Conversations with Jessica Martin

Today we’d like to introduce you to Jessica Martin.

Hi Jessica, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
I have a unique set of experiences that have gotten me where I am today. I’ve had a passion for performance and bringing joy to people through storytelling all my life.

I was an NFL cheerleader for the Arizona Cardinals and also danced for our NHL Coyotes team. Those were both amazing & unique experiences I loved. It wasn’t until years later that I truly understood how fortunate I was to have both those experiences.

Acting is something I had always had a passion for but really started pursuing in 2015. I have been in multiple local commercials and independent films since. It’s been equally challenging and rewarding.

While I am still pursuing my acting career, I also have always had an interest, love, and respect for Psychology. It was my original major as an 18-year-old. I then changed my major and completed my pre and co-requisites & almost went into nursing school. All to come back around many years later to Psychology again.

I am a strong believer in purpose and things happening in life for a reason. It took me a long time to realize that for me and what I want to do in the field of Psychology, I needed life experience first. I needed to confront things from my past to complete my own healing journey in order to feel ready to pursue it again.

While I will be starting this from the very beginning, it’s something I look forward to greatly. I would love to become a counselor who specializes in helping couples and young women. I don’t know what that path looks like yet but I am looking forward to seeing where it leads me.

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way? Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Not at all.

I don’t know if anyone can say life paves smooth roads for us in any direction we head but it’s definitely been an adventure. Being a dancer and actor, you face rejection 99% of the time. You are told no for various reasons that no matter how it’s said, feels personal.

It’s helped me grow a thick skin and also allowed me to understand the importance of training and preparation so that when all the stars align, I can at least say, “I gave it my all.” While we never control the outcome, we can control how prepared we are for any new opportunity that’s on the horizon.

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I am an actress. I feel the most comfortable with dramatic projects and characters to portray. The most recent independent film I was in is a western called, “Badland Doves,” directed by Paul Winters, and it’s available to watch on Amazon Prime.

I’m proud of every role I’ve played even though there’s been leaps and bounds of growth as an actress from the first set I walked on to the current set I’m on while writing this. It’s pointless to nitpick past performances because again each one taught me something and stretched me.

The film community is very big and very small at the same time. It’s hard to keep track of all of the projects I have done but each one has taught me something and I have been fortunate to have had great experiences on every set I’ve worked on. The AZ film community has heart, that’s for sure.

I don’t know that I could speak to what sets me apart from others. I know that on every set I am on I feel like every person is equally as important as the next. An example is the crew members, who are some of the most hard-working set of people I have ever witnessed!

I have never been disillusioned to think that because I am the actor on set, I am the most important. That couldn’t be further from the truth. We all work hard. Productions, big and small, are a large team effort. So I go into every project treating everyone with respect for who they are and what they do.

Also being on time and prepared is important because it’s a business after all.

How do you define success?
Finding contentment in everyday life with many moments of happiness sprinkled in.

Happiness seems to be a destination many people chase but it’s not realistic to feel happiness 24/7. I have found contentment, peace, and fulfillment in every single day and that to me is a success.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm7331081/?ref_=fn_al_nm_1
• Instagram: @Jessicaymartin_