Sex, Love, and What Else Matters - Navigating Life with Jeff Perkins

Episode Date: August 23, 2024

Episode 124. This week, Kristen and Luke are joined by Jeff Perkins who talks about how he went from being a “night club guy” to his decision to go sober. He also opens up about his childhood and going from a small town in Pennsylvania to being an actor in Hollywood, as well as his weight loss journey. They discuss the importance of working out and Luke shares how it’s changed his life over the last three months.  Sponsors: Treat yourself to the best bras and shapewear on the market and save 20% Off at honeylove.com/DOUTE Use code DOUTE at checkout for 15% off your entire order at www.vionicshoes.com when you log into your account.  Follow us: @kristendoute @luke__broderick Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Your teen requested a ride, but this time not from you. It's through their Uber Teen account. It's an Uber account that allows your teen to request a ride under your supervision with live trip tracking and highly rated drivers. Add your teen to your Uber account today. What's up, babes? Welcome back to another episode of Bouncing Act. Luke and I have a friend today. We have a guest today.

Oh, it's my best friend, workout partner, Jeff Perkins here. How's it going, guys? Jeff Perkins is a good human being, actor, producer. What else? You do everything it seems like. You know, I just, I try to enjoy life every day, be a good human being, and kind of connect the right people, friends, you know, with the other proper friends that, you know, I want everybody to succeed is what I try to do.

I love that. I love that. Part of being a good human being. I call Jeff an AAGG. It's an all around good guy. And we will be posting a photo on our Instagram with his handle so you can see. Ladies, he's taken. I've never had all of my girlfriends be like,

who's that guy? He's really tall and really nice. And for our listeners out there who are like Vanderpump, Valley adjacent, he's like a taller, hotter Rob Evers. That's a friend of mine. I do get asked a lot of times, who's your friend?

Yeah. Like that's Jeff. That's Jeff, that's Jeff. What about him? I think it's because you're so tall, you have such a stature about you as well. Like just you're like broad shoulder, really tall, you're in shape, but you have a great smile

and like you just have a very warming personality. I tall, you're in shape, but you have a great smile and like you just have a very warming personality. I try to have a good presence, I think, is what it is, a real positive presence. And when I walk into a room, when I walk into a room when I was a kid, it was always really tall, eye catching, but what do you do to kind of hold people's impression

of you, you know? And it's like, and I've been through many changes as Luke knows in my life. to kind of hold people's impression of you. And I've been through many changes, as Luke knows, in my life. And I think the healthier you are, the happier you are, especially with yourself and your inner child, it's very important to be. That's a really good point.

Wait, so you were always tall as a kid? I was 6'4", by the time I was 16. Okay, so I feel your pain. I was 5'9", at the time I was 16. Okay, so I feel your pain. I was 5'9", at like 14, which for a chick is like crazy tall, so like in eighth grade, all the boys were like maybe shoulder height. You have growing pains? I was like, Jolly Green Giant. They would sing the Toys R Us, Jeffrey the Giraffe song to me.

It was awful. And now, as an adult, I even remember my early 20s, when I lived in Miami, which we'll get to, you used to live in Miami my early 20s when I lived in Miami, which we'll get to, you used to live in Miami for a minute, when I lived in Miami and I'm like, oh my God, I'm 5'9", I'm long-haired brunette, and I was like, oh, those bitches are born and bred here. Like, I'm a nobody now. And so at 18, 21, I'm like, man, I wish I were like 6'2". I was very goofy, goofy tall when I was younger.

I mean, as I think we all are, you have to like grow into your own body, but just curious. Anyway, let's just talk about how we met. We randomly met at the dog park, Valley Village dog park where I go take Jill every day I can, and Jeff was there with his dog Tanner one day, and do you remember how we started talking?

Oh, is your meat cute? Tell me everything, because I wasn't there. I forget, it's been such a... I mean, it's been a year and a half? Yeah, close to two years. Two years? Yeah. I just remember, you know, hey man, what's going on?

You know, for the first time, hey, what's up? And then the next time we're just like, you know, we should hang out some time. Bullshit. We also like fishing and, you know, hunting and, you know, guns. Well, and I started talking about Colorado and you're like, wait, do you have guns? Yeah. Of course I got guns, and I started talking about Colorado and you're like, wait, do you have guns? Yeah. Of course I got guns. So we started talking about that.

Wait, I really do want to know though, because Luke does make male platonic, obviously friends, male friends at the park that we go to. Like, how does that happen? Cause it never happens when I'm there. Luke comes home and says, I made a friend today. Maybe you're cock-blocking his new friends. I know.

So how do two straight men like meet at a park? Well, we locked eyes. At one point, we just like loved it for sight. I'm like, let's be best friends and our dogs can be friends. You were just vibing. I was vibing, totally. We were talking. I think, Jeff, correct me if I'm wrong, but I think you probably saw in my eyes, like,

I don't know. I felt uncomfortable still in Los Angeles when I met you. One of the first things I told you is I don't have very many friends. And your response was, well, that's too bad because I only hang out with people with a lot of friends. Well, when Luke told me he was going to be in a reality show, I went, dude, I think you're a little too normal for that. And I agreed with you immediately.

Yeah, yeah. So did I. And then we found out that we happen to live in the same building. Yeah, that was actually kind of weird that we lived in the same building. That's random because our building that we happen to live in the same building. Yeah, that was actually kind of weird. That we lived in the same building. That's random because our building that we used to live in, there's so many people. And this is the first time I've ever rented a house. I've owned a home one time.

I've only lived in apartments and I've never been friends with my neighbors. Okay. So when I lived in Tampa, I realized something about my first house in Tampa, Florida, in Palm Harbor. I'd never been friends with my neighbors. And one guy was a former Secret Service agent, one guy was a lawyer, one guy was a helicopter that would fly over every day. And it was Coast Guard.

One of the main guys from the Coast Guard was the pilot that would fly over and wave to his kids every day. So it was a super tight community. And I made sure that I was friends with every single one of them. You know, when you build a community around you, it's just, life is so much better. Like when you need help, you know, somebody breaks in your house, whatever, you know, you're having some sort of issue. When you have your neighbors that are there to help you out, it just changes the game.

So in our building, I try to be, you know, everyone's favorite. I'm the favorite neighbor. I joke that he's the mayor, the mayor of the apartment and the mayor of the gym, to be honest. I'm also the mayor of the gym. I've heard those stories. Yeah. Jeff knows everyone that you guys run into at the gym that you go to.

We'd get more done in the gym in less time if Jeff didn't know every single person and details about their lives. You know, I've been fat, I've been skinny, I've been weak, I've been strong. And at the gym I try to actually make some real friendships because you never know who's going to need some help working out, who's going to need some help, you know, how to lose weight. I'm also a recovering alcoholic, so you know, it's also, I like to help people, oh, you have problems with alcohol? Well, I haven't had a drink in 10 years,

and here's how I did it, with AA and my father, who was also an alcoholic. But I was also 330 pounds, so I know how to lose weight. I know how to work out. I've been working out for 20 years. And some people, when they come into the gym, they're terrified to just ask a question, because everybody looks like they're so big and strong.

And it's like, most guys, when you ask them, hey, help me with a spot, they're excited that you ask them. Like, absolutely, I would love to help you out. Gyms can be very scary. And it's like, I try to make it like my, like, Emerson Valley Village. It's like a home. And you see a bunch of friends. And I mean, I know everybody at that gym

and half of them are crazy. And I just, I love their stories. I love people. I love human beings. That's my, they're my favorite. And I love everything you're saying about this. I just wrote this down really quickly because it's something, this mantra that I've had for,

I don't know, maybe like the last five years because I kind of, being on reality TV, being out in public, I love our fans, I love the viewers of the show, I love our listeners of the podcast, all of the above. But I am such a weirdly, like I've become more of an introvert than an extrovert. Like a very friendly introvert, if you will. That being said, I stand by every friend that you have was once a stranger. Of course. If you never reached out to talk to someone,

then they're just a stranger to you. You never know who you're going to connect with. One of my best friends, Kevin was his name, he died in a motorcycle accident in 2015. And he was one of the best human beings I ever met. And he taught me what real friendship was. A real friend is someone who comes over and helps you move furniture.

