One year ago to this day, Aussie actor Lincoln Lewis bravely opened up about his mental health.
The 32-year-old revealed he was battling depression, speaking candidly to Men's Health magazine about his private struggles.
Now, 12 months later, Lewis reflects on his personal health and wellness journey and how he managed to push through when everything around him crumbled.
"Last year, I was at that low point where my cup was empty or beyond empty. I just wasn't in a good way," he recalls to 9Honey Celebrity, while discussing his health ahead of Australian Organic Awareness Month (AOAM) this September. "I was eating s--t, physically my motivation was down, and work wasn't going well.
"I describe them as pillars. Think of those pillars that hold you up in life, and those pillars are the things that you hold dearest. They've all got a cable attached to them and they're holding you up and you sway. If one of those pillars crumbles, the other pillars are going to maintain that slack. But when all the pillars crumble at the same time, you can tread water for so long before you get tired."
Here, the Underbelly and House Husbands star talks to 9Honey Celebrity about his upcoming projects, the benefits of going organic, and the phone call that saved his life.
Call For Help
Lewis first turned heads with his Men's Health cover last year, where he went shirtless and unveiled his fitness transformation — having lost 12kg.
However, it was the accompanying interview about his struggle with depression that captivated many.
Looking back, the actor says it was extremely difficult opening up after hiding behind a character on TV or film for so long. But there was no hiding on the cover of a magazine.
"Opening up on a public platform can be a bit of a scary thought — I guess opening up in general can be scary. But especially on a public platform where everyone's going to hear your story," he says. "For the most part, I'm always in character. And so when you have to be yourself and be completely vulnerable, it can be a bit of a daunting process."
Lewis was approached by his friend and Men's Health Scott Henderson, who asked the actor if he wanted to embark on a health and wellness journey — with the help of Sydney-based personal trainer Jono Castano — for three months.
The results would then be unveiled in the pages of the magazine. As apprehensive as he was, Lewis knew it was an opportunity he needed to take.
Just before Henderson reached out, Lewis remembered calling his childhood best friend as the star's depression was getting the better of him and he "was just done".
"It was a weird thing. I only told my best mate last year when I called him up to say Merry Christmas and stuff. And I said to him I don't really want to speak hypotheticals or whatever, but I said there was just one day where I woke up and was just done.
"I said to him, 'Mate, I don't care what we have to talk about. Just please talk to me.' And he just started talking. I think that's a very important thing to have those people around," he says. "The reason you have people in your life is not to just celebrate the good times — that's not friendship. Friendship means you're celebrating the highest of highs, but you're also there for the lowest of lows."
Career Highs and Lows
Lewis became a household name after his stint on Home and Away. When he left the Aussie soap in 2010, he starred in a host of shows such as Underbelly, House Husbands and Gallipoli, as well as the films Tomorrow, When the War Began, 33 Postcards and Spin Out.
The actor continued on the audition circuit over the years but it was challenging as he secretly battled depression. It wasn't until he underwent his mind and body transformation that he finally felt satisfied with his efforts.
"The acting world is a very up and down thing, and jobs can be very few and far between," he shares with 9Honey Celebrity. "Honestly, my auditions were s--t. I thought I was giving it my all, and I was, but I just wasn't at my best. When I was doing the transformation in Sydney last year, I was getting a fair few additions and I had times where my agent and casting directors I had known over the years were calling me up and saying, 'This is the best audition I've seen you do in years.'
"Everything about my life started to really flourish when I left myself raw, so that I could build myself from the ground up. It's like rebuilding yourself as a human."
The coronavirus pandemic has delayed some of Lewis' projects so he's counting down until November, when he's back in front of the camera.
However, should a project land on his lap from now till then, Lewis is ready to grab the opportunity — just like Hollywood actor Will Smith taught him.
The duo starred together in the 2013 sci-fi adventure movie After Earth, but Lewis' scenes were unfortunately left on the cutting room floor by director M. Night Shyamalan.
The Aussie actor may not have appeared in the film's final cut, but nevertheless the time he spent with Smith was invaluable.
"I got to have a couple of chats with Will Smith and his kids Jaden and Willow and we were talking about determination and resilience, and just how to strengthen your mindset. It was really cool hearing them talk about this all the time. And it gives testament to Will's advice, which is, 'Stay ready, so you never have to get ready.'
"I guess, my health, my fitness and also my projects, that's where I'm at at the moment. I'm just hoping that the industry picks up a lot more, so that I get the opportunity to be on set again."
Mindful Eating
This September doesn't only mark one year since Lewis' Men's Health cover, but it also confirms to him that a healthy body is the product of a healthy mind. For this reason, the actor is proud to be the ambassador for AOAM.
"When these guys hit me up, I was blown away," he says. "This is exactly what I've been aligning myself with these past 12 months since I've realised the benefits of taking care of yourself and how eating organic benefited me both physically and mentally."
https://www.instagram.com/p/CBzoyfaFlk4/Lewis — who is the son of NRL great Wally Lewis — is now the healthiest he's been in years. He dropped 12kg in the three months leading up to his Men's Health shoot and maintained it in the past year, thanks to an organic diet. The actor says he ditched the bad food choices and, as a result, gained clarity.
"I didn't realise how much food plays its part in every aspect of your life. So when I completely changed my eating habits, that changed my energy levels, and it changed my mindset because I was feeling a lot clearer," he reveals.
"When I wasn't looking after myself, it trickled down physically. But once that s--t exits your system, there's just something about the mental clarity that speaks for itself. All I can tell you is my personal experience and, that for me, the proof is in the pudding. I would love for other people to experience that same happiness."
As an ambassador for AOAM, Lewis toured certified organic farms and meat suppliers across his home state of Queensland to better educate himself about the value and benefits of organic products. Many items on the market claim to be organic but in reality it is only two per cent organic, Lewis says. That's why he urges customers to buy locally made produce and look for the Australian Certified Organic BUD Logo on products.
"Consumers can get the reassurance that it is the way it should be," he says. "Food should just be eaten how it is in nature — and that's the best way. No chemicals, pesticides or growth hormones — none of that kind of crap. Of course on top of that, it's supporting the local industry, local farmers, local growers and producers."
If you or anyone you know needs immediate support, contact Lifeline on 13 11 14 or via lifeline.org.au. In an emergency, call 000.
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