Celebrity Who?

I think for the great majority of people we dream of making it somewhere. Being big, being recognizable as a celebrity is the most common way of getting there. Having camera’s follow, waltzing down the red carpet amongst a countless number of adoring fans.  With the potential for this to happen, I would be lying if I wasn’t even a little bit excited. Of course at the same time I try and remain as humble and professional as I can. 

2 years ago, when I first departed overseas, one of my closest friends expressed her worry that I would change going into the industry (modelling/acting industry). A fear that over time vanity would take over, searching for that attention. I promised that I would not change, and I fully intend on keeping that promise.

Since I have started letting my face get out there, I have worked my way into some recognizable roles from the Sport Chek home page at Christmas, to ads for a steakhouse before your movie, a couple billboards in Bangkok and even 2 globally released TV commercials. For the progression of a career in the industry these are all fantastic moves on getting to a recognizable face.  Of course nothing will compare to the potential that Go Fish has for myself and other cast members. 

My first experiences with being “famous” happened in Singapore, when Chinese tourists there would be amazed by my white skin and height, requesting pictures. This however was purely due to what I just said and nothing to do with being recognizable.  It wasn’t until I arrived in Korea that I saw a greater awe factor. In South Korea, they are highly educated but also have a strong love for American culture and persona associated with the upper echelon of celebrity. A tall, handsome, Caucasian goes into a coffee shop; men and women both young and old stop and stare. The brave whip out their latest computer phone, while the shy try to hide their similar actions.  The gutsiest of all sum up the courage to ask to take a picture while you sip on your raspberry double espresso at the local Mango. As a modest individual I would happily oblige and get back to what I was doing. Some would take this opportunity to brag and make a big deal out of it. Upon my return to Bangkok this past year, I was recognized by several young girls from my wedding with Thai airways in Phuket. 

Back to what I originally came to post about: This past Friday, I was invited with a great number of those involved with the show to appear as celebrity guests at a charity event. This would be my first official red carpet event, and the first time I was called a celebrity. To all in attendance I am a nobody, someone with potential at best. I like that idea personally, for me it’s grounding. The experience of a limo picking us up, pulling up to a red carpet outside Cowboys Casino and of course an introduction to the attendees. 

It was a fun experience, one to learn from. Although I don’t want my brush with fame to overshadow the reason we were there. The event was held by YYCharity to help raise funds for Pulmonary Hypertension(http://www.phacanada.ca/en/), Calgary Health Trust (http://www.calgaryhealthtrust.ca/) and Leukemia/Lymphoma (http://www.llscanada.org/). If you have some spare funds, I highly encourage your to donate to these causes. Speaking of celebrity they kind of take a back seat to donations compared to Breast/Prostate cancer.

Speaking of that endless pursuit, many take the fake it til you make it approach. One of my best friends recently moved to LA. Whether it be culture shock or the true plasticity of people in LA, she is struggling with finding people who are truly genuine to themselves. I am sure this happens everywhere, but its especially pronounced in LA as I have heard. Personally I have never understood hiding who you really are, but as evidence from her experience many people will to earn their shot at being famous.

I am going to end with this great quote:
Your only obligation in any lifetime is to be true to yourself. Being true to anyone else or anything else is not only impossible, but the mark of a fake messiah.
Richard Bach 
Read more at http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/keywords/fake.html#u8pM7HIaay8jG5qh.99 

That’s a wrap - Go fish filming is long done

I have been almost entirely MIA for the month of August. This is partially due to the fact of filming and also putting in extra hours at the bar.  After just under a month of work, all the filming has come to a rest. I would like to share a big thanks to all the crew and cast for the experience and adventure that is creating a television show.  

Behind the scenes teaser 

My previous experiences in television have all been in the commercial side of things. This was much more fun for me in a sense.  Although I didn’t get to drive a convertible through the Thai mountains or hang from the side of a building, I found the joy of taking on a character and developing my own background rather satisfying. While filming I was no longer Zach, but I was the handsome neighbour. With several character overlaps between myself and my character it made it that much easier to be him during shooting.

Other than the information I have already shared about the show Go Fish, there isn’t much more I can tell you without spoiling.  Although I can lock it down a little further as to when you can set those PVRs and grab the popcorn.  

First week of October Go Fish will be airing on ShawTV (that’s channel 10 in Calgary). When I find out the exact date and time I will be sure to update you further.  

With no current destination or plans to model overseas I have decided to adjust my gym goals. Rather than remaining lean and relatively small (current weight 167 lbs), I will continue to stay lean but try and bulk back up again. There isn’t a plan to be 220 lbs anytime soon, but I would like to crush some steal on the trip back up to 180-185. In the past I have hung out around that weight and been quite satisfied, which also holds a bonus of muscle memory. This of course is your body’s ability to adapt and return to a previous musculature. Other than doing my Superman Star complex, I will also be piling on the calories.  Jumping from about 3000 per day to 4500.  

This workout involves a principle of overload as well as the dynamics of plyometrics. Here is an exert taken from the chest portion; the full workout is here on TNation. 

	Exercises	Load Types	Reps
1	Top-half bench press	Overload	3 - 5
	This is a very effective activation movement for the rest of the complex, but it's also one of the most effective triceps exercises you can do!
2	Bench press	Strength	3 - 5
	Focus on keeping the traps shrugged up when doing this movement (for added safety, stability and raw performance).
3	Speed bench press, as fast as possible with 60% of max	Strength-Speed	5
	Focus on two things here: 1) move as fast as possible (accelerating throughout the movement) with 60% 1RM, and 2) perform a quick turnaround between the lowering and lifting phase.
4	Medicine ball chest throw	Speed-Strength	8 - 10
	You can either perform this one standing and throw it in front of you, or lying on your back and throw it straight up. If you do the latter, make sure to throw it straight up or have a partner catch it for you!
5	Plyo push-up	Explosive	5 - 10
	No need to drop your chest all the way down. Just as in jumping, we want a short and rapid dip and minimal transition time before the projection upward. Stop when you lose your "pop."