A real friendship is there for the bad times and the good times. But I had a lot of really shitty, when I lived in Miami, when I was a nightclub guy, I had a lot of mediocre friends. And I had this kid, Kevin, and he just showed me what true friendship was. And when he passed, I was like, oh my God, God, why?

I should have had 40 more years with this guy. And I was angry, but then I kind of realized one day, like thank you for 17 years of showing me what a real fucking friend is. And I try to find Kevin every day. You're gonna make me cry right now. So, I mean, that's why I talk to people at the fucking dog party.

Yeah. You never know, you might meet Luke. Yeah. You might meet buddies with Luke. Did you know my middle name's Kevin? No, it's not. It's not, I'm sorry. Idiot.

I just wanted to lighten it up a little bit. I do wanna dive in. Well, let's go. I've been watching you cry so often, I'm just gonna have to do it. Touche. Yeah, I've been watching you cry so often, I'm just going to have to do it. I've been the number one crier this summer. Number one crier in the group. Summer is here, which means more social events, more weddings to attend, more nights out on the town, and hopefully more vacations.

Which is why I am so thankful for today's sponsor, Honeylove, for covering us with the best shapewear. With Honeylove, you can feel your best even when you're wearing less. They've revolutionized compression technology, so you no longer have to feel like you're suffocating while wearing shapewear. Plus, they're the only shapewear that won't ever roll down, no matter how much you groove on the dance floor.

Honeylove shapewear features lingerie-inspired design details that you'll want to show off, and is made with breathable fabric that keeps you nice and cool, which is perfect for hot days. For a limited time only, you can get Honeylove on sale. Get 20% off your entire order with our exclusive link, honeylove.com slash doty. Support our show and check them out at honeylove.com forward slash doty. Listen, we've all worn shapewear before, admit it.

And let's be honest, it's not always the most comfortable thing to put on our bodies. But I can confidently say that once I tried Honeylove, I fell in love again with shapewear. Feel comfortable and confident this summer with Honeylove's best-selling Superpower Short. The Superpower Short smooths shapes and lifts, giving you a flawless silhouette under any outfit. Honeylove's best-selling SuperShort is my go-to.

And their Signature X targets and sculpts your midsection without squeezing your natural curves. It's designed to work with your body, not against it, and I've seriously never felt more confident while wearing shapewear. You won't have to worry about it rolling down again, which is unheard of in shapewear, thanks to flexible boning that is hidden in the side seams. This piece is also a booty lifter.

Boost bands on the back of the thigh give your bottom amazing shape. Treat yourself to the best bras and shapewear on the market and save 20% off at honeylove.com slash doty. Use our exclusive link to get 20% off honeylove.com slash doty. After you purchase, they'll ask you where you heard about them. Please support our show and tell them we sent you. The summer vibes are just getting started, honeys. Shape your life with honey love.

Luke and I, we wear our Vionics wherever we go. Whether I'm on a hike with the dogs or simply grocery shopping. And even when we go out at night, because there are so many comfortable and adorable options. Are you tired of sacrificing style for comfort when it comes to your footwear?

Well, look no further, because we've got the perfect solution for you. Introducing Vionic shoes, where style meets comfort seamlessly. What if a shoe could infinitely enhance your day? Introducing the Vionic Walk Max sneaker for him and her. It's perfect for all-day wear, staying active, or your everyday go-to. They're my airport shoes for sure. Science led in design informed by biomechanics

to create the ultimate walking shoe. The balance of max cushioning and stability optimizes your natural stride and keep you on the move in comfort. Vionics exclusive podiatrist design, VioMotion Technology, features unmatched underfoot contours providing stability and support through every stride. Listen to this.

It has a water-pellent upper, treated with a protective coating to help against inclement weather. It has super critical foam, Vionics lightest midsole yet. This nitrogen-infused midsole offers the highest rebound to enhance your walking motion. And the VioFlex insole featuring a flexible lightweight compound

offering optimal moisture control, including a perforated heel for added breathability. Now in new fantastic colors. I love wearing my Vionic shoes whenever I do my errands. I no longer have foot fatigue. I think my favorite part is that these shoes not only look great,

but they support my feet all day long. So use code Dody at checkout, 15% off your entire order at www.vionicshoes.com. When you log into your account, one time use only. Vionics Shoes, wearable, well-being for your feet. Let's go back to Pennsylvania. Oh, you wanna go all the way back. I wanna go all the way back.

All the way back to Pennsylvania. Well, that's where you're from. Yeah, Indiana, Pennsylvania. It, that's where you're from. Yeah. Indiana, Pennsylvania. It's a small town right outside Pittsburgh. Which is so wild. The fact that it's called Indiana, Pennsylvania is amazing. It's a great little town.

And you've been in LA eight years? Eight years. Eight years. Okay. Which is a good chunk of time because I know when I moved to LA, everyone, I've been here 17 years now, but everyone that I met after like year one, year two, they were like, hmm, are you gonna move back? Gonna go back to the Midwest?

Like, can you hack it here in Hollywood? I was like, what? Is this like a fucking challenge? Watch me. Three weeks ago, I was able to go back home with a movie that I produced. It's called Flux. It's $2.5 million.

And I was able to take it back to my hometown in the little theater that my sister used to do her plays in. It's 60,000 people in this town. And we were able to screen it there in front of my mom, my stepdad, my sister was there, my producing partner, couple ex-girlfriends, couple teachers from a prep school that I went to, Kiske Prep, just friends, family, the whole town, there were about 165 people showed up for it. And it was like one of those moments

where you're standing up on stage talking about the movie and you're just like, wow, this is fucking real. I was like, oh yeah. Like you should feel so proud in that moment. Yeah, I am. I'm really excited about it. Like looking around just being like, holy shit, look what I accomplished. Like I overcame LA. I've lasted through it because... LA is a beast, as you know. Like, this place will chew you up and spit you out.

Another thing about LA is like, you know, people that get jacked up in LA do not have real friends. I found my community my second day in town. You know, one of my best... My director, I met him on my second day in town at a party at his house, you know, and I'm the godfather to his kid. And he always says, I don't like new friends. And I hate actors.

But there's just something about you, Jeff. I don't know, I just like you. It's amazing. So, okay, so you grew up in Pennsylvania. Did you always want to be an actor? When I was a kid, I wanted to be. I was, you know, it was always the dream. You know, like, I want to be a police officer in a TV show. Right.

You know, I was James Bond, Batman, were two of my favorite superheroes basically. When I was a kid, I was super ADD, you know, a little overweight. My parents had just gotten divorced when I was seven. My mom got remarried, divorced at five, remarried at seven. And I moved from Florida, Hollywood, Florida, to Indiana, Pennsylvania.

And I was fucking awkward. It's like I didn't have any friends. I didn't know how to talk to people. It's just like I was uprooted. It was a challenge for me. And it's like that's when I started like eating, coping with like eating a bunch of food. I just wasn't where I wanted to be and when I went to Kiske Prep one of my teachers who I actually saw Mr. Orsotti a couple weeks ago

who came to the screening he comes up to my parents right it was an all-guys pre-boarding school so you had to live there he came up to my mom and he goes hey get your kid tested for ADD and my mom goes well we already did like last month. He goes, get them tested again. And I got tested. I started taking Ritalin and I went from Fs to straight As in two months. I remember Ritalin being such a huge thing

when I was in middle school. So like, and you and I aren't that far off in age. I'm 48. I'm 41. Okay, that's a little off. I mean, I'm just saying like the 90s were the time of Rivelin and I just remember so many of my friends being like 13, 12, 13 years old on this medication

that they would then give to other people. I had never taken it because I'm like, what the hell, prescription meds, I'm 12. It's like everybody takes it now, but back in the day it was just like, what is that? You know, is's an amphetamine. Right. And it was so funny because when I took it, I was comeback student of the year in 92. That's a thing. Yeah. In 92.

