Lawson Reeves

Tell us a bit about yourself

I grew up in Western Australia where I loved to get involved in any sport I could try. I’ve played soccer, basketball, tennis, softball, football, swimming, volleyball and rugby union but my real passion has always been in performing arts and entertaining others. In 2014 I was a housemate on Big Brother, after the show I moved to Melbourne where I have been following my dreams. I am currently a professional Magician who entertains people for a living. The feeling I get when I step off the stage after a show is a feeling like no other and it continue to remind me that this is exactly what I’m meant to be doing. I am also an ambassador for Blue September an organisation that is raising awareness about cancer in men.

Why do you like to be fit and healthy?

Being fit and healthy benefits every part of my life, as a performer it helps with my breathing and projection of my voice as well as allowing me to be a very active performer. It also gets very hot under the lights on stage and you do not want to be sweating up a storm in front of an audience. Most importantly being fit and healthy benefits my mental health. You would be surprised how big of a role your physical health helps your mental health. Both are just as important and where we are very quick to speak up about a physical injury (for example a sprained ankle) we are not so likely to speak up if we are feeling depressed and that really needs to change.

What is the best advice you have been given?

The best advice I’ve been given came from my brother. Being in the entertainment industry and standing on a stage in front hundreds of people and being on a TV show watched by hundreds of thousands of people iy can get pretty daunting, you can very easily get caught up in what people think and say about you. His advice was “lions don’t let the opinions of gazelles bother them.”

What has been your biggest challenge and how did you overcome it?

When I was 19 my mum died in a motorbike accident which turned my life upside down. It very quickly taught me that life is short and to make the most of every single day. My mum used to say that every day is precious. She wouldn’t of wanted me to give up after she passed so I have done everything in my power to make her proud. To live my life to the fullest and never have that thought of “what if.” I will give everything a go at least once, I go out of my way to try to help those that need it and most importantly she taught me to count my blessings. Things aren’t as bad as they seem. A saying that has stuck with me is “I cried because I had no shoes, until I saw a man with no feet.”

What is your best tip for motivation, health and fitness?

Practice, Practice, practice. Never give up. You may not be at your goal but you are closer than you were yesterday.

Who do you look up to as a role model & why (either present or past)?

I’ve always looked up to my Dad, he will put anyone before himself even if he doesn’t know them and is always helping others. If I can be half the man he is than In know I’m doing well.