Entrepreneur, Blaise Ffrench On Developing BODYARMOR, And Carrying On Wellness Traditions His Mother Taught Him
WITH BLAISE FfRENCH
Defining the modern man can be challenging, although some are giving it a pretty good go. Take Blaise Ffrench for example -
Photography, Daniel D’Ottavio
Words, Brett Staniland In Conversation with Blaise Ffrench
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Defining the modern man can be challenging, although some are giving it a pretty good go. Take Blaise Ffrench for example - I mean, even he hesitates trying to elucidate what he does; “it’s less what I do, but more who I am” he discloses after a pause. A glimpse of his online profiles shows you the concept to which he is referring: model, actor, NBA agent, entrepreneur and the list continues.
So how does one get here? How does one take care of themselves amidst various responsibilities ? Is it possible to have balance managing this turbulent lifestyle? Predictably, someone with such credentials, wellness is of great importance. Hence, I was intrigued to know where this had stemmed from - for starters, pressures he had experienced with body image and masculinity in the realm of an individual transcending industries.
Blaise was born and raised in Queens, New York by his mother. A place he describes as a tough city, where men have to be strong and “macho” in order to survive. He states that with his mother’s encouragement and support, he was inspired to be whomever he wanted, and do likewise. At an early age this was sports, namely basketball and baseball, winning city and state championships. This earned him a scholarship at El Paso, playing division one, and conclusively completing a master’s degree in business management and entrepreneurship (for which he credits his mother again).
I don’t think you should be limited to just doing one thing. You can do whatever you want to do.
Of course, tracking this modern man down for an interview was as tricky as one can expect. But I managed to grab some time with him during his early commute to his first order of business. Despite admitting to me he was running on three hours sleep, he looked clean and polished, teeth white, well-groomed and ready to attack the day. Undeterred by the obvious unrelenting schedule ahead, Blaise seemed collected and tranquil, which if anything, assured me even more of the expertise and adroitness over his day, and life.
For someone who has achieved so much already, the humility in his voice was tangible. He referred to his family often, and it showed in his demeanor, but there’s also great ambition that resides within him, something he was happy to divulge to me; his plans for the future.
BO: Your original aspirations were to be a basketball player, so were you always serious about how you looked after yourself? When did you start to really consider your relationship with your body?
BF: I’d say around high school or junior high, when basketball started to get a little more serious. I realized what I was putting in my body, was having an effect on my performance, and how I felt. My energy was very important, so I’ve always wanted to put good things in my body, especially doing all the things I do now too.
BO: As a young college athlete, were you on a strict diet? How did you feel about that?
BF: Yes and no - being a college athlete we didn’t really have a lot of money to spend on expensive food. But I consciously tried to make sure I wasn’t eating McDonalds, and that I was eating my vegetables, drinking a lot of water and staying hydrated. We had a nutritionist and training plans so they went hand in hand with what we were trying to achieve. I liked it too, I liked having their expertise, and professional opinions, and adding my own twist in there too with some home touches with the food.
BO: Did you experience any pressures about body image being an athlete? Or from other players or friends?
BF: I wouldn’t say pressures. I kind of see it as motivating and inspiring. Each person has different, unique aspects of their body, so if someone had really good arms or abs I would workout with them, and use it as motivation. I love to see people better than me or more advanced than me as it helps me push to get my body to the next level. I don’t think my teammates were as health-conscious as I was though, but I always had my grandma staying on top of me making sure I was eating my vegetables.
THE LOOK
Trench Coat & Trousers, Nanamica; Sneakers, Gucci; Turtleneck, H&M
Jay-Z (Shawn Carter), and Denzel Washington have been big inspirations On how to carry myself and how to be a man.
THE LOOK
Bomber Jacket, Nanamica; Trousers, BOSS
BO: Did you experience any pressure with having to adhere to traditional ideals of “masculinity”? Particularly within a sports environment?
BF: I went to an all-boys high school, so there was a lot of testosterone running around and masculinity, so I did experience a lot of that. On top of that growing up in New York, you have to be strong. Softness isn’t going to work on the streets here. So I definitely experienced peers being extra-macho and extra-manly, but I liked it in a way - having grown up without a father. I looked to some of my friends to show me how to be a man and help me carry myself in a better way.
BO: Did your opinion on body image change as you got older?
BF: I’d say no. I’ve always had a good outlook on body image, but it’s kept on evolving. Things that were good back in the day aren’t necessarily good now, it keeps advancing.
BO: What do you think about the “look good, feel good, play good” ethos?
