focus on breathing and let [the feeling] pass.” (69:16)
4. Guilt Over Rest:
   • “Just give yourself a chance to reset and know that part of that… is a way for your mind to reset…for you to come back stronger.” (74:47)
   • Sebastian shares a rollercoaster story of losing a “Point Break” lead at the last minute—highlighting the industry’s ups and downs. (76:14)
5. Advice for Young Actors:
   • Seek role models and mentorship, study the journeys of those you admire, remain curious, and understand setbacks are part of everyone's story. (81:33)

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Humor & Light Moments

• Rapid-fire Q&A:

  • If not an actor: “A matador.” (57:35)
  • Bad at: “Cooking...I know three things. Eggs, steak…and maybe avocado on toast.” (58:58)
  • Perfect day: Walking with his dog, reading, enjoying downtime. (59:38)
  • Favorite pizza: Rubirosa and Joe’s Pizza in NYC. (61:23)

• On Movie Cameos:

  • Don recounts being unexpectedly included in one of Sebastian’s films as an uncredited appearance. (62:10)

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Tone & Style

The conversation is informal, warm, and deeply personal, overflowing with mutual respect, humor, and the wisdom of two friends who have grown together over years of personal and professional challenges.

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Conclusion

This episode offers a vulnerable and enlightening behind-the-scenes look at Sebastian Stan’s inner world. Listeners gain actionable inspiration on living authentically, managing failure, and pursuing growth—both in career and personal life. Sebastian’s humility, honesty, and willingness to openly discuss mental health and setbacks make this essential listening for anyone striving to get "stronger" in every sense of the word.

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Note: This summary omits advertisements, intros, and outros, focusing strictly on key content.

Transcript

[Don Saladino]

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[Sebastian Stan]

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[Sebastian Stan]

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[Don Saladino]

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[Sebastian Stan]

Was that our first sponsor?

[Don Saladino]

Yeah, I think it was. I'm saying it was. So they have a few different products. They have Mitopure, which is a Urolithin a product which is why I am in my 60s and I look like I'm in my early 40s. So I've been taking this product for a while on my skin. Skin, my lines, my energy level, my mitochondrial function is fantastic. And this is one of those supplements. I'm not. I like supplements. But you got to understand, I really value the importance of nutrition and sleep. Mito Pure, their Urolithin A supplement. I take four capsules a day. That's a thousand milligrams. I take it religiously and I really can't travel without it now because I have seen benefits come from this. With probably about three to six months, I just started feeling like my skin was glowing a little bit more. I was feeling a bit younger. I was okay. I'm not 60. I'm 48. Cats out of the bag now. They also have these gummies that are delicious and they also have a powder, which is fantastic as well, if you're into powder. So that's it, guys. Mitopure again, thank you again, Timeline. Thank you. And timeline is offering 20% off your first order of Mitopure. Go to timeline.com stronger. That's t I m e l I n e dot com stronger. I can't believe I actually had to read how to spell timeline. I did though. Thanks, guys. So listen, brother, thank you for coming in. I'm trying to think. Once was the last time I saw you. I don't even know.

[Sebastian Stan]

I think was it when I came to the barn? Physically. Physically.

[Don Saladino]

Well, we will we talk, but I'm just saying.

[Sebastian Stan]

Yeah, but physically, I think when I.

[Don Saladino]

Came to the barn, where did we meet? What year was it?

[Sebastian Stan]

I think we met in 2012.

[Don Saladino]

So what were you were getting ready for picnic? I'm trying to think how we even got.

[Sebastian Stan]

Yeah.

[Don Saladino]

Each other.

[Sebastian Stan]

I. We met through a guy that a lot of people know named. Named Duffy.

[Don Saladino]

Oh, Duffy the trainer. Yeah. Yeah. Oh, my God.

[Sebastian Stan]

And Marvel had sent me to Duffy because we were starting the Captain America Winter Soldier.

[Don Saladino]

And just for a little context, Duffy's like a celebrity trainer west coast, gets.

[Sebastian Stan]

A lot of ex Navy seal.

[Don Saladino]

And you.

[Sebastian Stan]

Brad just talked about him on.

[Don Saladino]

Yeah.

[Sebastian Stan]

With Dax Shepard. You know, he's Incred. And he had trained Hemsworth for the second Thor. And he was like, that's. And then I was in la, but I said, look, I live in New York. Like, I don't live in la, right? You know, And. And I said, and. And he was like, well, there's only one guy, you know, you. You should call. And. And his name is Don Saladino. And. And I was gonna do a play before doing the movie, so. And that required some kind of a, you know, physique. And. And really, that was like, the first time I came, I called you, and immediately you were like, look, I just want you, like tequila. And I was like. I said, I mean, listen. I mean, you know, once in a while, he goes, well, you know, I'm just saying, like, we got to. We got to figure out, like, what you're doing daily so that I know what the obstacles are, because diet is a big part of it, as you know.

[Don Saladino]

It is. It is true. And I do ask about those things because, you know, within a few minutes, I can understand whether someone's gonna, like, make those changes or not. Like, there's just some people that you talk to. What are you trying to get ready for? It's like, all right, well, you're in a great place right now, and if you have to get ready for something, maybe we don't need to go all. Some people have to go all in, and some people want to go all in. But I have worked with people in the past that are just like, do not take this away from me, or I will not allow you to do this. And you're like, you got to find ways to give them a little bit of what they want while you're still doing a lot of what you want.

[Sebastian Stan]

Well, right. I. I think a lot of personality goes into it because I think people, right, they always want to fix. They want a quick fix. They want to be able to just be told what to do. And I. And I think what I've learned is that your mindset and your belief system is going to go hand in hand with the work you put in the gym.

[Don Saladino]

So around the time when you met Duffy, I mean, and this is now 13 years ago. So, I mean, I'm even forgetting what was. What was work like then, and where did you feel like you were at.

[Sebastian Stan]

In your career was picking back up again? Because I was. I had done. I had done this TV show called Political Animals. And before that, I remember the first Captain America came out, and it was kind of 2011 was a really hard Year for me, like in a lot of ways. And then so, so things were going again, but I just found out that we were doing the sequel to Captain America probably maybe like that year when I called you. So. So it was like, it was a hopeful time because it felt like, okay, I'll go and do this play on Broadway and then I'll be able to do the movie. So, you know, it. I had a leeway a little.

[Don Saladino]

Oh, so you were looking at that, actually. I don't know if I've ever heard that. So you actually were looking at Picnic, the Broadway show, as a way to like, all right, I'm going to venture into this. I'm going to get in a really great shape because I have to be practically naked on this whole stage and then I'll be able to kind of segue into this.

[Sebastian Stan]

Yeah, it worked out well because again, Right. Like, it wasn't going to happen overnight. And that was the first time I meant the, the goals that I was trying to get, which was just to get in shape or get bigger or whatever. And I remember we started with really old school way of doing it, which was a certain lifting program and then I was eating a certain way. And then we kind of changed the diet as we were getting closer to the play to fit where I was, you know, I could get as cut as I could and all that. So. But that was like the first time I ever even attempted to do, to, to do anything physically like that.

[Don Saladino]

So, so. And I know we, we talked about this, but it was probably a decade ago. What did Picnic do for you? Because that was a really, that was a big, I think, turning point. Doing movies and doing Broadway, I think are two, two completely different things. Right. And the fact that you had to be ready every night, the anxiety of being on stage, having to be shirtless, I mean, this is. People don't understand the pressure that that brings in. And like. So what did you think when you were done with that? Were you like, I can do anything now? Was that like a big stepping stone for you and you're in your performing career?

[Sebastian Stan]

Yeah, definitely. I mean, I think, I mean, you, you do a lot of public speaking, right? And I've always heard a lot of people talk about how public speaking for anyone, no matter what they do, is just a scary, like, nerve wracking thing. So. So, like being on stage is similar to that. I think there was definitely some, you know, getting through nerves and conquering fears like that. Because the truth about theater is you can't bow out like no matter what happens, you have to be there at 8 o' clock and do the show. And a lot of people think, oh, you've just got two hours, you know, the two hours in the day and you can have the whole day to do everything else you want. And it's not like that, actually. Everything you're doing is structured around those two hours. So you show up and you deliver as best as you can. And so it was a really disciplined time for me. And that was great because it, it kind of structured my day and in my work environment and my diet and my workouts and my sleep. And so it was, it was, that was really the first time I had a really regulated schedule like that. And, and, and then I, I noticed for the first time that the level of the work that I was doing or my relationship to it, what, what I was capable to give had improved because I was taking care of myself to such a degree, you know, and I always carry that from that point.

[Don Saladino]

So that was a pretty big turning point for you, right? Like, I mean, being on stage and then out of nowhere looking out there and seeing someone that you might have, wow, I've looked up to this person or I fanned over this person that has to establish a level of maturity.

[Sebastian Stan]

Yeah. And I mean, I mean I was like the lead of this thing. But a degree of this had happened for me a few years before that in 2007 with Liev, which is how I met Liev is when we did talk radio and crazy people came to see him in that. I mean, you had Paul Newman, Al Pacino.

[Don Saladino]

Oh, that had to be cool though.

[Sebastian Stan]

Insane people were coming to see it.

[Don Saladino]

But expose them to you now so you felt like they were getting a little bit. Oh, I mean, what you were doing.

[Sebastian Stan]

Yeah, I was meeting them and, and, and that in itself was another real experience for me. And also just learning from him. I mean, it's funny when I look back now, he was my age, he was 39 or 40 at the time. When he was doing that play, I was 20. I don't remember. It's 2007. Whatever, 22, 23, I can't even. But anyway, I, There were definitely defining periods. I didn't really feel like picnic. Picnic did a lot for me personally. I'm not sure it really did much in terms of like move the needle or whatever. Professionally. I mean, I had some people. I had some opportunities to go and keep doing theater after that, which I didn't take. But in terms of the film, TV world, it didn't necessarily open a lot of doors for me, as I thought or hoped.

