We had the good fortune of connecting with Vasilios Filippakis and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Vasilios, we’d love to hear about how you approach risk and risk-taking.
I view taking risks as essential to personal and professional growth. During Covid, I made a decision to move from Toronto to Los Angeles to pursue acting. I left behind my family, friends and everything familiar to start over in a new country. This leap required courage and forced me to adapt quickly. The challenges I faced, from finding new community to navigating a new industry, taught me resilience and sharpened my skills. Ultimately, this bold move was the catalyst for discovering who I really am and what I’m capable of.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
One of my biggest challenges early on was work–life balance. Before Covid, acting meant having extreme flexibility, I worked as a server for years to accommodate last-minute auditions. A traditional full-time job wasn’t an option. But with the shift to self-tapes, I can now work a full-time role and still pursue acting, which has been a game-changer.

Another major lesson I’ve learned is to lean into what you do best…know your brand. For years, being gay felt like a question mark in casting. I worried about how much to share, whether it would limit me, or how I’d be perceived. But the world has come a long way, and now my authenticity has become one of my greatest strengths. It’s led to many of my biggest opportunities.

Being fully myself is what has led to my success, both in acting and with F45. For a long time, I thought I had to adjust or filter parts of who I was to fit in. But leaning into my authenticity has opened more doors than I ever imagined.

As an actor, it’s allowed me to bring honesty and depth to my work. As a leader in fitness, it’s helped me connect with people on a real level. People respond to those who are unapologetically themselves. My story is proof that when you embrace every part of who you are, you don’t just find success…you find the right kind of success, the kind that feels true to you!

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
If my best friend was visiting for a week, I’d tell them to embrace their inner tourist lol start with a stroll down the Santa Monica Pier, grab a bite at Malibu Café on the pier, and then spend a lazy beach day at Paradise Cove. For dinner, I’m obsessed with Bacari Silverlake, the food, the vibe, everything. And if it’s summer and Cinespia is doing an outdoor movie at the Hollywood Forever Cemetery, that’s a must. There’s something magical about watching a film under the stars surrounded by friends, picnic blankets, and twinkle lights!

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
Absolutely. My journey has been shaped by so many generous people. In particular, I owe a lot to my acting teachers: Suzanne Bastien in Toronto, who instilled the fundamentals and was there for me when I would cry on her floor, and everyone at the Lesly Kahn Studio here in LA, who continue to push me and refine my craft. I also have to thank ALL my friends in and out of the acting community. They’ve been the ones running lines with me late at night and filming my auditions. Their support and encouragement have made all the difference. You cannot do this alone.

For my F45 career, I have to start by thanking John and Liz at F45 Yorkville in Toronto for taking a chance on me when all I really knew was how to dance and cheerlead. Learning from the best set the foundation for everything that came after.

When I moved to LA, I joined F45 Sunset Strip in West Hollywood, and with the encouragement of the team and a little push from our regional manager, Eric Strangis, I stepped into the manager role. Honestly, I hesitated at first, but Eric’s consistent guidance, genuine belief in me, and willingness to mentor me made all the difference. He is the best!

In less than a year, I grew that studio by over 100 members, was promoted to Performance Manager, and soon after became District Manager. Without Eric’s faith in my abilities, I wouldn’t be where I am today.

Website: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm6520968/

Instagram: callmevas_

Image Credits
matt kallish – headshot

Nominate Someone: ShoutoutLA is built on recommendations and shoutouts from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.