Danny Schwarz

Danny Schwarz was born in South London, having grown up in a rough part of London, fighting was a daily occurrence for Danny and he learned early on he needed to learn how to defend himself.

Following college he spent some years DJ’ing up and down the country and working part-time jobs, where he got the opportunity to model and quickly found himself moving to New York where he worked very well reaching number 4 in the world on the Forbes list and models. com. Danny Schwarz shot campaigns for Armani, D&G, Bottega Veneta, Calvin Klein, Tommy Hilfiger to name a few. A few magazine covers and coveted shows later he is still going strong in the industry. We sat down with the model, actor, athlete and DJ to talk more about his career.

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Q: Tell us what got you into sport/boxing and briefly describe a week in the life of your fitness/ workout schedule.

A: Boxing came into my life at an early age. I grew up in a rough part of South London from a broken, dysfunctional home. Fighting, whether I liked it or not became a regular part of life for me. Not being one to back down, I got beat up, a lot! Not only that, I was mugged at knife point 7 or 8 times, had a glass bottle smashed over my head and just received countless beatings. I lost what little confidence I did have and felt very isolated and alone during those years. I joined a local boxing club which helped to slowly rebuild my confidence. After some time I found myself walking around with my head held high. Just knowing I had boxing in my back pocket really helped to shape me as a young man.

With that new found confidence I was able to pull myself out of certain circles, away from gangs and really I began to see the oppressive people I surrounded myself with for what they really were. I owe everything to the sport, without it, I would not have achieved the things I have and wouldn’t be where I am today.

My life took many different twists and turns over the years but I finally came back to boxing a few years ago here in New York. I found a local club called Brotherhood Boxing and from there I got the itch to start teaching and share the incredible values and discipline I gained from the sport. I approached Shadowbox, an incredible studio with two locations in New York, one in flatiron and one in Dumbo. At Shadowbox we teach real boxing by real boxers in a group setting designed to inspire confidence, fitness and the art of boxing. It suits me to an absolute T. I love to teach and give back to a sport I owe so much.

As far as my workout schedule is concerned, I generally try to listen to my body and what it needs, especially if it’s telling me I need a couch day! I personally think the best way to approach fitness is to remove the vanity aspect of training and instead find a sport or discipline that you love. Make that your central focus and driving force then you support that with other things to help you be better at said sport. For example, you learn how to fence and notice your cardio needs work, so you add running to your week. Maybe your central discipline is climbing which needs good grip strength and a strong core so you add calisthenics. You box and you need to strengthen your neck and wrists, you add resistance training to those areas. As time goes on and you get better and better at your chosen skill, you’ll inevitably find new flaws and then new ways to keep improving. Having that central base skill gives everything you do purpose and the pleasure you get from seeing improvement and growth can’t be beaten.

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Q: So fitness came first, then came modeling. What was your start like, tell us about your big break and do you remember that first paid shoot, who was the photog, who was the client?

A: Modeling came into my life when at the time I was DJ’ing and trying to start my own label. It was a difficult industry to be in and I found myself struggling financially despite picking up part time work where I could. One job involved teaching myself how to write computer code and work as a programmer. Turns out I’m pretty good at that but a life sitting on my ass in front of a screen just wasn’t for me.

My girlfriend at the time was in Bali pursuing her dream of being a marine biologist & scuba diver which left me feeling rejected and massively insecure. I knew I was losing her and really wanted to do something special with my life. In the past I’d shrugged off any suggestion of modeling, perhaps due to insecurity, but in that moment the possibility out weighed the thought of rejection.

I met a few agencies and to my surprise had my pick of who to be with. I joined Premier models in London and everything happened extremely quickly. Within a month or so I was booked exclusively for the Calvin Klein show in Milan which was my first real paid job. I was thrust into this new world and from their things skyrocketed. Over the next few seasons I booked a lot of campaigns including Armani, Dolce & Gabbana, Bottega Veneta, Calvin Klein, Missoni, Tommy Hilfiger to name a few. I had billboards all over the world, including in Times Square and the buses I once used to ride to school in London were now littered with my face. I did a lot of eye opening editorials, travelled around the world and worked with some really amazingly talented people. Photographers such as Stephen Meisel, Mario Testino, Bruce Webber (don’t worry I’m good, I can box remember) Terry Richardson, so many. I reached number four on the Forbes worlds most successful male models and Models.com. I’ve continued working steadily since but more importantly the lessons the job has given me are priceless. It took a street kid, growing up hustling, fighting, stealing cars, almost facing prison out of that void and opened my eyes to the world. It showed me what was possible and expanded the horizon of what I once thought was my worth.