[Don Saladino]

You know, it was funny. I had a young guy reach out to me the other day about where he wants to go in his career, and he started talking to me about, well, you know what? School wasn't really for me. And, you know, I thought about it for a split second, and I gave him an answer and I said, listen, if you're going to go through life expecting to wake up every day wanting to do everything that's in front of you, you're going to fail miserably, because that's just not the reality of it. Now in your line of work, I think people on the outside are going to look in and say, oh, my God, I'd love to be on stage. I'd love to be doing that. But there is a pressure, there is a mental health component, and there is a fact that, guess what? You've been very open about this, and this is what people respect a lot about you. You're going to have a bad day, right? I mean, how it's incredibly difficult to be in your situation and have to show up on a day where you're sick. Maybe, you know, there's an ill person in your family, something's going on in life. And to have to compartmentalize that and push that aside, I think is a lesson that I wish a lot of today's youth would learn, because it's an example that, guess what? I'm having a day. I'm human. And I also want to go lay in bed and watch Netflix, but I can't do that tonight.

[Sebastian Stan]

I mean, 100%, I don't think anything's gonna get achieved by you sitting in bed and watching Netflix. And if. Certainly if you're starting your. If you're starting your morning. I listen to Huberman a lot. You know Andrew Huberman?

[Don Saladino]

Andrew Huberman?

[Sebastian Stan]

Yeah, he's great. Huberman.

[Don Saladino]

I dinner with him last year. Did you? Yeah, He's a really. He's a good guy.

[Sebastian Stan]

Yeah, he's. But he knows so much and he speaks so much about. They always ask him about the morning routine and everything. And I just. It's like he was saying. He goes. He. If you're waking up in the morning and the first thing you're doing is you're looking at your phone and you're scrolling through things, news, social media, whatever, and you haven't gotten out of bed and you haven't gotten sunlight, any water or anything. You're 100% already. You've set yourself back for that day or how you're approaching it. But in terms of having a bad day and still having to show up, I always go back. My mind always goes back to Michael Jordan and that. That game he played when he was sick. Do you remember that?

[Don Saladino]

Yeah, I've watched Last Dance a hundred times. Yeah, Last D. One of the best documentaries I've ever seen.

[Sebastian Stan]

It's amazing. And I mean, the guy is playing. He's sick, he's got a fever.

[Don Saladino]

He's food poisoning or whatever. It was the pizza. That's what happened. He's like, eat the pizza. It wasn't the flu. Yeah, I eat bad pizza.

[Sebastian Stan]

But even that, I mean, I. And the. And he won't stop. He's pushing through it. And. And I just. So for me, that in itself I find inspiring to remember in those moments and go, look, this is happening. I'm not going to be in my 100% today, but I'll just. When I lay down and I put my head on that pillow at night, I'm going to feel so much better that at least I gave it 50% rather than nothing. You know, I heard this great quote, and I'm. And I'm going to it up. But. But the quote literally said that getting up early is like your first act of resistance against death. You know, because it's like, it's right. Death is inevitable. Like, we're all, you know, gonna happen. We're all having to deal with this thing. It's uncertain. You don't know. God forbid. I mean, look at what's happening, right? It's like anything could happen. You can walk out there, there's a car. God forbid, there's all, you know, you get disease, all these things. But in the morning, you have this opportunity. Get up and stand against it by. By. By saying, I'm gonna. I'm gon. I'm gonna. I'm gonna seize this day, you know, And I just love thinking about that. Cause I'm a real morning person now. I wasn't always, but now I just love getting up and getting my day started. And sometimes when you're not feeling 100% or you're having a bad day, it can actually kind of motivate you. You can turn that to work for you in a way rather than letting it roll over you.

[Don Saladino]

First off, this podcast would not be possible if it weren't for our sponsors. And I'd like to thank Masterclass for sponsoring this episode. And with Masterclass, you can learn from the best to become your best. There's nothing like gaining a fresh perspective from experts who've seen it all and have the wisdom to prove it. Including. Let's cover these. We got Joanna Gaines, okay. One of my friends and she is a wizard in the home improvement space. And what it really opened my eyes to were the different styles of homes, how she approaches a different type of space. I personally know Joe, but I see her in a training environment and I see them back in Waco, Texas. But to see how she really approaches home, builds improvements, renovations, call it what you want, it's such an art. And to be able to incorporate and take some of that stuff into maybe things I want to do to my home, I think makes it really special and incredibly valuable. There's also so many other types of classes you can take. I saw one recently on the art of the negotiation. There's also ones on gut health, how to improve your skin. I mean, these are all things that, you know, these are right in my wheelhouse. I love this. So I think when you have access to an expert like that and you can dive into areas that you're heavily interested in, or maybe there are areas that you never thought you were interested in, it really opens your eyes to certain things. So with plans starting at $10 a month, billed annually, you get unlimited access to over 200 classes taught by the world's best business leaders, writers, chefs and more. That's value. I like it. And with Masterclass you get thousands of bite sized lessons across 13 categories like skincare one I mentioned earlier, that can fit into even the busiest schedule. So right now our listeners get an additional 15% off. I love it. Any annual [e-mail] stronger. That's 15% [e-mail] stronger again. Masterclass.com stronger. Thanks again, everyone. So what is, if you don't mind, I mean, what is your morning routine? I mean, this is something we haven't. This is something. I'm sorry, it's probably changed since we last talked. I mean, if you're a morning person now and you're getting up and doing that, what is like, what's, what's an ideal morning for you?

[Sebastian Stan]

I mean, it changes depending on what you know, if there's a work or no work. Right. If there's going to set or not. But for instance, if I'm not working now, I play with different things. You know, this past month I did, I said I'll try not looking at my phone for one hour when I wake up.

[Don Saladino]

That's a good discipline. By the way, if you can do that?

[Sebastian Stan]

Yeah. One hour.

[Don Saladino]

Did you find that helped you?

[Sebastian Stan]

It did in a way, because it freed me up, right. From necessarily having. I just know it's there. Right. And I know if for some reason, God forbid, there's an emergency or something, I'm going to be reached, so it's okay.

[Don Saladino]

Was there an anxiety in the beginning?

[Sebastian Stan]

It was. But you see, you catch yourself because you pick it up and you go, oh, wait, but if I wake up at 8:03, I look, it's 8:03. I go, okay, 903. That, that's. I can't. I, I'm not gonna open it until 9:03. I get up, I immediately slam like water. I, I try to do the 8, 8 to 12 ounce water. Then immediately I set the coffee. I go and like, I look out the window, try to get the light, and then, and then I'll have the coffee and I'll literally like write and journal for like, for, for at least 20 minutes or I'll do like a 20 minute meditation.

[Don Saladino]

Meditation. Do you find the journaling helps you a lot?

[Sebastian Stan]

It's been amazing for me.

[Don Saladino]

What do you, what do you, what do you like most about it?

[Sebastian Stan]

I mean, it isn't, it isn't. Dear Journal today.

[Don Saladino]

I get. It could just be a reiteration of things.

[Sebastian Stan]

It's more my way of, of meeting, of, of finding out what I'm, what, who am I dealing with today? By that I mean me. Right. It's. It's me going like, okay, what do you got for me today? And then I feel like I get the return. Well, and, and meaning. Oh, here's where I'm at. I'm worried about that. I haven't figured that out. I'm thinking about that.

[Don Saladino]

Here's a. Oh, that's interesting. So it's more of an assessment on how you feel like you are that day.

[Sebastian Stan]

It's an assessment. Yeah. What's the head space? What, what is going on emotionally, mentally? But also it's an opportunity to set a goal and to remind yourself of certain things. I did a Tony Robbins challenge.

[Don Saladino]

Yeah.

[Sebastian Stan]

For 30 days. He had this thing where you listed. Every morning he goes, just, just play around with it. Every morning he goes, when you're writing things down, he said something like, he goes, write around these things. I choose to be happy. I choose to be positive. I am grateful for what I have. I can, I choose to focus on what I can control. I embrace challenge and opportunities to grow. I'm committed to continuous growth. I can achieve great things. Like, I'm missing a couple. But, you know, I played around with that a little bit, even if it felt pedantic and just sort of robotic for me to write that. And it's not like, oh, I was walking away from that out there trying to change the world. Something was going on that I felt was helping me carry that with me for the day. Right. Because I. I'm a big believer in that. In terms of just what you're setting for yourself in that day and how you interact with people, what are you carrying with you? What are you choosing to pay attention to, what you don't. You know, I really try and think a lot about that now, and I think of the brain very similar to. To what you do with your body. I mean, you're so. Right. We're so disciplined sometimes with our bodies in terms of dieting and saying, I'm working on this. I want to gain some muscle, I want to lose some fat or whatever. Right. So I'm gonna. I know that I'm not gonna have a cookie every single night. Okay. I may on Sunday, and May that might be my moment. But I think the same way can be applied to what you're letting inside of your mind.

[Don Saladino]

I think it's actually bigger. I actually would put more emphasis into what you're talking about. I think a lot of us, and even, you know, I haven't been training people one on one. I haven't. I stopped doing that probably six years ago, but at a time when I was doing that early in my career, it was very macronutrient focused and very, how are we executing today in the plan? And there was a lot of great stuff that I did 25 years ago, but there were things, if you're asking me now what did I neglect a bit, it probably was understanding the nervous system a little bit and understanding and paying attention to a little bit more about stress. Because when you're younger, you don't really have to respect that stuff because you recover so quickly.

[Sebastian Stan]

Yeah.

