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I Think We Can Agree, Actor Alex Russell Transformed Into An Absolute Beast

The Aussie star of S.W.A.T and Under My Skin has certainly put in the hard yards. Here's how. - by Scott Henderson
  • 26 Feb 2021

If you haven't heard of Aussie actor Alex Russell yet, it's probably because the humble Brisbane-born export is too busy working, on screen and in the gym, to be featured in many of the tabloids. But that could all be about to change as the star of hit series S.W.A.T continues to experience a rise in Hollywood. He's a man in demand, with a leading man rig to match.

We caught up with Russell ahead of the Australian premiere of ‘Under My Skin’ to pick his brain on all things training, diet and his latest project.

I Think We Can Agree, Actor Alex Russell Transformed Into An Absolute Beast

Q: You’ve taken on a host of different roles, with TV and movies thrown in – how do you differentiate between the diverse range of characters you play? Do you ever take on any of their baggage? How do you disconnect from the stress they carry?

I think what’s important going into any role, no matter how different they might be from you, is how much of yourself you can being to the table. I’ve learned more and more to look within rather than outside myself when navigating a role.

In terms of baggage or stress from a role, i personally don’t feel i take any of that on. My challenge in life is navigating my own stress and baggage. Being able to bring conscious awareness to life where unconscious or subconscious baggage can get in the way. I heard a great quote from a famous psychiatrist recently (though I’m forgetting their name) it was something to do with good mental health being reliant on the ability to “experience what IS new AS new.” In other words, every moment in life is new... so don’t experience it as something old that you’ve carried with you. My characters and their baggage are honestly an escape for me.

Alex Russell
Leslie Alejandro

Q:  Talk me through your training routine for S.W.A.T.?

Well my trainer, Paolo Mascitti - i call him the Wizard - will have me working out most days, 5 or 6 days a week. Some days we do compound movement superset with isolated movement. So i might do heavy bench press superset with pec flies or overhead press superset with lateral raise. Other days he’ll put me through high intensity workouts and by the end I look like i just got out of the pool. And we basically fill our weeks with a combo of these. 

Alex Russell
Leslie Alejandro

Q:  You mentioned on Instagram that whilst preparing for the role you ‘eat all the boring food’… what does that diet look like?

Some examples would be egg whites for breakfast with vegetables. Some broccoli, maybe some sweet potato. Chicken or some lean meat for lunch with cauliflower rice. Dinner could be steak and vegetables. Probably broccoli or green beans. Cauliflower is a real hit. There’s a helluva lot you can do with cauliflower!

Q:  Under My Skin is a really progressive project for Aussie cinema, what first attracted you to the role?

This movie is ultimately a very compelling love story that follows two people through extreme highs and lows and explores the power of love and the force it is for good and for change. I’d never seen a love story like this and that really intrigued me.

Under My Skin Trailer #1

Q: What do you hope audiences take away from Under My Skin?

That we all should allow ourselves and others to honour our inner truths, whatever they may be, despite pressure from the outside world to fit into a box or mold that feels dishonest to us.

Q:  What was your biggest learning from working on Under My Skin?

Producing and acting simultaneously is mind-meltingly stressful!

Q:  What projects would you like to work on in the future?

I love basically every genre of film and television. To me, it’s all about the story and what i find compelling or exciting at the time. So... television, big movies, little movies. You name it, I’m down if i love the content. 

I also love directing, producing, writing, putting projects together. I want to do more and more of that.

‘Under My Skin’ premieres on Friday 26th February at the Mardi Gras Film Festival in Sydney - tickets are available now, simply click here!

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Scott Henderson
Scott Henderson
Scott is the Editor of Men's Health Australia, where he oversees all editorial content of the country's largest men’s magazine. As a fitness addict, adventure sport lover, and passionate story-teller, Henderson is committed to living the Men’s Health brand.

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