1. Introduce yourself(tell about yourself & who you are)

My name is Jason Lake, I’m currently entering my senior year of college studying Sports, Entertainment, and Event Management at Johnson & Wales University. I was born and raised in the Hudson Valley in New York before moving to Rhode Island for college. I’m an only child and have been an aspiring actor since I was about 11 years old and haven’t quit since. 

2. What inspires you everyday? 

Mostly just trying to make myself better than I was the day before. Whether it’s who I am or what I do, I want to take every opportunity to better myself in any aspect that I can. I’m also really motivated and inspired by friends, family, and other various role models in my life who have taught me a lot and gave me really good advice for both what to do and what not to do. 

3. What are some words of wisdom you live by everyday? 

My very first tattoo was on my arm, and it says “No Half Measures”. It’s a quote from one of my favorite shows ever, but I’ve realized that it’s also something that I’ve been told my entire life. As I said, I’m motivated and inspired by various role models in my life, and they’ve all told me the same thing in different ways. You can’t half-ass being an actor, you’ve got to give 100% 100% of the time. I was a wrestler in high school and my coach always told me that once I commit to a move, I need to always follow through even if you don’t think it’ll work how you want it. Do everything fully and if it doesn’t work, figure it out later. I also have an attitude of “who cares what other people think” and it’s probably helped me become more confident and more myself than anything else in my life. Those two things have helped me through some rough times and made the good times even better. 

4. What are some struggles you’ve faced in life and how did you overcome it? 

When I was 15 years old I was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes. At first I thought “oh this could be a lot worse, at least I’m not dying” and a lot of people probably feel the same way. However, it took a serious toll on my mental health, and it’s still something I struggle with to this day. I was severely depressed before that, and it only got worse afterwards. On top of that I was in an awful relationship, had next to no friends, and for a long time I felt like I couldn’t catch a break. But after a while I learned the “who cares” attitude I mentioned and it helped a lot. I also gained some friends and strengthened one particular friendship in my senior year of high school, and I don’t think I could’ve done it without those guys. Of course this isn’t how everyone can better their mental health, and I still have minor struggles from time to time, but I wouldn’t be even close to the person I am today without that attitude and such good friends with me. 

5. What are some goals in life you’d like to complete? 

I just want to make myself as happy as I can be. I’ve found that acting makes me happier than anything, and I’ve been pretty successful at it, considering who I am and where I come from. Almost two years ago I made a New Year’s resolution to try and get one good acting gig that’s at least a step higher than what I’ve been doing, and by some miracle it happened in a matter of months. I landed a supporting role in a Short Film Series called Finding You that you can watch on Amazon Prime Video as well as Vimeo, and I’ve never been a part of anything like it. I’ve gotten to work with people I’d never thought I’d meet, learned so much and gained so much experience, and even added an award to my resume. I could quit now and still feel like I’ve had a successful life and career, but why stop now when I’m just getting started?

6. What is one way you’d like to make an impact in the world? 

I’d love to have a massive impact on the world like running a charity or doing an incredible amount of volunteer work or something, but I’d also be satisfied by just changing one or a few people’s lives for the better. Not everyone was born to change the world, but everyone impacts it somehow. If I can make a single persons’ life better, whether I know it or not, I would consider that a massive success. 

7. What else would you like to tell people about you?

I’ve changed massively over the 21 years I’ve been alive. If you gave me this interview 10 years, 5 years, or even 6 months ago, it probably would’ve been drastically different. But that’s just how life works, we’re all supposed to change, hopefully for the better. Also, go watch Finding You on Amazon Prime Video and Vimeo. Also follow my Instagram @jason.rainman