[Don Saladino]

Right. When you're young, you can go crush your leg, workout and go run five miles and then go. If somebody. You wanted to party and wake up the next day and feel a little off. And by the time you're done with cardio, you're like, I'm back. Right. It's just this ability to recover. And now you start understanding the importance of mindset and breath work because you start achieving this result off of it that's almost instantaneous. It's like when you lay down and you meditate and Breathe, you get up and you instantaneously feel pretty good. Right. And. And when you can control that behavior, it makes you want to do that more and more. I mean, is that something you feel like you've had to incorporate? You've incorporated a lot more, correct.

[Sebastian Stan]

Yeah. Well, self care. I mean, you and I always talked about again, I mean, I. I've always looked up to you for, you know, being able to, I feel, remain. You know, I've known you now for a couple years, like, for a couple.

[Don Saladino]

Years, for, like, almost a decade and a half.

[Sebastian Stan]

Yeah. So.

[Don Saladino]

And.

[Sebastian Stan]

But I think you've always. Right. Like, I think you've always remained true to who you are, and yet you have not. From what I've known or have seen, you've not sacrificed or minimized your commitment to your family and your loved ones. And I think that is a really hard thing to do. I just. I just do. I don't think, again, like, we've been lucky and we've been privileged and all these things, but I think this balance of how do you show up for loved ones? How do you be a good father? How do you. How do you try to be an example? How do you. How do you be authentically and also be authentically who you are? And I think this is the thing that I'm. I'm trying to hang on to. And I'm. And I'm so determined to protect, especially as I'm getting older and I'm thrust out there as you are now. I would say in this. In this space of sort of free for all, make belief. I'll just choose to have and believe whatever I want. I don't care what the truth is. Like, I'm determined to hang on to my authenticity because it's the one thing that I know is just the truth. Like, you need the truth, your own truth, and that's what's important.

[Don Saladino]

The one thing I think we've always done is we have protected a lot of the relationships we have around us. And it's something that I value. Like, my family for me is always number one. And the other relationships after that. I have a group of people in my life and a lot of it revolves around business. But my business people and my friendship people, it's very similar because we all have very similar values. We all have very similar things that are important to us, and happy hour is not important to us. And I'm not talking down to someone who it is, but that's just not where I put my time. Our social hours for us Used to be when we were training and going and getting a meal and, you know, we would talk about life and we'd talk about the good things and the bad things, and when things went wrong, you saw who was there for you. But, yeah, I think there's. There are a lot of things today that if you don't protect that unit around you, I think it's very easy to become jaded by all the noise that's out there. Yeah.

[Sebastian Stan]

And I think you have to. And I think also really focusing on what you can control and what you can't control. I mean, that's really. Honestly, I hate to be cliche, stoic, the stoicism of it all, but it's really been great in my life because there's all these things that you worry about that unfortunately are not in your control and what you can do. And that's why I try to focus at the beginning of the day is go, okay, well, how in my small way can I contribute today to just to a. Try and do this better than I did yesterday? And maybe whether it's even just like, connecting with someone, one person or whatever, like make, you know, try and add some light or make this world better in some capacity and whatever in that. That daily routine is. I mean, for me, work has become. There's always been a lot, but it's. It's really. In the last couple years, it has taken a much different kind of, sort of. It's become a different relationship because I've. I, I've realized that for me, it's, It's. It's a way to communicate, you know, with the work. And, And. And there's a reason I choose certain things now because I feel like I want to be part of something that is not afraid to ask difficult questions and is not afraid to expose certain truths that are difficult to. To talk about or, or. Or add something. Even if it's just the awareness of someone being aware of something they weren't before. And it's fine even if it doesn't connect with somebody, at least. Maybe it leads to a conversation, maybe it leads to a new way of thinking or whatever. But. But I, for me, the work has. Has really become that kind of. It's not just like, oh, I enjoy and this is like my dream and my passion, but I want to be involved in certain things that I feel contribute to a bigger conversation.

[Don Saladino]

It's like, fulfilling in a way like you want. So that's, so that's gonna.

[Sebastian Stan]

Yeah, but I was gonna ask you because I feel like you've done now. I feel like you do a. You meet a lot of people now. Yeah, way more than when we were a drive.

[Don Saladino]

Right?

[Sebastian Stan]

I mean, you're traveling, you're, you're, you're giving conferences, you're talking a lot. And so you, you.

[Don Saladino]

But my social world, I feel like is diminished. My business world is increased, but I feel like my social world. And this isn't to offend anyone, but I think the time I spend with people has really narrowed. Like I, I have you being one of them who, if you called and you were like, hey, dinner Friday. I'm going to find time to make that happen. But it's a handful of people because it, just because it's hard. Like now you've got kids, you've got a business, I've got my dogs, I got my wife. You know, I've got things and I've got my. One of the things that very important to me is my work. My work has evolved so much and I am enjoying it so much. And I feel like there's this different mission that was there 10 years ago and there's this purpose that has changed and that's evolved and that to me is exciting and fulfilling. It's a reason why I've been getting up lately at 4:30 in the morning, like wired and ready to go. And by 6am I've already accomplished, you know, red light and maybe a quick cold plunge and breakfast and then I'm doing. It's. I like having that and I like. But you just made me think of the second you brought up choosing roles. And I. Obviously there's so much you and I could talk about besides acting, but it's such a big part of your life. The thing I've seen you do and I'm really proud of is the roles you take are so diverse like every time. And it reminds me of Billy in a way because Billy, you know, I had Billy on here once and we sat and we. Billy's been on and a bunch of those people been on. But Billy really. Billy's an actor. Billy's an actor. Like, Billy looks at roles and he's like, what is going to challenge me? How am I going to get better? This is not easy. And I feel like the roles you've taken over the last 10 years, Seb, are hard. I mean, you've, you've gone from playing like a superhero character which everyone knew you for, to a shirtless Broadway star to a. To the President of the United States, to a lunatic boyfriend of an Olympic skater. Like, it did. There's so much.

[Sebastian Stan]

But one of you want to go with there. But, like, but there's.

[Don Saladino]

But there's much so. So there's so much diversification there. And in a way, like, you come into these roles and you become this character, which is really hard. And I said that to Billy. It's hard to convince someone who knows you, because, remember, when someone comes in and they know you, they're like, no, I. I know who that person is. And when you watch them become that person in a role, I think that's. That's where the talent shines.

[Sebastian Stan]

Well, I. I listen. I appreciate you saying that. I mean, there's two things about it. I mean, one is just to say, like, you know, I. That's always. What I sought to do is just. Is just to. To try to challenge myself and do something different. I. I have to try to offer something different than before. And. And I've never favored one role over another. Again, like the Marvel stuff, I'll always. Till the end of time, like, really helped me grow as a person and helped me grow as an actor, and it taught me relationships and Robert Downey and Scarlett and all these people.

[Don Saladino]

I looked at the business and the.

[Sebastian Stan]

Business, and it was a family, and it gave me like, a. A sense of belonging and everything. And it's always there for that, you know, but it was only the step one for me, it. That this is where I'm finally now, and. And I'm lucky that it's happening in my 40s and it didn't happen earlier for me, because I look at these young guys like Timothy Chalamet and like, Austin, and like, you know, they're doing stuff that I don't think I could have done at their age. I just wasn't. I wasn't there. I wasn't caught up yet. You know, like. Like, I'm amazed at how. How. Where they are at at this point, because I go, wow, where's that guy going to be at 40? Imagine. But for me, I needed to grow. And again, I think a lot of it came because I had an upbringing. I was not born in this country. There was. There was a significant part of my youth that I. That I had to spend to get Americanized or, like, to fit in and really find my way in a different way. But it's really now that I feel I'm finally getting to do the stuff I've always wanted to do. This was always the plan. It's just to keep trying different things and different challenges and Part of that also has come again, I go back to, what can you control, what you can't control? Because there's so many times in this business where you see a project, you meet people and you go, oh, I want to work together, or, yeah, let's make that happen. But you're not financing it. You're not controlling when it's going to go. Depending on the business and what's happening in the world and the market and all kinds of things that are not in your control. That project could go tomorrow, or it could go in six months. You lose an actor who's not available anymore, the director or somebody. There's a million things that can happen that are not in your control, that you don't allow you to make that project. So some of these things that you're talking about weirdly came very easily to me. Like, and in the sense that I got a call and they were like, this is happening and it's happening now. You know, the Trump movie, I mean, we were trying for three years. I never thought it was going to happen, but it just never went away. So I was like, at some point I went, well, maybe it has to happen because it's not going away. Like, it's just. So maybe this is what I have to do. Like, there are certain things, right, where you can put everything into it. I have. I have other projects I've loved and I've been trying to get going for years, and they just can't. They're just. There's always an obstacle. There's always something, and at some point you got to go, okay, maybe it's not the right time or it's not meant to be. So. So part of it has felt me getting out of my own way and going, you know what? I don't know. I don't know what. What kind of role I'm going to play in 10 years or something. I don't know. Maybe in 10 years also. You decide that you've done this really well, and there's something else you want to do. You want to ride a motorcycle around America? I have no idea.

[Don Saladino]

You know what? I'm going through it now, and I. I haven't really spoken about this, and I'm going to kick it to you because I want your. I know you're going to give me an honest answer on it, but when my career started, I wanted to become a trainer. I wanted to be the best trainer. And then I wanted to open a gym, and I opened a gym. Then I wanted to get in the Digital space, which I was a company I started and didn't work out, but that evolved in other things. And when I started in the celebrity coaching business, that wasn't something I wanted to do. It just kind of fell on my lap, and it became a great opportunity for me, and I ran with it. But I remember at a time in my life, I was thinking, oh, my God, if this doesn't work out, what am I going to do? This is what defines me, right? And then 2020 came around, and I did a massive pivot, and now I'm doing a massive pivot and looking back, and I'm going to name drop. Ryan Reynolds said it to me because I was a little bitter. When Drive ended, I was like, oh, the hell with that place. I don't need it. And he's like, don't forget where you started. And he said that to me, and I kind of looked at him and I was like. I felt like. I was like, yeah, I'm just. I'm just talking right now. He's like, I know you're venting. I love you, but remember where you started. Remember the opportunities that place gave you. Looking back on that now, I am so grateful for all the people, all the opportunities, the facilities, the good times, the bad times. I don't want to go back. I want it.

