“Authenticity is about being true to who you are, even when everyone around you wants you to be someone else.” – Michael Jordan.
True to his character in the larger-than-life TV series, Hercules: The Legendary Journeys, Kevin Sorbo conducts himself with a level of integrity seldom seen in the realms of Hollywood stardom. With an unshakeable sense of self, grounded in a strong upbringing and a support network to boot, Kevin Sorbo has become one of the most influential and impactful personalities in showbusiness. He has appeared in more than 70 movies throughout his career, including the most successful independent faith-based movie ever, “God’s Not Dead”, which made over $130 million in theatrical, streaming and DVD sales, from a very humble budget of just $2 million.
On the most recent episode of The Rhonda Swan Show, Sorbo shared his experience as an actor, director and producer, while choosing not to sell his soul to Hollywood. Instead, through his film-production company, Sorbo Studios, he continues to produce films true to his own beliefs, and the values upon which he was raised:
“I want to do movies with a positive message… real stories about hope and love, and faith and redemption and laughter, and things that Hollywood just doesn’t want to do anymore.“
And therein lies perhaps the greatest secret to true success: staying true to one’s own beliefs, regardless of the consequence. For Sorbo, that meant being virtually cast out by Hollywood.
Yet, through his work, he has connected with his audience on a level few others have equaled.
In truth, it is that connection which dictates a person’s potential for success, regardless of the industry or pursuit. The ability to connect with others, in business, in life, in every relationship we enter, comes back to our ability to show and to be our authentic selves.
When asked by Rhonda if he would be open to talking about how his faith comes into the work that he’s now doing, and whether it plays a role in how he chooses roles or movies, Sorbo replied:
“Unfortunately being a Christian is probably even a bigger sin in Hollywood [than being a Conservative] for whatever reason. I’m a far-from-perfect person, but I want to do movies that touch people’s souls, the way movies always did to me. So I’m going to keep fighting this fight and doing the movies I’m doing.”
And his best piece of advice for anyone who is really ready to step into their greatness:
“Don’t be afraid. Don’t let people set your limitations. Too many people let fear control them. Don’t let that happen to you.”
In closing, Rhonda reaffirmed Sorbo’s message of staying true to who you are: “That’s what he’s doing; bringing his values into his business. And I love how he said that; he uses his Hollywood career as his business, not as something that he was aspiring to be. And I think it’s a really beautiful lesson for all of us, if you’re raising children or being an example in this world, don’t allow your environment to become you – you bring those values and who you are, into that environment and that’s how you stay in that protected space. And it’s a way that we can navigate in this world, and not let all the garbage that is going on affect us energetically.”
All of us can be a part of something bigger, and learn from one of the masters in Hollywood, who stays true to his values and true to himself, to leave an impact greater on this world.
The Rhonda Swan Show is hosted by world-renowned International Speaker, Best-Selling Author and Online Brand Strategist Rhonda Swan, founder of the Unstoppable Branding Agency. At Rhonda Swan HQ we focus on people and how to turn their passions and dreams into a tangible reality. The show is dedicated to inspiring mothers, families and individuals to go after their dreams.
Go be unstoppable!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VvzNWrddXwU