In 92. You know what year I was born? 92? 91. 91. You couldn't even read that fucking book. I don't even remember. I think it was like Catching the Rye or something, but like it was a signed copy

of a book and it was just like, it was a big deal. It, it, it gave me confidence when I, before I didn't even remember, I think it was like Catching the Rye or something, but like it was a signed copy of a book and it was just like, it was a big deal. It gave me confidence when I, before I didn't have confidence. Like I was, I became a prefect, which, you know, I was kind of in charge of like the other students, which, you know, could have been a good or bad thing because I, you know, kind of tortured them a little bit, but I was also tortured when I went there, you know? So it, you know, also Ritalin curbs your appetite. So I probably lost like 30, you know like 30 pounds, 40 pounds as a kid. So I went from like tubby to skinny

and then I started getting good at sports and I started getting good at like talking to girls. So instead of that nerdy kid that I was when I was younger, I wanted to be like one part Batman, one part Bruce Wayne and one part James Bond. So I kind of created this character, who was able to talk to people, who wasn't scared. And I just kind of like, over time,

just became the character. That's so interesting. For me, I call it vacation mode, because growing up I was very introverted, and I realized in vacation time, I knew it was a short period of time I'd go meet everybody. And it wasn't who I was, where I lived. I wasn't as comfortable, I don't know what it was in short period of time I'd go meet everybody. And it wasn't who I was, where I lived. I wasn't as comfortable,

I don't know what it was in the back of my mind. I'm an over thinker. Right? Oh really? Yeah, can you believe it? Anyway, no, I called it vacation mode. Like I gotta stay in vacation mode in my real life to start meeting more people.

And I'd say people I meet nowadays would say I'm an extrovert. Whereas everyone I grew up with were like, well, Luke doesn't talk much. Luke kind of like does his own thing. I like him, but he doesn't do, you know, I wasn't a big party or, or anything. It's so much more fun to get out there and fucking talk to people. You ended up in Miami managing or you were in this is post high school, post high school, right? So high school, you were, you were an athlete because you talked about being

overweight. So it's like, you said you were like a chubby kid, right. So high school you were an athlete, because you talked about being overweight. So it's like you said you were like a chubby kid, you got skinny, then you're working out, you're an athlete. And then you graduate high school and then college. And then college. Indian or Indian? I'm sorry. I forget people go to college.

I didn't. Well, I went to college for six years and I partied basically for six years and got a four-year degree. I went to Westminster College in New Wilmington, Pennsylvania for two years and I partied basically for six years and got a four year degree. I went to Westminster college in New Wilmington, Pennsylvania for two years. It was a really tough school. Got the fuck out of there because it was just really hard. Went to IUP, which was a lot easier. It's in my hometown also.

So that's where I started bartending. Okay. I started barking at 20. And then from then on, I was like, I want to be, I want to own nightclubs. I was like, I call myself a nightclub. I was like, I called myself Nightclub Guy. Because that's all I wanna do, was like chase women and fucking run nightclubs, and it all went together.

I feel like don't we kind of all, I don't know. See, a lot of people have a normal life, they don't think like that. But the people that are in nightclubs and restaurants, it's like we just wanna be in that lifestyle. When I moved to LA, my very first thought, my modeling agent was like, you have to have a real job. You have to have some kind of income.

This doesn't happen overnight. And in my mind, because the Hills was on during that time, I was like, I want to work for, what's Brent Boulthouse, whatever that, what the hell is that? Brent Boulthouse and his company where they do bottle service at all these nightclubs. I can't think of the damn name right now, but that's what I wanted to do. My mind, I was like, I'm going to be do bottle service at all these nightclubs. I can't think of the damn name right now, but that's what I wanted to do.

Like my mind, I was like, I'm gonna be a bottle service girl, I'm gonna make like $10,000 a night, and that's that. Like, then I can just like sit on my ass and go to auditions and castings and I'll be fine. Reality alert, it's not how it works. When I was in Miami, we would make 500 bucks a night. This is in Hollywood, Florida. Yeah.

You know, it was Hollywood, Florida, and then we had a place in Miami, it was Taverna Opa, Miami, Taverna Opa, Fort Lauderdale. It's, you know, and I really enjoyed, you know, working in clubs and living in- So is that why you moved to Miami specifically? Yeah. Because you were familiar with Florida, so you were like- Well, my parents, my father, my mother,

and my stepfather, they're all from Florida. Okay. My mom and my father are from Hollywood, Florida. Yeah, Miami's a choice, and I know Hollywood very well. It's between Lauderdale and Miami. And it's like Miami, Miami's a beast now. Miami's not the same that it used to be. Miami's like crazy.

It's scary. It's crazy. But Hollywood used to be this nice little gym in between Fort Lauderdale and Miami, and it's really changed too, but still. I really liked growing up, I mean, I was closer to my father, and really enjoyed growing up there,

and my father's the one who taught me how to work out. I mean, also, during this time, I probably gained like 120 pounds of straight fat working in nightclubs and just eating like a savage, because my problem is, it doesn't matter what a savage. Because my problem is it doesn't matter what kind of drugs I'm on, it doesn't matter if I'm snorting cocaine, I still wanna go to a buffet and eat all the food.

So it's like I got a problem. And drinking, I'm assuming. And I date the wrong girl. Empty calories. The wrong thing. And it's like, I'll never forget my dad, my dad who was a bodybuilder back in the 80s and was also, he was sober for 38 years.

And he helped countless people get off alcohol and drugs. He was also a heroin addict. And I just remember he would come into my place, because we lived half a mile from each other, and he'd walk in, I'd be partying until seven o'clock in the morning. That's when we'd get out of the club. And I would just be just hurt. And he's like, you ready to get up?

You know, you ready to go? He'd take me to the ocean and we'd be swimming in the ocean and I'd feel like such dog shit, you know? And I wouldn't be able to go work out because I'd feel like such crap, you know? And he goes, you know, there is another way. And I'm like, whatever dude, you know, I'm chasing chicks and like life is good, you know?

But it's like, I was a nightclub guy. I was 320 pound nightclub guy. And like I never saw the sunlight because I go to bed at seven and I wake up at like five or six to get to the job by 10. Yeah. And I work like three, four days a week

I was making like $150,000 a year. Yeah. Being nightclub guy. Not a lot, and the tax thing, it's different. Totally. Yeah. No, I mean, and that tax thing, you know, it's different. Totally. No, I mean, and that's what, I feel like that is like, not everyone, guys.

I know there's tons of you out there who are like, what are you talking about? I went to like, I got my MBA and then I just went into the workforce. I'm just saying the people that I grew up with, a lot of us chase this dream of, let me just live in my 20s, whatever. I get to party as much as I want in my 20s,

then I'll make something of myself. All these other people are totally jealous of us. Totally. Well, also you meet some really fucking cool people at nightclubs. I mean, you meet lifelong friends. That's true. You meet a lot of douchebags,

but you also meet really awesome people. I mean, because you're growing up, here's the thing, it's like you're working at nightclubs in your 20s, you're getting plastered, you're hooking up, you're making tons of money, you're blowing all your money. It's like you're hanging out with your friends. It's funny, I'd say half of them just get eaten alive

in that scene. And it's like they gotta quit drinking and they're partying too much and they just, and then they develop nasty cocaine habits. The other ones that are okay, that stay in the nightclub business, if you're in that business too long, it develop nasty cocaine habits. You know, the other ones that are okay, that stay in the nightclub business. I just, if you're in that business too long, it'll take your soul. For sure.

Yeah. If you don't, if you don't, if you're not careful. So currently in your story, you're 320 pounds. 320 at this point, I'm 320 pounds and it's not a good look for me. So when, when did it click for you? And it was it like simultaneous with the weight and alcohol or like what led you to going sober? Okay, so I was um, I was having some health problems. I'll never forget. It's you know, I'd always been pretty healthy

I'd eat something And I start to feel sick and then I'd throw up and I was just like, okay Well, that's you know, maybe I have the flu, you know, or maybe it's food poisoning Every time everybody's drinking. I was like, oh, I got food poisoning. It's like, motherfucker, you got a horrible hangover. So the next day I'd eat something, and I'd try to do some research on it, and I'd try to eat stuff that wasn't spicy,

that didn't have pepper in it or whatever, and I'd throw up again, and I'm like, oh, fuck, this is not good. And I'll never forget, I was visiting a family member in Huntsville, Alabama, my cousin Dee, and we went out and I ordered a chicken sandwich with nothing on it, just chicken and bread. And I ate that and I went directly into the bathroom and threw up and I said,

I got a problem. And I went back to Pennsylvania, one of my doctors, Dr. Andy Billin, I'll never forget he goes, they tested for a certain enzyme in the stomach, the lining of your stomach because that enzyme will tell you, you know, that can actually cause the ulcers, just the enzyme in your stomach. And Billin goes, you know, there are no enzymes in your stomach. You just drink a lot. This is alcohol related, isn't it?