[Sebastian Stan]

There's.

[Don Saladino]

There's other things I want to do, and there's other things I'm excited to do. Do you ever feel like sometimes if someone talks about a role or something that you did in the past, you think to yourself, and this is. This is honest. I did that already. Let's move on from it. Like, it's. You know what I'm saying? Like, is that. Is that a normal thing for you to feel? Because I feel it sometimes. And I'm like, is that me being bitter or is that just me evolving?

[Sebastian Stan]

I think it's. You evolve. I guess it's a way how you look at it, Right. Like, everything is just how we decide to look at it.

[Don Saladino]

Yeah.

[Sebastian Stan]

I'm realizing. And. And again, it goes back to that Tony Robbins things like, you choose to be positive. Right? You can. You can see a situation as an opportunity, or you can see it as a hindrance. And. And I guess I think about that sometimes, and I think you're just. I think you're just moving on to what naturally feels like the next step.

[Don Saladino]

Right.

[Sebastian Stan]

And I think that that could be very scary because. Right. Sometimes you've maxed out a situation and you go, I don't know what Else.

[Don Saladino]

I could do with this.

[Sebastian Stan]

I could do with this, yes, if.

[Don Saladino]

I want to do this or if.

[Sebastian Stan]

I want to do this. I mean, you had. Fortunately, you were the owner of your business, and you. And drive was your gym.

[Don Saladino]

My baby.

[Sebastian Stan]

Yeah. Yeah. I haven't. You know, I'm usually at the mercy of other people that are in control of the production or whatever. I mean, now I've gotten more into the producing aspect, and it's been really exciting for me because I feel like I'm involved in the conversations from the beginning. I'm kind of going, okay, what is the right team of people? I can tell this, and. But usually I. I just. I'm at the mercy of. Of somebody else who. Who makes decisions. And. And so. But. But. But what I can control, I think, is how I look at something and. And really being able to see. Like, okay, I think it's time for me to try something else and entirely new. You know, I'm like, I'm. I'm working on this thing now. Again, if it comes together in the right way. I'm so excited about it. I have to speak Spanish for half the movie.

[Don Saladino]

How are you doing with that?

[Sebastian Stan]

How am I doing? Well, right now I'm really worried, but, like, this filmmaker is incredible, and his name is Felipe Galvez, and he, like, did this movie that I loved, and I. And I followed him, and. And we were able to connect, and he's doing this next film, and. And again, I'm not playing somebody from Spain. I mean, it's. It's somebody who. Who speaks Spanish very well, but he has to speak Spanish really well in. In the film. And the character has a similar origin to me in a way. But again, I go, yes, yes. At 43, I'm gonna learn Spanish just.

[Don Saladino]

Like you learn the drums.

[Sebastian Stan]

Well, I'm gonna do it, like, because, like, why not? Why am I not gonna do that? First of all, I've always wanted to. I. You know, I. I can understand it a little bit. I've dabbled with it. I went to, you know, high school, but. Scares the shit out of me because it. It. I also, by the way, I said to him, I said, we're doing this. You're not using AI.

[Don Saladino]

Yeah.

[Sebastian Stan]

I was like, I'm doing.

[Don Saladino]

You got to.

[Sebastian Stan]

I'm going to do it. I'm going to have to speak because I need to do it for me. But. But that fear and that challenge and the opportunity for me to learn a new language and try to connect with somebody on a different. In a different way than I did before. That's the kind of thing I'm looking for now. And I genuinely believe it pushes us to, you know, to keep moving forward.

[Don Saladino]

You. You did that with. You know, I remember. I think it was around the pandemic, right, with the drums. The drums, when you. You were like, come out. You're like, come hang out. I was like. So I shout out to.

[Sebastian Stan]

I was in the tattoos and stuff, and you were like, what's going on over here?

[Don Saladino]

I walk out, go up into the hills one day, and I just hear, like, wailing on drums. And I'm like, there he is. And I walk in, I see with, like, long hair and tattoos, and I'm like, who the is this guy? You, like, became that character? But that's typically. So that was my. That was my next question. I wrote this down because I want to talk about how you view your role as a storyteller, public figure, the responsibility you have to selecting roles. Like, what do you. Like, what's your. You're not someone who's just like, oh, I'll do it. You assess scripts. You kind of really. How is there a process you go through when you're. When you're deciding what story it is you want to tell?

[Sebastian Stan]

I have learned now because it's not. I'm not like a painter, and I'm not like a writer in the sense. Right. Like, writing the script is a very personal opinion. It's just you and the script. You know, it's like a director is also the real kind of sort of matchmaker and sort of the main voice of a movie is how I look at it. But because I'm not in charge of that, because it really is about partnership. And so the first thing I look for is partnership. I look for who is the director that I'm going to go on this journey with. Can I trust them? Do we speak the same language? In the sense, are we after the same things? What are their vision? How can I best help execute them? And then whether it's a true story or not, and if it's a movie that carries some importance, I think, and some weight, especially now, I look for that. But of course, if it. If it's a challenge, like. Like this thing where I was just saying it allows me to kind of have to step forward in a different way than I have. Great. And then it's just I have to kind of remain objective. I can't. I can't go in there and bring all of my personal sort of opinions and beliefs about it. I have to try to step back and really try and research and look at it kind of like an investigative journalist, in a way, and put pieces together and then with the director, basically make these decisions of what's best for a project. But it's not. I think actors have. Again, I've always said the responsibility of the actor is to hold the mirror up to nature. I mean, that's the Shakespearean classic thing. I mean, that's literally what it is. It's just. It's just to reflect a lot of what you see in the world, you know, And I think. I think there's a reason we've had that in life for a long time. Why we've had art for as long as we've had it is because it helps us process things differently. It helps us understand things on a visceral level, not just intellectually. And I think it's just about the experience that you're trying to have. When you go to a music, when you hear a piece of music. I mean, music, I think can even go further because sometimes you hear a song and it goes. It takes you Back to like 1997 when you were in the car with your girlfriend, whatever, you know, it has that. But that's the experience when you hear that song. You see a movie, you have an experience. And so I think it's about that. And then I. I think there are many ways that people choose to sort of step forward, right, And. And. And kind of make their mark. And. And I've. I think for me, I've always looked as, like letting the work speak for itself and then doing what I need to do around that to champion the, The. The work and get it out there.

[Don Saladino]

Listen, sometimes you're going to have your wires crossed, I call it, in life, right?

[Sebastian Stan]

You can't help. Yeah.

[Don Saladino]

I think two weeks ago, I got in from a trip. I was tired. I had to do something for a brand that it was, I don't want to say scripted, but I. I didn't get it, I didn't own it. And I felt like for the first time I shit the bed that day, that day. For those couple hours now, I completely had my wires crossed. I had a bad day. I'm not an actor. How do you manage to bring yourself out of that? Is there ever moments when you're learning a role where you're like, man, I'm not getting this, or this is not clicking, or like when you did the Apprentice, your mouth turned in. Like, I'm looking at you, you were speaking the way Trump was speaking, if you weren't able to do that, I don't know. It's not as believable. I'm sorry, it's not. It's the fact that you were doing that in a way, you were morphing into this person. Do you ever find yourself in those moments where you're like, holy shit. Like, this is, this is hard because I think people need to hear, they see the finished product and they're like, oh my God, Bravo. This is amazing. How hard is it to get yourself there on all these different roles every single time?

[Sebastian Stan]

I mean, it is hard. And I think that sometimes you go in there going, I don't know if I'm going to get there there.

[Don Saladino]

Oh, wow. So you actually do say that sometimes you're not like, oh, I got this every time. No way.

[Sebastian Stan]

I don't think you can because, because, I mean, it's really cliched, but it, it's just because you know that it's not. You can't approach something from a result oriented perspective. You have a goal. It helps when it's a real person. Obviously it's a little bit, I don't want to say it's difficult in some ways it's, it's easier in other ways. It's easier in the sense that at least you know where you're heading and what you need to get to. So you have, you have like a goal. And I mean, this is why sometimes acting can be similar to sports. But sports is amazing for that. Right? Because, because with sports you kind of have to go, no, no, it's a 10,000 hour rule. Right. So you practice the free throws every day. You're going to get better at it.

[Don Saladino]

Sure.

[Sebastian Stan]

Well, and sometimes acting is similar like that. If it's something like technical, whether it's a physical thing or it's an. Or it's a language or, or it's an accent or it's the drums. There's, there's nothing organic that's gonna, that's gonna start from a, from a real truthful place. Organically. It's a practice. Gotta shoot the free throws. You gotta show up, bang the drums and fail. You gotta speak the language and fail.

[Don Saladino]

Like, you gotta accept to be vulnerable. You have to accept the problem. People get so afraid of, of being seen. I don't want to be seen in the gym or I don't want to be seen doing this. I'm not good at that. You have to get comfortable with being vulnerable.

[Sebastian Stan]

You have to be comfortable being vulnerable and Also, you got to get out of your house. I mean, you can't just sit there and look at your phone and expect things to happen overnight. It's, it's, it breaks my heart when I feel, when I feel there's so many people that are totally hostage, they're enslaved and hostage to their phones, and they do not see the light of day outside of their house. Because it is, whether, whatever it is, you got to step out there and you got to feel it. You got to, you got to face the music. Right? In, in some capacity. I, and, and I think that, you know, it's, it's, we, I wish we, we would stress that importance more because vulnerability, uncomfortability, failure, fear, whatever those things are, they're real essentials. Boredom, essential.

[Don Saladino]

But you're talking a lot about mental health now, which is.

[Sebastian Stan]

I am talking about mental.

[Don Saladino]

Advocated for, but I am talking about.

