Today we’d like to introduce you to Owen Garrett.
Hi Owen, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I am a Cuban American actor, stand-up comedian, martial artist, and soon I will also add the title of Coder to this list. I am currently enrolled in the UCLA Coding Bootcamp and because my classes are completely online, I am using this opportunity to visit family and do comedy in Chicago, Indianapolis, and Washington DC while I learn how to code software! I felt that it was very important for my mental and physical health to break out of the cycle of dead-end jobs and living with strangers in strange places. This cycle of living paycheck to paycheck and constantly worrying about whether I’ll be homeless or not based off the whim of random balding roommates was too stressful and taking its toll on my soul. Comedy/Performing and martial arts are my passions, and these were being negatively impacted by my stressful living conditions therefore I have made the choice to take control of my life!
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way? Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
The last year has been very difficult for me, but I’ve also grown as a person more this year than in any other year throughout my life. This past year has been filled with loss of friends and loved ones; heartbreak; and uncertainty; but it was also filled with growth; self-reflection; and self-care. The majority of my issues were caused by myself and shifting my perspective and taking control of my life has completely changed the trajectory of where I was heading in life. 30 was probably the hardest year of my adult life, but without all of these experiences, I wouldn’t have decided to finally take control back of my life.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I am a comedian, actor, and mixed martial artist. In my dream scenario, I would spend all day at 10th Planet West LA doing no-gi jiu-jitsu and Muay Thai while at night I would perform stand-up or act! I have to have multiple things going on which is why I believe my MMA improves my stand-up and I believe my stand-up makes me a better martial artist. If I only do one thing, then I feel beholden to something and if I want a certain result, it become unachievable because I want it too badly. By having multiple interests, I feel a balance that leaves me feeling empowered. When things are unbalanced, I feel overwhelmed, trapped, and doomed to failure. I think all artists, especially successful ones, put so much of themself into their work and learn how to balance the razor’s edge of selfish and selfless. I’m not so sure I’ve properly answered this question, but what separates me from my peers is that I’m authentically me at all times. Even when I’m telling a completely made-up story or twisting a fact in order to make it “more funny”, I am still fully putting my heart and soul into whatever activity I am participating in.
Do you have any memories from childhood that you can share with us?
I was born in Seattle, but not long after being born, my mom and I moved in with her parents; younger brother; and grandmother, who we called Gunga. My great-grandmother was called Gunga because as the story goes, my Uncle Mike couldn’t pronounce the word “Grandma” when he was little. I grew up in Michigan City, IN, which is part of Chicagoland, and I went to Imagination Station preschool and Notre Dame kindergarten. It was the Nineties. The Bulls were kicking a double snakes; Star Wars was rereleased in theaters, and I wore a Batman cape everywhere. When I was 6, I played the role of Tommy in the Dunes Summer Theater production of “Tommy” and later my mom and I moved to Aberystwyth, Wales for a year for her schooling. I would have to say growing up in Michigan City in the 90s living with so many family members was my favorite memory.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: @owenpgarrett
- Facebook: facebook.com/the.original.gansta
- Twitter: @owenpgarrett
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCXCL64LD8SRg_TCRm2cG0Hw
