Finding Your Flow: Kerstin Schulze on Fitness, Acting, and Life's Journey

Frame of Reference - Profiles in Leadership

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What happens when Olympic-level athleticism meets theatrical creativity? Kerstin Schulze embodies this fascinating intersection, sharing her remarkable journey from winning a Junior Olympics silver medal in heptathlon at age 12 to her current role as a kung fu nanny on HBO's "The Righteous Gemstones."
The conversation reveals Kerstin's refreshing philosophy on balance—something she discovered after years of competitive bodybuilding taught her that stage-ready physiques often represent the "most unhealthy" version of ourselves. "Finding balance takes time," she explains, offering practical wisdom for anyone struggling with fitness goals or life direction. Her approach is disarmingly simple yet profound: five days of discipline allows for two days of enjoyment without sabotaging progress.
Particularly illuminating is Kerstin's method for creating lasting change. Rather than overwhelming yourself with ambitious goals, she recommends starting with just five minutes of daily movement. "Set your timer for five minutes in the morning and do something that helps your body get stronger," she advises. "When the five minutes are over, you have to stop." This counterintuitive approach—forcing yourself to stop rather than push through—helps reprogram your system to crave healthy habits.
The conversation delves into deeper territory as Kerstin reflects on how theater training develops empathy by requiring actors to understand perspectives vastly different from their own—a skill increasingly rare in our polarized world. She shares behind-the-scenes insights from working with Hollywood's elite while maintaining that success isn't about fame but about creating art that makes people feel something.
Whether you're struggling with fitness goals, creative pursuits, or simply seeking more balance in life, Kerstin's journey offers both inspiration and practical guidance. Her parting wisdom? "Listen to your intuition"—something she wishes her younger self had done more consistently. Discover more of Kerstin's approach to fitness and life at partyanddiet.com, where her book "The Balance" is available for free.

Thanks for listening. Please check out our website at www.forsauk.com to hear great conversations on topics that need to be talked about. In these times of intense polarization we all need to find time to expand our Frame of Reference.

Chapters

1. Meeting Kirsten Schultz (00:00:00)

2. From Junior Olympics to Acting (00:03:17)

3. The Value of Theater Training (00:10:22)

4. Finding Balance in Fitness and Life (00:16:30)

5. Creating New Habits in Five Minutes (00:26:25)

6. The Righteous Gemstones and Acting Insights (00:38:12)

7. Staying Humble in the Industry (00:48:02)