[Sebastian Stan]

Mental health because I think it's related to this.

[Don Saladino]

Absolutely.

[Sebastian Stan]

It's related to you being able to get through there. You have to go through the mental health aspect of it and you have to identify what your obstacles are and, and what's standing in your way, what, what belief system is getting in your way of you, of you getting there. And, and I think, but I, I, I feel, and again, I, you know, I've only had my experience, which isn't compared to a lot of people. But, but, but every time I've tried, even if it didn't turn out how I wanted to turn out, it just, I still went to bed at least feeling better that I had the courage to just go out there and try something and take the swing. Take the swing. Forget if, you know, if you strike out or not take the swing.

[Don Saladino]

So what you're talking about is really trying to find the positive in these situations and people will. The thing I commonly hear is, Don, I didn't have, I messed up at this meal or I went out for drinks here, or I missed this workout. And they're always pointing out the negative. And the negative, it's what's putting them into a poor state of mind to where they end up discontinuing. Oh, I just started my New Year's resolution and I was 15 days in and I blew it. Like, you didn't blow it. You went out and you had a good time. Get back on it. Right? Like what you're talking about is finding good in situations that even might not be that good.

[Sebastian Stan]

Finding good. And also I feel like nowadays, because of the nature of how, you know, we've habituated to this sort of like finger pointing and, and the way people are dead set on attacking you from, for everything. I do want to stress again, just for that purpose of saying, like, there are people out there that are really, really struggling. They do not have the opportunity. They don't know how to do it. They don't know how to come out of that room. And you know, because of socioeconomic reasons, abuse, God forbid, all kinds of issues. So of course it's not, it's not trying to be ignorant of that. But at the end of the day, how do we, how do we deal with whatever it is, right? It's this battle with, with, with acceptance and, and courage and, and I, and I, I always go back to, to that word of courage of just being able to have the courage to just. No matter how difficult it is for you and what you're facing, can you go and pull the curtain and see the light and just step in it for at least five seconds, you know, try to, try to do something that, that really feels scary to you that day or whatever.

[Don Saladino]

This is taking you a while to get like this though, right? I mean, this is, this is, this is a different person that, a lot of therapy. No, but listen, therapy, I've gone to therapy. It's a beautiful thing. I think it was very helpful.

[Sebastian Stan]

I wouldn't be, I wouldn't be talking like this one when I met you.

[Don Saladino]

No, the conversations were very different. It was about more. But, but again, I'm not, We're just young, right? We were talking about, you know, being shirtless and things, you know, and putting on muscle and you know, it's, you just evolve in, in time. But you got to be willing to, you gotta be willing to change.

[Sebastian Stan]

I, yeah, I think, I think it is about change and I think it's about self truth and, and I just think when you get older, as you know, you're aware of time and you go, I, I don't want to waste time. I can't waste any more time because time is really precious. And, and so the people I'm talking to, right, the people you're, how you're interacting with people in your life, like, what are the, you know, if you are, if this is your life and you're given these opportunities or whatever, what is the work that you're doing? How are you. All those things factor into that and, and, and similarly with I, it's not like, you know, there are certain things that it's just better not, you know, like, feed into your mind if it's just going to get in your way. If it's just going to affect your thinking and if it's going to affect the. It's going to steal time from you. Does this, I always think of it, you know, does this help me move forward or does this hold me back? Yeah, this thought, this person, this feeling.

[Don Saladino]

It's tough to make that adjustment because sometimes it's people in your life that you've been close to for years that you really do love and you're realizing that maybe they're not the best thing for me to be around. Or always saying yes to things early on, which I know you know, for. It's gotten hard for me. It's got to be impossible for you because you're in the public eye way more than I am. But, you know, being able to now turn around and be very comfortable at saying I can't do it. Well, it's only just a half hour. Well, if I said yes to everything, I wouldn't be like my day would be. It's not healthy for you, right? At a certain point, how do you focus on feeling healthy every day? And it's not just through exercise, but balance. You're going into these work environments and they're intense. And I always say, I always found working with actors more challenging than athletes. And people would get offended by it. They'd be like, you crazy. Athletes take shots and they get hit. I'm like, actors are always changing roles. They're always becoming different people. They're always changing time zones. They're away from their family, they're working with different people. Every single role, every movie directors, co stars, they're not with the same team. They're not showing up with the New York Mets. Playing with the same team for three years where, you know their tendencies, it's so challenging. How do you, how do you balance work with that mental health piece and make sure you're giving yourself a lot of what you need to feel to feel healthy.

[Sebastian Stan]

I mean, I think it's just, I think it's, it's just a day to day thing. I don't. There are some days that are not, you know, they're not great. I mean, you're, you're. And that's okay. Like, I think it's just part of having being okay with that and not, not trying to always, you know, hit, hit the, hit the ceiling, so to speak. You've heard that whole thing about flow and getting in that flow state. Or maybe it's just like what Arnold talks about. The pump.

[Don Saladino]

Yeah. He talks about a little bit differently.

[Sebastian Stan]

Well, but yes, but I'm just saying it's, it's that flow to me is that state where you're feeling good. Right. It's that Huberman talks about. I just, he loves getting up in the morning and just like researching something and learning it and being able to share or talking in front of people and seeing them connect with you or going on stage and having this experience and you feel it, feeling you got to some truth. There's a flow state. It's a really good feeling. Right. And I think we always strive for that. And I think the gym is just chemical because it's also endorphins and all that stuff and it's addictive and you want to do that, but you can't achieve that all the time. It's impossible. And I think we're in this time now where again I go back to what are you, what are you seeing every day? What are you, what are you focusing on? Because what you're focusing on is going to grow if you're just going to see the bad, the negative, this, you know, and all of that. And by the way, it's okay for you to acknowledge it and be aware of it. It's not, I'm not saying like giving people a pass to be ignorant, naive and like whatever. It's. You can acknowledge it and also be able to have other feelings. It's, it's. We've gone to this point now where it's like it's this or that. Well, if it's this, then it can't be that.

[Don Saladino]

Right.

[Sebastian Stan]

And. And it, it's not. That's not how life is. Why are you. Human beings are so complex. We are so incredibly complex. There's so many emotions. There's so many things that can happen in a day and so many things. Why are you limiting yourself to just like one mindset versus the other? You know, it can be both. There's a world where both exist at the same time, by the way. That's actually what's difficult on this planet, that you can love and still be hurt by somebody. Yeah. You know that it's conflicting emotions all the time and it's that conflict and that struggle that we're not dealing with. And, and you're thinking you're going to have a fix for one or the other and it's just, it's never going to be so. So you could have a really good day and still come home and feel like something's missing.

[Don Saladino]

And it happens and it happens sometimes you just can't explain it. You can't. Simple you and you can't dissect and say, well, this is.

[Sebastian Stan]

Sometimes you're just, you can't dissect it and you can't go and like, look at, you know, again, as much as I love Tony Robbins, I. It's not like I'm gonna go and put on Tony Robbins and now like get back out of that thing. Be curious. I think about those moments also. I mean, again, it's maybe easier for me because that's what acting is to me is being curious about yourself and people. And so even in those weird sort of ambivalent kind of feelings when you're not feeling 100 or there's something kind of nostalgic or down or whatever, there's still an opportunity for you to be curious about what that is and understand it. Because I know at least for acting, I can find a way to channel that and whatever, you know. But maybe people don't.

[Don Saladino]

Well, when you use the word curiosity, I think of it as me or someone adapting or taking some information that they heard and saying that's interesting and this might actually hold a lot of value. Let me start implementing that in. Rather than being like, well, so and so said it, I'm just going to regurgitate what they said and this is right and you're wrong. And I've seen too many things after being in this business almost three decades change 10 or 15 years later. And I've had too many well known strength coaches or scientists I've gone up to and I'm like, you said this 15 years ago. And they're like, I changed my mind. And it's like it's, it's a valuable thing to hear because you also realize that as a human being you have to be curious and you have to listen and learn and then make a determination of is that something I want to incorporate into my life.

[Sebastian Stan]

And also, there's no perfect human being. 100, you know, and 100, if you're, if you're the person trying to keep score of that, you're definitely not a perfect human being. If anything, you know, you're, it's, it's like, it's not about keeping score. It's like you have to look at what people are able to contribute or not. I mean, part of curiosity and part of what has gotten us this far as people after all of these centuries fucking Roman and Empire, like, think about how much we've evolved is trial and error, trial and error. And that Means people make mistakes and people might have said something and they discover something else, they learn something else, and you have to, you know, we have to keep moving on.

[Don Saladino]

So now what I want to do is I want to ask you a question, ask you a couple rapid fire questions, which are easy, they're just kind of cute and fun. And then we have a bunch of questions that I told you about that were pre recorded and we chose five that we love and just get some, you know, quick answers out of you because I know people just love to hear your voice and connect with you. What is next for you right now? Like, you, you've done so many projects, you've diversified yourself so much, someone on the outside might look at you and say, this guy's challenged himself with everything. Do you feel like there's something else you haven't challenged yourself with? Is there something you really want to do? Is there something on the horizon that you're excited about?

[Sebastian Stan]

Like, no. I, I, yeah, I have a few really cool projects that I sort of, Again, they require a lot of muscle and figuring out. So, but, but for me recently, just getting into the producing of that. Producing, which I never used to.

[Don Saladino]

That's something I never heard you say, by the way. Yeah, yeah, you say that.

[Sebastian Stan]

Yeah.

[Don Saladino]

Excited that you're saying that. Yeah.

[Sebastian Stan]

Because I think like, you eventually, right. Like, you meet enough people, you work with them and you realize, wait a minute, I actually know enough people now where I could call them up and say, hey, what about this? Or what about that? Are you interested in this? I read this article. It seems like a great story. Would you, you know, so, so I'm, I'm focusing on that more. And then I think for me, I really want to keep growing with the, with the writing and, and continue to kind of like get better behind the camera. I think it would be really interesting. I, I'd be terrified of directing and all that stuff because I just feel like there's so many great people out there. Like. Yeah, but, but, but getting more involved behind the camera has been really interesting.