BF: Big time! That’s everything. Having a haircut, wearing your favorite sneakers, just having that confidence it brings you is key in everything you do.
BO: How did you create the outlook that you currently have in terms of your own health, body image etc?
BF: Playing sport from a really young age made me think about my body, and my health. My mom of course, looked after me when I was young, and I was like her little project in how she looked after me. When it comes to grooming, I remember my mom babying me a bit with moisturizers and taking care of my appearance. So I took that and continued with it. She had a really big impact on my outlook with work too. She never wanted me to work for anybody, she pushed the entrepreneurship status onto me. She gave me that freedom to be who I wanted to be, and that’s where it really grew from alongside my image of myself too. Having people that inspire you too, it makes you concentrate on yourself and not worry about what other people are doing or the idea of perfection on the internet.
BO: With so many different elements to your career, how would you define what you do?
BF: I would reference the renaissance man. (Expression referring to a “Universal man” derived from Italian renaissance, often coined by 15th century architect and author Leon Battista Alberti – “A man can do all things if he will”). I don’t think you should be limited to just doing one thing. You can do whatever you want to do. People often ask me “what do I do?” but it’s not really what I do, it’s who I am. This is who I am. Why would I limit myself to just one thing if I like doing all these other things?
BO: What is a typical day like and how do you manage to balance everything?
BF: Workout in the morning, then doing some sports drink stuff in the city before heading to a modeling or acting gig in the afternoon. Then off to watch the Knicks probably lose ‘cus they suck big time. And then go to an event, which I use for networking opportunities. Balancing it is tough but I love it, I get a rush out of making it across the city and being here and there. It makes my day.
To see somebody that looks like me, be successful that was really big for me.
THE LOOK
Shoes, Gucci
BO: What kind of routine do you have for your own personal wellness? Morning routine / exercise etc?
BF: I make sure I use coconut oil every day on my hair, and cocoa-butter to make sure my skin is always good. Carrying on the traditions my mom started for me. There’s a brand called Clarisma Beauty (A vegan, cruelty-free, natural skincare collection) - a friend’s brand from L.A. They’re great for exfoliators and moisturizers and it really helped keep my skin healthy. They do products for men and women too. I like the special homemade soaps too and a nice fragrance. I have some Tom Ford, Gucci and Givenchy ones I like.
BO: What are the product(s) you never leave the house without? Or always stay in the washbag?
BF: Toothpaste and toothbrush! The hygiene of my mouth is really important. I have a really expensive toothbrush so it would be those two for sure. Again, that comes from my mom always making sure I had brushed my teeth and they were nice and clean and white.
THE LOOK
Suit, TEDDY VONRANSON
BO: You have developed BODYARMOR to be many athletes favored sports drink– what sets it apart from the other products?
BF: There’s pretty much one other competitor, who also owns a large part of the market. But our ingredients and taste are far superior; we have a coconut water base, and potassium-packed electrolytes as opposed to sodium, and we have no artificial colors or dyes which the competitors have plenty. The flavors which we have are amazing. There’s no reason why we should be drinking the same things which our grandparents were drinking, time has evolved so much. Our products are more advanced and more 2020.
BO: Anyone you admire or look up to for personal and career growth?
BF: Jay-Z (Shawn Carter) and Denzel Washington have been big inspirations on how to carry myself and how to be a man. Barack Obama is another one, for how to treat people and your woman. There’s a guy called Mike Repole (Founder of Glaceau, VitaminWater), I remember him visiting my high school, and he’s since been instrumental in my career, helping me become comfortable with the fact that not everyone is going to like you, and the business side of life.
To see somebody that looks like me, be successful that was really big for me. A black man as president, it doesn’t get any bigger than that. And I looked at these people and thought, if they could do it, I could do it as well.
BO: You’ve really grown and expanded your business and your own profile, what’s the next step?
BF: I’d like to get into politics. When I look at the current candidates, I think: if they can do it, I think I could do a better job. It starts in the communities, it starts in Queens where I’m from, doing things to help people who didn’t have the same opportunities that I had, or don’t have the platform of voice to speak. I would love to help give them a voice and help the kids coming up. The future is everything.
BO: What advice would you give to other young men in the industries you work in, who face external or internal challenges with their image?
BF: Be comfortable being yourself. The world is so big with Instagram, and what people think is perfection. It’s not real life and no one ever shows you their bad, so don’t focus on things like that. I remembering meeting Diddy a few years back, and one thing I took away amongst other things was that he was a normal, real person like me. So work on yourself every day and focus on you. Stay healthy and never give up on yourself.
