Fame Is A 200-Pound Saint Bernard. Eriq La Salle On Training It Before It Runs You Over

This episode is sponsored by Dose. 🥤 Dose: Give your daily wellness routine a boost and enjoy an exclusive 35% off! Visit https://dosedaily.co/CARLOS and use code CARLOS at checkout. Some links below are affiliate links. We may earn a commission. #ad ❄️ Plunge: Ready to take the plunge? Upgrade your recovery routine with a Plunge Chill cold plunge. Explore your options at https://thecarlospodcast.com/plunge. ✈️ JetBlue: Planning your next getaway? Explore JetBlue and make your next trip happen. Visit https://thecarlospodcast.com/jetblue. 🌐 NordVPN: Protect your online privacy and browse with greater peace of mind. Get started at https://thecarlospodcast.com/nordvpn. Carlos sits down with actor, director, and bestselling author Eric La Salle for an inspiring conversation about ambition, rejection, faith, and the power of perseverance. Eric takes us back to his childhood in Hartford, Connecticut, growing up with a hardworking single mother, finding his way to Juilliard, and building a career that eventually led to Coming to America and ER. He also shares how a mentor changed his life, why he never let rejection define him, and how writing became his creative salvation. From working on a novel for three and a half years to reflecting on fame, love, patience, and his friendship with George Clooney and Noah Wyle, Eric opens up about the lessons that shaped his journey—and why sometimes the journey matters more than the destination. 👉 Have you ever been rejected from something that eventually led you to something better? Share your story in the comments! Timestamps [00:00] Eric La Salle: Rejection, Faith & Finding His Way [01:11] Growing Up in Hartford, Connecticut [01:28] Lessons From a Hardworking Single Mother [02:01] The Work Ethic That Shaped His Career [02:28] Learning to Bounce Back From Rejection [03:01] From Hartford to Juilliard [03:41] Why He Wasn't Afraid to Dream Big [04:39] The Power of Having a Mentor [05:05] Why He Chose a Different Path [05:43] How Kobe Bryant Inspired Him [06:20] Kobe's Obsession With Excellence [06:38] Treating Every Opportunity Like a Championship [06:47] NordVPN Sponsor Message [06:38] Why Mentorship Requires Commitment [07:45] Talent Isn't Enough: The Power of Hard Work [08:23] Landing His Breakthrough Role in Coming to America [09:31] The Director Who Changed His Perspective [10:02] The Emotional Rollercoaster of Auditions [10:21] Dose Sponsor Message [11:15] How Writing Became His Creative Salvation [12:21] The Vulnerability of Sharing Your Art [12:57] Rejected Again and Again: His Journey as a Novelist [13:26] Finally Landing a Publishing Deal [14:05] The Stories Behind His Book Series [14:43] Eric's Early-Morning Writing Routine [14:55] Carlos Takes on the Cold: Plunge Sponsor Message [15:33] The One Sentence He's Perfected for 3.5 Years [16:17] What It Means to Be a Black Man in America in 2026 [17:16] Rapid Fire: Food, Authors & Favorite Athletes [17:55] His Fondest Memories From ER [18:20] The Spain Trip With George Clooney & Noah Wyle [19:07] JetBlue Sponsor Message [19:33] The Most Important Lesson He's Learned About Love [20:20] The Surprising Reality of Fame [20:45] His Biggest Mistake: Letting Ego & Impatience Lead [21:48] Knowing When to Take the Local Train [22:29] Why the Journey Matters More Than the Destination