The Meathead Stereotype Does Itself No Favors

I recently spoke to a casting agency trying to give away $5000. Frankly, I didn’t respond for weeks, but the concept was simple. A popular American automaker wanted to produce a commercial for a powerful new sedan with a refined interior.

The casting company was scouring the public for a “strength athlete” or “bodybuilder” with a counterintuitive set of interests. They suggested original stories that they couldn’t make up for themselves like a strongman who loves poetry or a bodybuilder that loves to sew.

They wanted a physically strong person that didn’t succumb to their stereotype.

Weeks went by and then a month and I was shocked when they were desperate to find their talent. Apparently, it was nearly impossible to find a strength athlete (who typically aren’t compensated well, by the way) that was willing to take $5000. All they needed to do was have other interests and they couldn’t find a soul.

It’s a comedy bit.

All this to say, it almost never pays to succumb to your stereotype. If you find yourself filling into the well defined lanes of those who have come before you from how you dress, how you spend your time, how you vote, and how you exist in the world, it might be time to explore jumping lanes and dabbling beyond your well defined stereotypes.