Interview With Isaiah Frizelle

We Talked About His Journey For His Roles On Top TV Shows Such As CBS's “Blue Bloods,” His New Podcast, Advocacy For Mental Health, And NASM Training

BY CONTEMPORARY APPROACHES

In photo Isaiah Frizelle | Photographer: Ariel Mancanares

1. Where did you grow up and are there any childhood memories or experiences that had a huge impact on you? 

I grew up in Bloomfield NJ. I’d say between growing up in martial arts, having a police officer for a mom and shooting shorts with my friends, in hindsight each of them I feel were foreshadowing my life and career now! 

2. How soon did you discover your love for acting and tell us a little a bit about this journey and what led you to roles on top TV shows such as CBS's “Blue Bloods,” and VH1's "The Breaks?”

I discovered a true love for acting I’d say towards the end of high school officially. Ragtime at NJPAC summer of 2006 gave me the bug to pursue acting seriously. That had only been my second production to have ever been in but it was a great experience, great cast, and really forced me out of my shell. The casting office of “Blue Bloods” was familiar with my face. I was in their office alot and I guess this was finally the one that just stuck. Same process with “The Breaks” too! I auditioned for other roles within that project before landing the role of Luther Campbell. I laugh at that experience because that character required me to be so far from myself. 

3. How would you describe your role as a writer, what type of writing are you most drawn to and what is your creative process of writing? 

My role as a writer is unorthodox I guess you can say. Most people I find stick to one niche and that’s their thing. Maybe that will happen for me one day but not any time soon. You see I love horror, so I write it, I love psychology so my writing is usually focused around that as well. My acting teacher years ago gave advice that I still hear to this day, “write from truth”. Even horror stories I’ve written for the podcast usually derive from some experience in my waking life. In order to write my book I relied heavily on my own personal experiences to speak from. 

Isaiah Frizelle

In photo Isaiah Frizelle | Photographer: Ariel Mancanares

4. You’re a N.A.S.M. (National Academy of Sports Medicine) certified fitness trainer, can you tell us more about this type of training? 

So NASM training is one of the top tier personal fitness certifications out there. It’s not just about studying exercises but also anatomy and biology and how everything exists together. I take it a step further and implement psychology when it comes to training clients. With a degree in psychology and my need for exercise in my daily life, I understand how the mind and body really rely on one another to function properly. 

5. You have done an incredible job so far by being a big advocate for mental health. Why is it so important for you to use your platform and influence to raise awareness for mental health? 

Thank you very much for that sentiment!!! Mental health is still one of the things I feel like society is clumsy with which is ironic because it’s so delicate. From my own experience, I recognize and understand the importance of mental health being a topic of discussion for everyone. It’s not about getting help after, instead taking care of yourself properly all the while and not feeling ashamed or defective for it. I can go on for days about mental health but I truly stand behind the importance of taking care of our minds … we store and endure so much up there.

6. Congratulations on your podcast “The Bird Brain podcast,” why did you start a podcast and what would you like your viewers to take away from your episodes?

Thank you. It’s meant more to me than I anticipated.  I started this podcast off of a suggestion from a friend. “ You give great advice”... I sat on that for a while because I asked myself, “am I in any position to tell someone how to live?” The best thing I find you can do is to speak from your truth. Talk from what you know rather than things you have no experience with. Being vulnerable and authentic has brought more listeners than I imagined but more than that, to have someone say “ this helped me get through …” That means the most to me. 

7. Is there any new project(s) you are currently working on or would like to do in the future? 

I’d love to have my own TED Talk … That’s a huge goal for me. I’m in the illustration stages of what will be my first book which I’m also excited about, and I’m really trying to be a superhero in the Marvel universe haha!! Balance, guys, balance.

8. Do you have a mantra or a book recommendation you would like to share and how it has influenced you? 

I have a few that I really dig a lot:

“The four agreements”

“The Alchemist”

“Until Today”

My mantra…Treat people how you’d want to be treated. You are “people” so treat yourself well. 

9. Describe yourself in one sentence?

In one sentence… Isaiah the kind of guy you’d want to have with you at the end of the world.