The Nigerian actor, Deyemi Okanlawon, has disclosed that his fitness journey has been greatly inspired and guided by his friend, Pastor Jimmy Odukoya.
During an interview with Teju Babyface on the King of Talks podcast, Okanlawon discussed his strategy to staying in shape as an actor.
In the past, Okanlawon acknowledged that the need to fulfil particular physical standards for film parts was the main reason behind his fitness aim.
However, Pastor Odukoya’s admonition to put general fitness first had a big impact on his attitude.
Reflecting on his transformation, Okanlawon stated the influence of his friend, now called “Pastor Jimi Odukoya,” who was a fitness enthusiast and actor even before assuming his role as a senior pastor.
“A year ago, I decided that I wanted to be ready and fit all the time. One of my best friends convinced me, you probably know him, and now I’m forced to add ‘pastor’ to his name,” he stated.
“Pastor Jimi Odukoya is a gym buff, and we used to work out together before he became the senior pastor and he just inspired me to look a certain kind of way, to be strong, fit and healthy. So there is nothing I do that is primarily to become a ‘chick magnet,” he added.
Deyemi explained further that his new regimen works for him and is also beneficial to his career.
“An actor is essentially his voice, emotions and body, and for me to be where I want to be all these things come together.“If I had a film coming up and I knew that there was going to be some showing of skin, I used to go hard for two or three months. Then one year later I wouldn’t even go near a gym. Now, I’m healthy and it works for the films too,” he said.