Q: The fashion industry has changed a lot since you got started, just like men so do our bodies. How have you adapted to your body, look changing and the needs of the industry?

A: It has changed a lot and is constantly evolving or devolving depending how you want to look at it. The influence of instagram is growing ever stronger and being the right look for a brand is no longer enough. You have to have the draw and pull of followers too. The whole thing makes me quite uncomfortable if I’m honest, but I do see the advantages. It’s a powerful tool which puts power in the hands of the people. I guess I’m just curious to see how it plays out. I try to develop a relationship with it which feels sincere and honest but it’s a struggle for me. As for my shape and size, over the years I’ve come to realize you can’t please everyone. You’re too big for this brand or too small for another. Your agents tell you to do one thing and clients tell you something else. Opinions are like assholes, everyone has one and if you listen to them all you’ll go crazy. I just try to keep a healthy lifestyle and mindset, what will be will be.

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Q: You are also an actor, so it helps you are fit, and handsome, but tell us the top 3 skills you have had to work on to develop your acting chops? Any projects coming up we can see you in Fall/Winter 2019?

A: I began studying the art of acting about eight years ago here in New York, attending schools such as Stella Adler, HB Studios, Michael Howard and now AMAW where I am to this day. In the beginning I had no intentions of becoming an actor. I saw studying the craft as a kind of therapy, a way to challenge the ego and unlock a truer self. It’s weird, I now feel more myself on stage or in front of a camera than I do in my real life. Acting teaches you trust your instincts and not question your reaction or emotion in response to a given set of circumstances and situation. You begin to find a tranquility in alignment, whereas in real life it’s expected that you stuff that shit down, bottle it and burry it deep inside, especially for men I feel.

For someone that suffers from anxiety it’s been a challenging journey but an amazing one which has helped me to overcome a lot of issues. I finally received my green card last year so I’m making a start on more acting work in the US. I just shot an episode of Elementary with Lucy Lu and Johnny Lee Miller which was a great learning experience working with pro’s. Along with a slew of independent films and a couple of plays, so let's see where this one takes me.

ON DANNY: Nike Pro Combat Compression Shorts | Shadowbox Wrap

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Q: We know, life is not all about 6-packs and fashion shows, where do you draw inspiration from and how do you find ways to reenergize yourself?

A: It’s not?? Well that’s soul destroying, what could possibly be left! Kidding of course. I draw inspiration from anywhere and everything but mostly I’m fascinated by people who seem immune to caring what other people think. They live their lives free of the constraints of expectation and their life choices aren’t dictated by the judgement of others. It’s a super power we all have the potential to unlock. Life to me seems to be all about growing up quick, becoming an “adult”, fitting with the mould. All I’ve ever wanted is to get back to being a kid, free from expectation and conformity. I’ve done some pretty extreme things to tap into this including Ayahuasca ceremonies and other ceremonious medicines of that nature. I practice meditation and read a lot of books on the subject of spiritual awareness. I’m beginning to notice a pattern with everything I do, all of which, in some way, seems to be an effort to un-tap some deeper truth.

Q: We have seen a lot of cross over talent from fitness or sport into movies, or rather modeling to movies like "the Rock" or Ashton Kutcher. Is there a blueprint or someone out there you admire, maybe an entrepreneur or actor you see yourself following their pathway from when you started all this at 14?

A: I find inspiration in a lot of the people I encounter, whether it be a writer, actor, singer, fighter, mother, doctor, lawyer. There is no one way to achieve your hearts desire, no blueprint. I’d say avoid the beaten path and find your own way, guided by a trust in your instincts. We’re all expected to live a certain way, be a certain person but n truth, in an ever evolving civilization we are just making up as we go a long. If you can free yourself from the shackles of this reality there in lies the path to true happiness. I believe once you detach from being driven solely by outcome and instead realize the journey is all that matters, everything you do in life is a win. If you can get to that space, you can get anywhere.alitem ent.

Q: Words to live by?

A: “Blessed is he who expects nothing, for he shall never be disappointed.” - Alexander Pope

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