[Don Saladino]

All right. Very cool. All right. A couple rapid fires. All right.

[Sebastian Stan]

Okay, get ready.

[Don Saladino]

Nothing. Don't worry. Toad, what would you do if you weren't an actor?

[Sebastian Stan]

I, oh, God.

[Don Saladino]

I, it could be something crazy. Tell me it's a professional baseball player. I don't care what it is, but it could be anything.

[Sebastian Stan]

A matador. I don't like, you know, like, like running with the. We're doing this, baby.

[Don Saladino]

I'm going with you. You and I are going to Pamplona.

[Sebastian Stan]

Running with the boys.

[Don Saladino]

We're going to Pamplona and we're going to do it.

[Sebastian Stan]

Can you buy me? How insane is that?

[Don Saladino]

Do you remember Big Z? Do you remember Zyjernas?

[Sebastian Stan]

Yes.

[Don Saladino]

My buddy, 7 foot 3.

[Sebastian Stan]

Yes, of course.

[Don Saladino]

He did that for his bachelor party.

[Sebastian Stan]

What? He. He went to.

[Don Saladino]

He went to Pamplona. He went to Pamplona. He did run with, and he got thrown through a window by a bull. And it was right around the time where he signed his NBA career. And he sliced his hand open. They had to airlift him out of there. He's hiding it. He could talk about it now because he's out of the cast, but he was hiding it from the Cleveland Cavaliers. He. This guy's 7 foot 3, got thrown through a window.

[Sebastian Stan]

First of all, don't ever do that. Anyone, ever.

[Don Saladino]

Well, I'm a dad now. Those days, he's insane.

[Sebastian Stan]

But.

[Don Saladino]

But this is before even a kid, so.

[Sebastian Stan]

But I. But you know what?

[Don Saladino]

I'm Matador.

[Sebastian Stan]

Fine.

[Don Saladino]

That's it.

[Sebastian Stan]

Yeah, yeah.

[Don Saladino]

I'll just go with that. We'll move on. I like Matador. Do you know how many memes we're gonna get now? Have you, like, you just opened a whole can of worms now it's over, man. Holy shit. What's one thing people would be shocked to learn you're bad at?

[Sebastian Stan]

Oh, I'm bad at many things.

[Don Saladino]

Oh, save that shit. Come on. Give me a.

[Sebastian Stan]

What could I be bad at?

[Don Saladino]

See, now, what could I be?

[Sebastian Stan]

No, no, no, no.

[Don Saladino]

Is it cooking? Is it.

[Sebastian Stan]

Is it cooking? Is not. I know. I know three things. Eggs, steak. That's two. And maybe avocado on a toast.

[Don Saladino]

Delicious, by the way. The essential survival is all we need to eat.

[Sebastian Stan]

Yeah. Yeah. Maybe cooking. I. I'm not. I'm not good at. I hate. I hate bills. Probably bills.

[Don Saladino]

I'm paying bills.

[Sebastian Stan]

Yeah. I mean, I'm just bad. Yeah.

[Don Saladino]

My wife's great at it. I'm not good at it all either, so. I'm with you on that.

[Sebastian Stan]

It's just. Ignorance is bliss.

[Don Saladino]

Better off just not knowing. How's the bank account look? Are we good?

[Sebastian Stan]

Well, exactly. I don't know. Let's hope for the best.

[Don Saladino]

I love it if you have. If you have a day off completely to yourself, no obligations. How are you spending it?

[Sebastian Stan]

Oh, man. Very hard. It's very, very hard to. To. To do that. I know you know this, but, you know, on a day off, what. What if you're lucky, if you have them, there's nothing like A pet. A pet.

[Don Saladino]

A pet. Like a dog? Like a dog. Go for a yoke.

[Sebastian Stan]

Of course. How is Sam Buka?

[Don Saladino]

We have three now.

[Sebastian Stan]

Oh, you got another one.

[Don Saladino]

No, no, no, they're blancas. Sambuca, rigatoni. We have Zeppeli, who's like the little beefcake she, she loves.

[Sebastian Stan]

I mean, the names alone, they're unbelievable.

[Don Saladino]

The Russian dogs with Italian names, It's phenomenal. You're gonna meet them soon.

[Sebastian Stan]

No, I, I, I, yeah. So having, having dogs, which, which I've had for a couple years now, I.

[Don Saladino]

Would, I would guess for you it would be waking up, going through your morning routine. A coffee, a nice breakfast. Going for a workout or run. Taking a pet. Going for a walk.

[Sebastian Stan]

Go for a walk.

[Don Saladino]

Meeting for friends, for some lunch, seeing your mom. Like, these are things that you enjoy doing.

[Sebastian Stan]

But, but a day off would have to be like, be like, away from everyone. Like, I would, honestly, if I can read that, that definitely interesting.

[Don Saladino]

Read with your dog.

[Sebastian Stan]

Yeah, read with the dog.

[Don Saladino]

Just dogs, they're, they're, they're amazing. They're, they're just, they're, they're better than people.

[Sebastian Stan]

Midlife, middle age, middle life crisis.

[Don Saladino]

Oh, my God. Okay, I've got two more. What's your go to cheat meal? I think I know this, but go.

[Sebastian Stan]

I mean, I'm writing it down right now. The pizza. The go to cheat.

[Don Saladino]

Yeah, I just wrote down, I said.

[Sebastian Stan]

Pizza, pizza, spaghetti, meatballs, and I mean, a burger. There's just like nothing.

[Don Saladino]

By the way, we're from the same cloth. That would have been it. It would have been pizza, burger and fries, and a good Italian food or something. Like a pasta or something.

[Sebastian Stan]

Yeah, I think there's this restaurant named Ellen's. I think is that. I gotta look it up.

[Don Saladino]

What's your favorite pizza in the city? Do you have?

[Sebastian Stan]

Well, I go between Ruby, Rosa and that. And that Joe's Pizza.

[Don Saladino]

That. Unbelievable.

[Sebastian Stan]

Joe's Pizza.

[Don Saladino]

Unbelievable. Ruberosa. Unbelievable. It's not a mulberry, is it? Mulberry.

[Sebastian Stan]

Ruby, roses and mulberry. But, But Joe Pizza. Joe's Pizza has a few. But I go to the one on Bleaker Bleecker Street.

[Don Saladino]

Yeah, that's probably the better one. Okay, okay, last question already. If Don were cast in a movie about your life, what role would he play? But I'd be the trainer. I'm throwing you under the bus. I'm like, you don't have to give it.

[Sebastian Stan]

The thing is, you could play so many roles.

[Don Saladino]

Stop it.

[Sebastian Stan]

But I'm just also thinking about the one time when you came down to Atlanta and remember? And I was like. I was like, oh, my God, do you want to come and be in this movie?

[Don Saladino]

Yeah. He calls. So what. What he ends up doing is he'll. He'll call me. This is what. What happens. He's like, lots going on at work. He needs some other human beings around him. He's like, hey, man, you want to come down, have some food? I'm like, yeah, sure, train, whatever. Do you want to be in this movie? And I'm like, what do I have to do? So he literally brings me down a set. Who was directing that?

[Sebastian Stan]

It was someone who was. Yeah, but we did. We did a whole day, and only certain bits ended up in the movie. But.

[Don Saladino]

But I didn't tell anyone about this. The funniest thing, I never told anyone. And out of nowhere, when the movie launched, I start getting dms, like, are you in? Are you in, Logan Lucky? And I just was responding to people, and they're like, holy. That was you and Logan Lucky, wasn't it? It was actually fun. I. I just kept it quiet.

[Sebastian Stan]

I wanna. So I don't know if you know this, by the way. This is. You could definitely be in something like this. There is. There is. I mean, I was speaking about it too early, but one of the things that my manager and I are like, you know, we're thinking about working on this thing because there's a lot of pizza wars out there. Are you aware of this? No, there's been, like, a lot of pizza wars. That's what you refer, like, Star Wars, Pizza Wars. But like. But like, between just surrounding pizza and. And, like, families, and I'm talking, like, going back, like, from the 30s up until today.

[Don Saladino]

This is like a documentary. Like.

[Sebastian Stan]

Well, like, between different kind of. In Brooklyn and Manhattan, even Joe's Pizza had a couple, like, split brothers against brothers. Like, the whole thing. Pizza wars.

[Don Saladino]

Oh, so you're gonna make a movie on that? Oh, so you're gonna make me one of the guido pizza guys? Is that what I'm doing? You gotta be honest. I mean, come on, could you imagine? I gotta look, learn how to start flipping dough.

[Sebastian Stan]

I mean, I just think I. You need to be through Little Italy. You got to be walking around at least with an Italian flag.

[Don Saladino]

It's kind of. It's kind of the. It's kind of the stereotype I'm trying to get away from. But I. I'll. I'll do it. I'm in.

[Sebastian Stan]

Like, it would be amazing for you if like, there was one scene, like, old, like, Goodfellow style where they're like, yeah, bring Don in. And then, like, they brought you in and they sent you in to clean up the. Clean up the mess. I feel like I'd be perfect.

[Don Saladino]

I would be perfect. I'd be the laughing stock. But it'd be amazing. Amazing.

[Sebastian Stan]

But there's many. There's plenty.

[Don Saladino]

I'll. I'll commit to pizza wars for. For a Starbucks cup of coffee and a nice lunch and a workout.

[Sebastian Stan]

And we're in 100%. That's gonna be our next thing, by the way.

[Don Saladino]

I love it. Well, listen, thank you for your time. We have five quick questions. Yeah, hopefully we'll make them quick and. Can't thank you enough, man. Love you for this and love you in general, but this is catching up.

