“It’s all the same source. And the source in everything that you do, whether you’re taking a photograph or you’re playing music or you’re acting... is you. It’s all you.”

I sat down with friend and fellow actor, Yul Vazquez , this summer, and he blew me away on multiple levels...

Not only does he have awesome stories from the seemingly endless amounts of elite films, TV shows and plays he's done over the past decades, but I got to ask him about the fact that he's also an accomplished musician, painter and photographer. With incredible charm and simplicity, he beautifully articulates some philosophies that I've been trying to grasp since this podcast began...

So, yes, you'll hear personal stories about Philip Seymour Hoffman , Sam Rockwell , Ben Stiller , and many others, but what will really inspire you is this: if, like me, you are drawn to more than just one art form or possess both artistic and entrepreneurial interests, Yul empowers you to trust that your talent and perspective in multiple fields is not a conflict. It's something to embrace and celebrate.

And he just lays it all out in such a plain-spoken, cool-as-shit way that you can't help but love him for his honesty, vulnerability and wisdom that he's picked up along his journey. He made me laugh a lot, but he also reminded me that I wasn't wrong when I titled this podcast 10,000 NOs. Here are his words about the crazy journey of a life in show business, "if not the most important of all is, how much can you withstand? What are you made of? What's your mettle? Because if you crumble, you're done."

If you’re an actor, writer or filmmaker and you think you’d benefit from being part of conversations like this every week with a group of fellow artists, consider joining our Working Actors Community. Find out more by CLICKING HERE.

And remember: “failure” is just opportunity in disguise. You can flip the script to make your setbacks serve you.

SHOW LINKS:

10,000 NOs: THE BOOK

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Today's guest, ​David H. Lawrence XVII​, is a prime example of someone who decided to control his own destiny while still pursuing his dream, by combining his experience in technology with his love of storytelling to serve others by giving them tools and a path to success.

His combo of service and entrepreneurial prowess is the special sauce many performers seek: how to have staying power in show business without riding such a scary rollercoaster. His extremely successful ​VO Heroes​, ACX Masterclass, and Narrate Your Own Book courses and communities have helped thousands of artists make a living from home.

Lately, it seems like everyone, not just actors, is working harder and harder for less and less reward...

Between AI and diminishing opportunities, not being resourceful enough to create additional revenue streams no longer seems like an option if you want to get ahead, or even just have some certainty. Watch or listen to this conversation if you want inspiration to make it happen for yourself.

Braun Strowman (Won the Arnold Amateur Strongman World Championships, WWE Champion, Entrepreneur and Now Host of EVERYTHING ON THE MENU) sat down on 10,000 NOs with Matthew Del Negro podcast…

He doesn’t just flex his muscles…

He drops some legit, hard-earned, plain-spoken KNOWLEDGE BOMBS full of wisdom on us!!

#braunstrowman #matthewdelnegro #10000nospodcast #wwechampion #everythingonthemenu

Welcome to 10,000 NOs with Matthew Del Negro — a channel for actors, filmmakers, writers, creatives, and entrepreneurs navigating the ups and downs of building a career.

Through honest conversations with working artists, storytellers, and industry professionals, we explore the realities of rejection, persistence, and what it really takes to succeed in entertainment and creative business.

If you’re chasing a creative career or building something of your own, remember: every “no” can bring you closer to your next “yes.”

Sign up for our Newsletter by emailing: info@10000nos.com with "Newsletter" in the Subject Line

SHOW LINKS:

Working Actors Community

10,000 NOs Book

Follow Matt on Instagram

Follow 10,000 NOs on Instagram

VIDEO CHAPTERS:

00:00 INTRO

01:55 WHO IS BRAUN STROWMAN

07:00 SECOND CHANCES

10:46 STRONG MAN

18:59 GET THESE HANDS WWE

26:00 CATCH THE AUDIENCE

29:00 LEARN A SKILL/TRADE

33:00 BEING A GOOD STUDENT DOESN’T PAY OFF

36:00 MANIFEST IT!

40:00 EVERYTHING ON THE MENU

46:57 WHY BRAUN STROWMAN?