As part of a weekly series on Lively called “How I Uncap My Potential,” where we feature amazing women doing incredible things in their field, we’re spotlighting Hollywood stuntwoman and trainer April Sutton.
The fitness guru – who’s showed off her skills on the sets of Divergent and Empire (among other titles) and is set to release a workout app in the near future – got candid about her day job, her preferred way to stay fit, and the VP product that keeps her glowing. Meet your new girl crush here.
Lively: What is the biggest misconception about being a stuntwoman? The coolest thing?
April Sutton: The biggest misconception about being a stuntwoman is people assume that I’m a gymnast and am able to do backflips in my sleep. That’s not the case. Stunt performers come in all shapes and sizes that have all kinds of talents and skillsets, such as stunt driving, falls, fight choreography, fire, or anything that requires a specific skill.
The coolest thing about being a stuntwoman is that I get to do a job that requires my imagination. I love that it’s such an unconventional and rare dream job!
L: Why is fitness important to you?
AS: Fitness is important to me because it’s the foundation of every aspect of my life. The better shape I’m in, the better I feel about myself. It gives me more energy. I always feel motivated. I feel at peace. It relieves stress. It gives me confidence to pursue my next move or endeavor. I couldn’t imagine my life without it.
L: Is there a workout you swear by that you would recommend to others?
AS: I swear by kickboxing or boxing. It’s the most fun and efficient cardio exercise. I always get asked how I stay so lean and [kickboxing or boxing] is a good portion of my regimen. I hit the heavy bag 2x a week, attend a Muay Thai class 1x a week, and train with a Muay Thai coach 1x a week.
L: What life or career advice would you give your younger self?
AS: The advice I would give my younger self is to not be afraid to ask for advice or help. I learned a lot of things the hard way because of my pride. As I get older, if I need help with something I’m unsure of, I definitely ask around. It saves a lot of time and stress.
L: How do you "uncap your potential"?
AS: I uncap my potential by having quarterly goals or to-do’s that I want to achieve. I update them every season or quarter. I do that because I had noticed in the past that I would tend to work really hard in the beginning of the year, procrastinate during the summer, and then just coast or maintain the last quarter of the year. I would always feel I didn’t finish strong or achieve what I wanted by the end of the year. Since then, I have flipped that habit and have noticed a significant improvement on my career and on myself.
L: How do you incorporate Vital Proteins into your daily routine?
AS: The Vital Proteins product I like a lot is the Vital Proteins Beauty Collagen®! I add it to my water first thing in the morning. I’ve noticed a glow in my skin.** Caring about my skin, hair, and nails is important to me since I love looking good as well. It’s not always just working out with me.
Photos: @suttonstrong/Instagram
