Meet Troy Faruk | Actor, Musician, Stuntman, Creator

We had the good fortune of connecting with Troy Faruk and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Troy, what role has risk played in your life or career?
Risk taking has been one of the most important, and essential factors contributing to my success in life and my career. Choosing a career as an artist and creative in itself was a risk. Every level of advancement and success I’ve experienced has been the direct result of taking a risk. As a kid I always dreamed of becoming an entertainer. I wanted to do the cool things I saw in movies. I wanted to play complex characters, and be apart of the story. I wanted to make music and impact people the way my favorite artists impacted me. Growing up in a small city in the south, I never really saw a path to make that dream come true. So I did the only thing I could do to keep the dream alive. I used my imagination to develop my creative side. I taught myself how to write lyrics and create songs when I was 11. Most importantly I took education seriously to be an above average student. I was different from a lot of the other kids and not really accepted. I didn’t want to be like everyone else. As I reflect back on growing up, I was developing the skill of risk taking, and dealing with the consequences to develop character. When I got to college I pursued music. I worked to develop the craft, and looked for opportunities to get signed. I took risks putting myself out there not knowing what to expect. I was recognized on several occasions from freestyle contests. It never panned out. I just didn’t know what to do to make it happen. I graduated college with 2 business degrees, and a minor in theater. I immediately landed a sales management opportunity in corporate America from a college internship. Making a living off of sales is a life of constant risk taking. I worked that job for 3 years managing 3 different territories, and found success. However, I was never truly fulfilled. I was burnt out, and I hit a crossroads. I was offered a higher position in the company getting paid more to do less work. I accepted the position. Shortly after I came across an opportunity that was the biggest risk of my life, and would end up being the one that changed my life. It was a live stunt show in Bermuda. It was the 1st time anything like that was created in Bermuda. I turned down the job from my previous company which led to burning some bridges. I got my passport, uprooted my life, and left the country to do the show. There were alot of ups and downs, but ultimately we had 2 successful seasons. When I came back to the states, I decided to pursue a career as an actor and stunt performer in Film and Television. My first job was as an extra on “I Am Legend”. I found the listing, flew myself out to New York, and put myself up in a hotel just to work that job. I had never been to New York and had no idea what to expect. It was the best thing I could have done to solidify what I wanted to do. When I saw the vastness of the concept of shooting that scene for those 6 cold, 12 hour days, I knew it was worth the risk. I got jobs as a bartender and substitute teacher to keep my schedule flexible enough to take acting classes, train, and support myself as I pursued this path. After 3 years of that, and managing to break into industry, I took another huge risk. I quit both jobs and decided to go all in. While it was difficult at the time, and scary with a lot of ups and downs; that risk to go all in with no back up plan paid off the most. I’m now in my 10th year in the industry having amassed major success as an actor and stunt performer. That success has allowed me to finance my own music career with my own independent label. I never stopped honing my crafts. I never let my dream die. I’m now living what I wanted to be as a kid. Taking risks and not following the herd doing what everyone else is doing will always set you apart from the pact. You may find yourself alone at times due to your approach. Others may not understand or support what you want for yourself. It’s ok. It’s impossible for anyone to see what you see for yourself. Always stay true to yourself and don’t be afraid to take risks. The dream never dies.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I got to where I am today professionally with unrelenting persistence, drive, and learning how to be the best version of me. It most certainly was not easy, and it is an ongoing learning process on this journey. For me it boils down to three things: Big picture vision, being true to myself, and defining success for myself. Seeing the big picture and playing the long game is extremely important. In a world where instant gratification is so prevalent, it’s easy to fall into the trap of complacency when small successes are achieved. I’ve always respected longevity and sustained consistent success. Having a big picture plan motivates me to constantly improve. The more I improve, the more my big picture vision expands which leads to me becoming the best artist and creator I can be. I would say the most important factor to overcoming challenges is learning to go within. Anytime I’ve had tough times on my journey, found myself struggling to be motivated, or flat out unhappy with where I am; there was always one common denominator. I wasn’t being true to myself. It was the hardest lesson to learn. Anytime I tried to be like someone else or try to fit into a mold of what other people thought of me, it only led to anxiety and loss of confidence. Anytime I sought validation or acceptance of what my goals were or allowed what other people thought to affect my decisions; it led to inaction or failed creative attempts. To all the artists and creatives out there, you have to do YOU. It’s ok if others don’t understand what or why you’re doing what you’re doing. Noone can ever see your vision for yourself the way you do. Everything you need to be successful is already within you. Defining what success is to me is also key. There are levels to success and it’s important to be clear in defining what it is and how it falls in line with your big picture vision. Success as an actor for me is a little more clear cut. I work hard at the craft to have the range to play many different characters across all mediums; Film, television, live theater, voice over, etc. Stay prepared to audition to the best of my ability, and carry that preparation with me to set for the roles I book. As an independent musical artist it’s very different. My initial successes were establishing my label Top Air Entertainment and producing my first EP “The Dream Never Dies”. That became the foundation to the path of becoming the artist I saw myself as. Success in music comes in various forms for me. I have since released 2 singles (“Jump” and “Homecoming”), a 14 track album (“Dream Projection”), and a mixtape (“Ascension”). I take pride in writing all my own music and creating original high quality content. Nothing feels better than being in complete control of my own art. I’ve managed to get my music picked up by multiple publishing libraries for pitching. That has resulted in 2 of my songs getting placed on big network TV shows. Organically gaining fans and generating millions of streams are tangible results that validate my artistry. Having a big picture vision, being true to myself, and having a clear definition of success allows me as an artist to be who I am. It allows me to be a positive beacon of light that shows others its ok to be different and create your own path. As long as I maintain this approach combined with the hard work required to be consistent, everything else will fall into place. If I motivate or inspire just 1 person to pursue their own path by walking in my own light; that to me is the most gratifying feeling I get from being an artist.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Atlanta is a city full of culture with great places to dine and lots to do. I would like to shoutout my favorite place to dine. Agave Restaurant. It’s the only restaurant of its type anywhere in the south east. Everything on the menu is exquisite. My favorites are the fried lobster tails and cayenne fried chicken. I could literally eat there everyday. If you sit at the bar, ask for my favorite bartender Lisa. Tell her I sent you.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I would like to dedicate my shoutout to my beautiful mother Peggy. She’s the strongest woman I know. I never met my father or had a dominant male figure influence in my life. As a child I remember my mother working 2 jobs as a single mother raising me and my 2 sisters. She still found time to take care of us and herself. She taught me work ethic, discipline, and allowed me to be myself. She always supported and encouraged me to follow my heart and intuition. One of my lifelong goals was to buy her a house and allow her to retire early.. Thanks to way she raised me, I will accomplish that goal this year. I love you ma!

Website: https://trfaruk.com

Instagram: @stunttrfaruk

Youtube: https://youtube.com/channel/UCZOWHZP3URLGnt_8ge0tiXA

Image Credits
Kelley Motley Wesley Stanfield