You just drink all the time. And I went, oh yeah. I mean, I was, I was, you know yeah. I mean, I was shitting blood. I was throwing up blood and I'm color bonded. So I'd be like, oh, that's brown. That's not red. I felt like I was eroding from the inside. I felt like I was just like the insides of me were rotting

like a corpse. And I just, I looked in the mirror one day and I said, dude, what are you doing? And I got food poisoning looked in the mirror one day and I said, did you know, what are you doing? And I got food poisoning really bad. One day I lost 15 pounds because I just was throwing up and I just said, well, I stopped there and from then on, it was just like all about my South beach diet. Book was big back then. Oh yeah. And so all I would eat were chicken and lettuce.

Yeah. It was kind of like the keto diet, right? It sounds all the same. It's all the same. South beach diet was kind of like the keto diet, right? It sounds like the same shit. The South Beach diet was kind of like this Mediterranean, it was like before Atkins or right around the time of Atkins diet. Atkins died, remember? Like he had this book and everyone was like,

just eat steak. Yeah. And then he died. Just never eat carbs. Yeah, at 80, of a heart attack. And then it was like, oh shit. Don't do that. South Beach diet's way better.

So yeah, South Beach diet, if you guys don't know, you can look it up, but it was kind of like this Mediterranean mixed with, I guess, what the keto is what everyone calls it today. But it was just, essentially it was eating healthy. It worked like a motherfucker. It was literally eating healthy. It was like, eat your vegetables, eat your lean proteins.

And some chicken, that's it. Don't eat bread, you know, and put that fucking pizza down, you fat bastard. It's very simple. It's like, don't eat sugar. And my, And put that fucking pizza down, you fat bastard. It's very simple. It's like, don't eat sugar. And one of my superpowers is like, I can eat the same bland-ass thing every day of my life. You're me. And be fine.

People want to know why broccoli's my favorite food. I was like, because it's awesome. I can eat broccoli and chicken. To me, that's it. Yeah. I eat the same thing every day too. I feel you. So it's like alcohol in my brain,

alcohol doesn't exist. And like back then it was just like chicken and broccoli. And then I started working on like a Savage. Then I really started working on what my dad. Was it hard for you to give up alcohol? Because it sounds like you kind of, once you knew your body was like falling apart on the insides, like you said, that just like eroding,

was it that mindset that made you just go, I don't fucking want it anymore. I remember Luke telling me your definition, if you will, of the difference between between being an alcoholic and having an alcohol problem. And I thought that was really fascinating. Well, my father taught me that years ago and it's, it's, it's like one of the basics of AA, so I grew up in AA. Like I never, you know, I'd go to AA meetings now, uh, every once in a while because my father passed away. It'll be, let's see, it'll be a four years, September 9th or September

10th will be the four year anniversary of his death. And that was his thing. And it's like, I kind of go there to get a connection with him. But he always told me, I still have his books. I still have his books and his Bible and all this shit from AA and an alcohol problem, the definition is one problem that's caused by alcohol and it doesn't matter. It's like, you could just, it could just be one problem, but the severity of that problem, that you drinking, you broke up with your wife, you cheated on your wife, you got a DUI, you shot somebody, your anger

took over. It's like, that's one problem, but it's a fucking big ass problem that balloons into many other problems. Right? Or you lost your job or you start smaller than that. Like you start skipping workouts, your habits are breaking down. You miss work one day or whatever. Yeah.

It's one problem, but that problem can become a major thing, you know? But that's the thing. It's like, I like to like help my friends get healthy. So I train, as you know, I try to train all my friends to make them big and strong and bad asses because that's how I like my friends and the else be friends with you if you're not, but still I like my friends, you know, really, you know, really strong. But it's like, you know, when I'm working out with friends and when I talk to people,

it's like, I kind of like, I'm always listening, you know, for like, oh, well, you know, I did this or, you know, I didn't make it to work. And you know, what would you do the night before? Oh, I was partying, you know, I was partying. Well, maybe that's the problem. Yeah. You know, maybe that one thing is why you didn't show up for your audition.

Right. And your manager's pissed off at you or whatever. It's like, it's that one thing that you missed that big role, you fucked up on some big role, if you wanna bring it into Hollywood terms. Right. It's like that one big break or sometimes you're gonna on set with people and they're drinking.

I've been on set with people that are drinking at work Like, I've been on set with people, they're drinking at work. It's like, what the fuck? And they smell. And it's like, or afterwards, they're just partying. And it's a problem. And what's the severity to that one problem that's causing in your life? Yeah, I think that's just really interesting

that it opened my eyes back to even in my early 30s when I was just a terror. When I was drinking to numb because I was on reality TV and I worked at this restaurant and I would drink at the restaurant and that's just what we did because we were all best friends and it was like really fun in our 20s and then in our 30s, then we're on the show

and I'm in all these bad relationships but I'm like, that's fine. You and I would have hung out a lot. You and I would have been like, let's fuck. You and I would have hung out a lot. You and I would have been like, let's fuck apart today. I remember when Luke told me, the way you explained it to him, and he told me,

because we were talking about some people that we know, and I was thinking inward maybe the next day or two, and I was like, wow, I had a really bad problem. Bad. Right, and that's like, people take such offense to someone claiming someone has an alcohol problem. Oh, and I would, if someone told me that back then, I would have been like, I'm sorry,

I can go tomorrow without drinking, no big deal. I don't have the shakes. What do you mean you have an alcohol problem? What the fuck? Because I think people immediately assume like, well, like you watch those, what are those like addiction shows on MTV or VH1 back in the day where it's like,

people literally like have the shakes, they have seizures if they don't have a drink. And so that's I think something that a lot of people don't understand. I think it's just like a very eye opening. I had a customer die of cirrhosis of the liver. I had one of my customers just die of cirrhosis. Two of them. But I think people don't, they don't realize that like just because you don't have the shakes or you took a day off or you took a week off doesn't mean you don't have a problem with alcohol. Well the thing thing is, their whole... It's just a way to look inward, I think, for everyone out there that kind of maybe abuses it a little bit, including myself, to go, huh, is alcohol causing a problem?

And if it is, then it is a problem. So it doesn't mean you're in a quote unquote alcoholic where you can't go a minute without drinking. You don't have to be dependent on alcohol to have an alcohol problem. Thank you, that's a better way to put it. Well, also I think people's, like their whole life, my whole life was based around drinking. It's like I was the fucking 330 pound party all night long,

drinking Jägermeister, you know, never wanted to stop, bro, like let's go. There was no balance in your life. There was no stop, and I was a big guy. And I'd also like stop fights at the bar, you know, never wanted to stop, bro. Like let's go. There was no balance in your life. There was no stop. And I was a big guy. And I'd also like stop fights at the bar, you know, by just throwing myself. Like I'd get up on the bar and jump on people. And like I would wake up in the morning.

Stage diving. I'd wake up in the morning and my back would be all fucked up. And I'd be like, oh, what happened? Oh yeah. I jumped off the bar last night. Holy shit. I mean, I was just dumb. But it's like that was the whole mindset.

Was it easy for you to stop? At first, you kind of got to, you know, it's like my whole character was like built off alcohol. So I kind of had to, you know, I kind of had to rewire myself, you know, to go out with friends. It's like, I love going out with people. I love going out, you know, everywhere and party with my friends. You know, before it was like everything was based around alcohol, like, you love going out with people. I love going out, you know, everywhere and party with my friends. You know, before it was like,

everything was based around alcohol, like, you know, having one drink. But it got to the point where it's like, I couldn't have one drink, because if I had one drink, I'd have to have 30 drinks, you know? And then we're doing drugs and then we're up all night long. So it's like, I had to cut it off 100%. I also quit smoking cigarettes at the same time,

and I quit cocaine at the same time. So all three. I was like, girl, you are speaking my language. Two packs a day. But I remember like looking back now, I've been, okay, listen everyone, I still vape. I'm sorry, but I do. I'm doing my best.

