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

Hi Mathieu, we’d love to hear about how you approach risk and risk-taking
Risk has been a major theme in my life. Starting from when I moved to the USA. I moved from a small town in France, not knowing much English, leaving all my friends and loved ones, all for love. I ended up marrying the girl I moved for and we’ve grown our family, so obviously, the risk was worth it. Risk is inherent in my career because it requires you to put yourself in a vulnerable position on a daily basis. Auditioning for limited roles, in front of strangers that ultimately influence your fate. Having to play roles and characters that are foreign to your own persona and hoping that you are doing the projects you work on justice. There is judgment, doors constantly closing, and no’s around every corner, but you keep pushing through, knowing that the right opportunities are just around the corner. Taking risks, requires you to maintain a positive attitude, and if you can do that…things will always work out for the best.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I am an Actor and Model. Much of my time is spent working on commercials and print ads, while I build my credits in film and television. Overall, my experience has been smooth and I’ve been amazed at how much success I’ve been able to achieve so far and people I’ve been able to meet. I’ve learned that positivity, patience, compassion, encouragement, kindness, trust, etc. are all essential to achieve success not only professionally but also in your personal life. As this journey is a lifelong learning process, ultimately both are linked.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
There are so many amazing places to visit in California! I would do a road trip starting up in San Francisco, and stopping at Yosemite Park then Sequoia, and visiting Death Valley. I have a deep connection with nature and I enjoy the opportunity to share the amazing scenery that California offers with anyone visiting. Once in SoCal, I’d head towards beautiful Hermosa Beach where we’d enjoy the many public beach volleyball courts, great restaurants and bars, and a bike ride on the Strand during sunset. I believe that’s good enough for a week 😊

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I’d like to give a shoutout to my amazing working team of agents who work hard on my behalf, my lovely family who are always there to support me however unpredictable the industry can be, my dear friends who follow my journey and show me encouragement, and every person I’ve worked with over the years. I have been so fortunate to have worked with such wonderfully talented people that uplift me, challenge me, and bring out the best in me.

Website: http://www.mathieuszymkowiak.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mat_szymko/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/matszymko/

Other: IMDB: http://www.imdb.me/mathieuszymkowiak

Image Credits
Evan Tanaka, Aeschleah DeMartino, Brian Min, Sam Robinson