Meet Sean Gunnell | SAG-AFTRA Actor swearing by Breath Work, Therapy, and Spiritual Positivity

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

Hi Sean, how has your work-life balance changed over time?
First off, I want to say thank you for this interview with your publication! I vividly remember and cherish the previous article I did a couple of years ago; it is truly a wonderful experience getting to share my story with your lovely VoyageLA readers and staff. Well, I would say that my balance has changed over time thanks to the power of therapy. I met with a counselor consistently from ages 12 to 25, and I gained incredible tools in calming the anxieties and insecurities that were hindering my personal growth. And yet, in the eight years that followed of putting my practices to use, I eventually stagnated, with core internal obstacles I hadn’t overcome loudly rearing their ugly heads at me. Knowing I still had much to learn in regaining my equilibrium, I re-entered therapy in the spring of 2022, when I finally learned/have been putting into practice techniques and mantras vital to soothing my beasts of burden. In terms of what I think about balance, I believe it’s important to have unshakeable boundaries and to not burn the candle at both ends. I am empathic by nature, for decades I have freely given of my spirit to others (to both givers and takers) without expecting anything in return, and for that I have walked many days through a fog of exhaustion and fatigue, wondering why I feel so drained. I can safely say I’m living my value and worth by honoring my boundaries, knowing when to compassionately and respectfully say no to others, sharing my deepest empathic energies with those who I feel healthily aligned with, healing myself from harmful and chaotic experiences through patience, grace, and serenity, and trusting the process of what’s best for my overall well being. Harmony is the key to my door of endless love, joy, and possibilities; I hope you all have yours/find yours, too!

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
What sets me apart from others in my art form is my work ethic. I believe no acting role is ever fully lived 100%, and that’s the gift of this profession. It’s the pursuit of that pure authenticity, of bringing a character to life in all of their quirks, imperfections, and human traits that makes this art form so compelling and entertaining to behold. In so doing, I make music playlists to fit the realm of each world, diligently practice and study personal conditions, accents/dialects, professional occupations for whatever the role calls for, flesh out backstories in order to have as many emotional edges as possible, etc. Through blood, sweat, and tears, I strive to go to the nth degree so that my vision always gets to come out, breath deeply, see the light of day, and live through ferocious passion. I got to where I am today by letting every rejection and closed door be a learning moment, never taking constructive criticism personally, embracing a love of failure as much as/if not more than success, and accepting that what is meant for me will never pass me by. It isn’t always an easy feat, especially in the face of no auditions for months-on-end, and going long stretches without landing any productions, but please trust me when I say this: a love of the entire process, the maturation of your craft, and staying true to yourself in the face of few-to-no bookings, will be worth far more in the long run than any desperate desire for instant work, failing to embrace struggle as a friend, and rushing your development as a craftsman and dreamweaver. A way I shape my last statement into a question is this: do you want what’s immediate, or do you want longevity? Whatever answer you choose, I hope you do it well, with great care, and that you make the most of your beautiful dream! / And be on the lookout for my first leading role in a feature film, “You Must Be Lance,” hitting the film festival circuit this summertime! Cat burglars, pineapple pizza, a mysterious serial killer, an alternative and jazzy soundtrack, and sexy subtle neo-noir vibes. OH MY!!

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
If my best friend were in town for a week, it’d be an adventure in all directions. Perhaps a day trip of snowboarding in Big Bear, followed by an immediate turnaround to boogie board at Venice beach before sunset; or we’d venture into Mexico for street food mulitas, burritos, and vampiro tacos, tequila tours, and ATV riding, before hustling back across the border for seafood in Point Loma, San Diego. For my best bud Sam and I, we are two individuals who love to go with the flow, live from zen-like states, and appreciate the little things everywhere we go. We’re both creatives, we love browsing vintage stores for pop culture items and clothing for one of his graphic design businesses, going to the movies, grubbing on New York style pizza, and wandering parts of town that have a balanced harmony of city and nature. Whether he were to come down to Southern California for a day, a week, or a month, whatever amount of time he could commit to, it will always a fun-filled adventure with Mr. Samuel Winston Kraus!

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I would like to dedicate my shoutout to three individuals: Stephanie Morris, Andrew Smart, and Leila Godkin. First off, Stephanie was my therapist for 13 years. When I was 12, I started meeting her on a consistent weekly basis, and I entered my therapeutic journey wearing a mask of fake happiness, falsely assuring her that everything in my life was sunshine and rainbows. From day one, Stephanie was a stalwart friend, a compassionate presence who never pressured me to speak about anything I didn’t want to dive into, and a joy in guiding me towards my footing in communication, openness, and doing the work on myself. I wouldn’t have the confidence, awareness, discipline, and self-love in my life if it weren’t for her incredible nature, and I owe a magnitude of gratitude and thanks to her for helping me discover and own my voice. Secondly, I want to recognize Andrew Smart and his book I am presently reading, “Breathwork: How To Use Your Breath To Change Your Life.” This book is gifting me the ability to release pent up anxieties, fears, and pain I’ve latched onto, and it’s truly magnificent how the power of deep breathing nourishes the whole being. I feel cleansed with each subsequent chapter, I find myself laughing and crying in the healthiest ways, and all the areas of my life are flowing on a great river of elation, wonder, and excellence, especially in my artistic endeavors. Finally, I wish to honor Leila Godkin, my grandmother on my mom’s side of the family. Years ago, my dad spoke highly of Leila’s superpower of forgiveness and non-judgment, that she was the kind of person who wouldn’t mentally define anyone by a single mistake made but rather by how they’d learn to grow beyond their choices. She forgave with kindness, put trust in people bettering themselves, and held everyone to their highest standards and selves. My grandmother is one of my greatest heroes, she is a true pillar of personal success in my eyes, and in choosing to be my own beacon of love, support, empathy, and forgiveness for others in their journeys of personal blossoming, her example always lights my way so that I too can help my tribe see the radiance in themselves whenever they slip up. We’re all in this together, warts and all!

Website: www.seanalexandergunnell.com

Instagram: www.instagram.com/seanalexandergunnell/

Youtube: www.youtube.com/@SeanGunnell/playlists

Other: IMDb: www.imdb.me/seangunnell Actors Access: resumes.actorsaccess.com/seangunnell

Image Credits
1. (Cover Photo) @Danyi Honore
2. @Matt Schulte
3. @Sean Gunnell
4. @Spencer Selover
5. @Nicholas Cole Brown / @Marco Bazzi