That's pretty bad for you too. I'm gonna hear. It is, it is. But I'm doing my best, but I quit smoking cigarettes a little over two and a half years ago. In those last two and a half years, being on the Valley and being back in the public eye. And the amount of people that come up to me and like want me to rip shots that have handed me cigarettes.

Like I bought a pack of cigarettes just so you could hold one and like take a photo with me or ask me to rip shots. And I'm like, but I don't like shots and I don't smoke cigarettes anymore. And it was this character. This is not the person that I wanted to meet. Right.

And it, so it just reminded me of like this character in a way of like, that's how I was perceived was this crazy Kristen, hot-ass mess, who chained smoked cigarettes and ripped shots. That's who you are. And she was always wasted. And I'm like, but that's not at all the truth. That is kind of who I was, but it's just funny to me how you're like,

this character of yourself and that's who you were. It's almost like this identity that you're like, well, if I leave that identity, where do I go from here? And you're attacking your identity. Oh, you got a drinking problem? Well, you're attacking my identity. I am, you know, it's like, that's what I do. I'll never forget.

I met Matt LeBlanc one time, right? And we had some mutual friends that were, but we're all F1 guys and like, we were bullshitting. And it's just like, it wasn't Joey from Friends. Right. I was bummed out because I just would be like, how you doing? Yeah, totally. He was a serious actor and I was just like, motherfucker, like not one, how you doing? You know, like, you know, it was just, it kind of, you know, after that, it was just like,

ah, you know, they're all, you know, I understand they're just acting, you know? Yeah. But it's that, that kind of reminds me of what we're talking about. It's just, you know, when you, when you don't meet, it's your, it's one of your heroes and it's like he doesn't have the cape on Yeah, you're like what the fuck I thought you were superman. Okay, but I love what malibu on so you yeah Oh love we love friends. He's a mate. He's an amazing actor. Like I've seen him. I've seen him in a couple performances He's amazing. He's phenomenal. Yeah. Oh, I was gonna say so that's like started this whole journey How long did it take you to drop all that weight?

I was going to say, so that's like started this whole journey. How long did it take you to drop all that weight? So the first hundred pounds, I'll never forget. It's like, I had a goal of two 20. I want to, I want to get from a three 30 to two 20. And the first hundred pounds took about a hundred pounds was 90 pounds was about a year and I was like, yeah, you know, that's phenomenal. Yeah. But I was, you know, I was, I was on it.

You know, I didn't, I didn't deviate from anything. It's like I was single at the time. It's like, you're single and you can eat whatever. If there's junk food in my house, it's gonna get eaten. So like I cannot have that shit in my house. I also like to torture myself. That's one thing that is, it's one of my superpowers. It's like, if I have the right mindset,

it's like I'm a psychopath. Oh yeah, you and me both, you called me a psychopath. You are a psychopath. That's why we hang out. That's why we're buddies. I mean, when I'm single or like when I started my first business, like I am like one track mind, nothing's gonna shake me off of it.

Yeah. Can't deal, especially, like you said, you're single, you're set on something and you have a goal of where you wanna to get it. You do nothing but that. Right. I also wanted, you know, to bang a bunch of hot chicks and, you know, the more ripped I got, the more, you know, more chicks were like, Hey, cause it was in Miami and I was, you know, super tan.

I'll never, I'll never forget. My dad goes, Hey, listen, make sure to take a lot of pictures because you're going to want them when you're older. And I was like, all right, all right. And my dad was a bodybuilder. So it's like he, he would, he would have me take my shirts and take them to the dry cleaners and they'd take them in, you know, take the arms in. So like, makes your, your arms look tighter.

And he would just, he would make me do all this shit because he, and he'd get me all fired up. It's like, yeah, you look amazing. And he was just such a, he was just such a freaking inspiration. The thing is when you have somebody that you trust that is on your side, especially when it comes to working out and knows how to motivate you properly, it's like, I know how to motivate this motherfucker.

And he knows how to motivate me at the gym. That's why we're great workout partners, because he tortures me, because I torture him. I literally could not agree with you more. It's like my worst excuse, but it's honestly true. I had a trainer, Megan, who moved to Nashville. A year, almost a year ago, a little over a year ago, whatever the fuck it was. Megan, you left, you fucking left me.

Megan, what the fuck? Come back! And I got in the best shape just working out with her two days a week and then doing like some things at home, just like doing a lot of walks, whatever. What kind of workout? Just a HIIT workout? Or machines? Yeah, it was at a private gym in Hollywood and she just had, I don't know,

she had this workout specifically for me in this private gym where it was like, we're doing this, we're doing, I don't know what it's called, like circuit training or something where you're doing like- It's like circuit HIIT training. You're doing all sorts of stuff. Like a lot of- Body movements. Yeah.

Like there wasn't a time, the cardio was like very minimal, but it was quick. It was like circuit hit training. You're doing all sorts of stuff. Body movements. Yeah, like there wasn't a time, the cardio was like very minimal, but it was quick. It was like quickly burned fat. It was like maybe five minutes on a treadmill, but a lot of muscle building and toning. And when she left, I was like, she moved to Nashville. I'm like, that's it. I'm fucked. So you don't work out anymore? You can't give up?

Listen, you got to find a new Megan. I know. And Megan still to this day tells me, she's like, we can do like online workouts together. And I never wanted to be at, like I said, that gym at the apartment or a public gym, it just all terrifies me. But being in this small space with her, who's my friend, who I don't care what I look like, or if I throw up,

which I almost always did, or anything like that, it never bothered me because it was my friend, but she also did not let me have an excuse for anything. Well, because you guys are friends. That was my favorite part, right. But she was like, I don't fucking care if you're tired. I don't care if you had to stay up late. I don't care if you had a doctor's appointment before this.

Get your ass to the gym. And I'm like, I'm there, I'm there. When Luke doesn't come to the gym, I know exactly what the fuck he's doing, I have before. He doesn't have to tell me. Yeah, I've got a problem'm there. I'm there. When Luke doesn't come to the gym, I know exactly what the fuck he's doing the night before. He doesn't have to tell me. Yeah, I've got a problem, fine. He's drinking. He's having fun.

And it's like, and I get it. It's like, you're young, you wanna have fun. But it's like, when it impacts your gym time, because to me just the gym's really important. Here's the thing, I'm 48 years old. I wanna look like a fucking beast for the rest of my life. So I've been training for 20 years. And it's like, I like the way I look. I like a fucking beast for the rest of my life. So, you know, I've been training for 20 years. And it's like, I like the way I look.

I like the way I feel. Well, and your insides are healthier. Like I'm saying all of this, knowing that I'm not working out right now. I am very aware I'll be in a better mood. I remember back in the day of like not wanting to work out when I was in the best shape of my life. I was in my mid thirties.

I was boxing a lot. Boxing's the best. It was like, I just need to get in my car. Once I'm in my car and I'm on my way, I'm good. But it's like, that moment is so hard. You need somebody to yell at you. I know. You need your friend to yell at you.

That's why Zach works so well with Kristen, because Zach is a yeller. Yeah. Zach is, yeah, my best friend Zach is how I get, I'll do anything because Zach's like, right now, he literally steals my phone. He'll steal anything that's in front of me. He's like, go do the TikTok or go do.

And you love him so you can't fucking, you know, kick him out of your house. So that's a good friend. But the thing is you need that friend. Hey, why do you think he works out? It's like, yeah, we would be at the dog park and you know, and it's just, you know, it's, reality shows are not, you know, it's tough.

And it's like, you know, he wasn't, he was just not 100% and I'm like, dude, why don't you come to the gym with me? Just know, it's tough. And it's like, you know, he wasn't, he was just not a hundred percent. And I'm like, dude, why don't you come to the gym with me? Just one, just one time. Oh, and he's so happy now. Like he's so happy. And confident and like they look good, feel good, play good, you know, play well, whatever.

And you're excited. You're very excited to go to the gym every day. Well, because he gets to hang out with me. Pretty much. And what I miss, don't I tell you, I'm like, it's been three days, it's been four days. I have to get to the gym. I have to what time do it like works today with everything we've got going on.