[Sebastian Stan]

I feel like we have a good time, and I'm actually glad we did it in person now. We didn't do it, you know.

[Don Saladino]

Oh, yeah. Covid's over, baby.

[Sebastian Stan]

No, my pleasure.

[Don Saladino]

Chris, you got some questions? Hey, I am here, and I have five questions if we can get to them, and we'll just get right into it. Nice to meet you, Sebastian.

[Sebastian Stan]

Nice to meet you, too.

[Don Saladino]

First question is from Corey, and she is calling from Dearborn, Michigan. These are all over the world and all over the map. So here's the first one from Corey. I know who this is. Corey with a K. Oh, hey.

[Podcast Callers]

Hi. This message is for Don Saladino of the Stronger podcast and Sebastian Stan Guest of the Stronger Podcast. My name is Corey Bilanik, and I am just finishing intermission of the show, the Cottage at the Players Guild of Dearborn. My question for Sebastian revolves around theater. Act two has started. So, my Sebastian is if you could come back to Broadway, and I hope that Broadway is again in your future, what show would you love to do? What would be your bucket list Show? If you need a list of shows, I have some for you. Chapter two by Neil Simon. If you haven't read it, please read it. But yeah, that's my question. What. What show would you love to do? What show would you love to be on your bucket list? Okay, we have to go after now. This isn't real.

[Don Saladino]

She's amazing, by the way. She's my challengers. She's outstanding.

[Sebastian Stan]

That's phenomenal. She is in the middle of a show. She's in the middle of a show and she's calling. I mean, that's. That's.

[Don Saladino]

I love Corey. She's a huge fan. She's. She's A good, she's a good person and she's been a part of the challenge community. Even when we were doing our Ronald McDonald.

[Sebastian Stan]

Oh, amazing.

[Don Saladino]

So, yeah.

[Sebastian Stan]

Oh, God. Well, you know what's funny is. So I got a call from Jeffrey Richards, who is our producer on talk radio, the show I did with Liam. And he was like, do you want to go and do talk radio? Because it's the 20 year anniversary or whatever since it came, we did it. Which was in. Yeah. 2007 or. Yeah. And, and, and you could play, you know, the liev's part this time because I'm old enough. And I was like, oh, I don't know, I mean, that might be, that might be interesting. I don't know if I want to follow those shoes. He's pretty good.

[Don Saladino]

He's pretty good. But you're pretty good.

[Sebastian Stan]

I'll find something.

[Don Saladino]

All right, cool. That was a good answer. All right, Chris, let's go to number two. That, that was phenomenal, how she delivered that. That's number two. This is Yulia and she is from Russia.

[Podcast Callers]

Sebastian. My name is Julia, I'm from Russia. And I wanted to ask if you had the chance to watch one of your own movie for the very first time, not as an actor, but just as an audience member, which movie would you choose and why? I also want to thank you for everything you do and I wish you all the best. I'm proud to be your fan. Laravera.

[Sebastian Stan]

That's very sweet of her.

[Don Saladino]

Very, very sweet.

[Sebastian Stan]

Say some remaining words. I, I, yeah, I, I've always been kind of. I, I'm, I'm not always had the greatest time like watching, watching my own stuff because.

[Don Saladino]

But that's a good answer.

[Sebastian Stan]

Yeah, well, that's a good answer, but I've learned to appreciate other people's work.

[Don Saladino]

Sure.

[Sebastian Stan]

When I'm involved, like the directors and all that. But you know, there's a movie that I haven't seen in a while that I'd watch now that would be really funny to see. It'd be in this movie, Tony and Tina's Wedding. Oh, my God. That no one saw at the time. But I would watch that.

[Don Saladino]

That was a Broadway show too, wasn't it?

[Sebastian Stan]

It was off Broadway and they're trying to do like. And it was like Joey McIntyre. Mila Kunis was in it. Really funny.

[Don Saladino]

Yeah, we'll see a spike in the movie purchases on Prime. Okay, cool. Chris, let's hit number three. That was, that was a fun question. All right, number three is Justine from northern France. Wow. We Got the United nations here.

[Podcast Callers]

Hi, Sebastian. My name is Justine. I'm 31 and I come from north of France. I've been dealing with anxiety for a while now, and sometimes it feels like it controls how I see everything, like myself, my work, even the future. It's really exhausting because honestly, I'm still learning how to live with it. And I know you've opened up about men of before and it means a lot to me. So my question was, what helps you to get through those moments when anxiety feels like louder than everything else? Thank you for your answer and bye.

[Don Saladino]

What a sweet woman.

[Sebastian Stan]

It is sweet. But yeah, anxiety, I. I mean, I think I Finally, after what, 25 years realized that it's. You can't think your way out of it because it, because anxiety is, is. Is physical. And then it leads to the mental part and then you have the thoughts and then they cause more anxiety. And just like. So I think it has to be with. You have to like the body's. You have to go into it that way. And I think, I think if, if I'm feeling really the adrenaline, which is what I, what it is that, by the way, that was another thing I learned that was kind of like changed it for me, was just going. Anxiety is also excitement. And it's, it's. They're. They're kind of. They come from a similar place that, that adrenaline, because it's about motivation and doing. Except it might feel like fight or flight, right? But the same nerves that you have towards something exciting, it comes from that same place. So that was one thing for me to realize and then two, I think I always just try to slow down when that happens, you know, just, just slow down and you know, put your phone, you know, put, put a timer on and say, you know, put 20 minutes and like, if you can like close your eyes and just focus on your breathing and focus more on the exhale and, and just pay attention to your body and like you're feeling your heart rate and it's like it's elevated. But don't focus on your thoughts, just. Just focus on the breathing. And I think that that usually can start to slow things down.

[Don Saladino]

I actually started going through it for the first time about a few years ago and I. And I'm. I'm happy I went through never. I thought I can relate to people who went through it, but until you go through it, you really can.

[Sebastian Stan]

You know, buddy, I, I'm a really, like, I'm not a good flyer. Like, I cannot. And I have to fly all the time.

[Don Saladino]

Turbulence drives you nuts. You and my wife. It's funny.

[Sebastian Stan]

I mean, I can't. And it's really wild because I'm. So now I'm aware of what happens. And I. And even in those moments, man, when it, like, when it starts to go down, like, you know, it starts to go up and down. Bam. It's like, physically, I'm like, here it is. It's all just heart rates going. My breathing is a certain way. Right. So that's anxiety. That's. That's basically. And I'm. I'm watching myself having it. And literally the only thing in that situation is to. Is just to go meet it face to face. And you. Just. Because it will pass if you allow it to pass. Like, it just. It's trying to get through. But it happens and we all have it for numerous reasons.

[Don Saladino]

It's unfortunate. And one quick thing about flying. I spoke to a pilot friend of mine years ago, and I was asking him about turbulence. This was around 9, 11, because that messed us all up. And I said, how much can these planes handle? And he goes, more than we can as human beings. He goes, that's how. Well, the planes are so strong. It can handle more than you can handle. So when you hear things like that from pilots and you really start relaxing, you know, a bed.

[Sebastian Stan]

There was a. There was a recent thing, a pilot went on. It was. I, you know, was like. And. And he. He went through it and he, like, really broke it all down. And he filmed himself talking about it. And it was like. It was great because. Because turbulence has gone up. And I think. I think a lot of that is also climate change and just like things happening and winds and all this.

[Don Saladino]

So what was he talking. He's talking more just about how to relax through it or what the point. What's happening.

[Sebastian Stan]

Basically, just knowing that it's okay.

[Don Saladino]

It gives you some peace when you hear that too. You get an education on it. It.

[Sebastian Stan]

Thinking about it, I'm saying, is like, we're all. Whatever it is, whether it's the plane or it's public speaking or it's just like, you know, you read a piece of news or. God, for, you know, it's just. There's. We all have it, right? We all have to deal with it and just remembering it's in the body.

[Don Saladino]

Chris, is this question four or five? What are we up to? I lost track. Two more. We got one now from Lynn.

[Sebastian Stan]

So this is question number four.

[Don Saladino]

Here we go.

[Sebastian Stan]

Here is Lynn.

[Podcast Callers]

Hi, Sebastian. So my question is with Everything you do, filmings, workouts, events, and much more. Do you ever feel guilty about resting or doing nothing for a while? And if so, what advice would you give to someone who struggles with the same feeling even though normally they are really productive?

[Don Saladino]

These are really good. These are great, great questions, by the way. I know, I like them.

[Sebastian Stan]

Yeah. I mean, this, I, I do struggle with this, I think, because when you've had a good day and you felt when you're productive and you felt when you're at your best, of course you're always going to compare yourself to that and you're going to want every day to have that. Right. But it's, it's the same thing with, with just over training, which is I hate because I, it's so annoying because it feels so good to go to the gym, but then literally you have to take time off to give your, your body a reset. And, and, and so, yeah, and those days are not going to feel 100%, but I guess it's like if you cannot beat yourself up about it and just give yourself a chance to kind of reset and know that part of that. It's the same thing about boredom. I was saying. It's, it's, it's a way for your mind to reset for other things. It's not wasting time. It's allowing for that to, to sort of for you to come back stronger the next day. So I just, Yeah, I try to kind of like, be kind to myself about it and not. Not beat myself up.

[Don Saladino]

You know, it is tough when you, when you're so used to feeling good from being productive and being active. Those days where you just sit around, it can become a challenge sometimes.

[Sebastian Stan]

But I mean, I mean, in, in, in my business, it's like you get a phone call and, and you go, oh, yeah, you know, they want you for this and this is going to happen and this and that, and you're like, here I come. And like, it's literally like you're the roller coaster. Like, whoa. You're like, it's all gonna fucking happen. And then, and then you're not.

[Don Saladino]

Sweet.

[Sebastian Stan]

I have a crazy story which I can tell another time about.

[Don Saladino]

Tell if you haven't.

