Name: Grady Eldridge
Title: Actor, Model, NASM CPT
Married/Single: Single! But I imagine marrying a beautiful stranger I see on the street like once a day in my head which is probably not healthy.
Kids: No kids yet but I have some major fun uncle potential.
City you live in: Currently nomadic. Sharing time between Phoenix and LA as we work to make some dreams happen.
A typical day in my life includes…
each day I aim for three things: I need to sweat at least once, be outside for a least an hour and I have to have a good laugh. If I’m sweating it means I’m pushing myself physically. If I’m outside it means I’m enjoying the beauty of the planet. And for me, comedy is the highest form of mental stimulation. It takes the elements of a world known for its hardships and complexity and creates a moment of simple happiness. It’s not easy some days…but for me it’s fulfillment of mind, body, and spirit.
I was born…
to be myself. Straight up forget about being born for anything else. That’s my purpose. Every day I want to wake up and say “How can I be me today? How can I do what’s best for me?”. The best version of me is happy and fulfilled and strong. He wants to make the world and those around him better. I work from the inside out, meaning the best way for me to help others is to help myself. Sometimes I’ve tried too hard to please others or compromise what I want for my life. But then you end up building this crappy structure of false-self. It’s a lie. When I do what I want, I feel amazing because I’m not living a life someone else made me build. We are conditioned to think that the word selfish is inherently poisonous, but I think -in doses- it’s the best way to achieve your purpose.
My favorite thing about Arizona…
it has everything you could ever want in a home! Stunning and diverse landscapes, close to the coast, hiking, snowboarding, skiing, water sports, a great club scene, American history. If you name it.. Arizona has it all wrapped up in a low cost of living. Unbeatable place to grow up.
I’m listening to…
Chris D’Elia’s podcast “Congratulations”, it’s simultaneously genius and idiotic. It’s a silly goose time that seamlessly switches between topics that matter a lot and things that don’t matter at all. I hate when things take themselves too seriously. The dude is one of the best stand up comedians around right now and everything he makes puts a smile on my face.
My family…
I have a beautiful family and support system of people who are basically my blood relatives. But growing up, I think my ego diluted just how important family is. I had this complex where I wanted to prove I could do anything on my own, and then come back to gift some kind of surreal life to everyone I love. But now I realize the diversity of culture, the difference of opinion, plus the vast amount of wisdom and love in my support system have already given me a surreal life. Now I simply want to make them proud. I want them to see that their gifts didn’t go to waste.
If I could have dinner with anyone, it would be…
Pat Tillman. The guy was an absolute force of nature. He exemplifies major tenets of what it means to be a self actualized human. He loved his family, he lived life on his own terms, had next level drive and ambition, he was absolutely jacked and he sought wisdom and understanding in all aspects of life. Apparently he was hilarious as well. That is a dude who’s brain I want to pick.
When I was younger, I wanted to be…
Batman. I would wear my full Batman costume pretty much any given day of the year. Even my small developing mind picked up on how badass it is to be a man who overcomes his inner demons and lack of physical ability with an intense pursuit of his ethical code, sharp wits and a dry sense of humor…and like $50,000,000.
I’m inspired by…
beauty in all its forms. It could be a flower. A vast scenic view. A sentimental note. A good rom-com. The triumph of human spirit. When you poop and only have to wipe once or twice max. Those can be beautiful things, baby. You just gotta open up your mind.
The one person who motivates me is…
Joe Rogan. The man became a world-wide influence, multi-millionaire and an exceptional father/husband by being unapologetically himself. He’s a beast physically. He’s an open minded thinker and an unparalleled conversationalist. What more could you want in a motivator?
If I could change anything in the world, it would be…
every human needs to be somewhat fluent in like, three languages. Communication is the foundation of constructive human relationships. I’m coming off a trip from Europe and the biggest thing I found myself wishing is that I had a bigger emphasis on foreign languages in the American school system. There are probably so many aspects of culture I wasn’t able to absorb due to a language barrier…so many friends I wasn’t able to make! We fear things that are different than we are. And when we fear other humans it makes it easier to discredit the value of their life. If more of us spoke the same language I think it would lead to bigger empathy, bigger love and better solutions to problems that plague the world.
The perfect day would be…
a good workout, good food, earning some money, getting the perfect amount of drunk with friends, a sunset and a kiss from a beautiful girl.
My first job was…
I mowed lawns from age 12 to when I left for college. I have been that classic dad who is obsessed with his lawn since I was like 15. Which the ladies love, obviously.
My favorite escape…
the ones in planes that have an inflatable slide. What a fun way to escape! Definitely my favorite.
My life…
have you ever seen how a kid eats ice cream? They make it way harder than it needs to be and they usually make a mess. An adult might take it for granted, but for a kid eating ice cream is always a magical event. They don’t care about any of the struggle, because they are too busy fully enjoying the tasty pile of wonderful in their hand. That’s my life.
I’m currently working on…
being present. I’ve grown frustrated with living in the past or the future. They don’t exist. Living in them takes away from the stoke of the present moment. Not being present only makes you have regrets of your past or decreases the quality of the future. Neither will be changed due to your worry about them! When you show up for the moment, the future takes care of itself.
Always…
view matters objectively and circumstantially because nothing can be applied absolutely always.
Never…
speak in absolute statements.
Favorite Quote…
*insert the entirety of the book “The Alchemist”*.
Biggest Dream…
I want to do work that expresses who I am and moves people emotionally. Whether that’s acting, writing, training, hosting a show, teaching…whatever it is. That’s fulfillment for me.
My Pet Peeve(s)…
self righteousness. It stalls progress and we are all guilty of it. It is such a toxic quality. It breeds insecurity and contempt. It kills empathy. And at what cost? To feel important in your warped little world? Eck, get out.