I'm definitely happier and better all around, mentally, physically, all together days I get to work out. It's better. Hey, listen, you're it's listen, you know, you're way more positive this year than you were last year. And I'm really happy for you. What's tough for a lot of people, including myself, like my friend Jenna, who lives here in LA,

literally texted me yesterday, again this morning. She was like, can't wait to see you because we're going to hang out tonight. But she was like, we really need to get you just moving because I'm on this fertility journey. And she's like, we just got to get your body moving. Well, then you have to work out. Right.

And it is really the hardest thing is that very first step. So essentially what I'm saying is to all of you listeners out there that are not working out, I feel you and I'm with you, but like it is really important and it is just taking that first step because it is scary when you're like, I know what I'm capable of, like six weeks from now. In six weeks, if I'm working out two, three times a week even,

and then walking every day, doing something every other day, I know that right from this day on in six weeks, I'm gonna be so much stronger. Like a person. So much happier. My anxiety, like Luke said, would be lifted, but it's like the scary part is those first.

You can have somebody come to your garage. Yeah. You know, you could have a personal trainer just come into your garage and help you that way. That way you don't have to go anywhere. Like that anxiety, you know, can be, can be toned down. You need somebody that's going to yell at you. I personally do.

Yeah. But we're all different. Right. It's like, he doesn't need, you know, it's, unless he's partying, then he gets yelled at because he doesn't come to the gym, but he doesn't need somebody to tell him to go to the gym because he's on top of it. It's like, this is how I see it. Your body is a machine.

It's one machine, your brain, your heart, your biceps, you know, your sexual organs, your feet, your back, your stomach, you know what I mean? But like a lot of it's your brain. It's like, if you don't, if the blood is not flowing through your body properly, it's gonna be stagnant, right? And it's like, that's where you have problems with everything, you know, cancers or whatever. I basically go to the gym nowadays for my mental.

You know, it's like, I'm having a shitty day. I'll go into the gym and I'll work out for 25 to 30 minutes. And I just feel like, you know, my whole thing has shifted. And my father taught me that because my father dealt with depression. I deal with depression. We all do. And it's, you know, and it's, it can be deep.

But the thing is you have a toolbox, right? For like depression. You have a toolbox for like, you know, being healthy. And it's like, working out is that first thing that I pull out of my toolbox. It's like, I can fuck everything else. I just want that, that gym. I just want, you know, being healthy. And it's like, working out is that first thing that I pull out of my toolbox. It's like, I can fuck everything else. I just want that gym. I just want, you know, that one thing, go for a walk,

you know, do something. And I will say the reason I started working out with Megan, my trainer, not Megan trainer. Megan trainer. Megan, my trainer was because I was in a very toxic relationship and I was super unhappy. And she was like, if you're going to stay, stay instead toxic relationship, at least we should be healthy, be healthy and happy.

And then once that relationship was over, she was like, now we go to work real hard because this is going to get rid of like all that anxiety from that toxic. How can we meet a new Megan? Is the question. I know you need a new Megan. I'm just telling all of you listeners out there, if you're on a journey of wanting, maybe you're already working out,

maybe you're like Jeff and you're like, fuck yeah, I go to the gym, blah. Or you're like Luke, where it's like, yes, I'm back in the mode of working out. And like, I just got there in the last hour over long. 30 months, roughly. Right. Or you're like me, who's like thinking about it all the time and not doing it.

You can do it without spending money. Like you can and not doing it, you can do it without spending money. Like you can watch stuff on YouTube, you can do it at home. But I do agree that for me anyway, and I think what we've all sort of agreed on in some way or another, that a friend or one other person, whether it's holding you accountable or doing it with you, is always the first best step. Well, that's what I really like to do.

You know, it's like my friends, if I can con you into coming to the gym with me, it's like, I'm gonna get you healthy and then we're gonna be talking the whole time about all your other problems. Like you call your friends to go to the bar, meaning people do like, oh, you don't wanna go to the bar alone.

Well, it's like, do you wanna go to the gym alone? If you're the person who doesn't, call a friend. And then we talk about financial issues or you know, what are your dreams or what kind. If you're the person who doesn't, call a friend. And then we talk about financial issues, or what are your dreams, or what kind of problems you're having in acting class, or whatever. Whatever the fuck it is. Or business ideas. Or business ideas, or deaths in the family, or anything.

But it's like, you actually have somebody that gives a fuck about you at the gym, doing healthy stuff, not drinking, and you're kind of solving each other's problems. And it's just, my father taught me this years ago. You know, I don't have any kids. So it's like, I kind of have, you know, a lot of more time I've probably probably like seven or eight friends that I've just, you know, transformed their bodies

and their lives. And it's like, listen, when you help somebody become healthy or happy or, you know, just kind of like change their life, it's like they'll never fucking forget. Absolutely. No, I love it. Fuck yeah. Let's talk about acting.

Yeah, I want to talk about Hollywood. All right. Let's talk about Hollywood. Yeah. Well, we kind of already touched on like, how long you've been here. Did you feel like, and this is like totally a personal question, I was like, Luke, write this down. Was there a point after you moved here, did you ever feel the scariest

where you were like, you know what, fuck this, I have to go back home? Or were you like, no? Okay, that's amazing. So when I was in Tampa, I was in a bad relationship. Just, you know, not a very happy person. So when I was in Tampa, I was in a bad relationship, just not a very happy person. I was miserable. She had a couple kids, just nothing seemed to work. I tried my hardest to find happiness

in someone else's happiness. And I kind of looked at how much money I was spending per month on taking care of everybody, and I bought this beautiful half a million dollar house in Tampa, and I was working out of Gainesville, I was commuting and just like, I was miserable, you know, nothing, it didn't matter what I did. You know, I couldn't, I couldn't make somebody happy. So it's like some things kind of went down and, you know, I ended the relationship.

And I just said, you know, I tried that normal life. I tried having a regular job. I tried, you know, I tried that normal life. I tried having a regular job. I tried, you know, being in a relationship with kids and it's just like, fuck it. You know, I sold everything I own. Yeah, it's like, I just said, let's go for the dream this time. Love it.

My thing is like, never give up. Never, you know, you're fat, lose weight. You know, you're unhealthy, get healthy. You know what I mean? You don't have any friends, go get some fucking friends. You wanna be an actor? Go fucking do it, just do it. And you did it not to be like later in life.

I mean, we're not old, I'm sorry. I was 40 when I moved out here. But I love that. It's like you're 40 and you did it. Why not? You didn't say, but that's my point. And I want to have all of our listeners to grasp that because I think a lot of people do have,

I'm learning as a 41 year old, a lot of my friends and a lot of people I know are starting over in their mid to late 30s or even early 40s. And they're trapped. And they feel like they're quote unquote too old to start over because they should have had it figured out in their 20s, which I think is something that we sort of grew up with, at least for me, like 80s and 90s. Yeah, we're from a different generation.

Right. And that was kind of the thing. Like you graduate high school, you go to college, or you become like a housewife. You move to Pittsburgh or you move to DC. It's like there are two places you were removed to. Totally. It's all bullshit. I sold everything I owned, sports cars, motorcycles, toys, drones.

Damn. Sick. I gave away all my furniture. Some people were like, do you know what? I'll never forget, when I quit my job, the vice president of the company, he goes, hey man, I just want to let you know, most people come back here in a couple months and begging for the job back. And I said, oh Dave, don't worry, you're never going to see me again, this motherfucker.

And he went to give me a hug. He goes, I'm so happy for you, get the fuck out of here, this place is not for you. They called me Hollywood in my last job in Gainesville. They called me Hollywood when I was a kid. Hey Hollywood. It's like, cause I lived in Hollywood, Florida, but like when I lived in Gainesville, it's like they were like, hey, you should be in movies.