[Sebastian Stan]

Well, I'll tell you. Okay. There was, there was a remake of, Of Point Break, the movie.

[Don Saladino]

Yeah, I remember the second.

[Sebastian Stan]

And this was years ago, and I, I was so, I, I was so wanting to be part of that because I love the original and I was going to play the, the Patrick Swayze role. No, actually I was going to play The, The Keanu Reeves role. Friday, I got the call. It's Friday. It was in New York. Friday night, I got a call from my agent. He goes, you got it. We. You got the movie. And you're going to go to. They're going to shoot in South Africa, Australia, New Zealand, like Europe, Paris. And you're like, oh, my God. And so, like, it was a really. It was the lead of the movie and the thing. So I, I went into the weekend and I was like, yeah, literally, like, I was like, we're going out tonight. It's gonna be, you know, we're hitting it. It was literally amazing.

[Don Saladino]

I love it.

[Sebastian Stan]

Saturday, I wake up and I'm going like, oh, man, that was a crazy. Like, I'm. I don't ever want to go out again. But I got a movie, you know, Like, I'm gonna be okay. You know what? Let's just, like, let's just do it again. Let's go out Saturday. I think we're gonna be all right. You know what? Don't worry, because we got this movie. It's gonna be amazing. I mean, I was younger, whatever.

[Don Saladino]

Right? Right.

[Sebastian Stan]

Go out Saturday. I remember my. My buddy invited me to snl. You know, I go, like, we watched snl. It was like meeting everybody was amazing. Sunday, I'm tired, things have slowed down, but I'm going like, I have a job. I have a job. I have a job. Sunday, at around 5:30pm when I'm, like, trying to come back, you know, like to reality, my agent calls and goes, we have a problem. And I said, what do you mean? He goes, so I don't know if the movie is 100 yours. And I was like, what do you mean? What do you mean? He goes, well, there's a problem because, you know, they're thinking of going another. Another way. And there was a last minute change and all that stuff, and. And I was like, no, no, no, you can't. You just told me on Friday, like, I had the movie. I'm going to South Africa, right? New Zealand. I'm flying. They're like. And then literally, let's just talk tomorrow. It was like a game. Like, I had, like, someone just played a big joke on me. And then, like, Monday and Tuesday, he called. He goes, I'm really sorry, man. Like, we. We got the call on Friday that seemed like everybody was on board with it, but there's actually something else, and it's. It's just gonna go a different way. And it was gone.

[Don Saladino]

Yeah.

[Sebastian Stan]

And I was like. And I Was like, oh, my God, I can't. I.

[Don Saladino]

So devastating in the moment.

[Sebastian Stan]

In the moment. But also just like, again, it's just the roller coaster. So. So from that point, I literally now I go. Even when good news comes, I'm like, yeah, okay, sounds good.

[Don Saladino]

Yeah. Yeah.

[Sebastian Stan]

If I see you on set.

[Don Saladino]

Yeah. Then I'll give you a hug. Exactly.

[Podcast Callers]

Yeah.

[Sebastian Stan]

Like, I don't believe it, you know, because I can't because there's just so many up.

[Don Saladino]

Moving parts.

[Sebastian Stan]

Moving parts, you know? But it was just. It was just the laugh to go.

[Don Saladino]

I remember when you were up for that, because I think you told me, and I was like, oh, my God, you'll be great in that.

[Sebastian Stan]

Well, the movie came out, wasn't that great. And guess what? It actually ended up being a good thing. So I don't know.

[Don Saladino]

I actually. That I got a call years ago about Biggest Loser, about being the coach, one of the coaches. So I go, I don't know if I've ever told the story. So I go through the process and I'm like, I'm not getting it. I'm not getting. I'm not getting it. So I finally get a call on a Friday also, and they're like, it's down to you and this other person. And I'm like, all right, what does this entail? Like, I didn't really think I was going to get it. And I'm like, what does this mean? And they're like, well, you're going to have to leave home for eight to 10 weeks. It was like some number you're getting paid X. And.

[Podcast Callers]

And.

[Don Saladino]

And now I'm like, holy. Like, this is. This is. This is real.

[Sebastian Stan]

Like, it was massive.

[Don Saladino]

The first one was.

[Sebastian Stan]

Oh, right, this wasn't the first one. Okay.

[Don Saladino]

So I. I lost it to a guy, and for whatever reason, and the show tanked. And I remember in the moment being like, oh, my God, I can't believe how close I was. I wasn't devastated. I was just kind of like, my attitude is like, ah, him. Like, I just kind of said that to myself, and I was like, let me move on from this. And. But, like, you know, rejection is never a good feeling. You're like, why? And then you start looking into it. And the person was like, well, you're a coach, and we need someone who's a little bit more influence. And I'm like, okay. For whatever reason. And the show ended up not doing well. And I saw it and I was actually not to knock this person. I was really happy that I Ended up not getting it, being a blessing. But in the moment, rejection's never a good feeling. And that's a very open moment.

[Sebastian Stan]

So it's never. It's never going to feel. But also, you know, you look back and there's a lot of things that actually now, looking back, happened as a result of me not going on that job. That probably contributed a lot to me sitting here with you, with you today. And same for you. You could have taken that job and it could have led to, you know, in a different path that you don't know. So it's like, that's why I go. The past is just sort of like a movie that you. You can throw on once in a while because it's like you can return to it and watch it, whatever, but you can't. You just got to let it go. Because 100, 100.

[Don Saladino]

And that was the reason I real. That was the. That was the moment I realized I will never, ever, ever, ever do reality TV because of how this came out. I was like, wow. And I didn't think of that either. It was just. You were auditioning, you didn't realize it. You were like, oh, it didn't work out, but it worked out. So sometimes I feel like. And I'm going to close with this line for every time in life you're feeling rejected, you're being redirected to something else or something better, and you have to take that mindset. Rejection is something. I think it's healthy. I think it's something that we need to go through. We should go through. And you have to look at it as, okay, I'll come back. I'll get stronger. Let's take the last question. Yeah, gotta. You gotta move on, right? And move on to the last question. Here is Eliza, and we'll wrap it.

[Sebastian Stan]

Up with this one.

[Don Saladino]

Here we go.

[Podcast Callers]

Hi, Sebastian. I'm one of your fans from Australia. You inspire me a lot. And leads to my question, which is, what is some advice you would give to someone young like me who really wants to start in acting and get into the industry more? Also, if there was like an I made it moment you had where you just looked back and you were like, wow, I did all this. Thank you. Love you so much. I'm, like, one of your biggest fans.

[Don Saladino]

Very, very sweet.

[Sebastian Stan]

Wow.

[Don Saladino]

Very sweet.

[Sebastian Stan]

I think role. I think for actors, maybe always. Right. It's just role models. You really. We all need good mentors who were.

[Don Saladino]

Big role models for you growing up.

[Sebastian Stan]

Well, the funny thing is, when I went to. To college which was a good thing. I didn't want to go to college for acting, you know, and. And my manager really forced me to go. And it was good, because in college, they were like, look, you gotta watch movies. You gotta read. You gotta look at and learn the history and stuff. So to someone, you know, like. Like her, I would say, who are the actors out there that you like? You know, what are the movies that you like? The kind of parts that you gravitate to or you appreciate and then be inquisitive. Look up those people's lives. They didn't get there overnight. You know, a lot of. A lot of different people had their own struggles and their own obstacles. I used to. I used to love reading biographies. I still do. I mean, like, of course, you know, the Pacino and De Niro. Yeah, all that stuff, you know, like Meryl Streep, like, all. All those people. But even. Even liev. Right. Like, I think. I think if you have the. If you have the chance to work with people, that. That's why it's important who you work with, because sometimes they can inspire you. But all those people had struggles like you did, and I think so I think figuring out somebody like a. That you want to kind of gravitate towards is one thing. And then, you know, the aha moments is. I mean, you know, I feel kind of. It's strange not to mention it, but it's also strange to mention it, but being at the Oscars with my mom was definitely.

[Don Saladino]

That was awesome.

[Sebastian Stan]

That was a.

[Don Saladino]

You kissed her on her head. Because she was being very sweet and very motherly. And I think that was. I told everyone. I was like, that's who this guy is.

[Sebastian Stan]

And that's why I was dying, because my mom decided to wear this, like, feather dress. And three in the entire show, like, feathers were just flying. And, like, every time she would stand up and go, you know, sit back down, like, there was, like, these feathers, like, with this lift in the air. And I'm like, we're on live television. So I'm like, I'm trying to catch these feathers. And, like, I was sitting next to, like, Monica Barbara and her father. They were very sweet. And at one point, she turns, and I see, like, one of my mom's feathers is on her shoulder. And I'm like, you know, like, I'm like, mom, why are you wearing this dress? You know, it's like Jeremy Strong was sitting next to her. Like, half of her feathers. It was, but. But it was. She just was so funny. But. But, yeah, that was just like a good.

[Don Saladino]

It was like a good moment.

[Sebastian Stan]

Surreal. Surreal.

[Don Saladino]

Well, brother, listen, man, we. We have so much history and I love you like a brother and I can't thank you enough for your time. Everything we've done, even with the Ronald McDonald House and the challenges. You never say no. I never like asking, but I always do. And you're always there and you're always one of those friends that been there for me and my family and we.

[Sebastian Stan]

Just love you so much.

[Don Saladino]

We love you.

[Sebastian Stan]

No worries.

[Don Saladino]

And I just want to thank Christian Ponder and the crew over at the post for. This place is awesome. It's just. It really. It really is nice and they've just been a great home and guys, hope.

[Sebastian Stan]

You enjoy the episode. Thanks.

[Don Saladino]

The views, information or opinions expressed in the series are solely those of the.

[Sebastian Stan]

Individuals involved and do not necessarily represent.

[Don Saladino]

Those of Chip and Joanna Gaines. By N Audio nor Magnolia.