“Success is never a straight line.”

– Agustin Rexach

If there’s one sure thing about Hollywood, it’s that no single path to success exists. Unlike doctors, lawyers, or accountants, Hollywood doesn’t provide you a roadmap of simple steps that if you follow, do the work, and produce results, you’ll become successful. There are so many paths to be taken and many more to be forged, and although the roads vary for everyone, the more I break down people’s success stories, I have discovered there are unwavering constants:

Consistency.

Perseverance.

(Most Importantly) A willingness to help others.

Today’s guest, Agustin “Auggie” Rexach, has worked on such shows as From Dusk Till Dawn, Hawaii 5-0, the 2016 remake of Roots, and two seasons of Genius for National Geographic (here is Auggie’s full IMDb page), and the unique path he has forged throughout his varied career is the absolute embodiment of these qualities. Coming to Hollywood from the island of Puerto Rico, Auggie had every reason to believe he’d never make it in the film industry, and in this episode, he and I go deep into what it means to live by these qualities and how putting others first is often the fastest path to success. In addition to talking about how he got where he is today as a highly successful assistant editor, Auggie also candidly shares his struggles with weight loss and burnout and the steps he’s taken to overcome both.

And just because this episode was SO good, here’s a quick spoiler: In addition to his consistency, his perseverance, and his willingness to help others, there was one additional key mindset that has led him to where he is today:

“I have the job already. They just don’t know it yet.”

If you find yourself questioning whether or not you’ll ever be successful in the entertainment industry, Auggie’s unique path to where he is today is a Masterclass in learning how you can shift your mindset and approach your career from a completely different perspective.

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Here’s What You’ll Learn:

Auggie’s unique origin story, growing up in Puerto Rico and eventually ending up in Hollywood.
The internal challenges Auggie faced being a minority and trying to make it in Hollywood.
The philosophy Auggie developed early on that has led him to where he is today.
The conversation that first inspired Auggie to keep pursuing a career in Hollywood. (This was a huge surprise to me!)
How the cut throat mentality of commercial editing houses led him to working in scripted television.
What he did to build a great relationship with his first editor, James Wilcox.
KEY TAKEAWAY: Having a helping attitude will always build the best relationships.
Auggie’s advice on showing enthusiasm and childlike excitement.
The important difference between arrogance and confidence and why the ego will always get you in trouble.
What the service centric mindset is and how you should use it to approach every job.
Why Auggie champions anyone just starting out on their fitness journey and believes it’s never too late to start.
The story of how I unknowingly overwhelmed Auggie with fitness information when he joined Fitness in Post in 2014.
The step-by-step process Auggie used to get himself healthy and lose weight.
Challenges he faced growing up with an alcoholic dad and what he’s learned from that experience.
The Instagram quote that inspired Auggie to get his health back in order.
Fitness gadgets he cannot live without.
How knowing himself better has helped him maintain good habits.
KEY TAKEAWAY: Small incremental changes with consistency lead to long lasting health
What Auggie means by “Killing Your Clone” and how it’s inspired him to be better each day.
KEY TAKEAWAY: Being better at life will make you better at your job. They are not mutually exclusive.

Useful Resources Mentioned:

The Service-Centric Mindset (Guest Post)

“Killing Your Clone”

Continue to Listen & Learn

Ep106: On the Vital Importance of “Being Nice” | with Jesse Averna, ACE

Ep115: How to Be So Thorough You Can’t Be Denied | with James Wilcox, ACE

Ep114: Breaking Into (and Making It) In the Industry as People of Color | with Mirra Watkins, Ariel Brown, and Isaiah Cary

The Four Types of Creative Jobs (and The Secret To Knowing Which Is the Perfect Fit For You)

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Guest Bio:

agustin-rexach-bio

Agustin Rexach is an assistant editor in scripted TV in Hollywood. He was born on the island of Puerto Rico and studied communications at Boston University with a concentration in Film Production.

After graduating from BU in 1994, Agustin went back to Puerto Rico and started working for a local commercial production company. Over the next two years, Agustin ended up editing some of the island’s top advertising campaigns. His work at this company led to an offer from a post house in Miami. He left the island in 1996 and spent the next eight years in Miami editing commercials, music videos and any independent films he could get his hands on.

His next move was to San Antonio, TX where he spent six years as an editor at the city’s premiere post house, 1080. Hollywood kept tugging at him and finally made the move to LA in 2010. In 2014, Agustin broke in to Hollywood as an assistant editor in scripted television. In the years since becoming an assistant editor, he’s worked on shows such as “From Dusk Till Dawn”, “Hawaii 5-0”, the 2016 remake of “Roots”, two seasons of “Genius” for National Geographic and Fox Television. In 2019 and 2020, Agustin had the opportunity to co-edit the season 2 finale of USA television’s “The Purge” and one episode of Showtime’s upcoming Limited Series “The Good Lord Bird”, starring Ethan Hawke.

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).

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#81 Andrea Köhler-Ludescher - Coaching, Changing, Watzlawick