Alexandra Paul was on Baywatch, the most watched television show on the planet in the 1990s. But instead of following in the footsteps of other Hollywood stars, she did something different: she turned her life toward activism. When I asked Alexandra, who is one of the happiest and most centered people I know, why she took that route, she shared something I’ve heard before: that her privileges in life gave her the willingness to take on big risks.

But as I listened to her speak, I wondered if the opposite might also be true: namely, whether her willingness to take big risks – choosing to become an actor and model over a more conventional life at Stanford; getting arrested early in her career; and taking on a cause (animal rights) that was far from popular when she took it up – was itself a reason that she became such a confident and secure person. Regardless of your answer to that question, I think you’ll find Alexandra’s life and stories fascinating – and perhaps learn something about how you can become a more confident person, too.

Alexandra’s podcast: Switch4Good

Also, for those of you who listen to the end of this podcast, you’ll hear that my birthday is coming up in a few days on June 18. Here’s a link to the fundraiser I’ve set up: https://www.facebook.com/donate/752497609261930

Music by Moby: Everything That Rises