EP 37: Kristin Duffy: Fashion Designer Turned Actor

Second Act Actors

Kristin Duffy is my guest on this episode of the Second Act Actors podcast and she’s here to tell me about switching from fashion to acting, how triathlons were formative for her and her experiences of being an American in London.

Kristin was the oldest of six children and was interested in acting from a young age, but decided to study fashion and landed a design role for a major chain based in New York. However, she became unsatisfied with her career and made the switch to studying acting in London. Together we discuss whether we put too much pressure on ourselves to make our first career work out. As the host of The Second Chapter Podcast, Kristin interviews women over 35 who made huge career changes so she has plenty to say about this!

We also compare notes on how society treats women, especially women over the age of 40, and how aging in the UK compares to ageing in the US. Kristin tells me about her thoughts on living in London and how triathlons can be like having a baby.

If this episode struck a chord with you and encouraged you to go for a big life change, please share it on your go-to social media channel and subscribe to The Second Act Actors podcast.

Timestamps

[2:20] Kristin talks about her childhood and her career in fashion

[5:43] Kristin on the roots of her creativity

[7:30] How science-y is fashion design?

[9:22] Getting inspired to become a triathlete

[13:57] Kristin and I talk building a community around your hobbies

[15:37] “It’s kind of like having a baby”: Kristin tells me about her first triathlon

[17:00] How Kristin became a triathlon coach

[19:07] Kristin’s second act as an actor

[21:02] What Kristin’s brought from fashion and triathlons to acting

[22:52] How The Second Chapter Podcast helps Kristin to overcome the struggle of acting

[26:00] Do we put too much pressure on ourselves to make our first job work out?

[29:05] Busting the myth about acting being only about acting

[33:22] What’s surprised Kristin about working as an actor

[35:20] Ageing in the UK vs. in the US, and how British accents can give you more authority

[42:42] “Something really interesting is going to happen’: What Kristin’s looking forward to this year

[43:45] The power of manifestation

[44:58] Advice from Kristin about making a career change

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