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Ralph Macchio is an actor, producer, and director obviously most well known for his portrayal of Daniel LaRusso in the Karate Kid films and now the hit Netflix series Cobra Kai. He has also appeared on both stage and screen in notable credits including The Outsiders, Crossroads, and My Cousin Vinny. Most recently, he has also added ‘NYT bestselling author’ to his credits after releasing Waxing On: The Karate Kid and Me which I can not recommend enough (it probably comes as no surprise I read the entire book in one sitting).

In one of the few rare occurrences where Ralph has made himself available for a long form conversation (as opposed to doing the rounds on the talk shows for a few minutes at a time), Ralph and I dive deep into his life, his successes, and his failures along the way far beyond just his role as Daniel LaRusso in The Karate Kid and Cobra Kai (but for all you diehard fans don’t worry…we definitely discuss that too). Ralph shares his challenges with maintaining authenticity in both his performances but also who he is as a person, father, and husband. Given his personal relationship with Pat Morita offscreen that translated to his relationship with Mr. Miyagi onscreen, we discuss mentorship and how it has shaped him. We honestly discuss how Ralph has managed the challenge of being pigeonholed as a single character his entire acting career. And most importantly, this wouldn’t be a proper conversation without discussing how to live a life defined by balance.

Whether The Karate Kid was your Star Wars or you’re literally hearing of Ralph Macchio for the first time, there’s no better way to say it: Today’s conversation will inspire the shit out of you.

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Here's What You'll Learn:

How we can define work-life balance in a day & age where the lines are so blurred between the two, they feel like the same thing
How we can manage and face our deepest fears when we know they’re standing between us and the best version of ourselves
The real reason Ralph says Cobra Kai has been such a success (and it’s not just The Karate Kid)
How remaining authentic paves the way for success both in your career and personal life
How Ralph Macchio defines what a “Miyagi mentor” is in real life
Understanding the difference between when you can avoid being pigeonholed, and when it’s time to embrace the mark you’ve made
The importance of knowing when to strive for balance, and when to fully commit
How fully committing to the present moment allows for a more successful and fulfilling personal life and career
How to maintain healthy relationships when you are forced to go through periods of work that require your absence
What Ralph is planning next after Cobra Kai…

Useful Resources Mentioned:

Waxing On: The Karate Kid and Me

Wax On, F*ck Off with Ralph Macchio

How to Find the Right Type of Mentor For You (and When You Should Seek the Best)

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Guest Bio:

Ralph Macchio

An actor, producer, director with an extensive list of credits, Ralph Macchio is best known for his celebrated performance as Johnny in Frances Ford Coppola’s The Outsiders; the hit film My Cousin Vinny; and most notably for the title role in the popular classic The Karate Kid and its successors. Expanding further on the Karate Kid Universe, Ralph continues to reprise his iconic role of Daniel LaRusso in the hit Netflix series Cobra Kai. He lives on Long Island with his family.

Show Credits:

This episode was edited by Curtis Fritsch, and the show notes were prepared by Debby Germino and published by Glen McNiel.

The original music in the opening and closing of the show is courtesy of Joe Trapanese (who is quite possibly one of the most talented composers on the face of the planet).

Ep200: Ralph Macchio ‘Waxing On’ About Authentically Living a More Balanced and Fulfilling Life

The Zack Arnold Podcast