And I was like, you know something, you're right. I should be in movies. I'm gonna fucking move to Hollywood and be in movies. And I got my first commercial my second day in town. At the Sunset Marquis. I didn't know it was that quick. Yeah, it commercial my second day in town. Yeah, I didn't know was that quick Yeah, my second day in town. Okay deserves a I needed I wanted a sign from God. Yeah, you know, it's like cuz I believe in God I'm a huge fan of God and I pray me too and I was like, hey man, you know

I'm making the right decisions just show me a sign and this guy came up to me at the sunset marquee and says hey man, you know, I'm making the right decisions. Just show me a sign. And this guy came up to me at the Sunset Marquee and says, hey man, I had a Superman shirt on. He goes, hey, it was the director goes, who's this fucking, who's this Superman? Who are you? I'm just kind of standing there and I had my sunglasses on, I'm just like, yeah, just kind of hanging out.

He goes, do you want to meet a commercial? I was like, absolutely. He goes, be here tomorrow in a suit. And I was like, all right. That's so wild. So I've been, I think six commercials with the Sunset Marquis. One of the directors put me in my first TV show from that actual shoot. No shit. Yeah.

I played a police officer and I'll never forget, it was like my first big thing that I did. I was coming in from the Philippines. Another thing I did is I traveled for a couple of months. I was coming in from the Philippines. Another thing I did is I traveled for a couple months. I was just like, fuck it. You know, I'm going to quit my job, sell all my stuff, because I'd never been to Asia. So I took my dad with me, which was the best trip I've ever had. And we just had the best time. Dropped him off in the Philippines, went to Thailand, had the most amazing experiences and made some amazing friends. I told Luke about a couple of the stories. And when I came, when I flew home, I'll never forget, we were flying into that Tom Bradley international airport and like, I felt like I was home. You know, I was like,

fuck yeah, I'm home. And then two days later I was on set dressed as a cop with like six cop cars behind me, you know, with a gun with like this, uh, the bullhorn going, what's it going down? Yeah. You know, just kind of like looking behind me going, who is fucking, this is some dope ass shit. I was like- If we rewind to the beginning of this podcast, it's like back to your eight year old self because I just wanted to be like a cop on TV and you did it.

And I did it. Fucking rad. And I was just like, what? I was like, fuck, I was like, fuck yeah. I was pumped. I mean, I'm still pumped. When I drive down Sunset, I still get, I'm like, I live. I was pumped. I mean, I'm still pumped. When I drive down sunset, I still get, I'm like, I live in fucking Hollywood, you know, Hollywood, California motherfucker.

Every day it's like, you know, I'm producing a, you know, executive producing a bigger movie or work, you know, or working on a bigger project. It's, it's, you know, or having cool, like, you know, I love my friends every day. I got cooler friends, you know, even cooler than you guys. I'm just joking. You guys are cool. And it's helping everybody. That's the thing. It's like, I want the Adam Sandler effect.

I met Adam in Berlin and he was gracious enough to have like a 25 minute conversation with me. And he's just the coolest guy. And it's like, he was like, hey Perkins, yeah, Perk, I can't wait to work with you, Perkins. And we just had this discussion. I was just, and, Perkins, yeah, Perk, I can't wait to work with you Perkins. And we just had this discussion.

I was just, and I told him, I said, listen, the way you are with your friends and keeping everybody around, you know, everybody gets successful together. Yes. It's like one person, you know, it's like that one person when he becomes big, you know, the director, his best friend becomes the, the, the cinematographer, you know, all the camera guys. It's like, you know, I usually work with the same camera people. Yeah. I work with the same makeup girl, you know, it's like, and like, I, I, I, I, I becomes the cinematographer, you know, all the camera guys. It's like, you know, I usually work with the same camera people. I work with the same makeup girl, you know,

it's like, and like, I want to work with my friends. I don't want to work with people that I don't like. That's what I do. It is the Adam Sandler effect, or like the Judd Apatow of it all. And that's kind of, I think, why we're drawn to films like that, because of the camaraderie and like the family.

And you're like, oh, he's, of course he's in it again. And like, it's just like such a warm feeling that you get from whether it's a comedy or a drama or whatever. Granted, maybe these are mostly comedies, but just any sort of like film family that works that way I think is really interesting and cool, not only for everyone on the back end, like behind the camera, but for us as viewers.

We feel that. Of course. Same kind of camaraderie. Well, if you wanna go to war, you wanna go with your friends. For sure. You know what I mean? Like, you wanna go with people that have your back.

You know what I'm saying? Not all my friends are like apocalypse worthy, but I feel you, I know you. Sometimes one person will falter, and it's like, you know, maybe they won't be on the next project. They don't meet the team. You know what I'm saying?

It's like, it's a process. Like, you know, just like Hollywood. It's like, just like friends. It's like, you know, you test your friends. Like, are they good friends? Do they have your best interests at heart? You know, it's like, you know, this town is a beast. But you can't let it eat you alive.

It can't let it eat you alive. Fuck it. What's the most fun or most memorable? You gave us a good story, but give us another good story from the great years here. Like a fun project or something. Okay, so I have a show coming out called The Tailor of Sin City.

It's coming out September 12th. And I play A.J. Pratt, this tailor from the 70s and 80s who dressed super flamboyant, wore all kinds of jewelry, and he was the biggest cocaine distributor in Vegas for 25 years. So he hooked up the mob with the cocaine cartels. He kind of dressed both of them, and he's also best friends with Elvis Presley. So Elvis Presley gave him this ring who they actually, somebody robbed him for the ring.

This guy has the most, the craziest story. He died when he was 75 and he wrote this book, the, the Taylor. It's just, it's just coming out. Like we filmed it probably like six months ago. And one of my best friends is, is, uh, Brendan Murphy is, is one of the director and his brother's cinematographer, another one of my best buddies. He likes to torture me when, you know, when we work together. Brendan Murphy is the director and his brother is the cinematographer, another one of my best buddies. He likes to torture me when we work together. So I'm like snorting line after line of vitamin B.

You know, it's like he just throws water on me. You know, like I get shot a couple of times. It's like I'm screaming. Dude, that's a fun thing to tell our listeners, because I don't think people understand like or would have a clue. Like they don't live here, what that is, what's happening in a movie when you're seeing people snort lines of cocaine.

I did that one time. It's vitamin B-12. Yep, I did the exact same thing. And it'll give you a charge. You do like eight or nine gigantic rails of vitamin B, you're gonna be awake, for sure. Yeah. And it's a little uncomfortable.

Come on, one more, come on, do one more line. One more line, one more line. Yeah. One more line. One more line. So I had, I had 145 alpha changes. Oh my God. And I tell you what, this is the first, this is the first lead that I've ever had in a

production. And it was like, what the fuck? Like I was running from room to room, just putting different outfits on. And it's like, none of them were, you know, planned out. So cause it's like, it's kind of like a documentary. So it's very much kind of thrown together and the costume designers were just like, does this even fit? You know, like, I mean, and they're all seventies gear and it looks insane. Like it's, it was the most fun. I'm so excited to see it.

It was so cool. And it's a September 12th AMC Sundance Plus I do believe is what it is but I'll post some stuff on my Instagram about it. I'm not really good at posting on Instagram but I'm trying to get better at it. I want you guys to have a little bro chat for a bit. Ladies and gents I have to go to the fertility clinic right now so I'm gonna leave the boys to have a boys chat. All right this is the first time. Oh she trusts me. I've never let Luke take over the mic on his own. Is he an adult now? He's got it. I trust him.

She likes my arms now. I know, that is true. They're two-toned. It is true. Okay, well, Jeff, I love you. Love you too. Luke, I love you. And boys, take it away.

Mom's going to the fertility clinic. Have fun. Thanks, baby. You got me? Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, Chris is gone to the fertility clinic. Have fun. Thanks, baby. You got me? Yeah, yeah, yeah. Kristen's gone. Now we can fucking have fun. Oh, Kristen is letting me take over for the first time. What the fuck? I mean-

He's a big boy today. Thank you, honey. She hasn't quite left out the door yet. But yeah, we're going to dive into some more stuff that Jeff and I connected on becoming friends. So I think most of you know about my property in Colorado. I love the place. I haven't been there in a while. I'm going back in September. I'm really trying to talk Jeff into buying a property next door that just went up for

sale. And I'm thinking about it, man. I'm thinking about a couple of properties, and that's definitely one of them. Man, you got to come out. We got to hit Red Rocks. We got to do all the things, man. All my friends in Denver, I will be there in the next couple months, I promise. Okay.

