Episode Details

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My guest today is William Zabka who is best known for his portrayal of Johnny Lawrence both in Cobra Kai and the Karate Kid movies. While Johnny is the quintessential 80's bully, William is the complete polar opposite of that character. The bully you love to hate is actually a passionate filmmaker and dedicated family man who has overcome the challenges and obstacles of the wildly fickle entertainment industry.

We discuss his commitment to sticking to his values and what he did during the seemingly big gap in his career from Karate Kid to more than 30 years later resurfacing in Cobra Kai. He talks openly about the tough decisions to turn down jobs that weren’t a good fit while struggling with feelings of doubt.

Throughout our conversation, William shares his first hand experiences on some of the principles I teach in the Optimizer Coaching and Mentorship program like shifting your mindset to work in your favor, staying authentic to your values, facing your fears head on. And having said that, I hope this conversation will leave you inspired to pursue your biggest dreams.

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Here's What You'll Learn:

• How William manages to make Johnny Lawrence’s character feel so authentic and his ‘purging’ process to disconnect from the character after each shooting season.
• How William deals with the ‘droughts’ in his career.
• The award-winning short film that William co-wrote and co-produced that was met with seemingly impossible odds.
• Why William decided to say ‘no’ to acting roles when he was at the height of his success.
• The work culture in Cobra Kai: The best idea wins no matter who it belongs to.
• How William ascertains whether an opportunity is good or bad.
• How William balances being a dad with his busy career in the entertainment industry.
• What made William decide to go back to acting and play the role of Johnny Lawrence again.
• William’s mic-drop advice to his fellow creatives to find fulfilling work.

Useful Resources Mentioned:

Most (2013) - Short film co-written and co-produced by William Zabka

A Tiger's Tale

Sweep the Leg by No More Kings music video

The Equalizer TV Series

Edward Woodward

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