By Milcah Tanimu
On the 4th of April, 2024, Nigerian actor Deyemi Okanlawon shared an inspiring revelation about his fitness journey, attributing much of his motivation and guidance to his close friend, Pastor Jimmy Odukoya.
In a candid conversation on the King of Talks podcast hosted by Teju Babyface, Okanlawon shed light on his approach to fitness, particularly in the realm of acting.
Acknowledging that his initial fitness goals were driven by the specific physical demands of movie roles, Okanlawon revealed a significant shift in perspective, thanks to Pastor Odukoya’s influence.
He shared how Pastor Odukoya, affectionately referred to as “Pastor Jimi Odukoya” now, played a pivotal role in encouraging him to prioritize overall fitness, transcending mere aesthetic objectives.
“A year ago, I decided that I wanted to be ready and fit all the time. One of my best friends convinced me, you probably know him, and now I’m forced to add ‘pastor’ to his name,” Okanlawon stated, acknowledging Pastor Odukoya’s significant impact.
He continued, “Pastor Jimi Odukoya is a gym buff, and we used to work out together before he became the senior pastor, and he just inspired me to look a certain kind of way, to be strong, fit, and healthy. So there is nothing I do that is primarily to become a ‘chick magnet.”
Expanding on the transformation in his mindset and lifestyle, Okanlawon emphasized that his newfound regimen not only resonated with him personally but also proved beneficial to his career as an actor.
“An actor is essentially his voice, emotions, and body, and for me to be where I want to be all these things come together. If I had a film coming up and I knew that there was going to be some showing of skin, I used to go hard for two or three months. Then one year later I wouldn’t even go near a gym. Now, I’m healthy and it works for the films too,” he explained.
Okanlawon’s journey underscores the transformative power of friendship and the profound influence individuals can have on each other’s lives, inspiring positive changes that extend beyond personal boundaries and into professional pursuits.
