Steven Krueger: Staying Fit and His Approach to Health and Longevity

Steven Krueger, best known for his role as Ben Scott in the Emmy nominated Yellowjackets, joins us to talk about staying fit with outdoor sports, his approach to health and longevity, and the advice that shaped his career.

You’re known for being active and staying fit—what is it about outdoor sports that keeps you coming back for more, both physically and mentally?

To be fair, I wish I could claim I’m known for my fitness!  I could probably spend a couple minutes crafting a deep and insightful answer but it’s actually so simple.  I feel better when I’m active.  Mentally, I feel sharper, more energized, and generally happier.  Physically I’m lighter on my feet, my body hurts less, and I’m more confident when I see myself in a mirror.   As for indoor vs outdoor, don’t get me wrong… I love a yoga class, a weightlifting session or even a simple 10 minute stretch in my living room.  But there’s something about being outside that’s just good for the soul.  So if I can walk up a mountain or jump on a tennis or pickleball court for an hour, sign me up.

What’s one outdoor activity that has pushed you the most outside of your comfort zone, and what did you learn from it?

A couple of my best friends are avid backpackers.  I’ve always loved a good hike but I often find myself in situations where I’m hiking 10+ miles straight uphill with a 40 pound pack on my back.  Nothing about it is comfortable.  In fact, I’m usually cursing under my breath every few minutes.  But I’ve learned that in almost every circumstance, the juice is worth the squeeze.  The views from the top, the sense of accomplishment, the bonding time with friends.  I never regret doing it.

Many people struggle with consistency in fitness. What advice would you give to someone looking to build an active lifestyle that lasts?

Add me to the category of “struggles with consistency in fitness.”  Life comes in waves.  Our ability or desire to devote time to exercise on a daily or weekly basis is going to fluctuate constantly.  I might be eschewing general consensus here but I think setting goals for yourself can actually be quite counterproductive.  Unless of course there’s something specific you want to accomplish in the short term (i.e. run a marathon, climb a mountain, etc.)  Otherwise goals are just things you constantly have to measure yourself against.  And the second you fall off from that pursuit, the nagging voice in your head starts telling you it was a silly goal in the first place and the downward spiral continues from there.  I just like doing what feels good on a daily basis and knowing that the benefits will compound over time little by little.

Hollywood can be a demanding industry—how do you balance your physical health with the mental pressures of your career?

They go hand in hand in my opinion.  Whether you’re in the entertainment industry, finance, medicine, or you’re a stay-at-home parent with young kids, I think everyone lives a relatively demanding life these days.  Personally, when I notice my mental health starting to suffer, it’s usually correlated to not having been very physically active in that same period of time.

What are your non-negotiable daily or weekly wellness habits that help you maintain energy and longevity?

I’ve been converted to a green powder in the morning kind of person.  Yeah yeah, it’s a lot of marketing mumbo jumbo, but I haven’t been sick in a year so just let me believe it’s actually doing something!  I will also find a way to walk almost every single day.  And a practice I’ve had for a long time is simply reading ingredients labels when I’m at the grocery store.  It’s so easy.  But being more aware of what I’m actually eating has been immensely helpful.

Sleep, diet, and exercise are the pillars of health, but if you had to pick one game-changer for your wellbeing, what would it be and why?

Ok fine, I won’t skirt around the question like a politician.  If I’m choosing one?  Sleep.  Hands down.  Most important.  By a mile.  I think everyone intuitively knows this because of the massive difference in how we all feel after a good versus a bad night of sleep.  Bill Gates talked about this recently.  Sleeping the requisite amount every night isn’t a sign of laziness or weakness.  It quite literally makes you stronger and more productive.  Give me a cold room and a heavy blanket!

Yellowjackets is already off to a great start with incredible ratings—what can you tease about your character’s journey this season, and how has playing him challenged you as an actor?

As the audience is already seeing, Coach Ben is up against it this season.  His arc in Season 3 is the most dire and high stakes situation that he’s faced.  And I think it leads to some pretty incredible storytelling.  This has been by far the most challenging role I’ve ever had the privilege of taking on.  The emotional layers, the physical challenges, and the psychological twists and turns are seemingly never ending and it’s invigorating as a creative exercise.

Your career has spanned various roles and challenges—was there a pivotal moment when you realised you were on the right path?

There is, and it actually had nothing to do with money or success as an actor.  It was before I had even gotten a professional job.  I was just on stage in an acting class and something unexpected happened and by the time I finished the scene I couldn’t really recall or even understand where it had come from or why it occurred.  But damn it felt good.  It felt alive.  The sense of freedom is indescribable and I knew at that point, for better or worse, I had made the right decision on which career path to follow.

What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever received, and how has it shaped your approach to work and life?

When I decided to pursue acting professionally, a very successful producer in the industry told me I needed to give it 10 years before I decided whether this was a viable career path.  I thought that was insane at the time.  I was already in my early 20s and thought I knew everything.  But he was right.  And I’d tell anyone starting off in this business the exact same thing now.  Forget the “overnight” success stories you hear about.  They’re either fake or few and far between.  This is a long game.  Treat it that way.

Rejection and setbacks are inevitable in acting—how do you stay grounded and motivated in the face of uncertainty?

It was really hard when I first started.  I got really upset when I didn’t get a job.  I hated not being in control… couldn’t stand the uncertainty.  Then I got older.  Grew up.  Realized that uncertainty and a lack of control can actually be a blessing.  And that rejection is very rarely personal.  I also tend to surround myself with people that naturally keep me grounded in whatever way I might need it.  Never letting the highs get too high or the lows too low. 

If you could give one piece of advice to your younger self just starting out in Hollywood, what would it be?

There’s no one way to succeed in this business and anyone who tells you that you MUST do something is full of shit.  Learn from the talented people who’ve come before you, but nothing is gospel.  Use what works for you, toss out the rest. 

You’re now stepping behind the camera with Leaving the Light—what sparked your passion for directing, and how has it changed the way you approach acting?

Weirdly I think my brain is more properly wired for directing.  That’s actually part of the reason I love acting so much.  It gives me an opportunity to lean into the part of my mind that isn’t my default.  But I’ve always been fascinated by directing, by the sheer volume of information and decision making that goes along with it.  By getting to craft so many of the creative choices that go into a piece of art.  And now that I’ve done it, I can tell you my appreciation for just how difficult it is to make something has skyrocketed.  I wish actors had more exposure to the post production process, so that we could really see how much creativity goes into each and every step of the process once our part is over.  It’s so impressive and I’m eager to dive back in behind the camera again soon.

Photographer: Ben Cope
Styling: Douglas Vanlaningham
Grooming: Kristin Heitkotter