And I'll come off to see the property too. Perfect, like mid-October's probably the best possible time. Well, I just remember a story that your friends told at that dinner, and they were like, yeah, yeah, we were all out here in LA, and it's like, and Luke was back in Colorado, and it was just like, Luke was the last motherfucker that we thought would move out to California.

Because he's just so not California. But like they were all in the industry and directors and the other girl was a- Guy, Craig, he's a DP, director of photography. And they were just like, but Luke, we just don't understand. I mean, he came here for love and blah, blah, blah, but he was the last person that I would think would move to California.

And now I'm, now I'm thrown into it. Now I'm wearing fricking jewelry. Getting told to get a tan and trim my chest hair. It's going to have a stylist tonight. Is stylist appointment. Oh man. The transition, man. Might as well go all the way.

You know what? You know what the most contagious thing out here is? Vanity. Yeah, very much so. Vanity. Yeah. what the most contagious thing out here is? Vanity. Yeah, very much so. Vanity, yeah. It's something I neglected a lot in my life, but I'm kind of past neglecting that.

That's also, you feel good. You look good, you feel good. Listen, just don't let it get to your head. You know what I mean? Just be a good person. It's like, there's nothing wrong with looking good. It's way better than looking like shit. I agree, obviously, if you're in the public eye,

but I'd go days without seeing another human being in Colorado, so I'm like, fuck it, why would I shave or cut my hair? I would get a haircut three times a year max when I was doing the Colorado thing, so I'm like, only once it started getting in my eyes and I got annoyed, I'd get it cut way down to last another four months.

I'm sure once you see yourself on TV, though, you're just like, okay, you know, there's some things I gotta change or whatever, you know what I'm saying? Yeah, they don't take that much effort, you know, or money to do, you know? Listen, it's all about who you know. It's like, when you know the right people

that actually want to help you and not like charge you an arm and a leg or you know what I'm saying, that actually want you to succeed, it's like, I want you, that's why I got you working out, because like I wanted you to feel better, look better on

camera, and then you have more confidence when you have these interactions with other human beings. You're just a more confident version of yourself. Exactly. And I'd say that is 100% true. I feel way more confident this year and care a lot less about the things that were annoying the piss out of me out here. Well, giving Zero Fucks is like, my sister is an actress and we produce together

and it's like, I always taught her from a young age, it's like, you gotta give zero fucks. You know, some people just care about too much shit and they care about what other people think of them. And it's like, there are gonna be some people on this planet that fucking don't like you, no matter how nice you are to them, they're not gonna care.

And there'll always be people that wanna tear you down. Yeah, always. No reason, for nothing you did. Yeah. So once you can accept that and live with it, it makes it a lot easier. It's a hard thing to figure out though. I think it took me to my 40s to figure that out,

my late 30s and 40s to figure that out. I guess I feel blessed to be as young as I am and learning all these things, I don't know, feel like mental age is well past my real years. Well, mentally I'm know, feel like mental age is, uh, well past my real years. Oh, mentally I'm 12. So yeah. Well, okay. Peter Pan syndrome got you out.

Yeah. I will never grow up. I promise you that never. Do you want to get into any kind of, uh, your past relationships? Kind of wanted to see if, if you're willing to talk more about the, um, fiance's your, you know, how you grew as a person through each one. Uh, prior relationships, I've been engaged a couple of times, uh, never married and it's like, I always, I always make the joke like, well, you know, why

I never got married and people are like, why? I'm like, cause I'm smart. It's, um, you know, it's, it's prenuptial agreements. It's, you know, when you lock finances with somebody, it's like, I've been, I've been in the stock market since I was a kid. I've been saving. I don't blow money on stuff. I got a 2016 Toyota Tundra.

I'm not like, I don't live a real super fancy lifestyle. And I've been able to save to a point where I'm okay. And if somebody just comes in and just takes half that shit, I'm gonna be pissed. Yeah, I understand that. So, I mean, to me, that's why I get nervous when it comes to marriage. My past relationships, you know, they were all great people. It just didn't work out and that's fine.

And I try to, you know, I try to be positive and not be a, you know, not be a mean person. But it's like, you know, most of them, I'd say most of them I don't talk to anymore. But I talk to all my ex-girlfriends, except for the ones that I gave rings to. Those are the two that will not talk to me ever. And that's fine, you know, and guess what? I have moved on as well. That's fair. That's fair. You know, I have never popped the question or bought a ring. Oh, well, you know, who knows? Who knows, right? Do you take, do you try to talk people out of it? You haven't tried to talk me out of, you know, the thoughts. Kristin and I talk about it, don't know if it'll ever happen. She honestly wants a ring, I think, more than she wants to be officially married.

She wants, I don't know, that kind of commitment. However, I don't know, we've talked, like we can be engaged forever, be fine. What'd they say, Goldie Hawn and Kurt Russell type thing? I love the pageantry of buying the ring and getting down on one knee and having a photographer there. And like, you know, it just, it's magical. Like, will you marry me?

And you know, rip it open and she's like, oh my God, yes. Like I love that part. You know, that part's great. It's, you know, like six months afterwards where you're just like, oh, I think I'm making a bad decision. So, you know, I'm not gonna try to talk anybody

out of getting married if you're in love and you think that, you know, especially if you wanna have kids. I mean, to me, you gotta, if you're gonna have kids, you gotta get married. You know, last year I actually and you think that, you know, especially if you want to have kids. And I mean, to me, you gotta, you gotta, if you're going to have kids, you gotta get married. You know, last year I actually got grilled on that, that Chris and I were trying, we weren't using protection, trying to get pregnant prior to getting married and it wasn't necessarily like high on our list of priorities because

we had already talked through co-parenting things and how, you know, child's going to be the number one thing. And that, you know, basically we'll agree or sign a contract that we're always gonna be agreeable and not malicious to each other. However- You're raising another human being. So it's like, you know, it's so much better to have the mother and the father in the household.

Cause it's just, I've seen it too many times and you know the studies about, you know, how jacked up, you know, human beings can be when they're just raised by one parent. It's just such a, you know, and especially if you can get along, it just makes it, you know, raising jacked up, you know, human beings can be when they're just raised by one parent. It's just such a, it's, you know, and especially if you can get along, it just makes it, you know, raising kids so much easier. Exactly, that was essentially the agreement

is to get along and make sure, if she and I don't work out, obviously we have no, don't have any reason to believe it won't, that we would be 100% on what is best for our child. Yeah. If things didn't work out, which I think is good even if you do plan to get married, it's good to have that conversation.

Like, you gotta go into the scenarios that most people don't even plan for. Anyway, I'm out of questions. Is there anything you want to put in here? I want you to at least plug your Instagram so people know where to find you. Know where to find the hot, tall guy I've been hanging out with. The hot, tall guy can be reached on Instagram at the.jeff.perkins. I have a movie called Flux. It should be coming out in the next three months. Shelly Henning is one of the stars, Tyrese Gibson, Shaila Fernandez.

We've been working on it for three years. We've won about 10 awards at the film festivals recently. We just got distribution for it and it was not easy. And I got to do it with some really good friends and my sister, you know, who's one of my best friends. And I'm also in it. I'm also, I play two characters. I play Gio, the head of security,

and I play the hatchet face, the masked man. So check that out, Flux, F-L-U-X-X. I also have that show, The Tailor of Sin City, and that's coming out September 12th. What else? I'm working on a bunch of other projects, executive producer, and I got a couple things I'm acting in. Just check it out.

It's like, to me, this is fun. This is, you know, I'm just having a good time. When I'm not having a good time, then I won't do this anymore. Exactly. And that's, I mean, obviously, love happy people, love real people, Love you, Jeff. Love you too, man. Listen, I'm so glad that we're friends. I love you and Kristin.

I try to surround myself with amazing people and I consider you one of those people. Thanks, man. Same. Always. Love you, bro. Love you, man. All right. Thanks for coming on. Make sure to listen to everyone. Of course. Bye. Make sure to follow us on social media. You can follow me on all platforms at Kristen Doty and follow Luke on Instagram at Luke double underscore Broderick. Be sure to click the subscribe button so you can stay up to date with new episodes.

Thanks for listening. See you next week.