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Peter Attia MDPeter Attia MD

168 - Hugh Jackman: Reflections on acting, identity, personal transformation, and being Wolverine

Hugh Jackman is an award-winning actor and an overall fascinating and introspective individual. In this episode, Hugh reflects upon his acting career, including how he navigated many tough decisions that led to important professional turning points for him. Peter and Hugh have an intimate discussion related to handling professional criticism, self-identity, spirituality, raising kids, and the role that past trauma often plays in extremely driven individuals. Hugh gives the inside scoop on some of his most well-known character roles and explains how he finds the energy to consistently perform. Finally, they tie the conversation together with a discussion on the importance of physical and mental health and wellbeing. We discuss: 00:00:00 - Intro 00:00:10 - Hugh’s voracious curiosity and early years of his acting career; 00:07:41 - Self-identity, overworking, and the importance of living well; 00:18:00 - Handling criticism and letting go of the desire to please everyone; 00:28:22 - Dismissing vitriol on social media, and the challenge of communicating science; 00:32:05 - Going with your gut and the value in finding the right partner; 00:42:03 - A hard decision that lead to a turning point a turning point in Hugh’s life; 00:48:57 - How driven personalities often develop from a place of trauma, and how to avoid going from productive to destructive; 01:01:46 - The effect of fame on Hugh’s family; 01:10:11 - How Hugh finds the energy to consistently perform, and the spiritual connection he feels when acting; 01:30:40 - Hugh’s experiences on the set of The Fountain and the meaning behind the film; 01:38:47 - The potential of imagination, the idea of a higher power, and thoughts on science vs. religion; 01:47:20 - The deep connection Hugh felt to Logan (his character in Wolverine); 02:01:37 - Reflections on physical aging, emotional wellbeing, and longevity; Show notes page: https://peterattiamd.com/HughJackman/ -------- About: The Peter Attia Drive is a weekly, ultra-deep-dive podcast focusing on maximizing health, longevity, critical thinking…and a few other things. With over 30 million episodes downloaded, it features topics including fasting, ketosis, Alzheimer’s disease, cancer, mental health, and much more. Peter is a physician focusing on the applied science of longevity. His practice deals extensively with nutritional interventions, exercise physiology, sleep physiology, emotional and mental health, and pharmacology to increase lifespan (delay the onset of chronic disease), while simultaneously improving healthspan (quality of life). Learn more: https://peterattiamd.com Subscribe to receive exclusive subscriber-only content: https://peterattiamd.com/subscribe Sign up to receive Peter's email newsletter: https://peterattiamd.com/newsletter Connect with Peter on: Facebook: http://bit.ly/PeterAttiaMDFB Twitter: http://bit.ly/PeterAttiaMDTW Instagram: http://bit.ly/PeterAttiaMDIG Subscribe to The Drive: Apple Podcast: http://bit.ly/TheDriveApplePodcasts Overcast: http://bit.ly/TheDriveOvercast Spotify: http://bit.ly/TheDriveSpotify Google Podcasts: http://bit.ly/TheDriveGoogle

Dr. Peter AttiahostHugh Jackmanguest
Jul 12, 20212h 15mWatch on YouTube ↗

CHAPTERS

  1. 0:02 – 2:28

    A Discussion Format and Hugh's Breakthrough Moment

    Peter and Hugh banter about food, and Peter explains this will be a two-way discussion because Hugh is so curious. Hugh answers a question from Peter's daughter about when he knew he could make it, pointing to auditioning for and working with Trevor Nunn, and the two compare incremental growth with sudden opportunity.

    • •Hugh says his job is observing human nature, so curiosity is essential for an actor
    • •Auditioning for Trevor Nunn and being taken to London was his turning point
    • •Hugh describes always putting his hand up first, driven by wanting to avoid sitting scared rather than by confidence
    • •Feeling like a thoroughbred running in a paddock told him he belonged
  2. 2:28 – 2:15:50

    Imposter Syndrome, Identity, and the Eulogy Over the Resume

    Hugh turns the question on Peter, who says he only stopped feeling like an imposter about a year ago, after a lot of therapy. They discuss how identity gets wrapped up in work, Peter's eulogy-versus-resume mission, overworking from insecurity, and the deliberate trade-offs he journals about.

    • •Peter describes therapy as key to ending his imposter feelings
    • •He anchors to his eulogy rather than his resume, and his kids help him do that
    • •Hugh says insecurity has led him to overwork
    • •Peter's recovery contract includes journaling about the trade-off between short-term performance and long-term values

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