How Pastor Jimmy Odukoya Influenced My Fitness Journey – Actor Deyemi Okanlawon

Nollywood actor, Deyemi Okanlawon has opened up about the pivotal role his friend, Pastor Jimmy Odukoya, played in inspiring and guiding his fitness journey.

During an episode of the King of Talks podcast with Teju Babyface, Deyemi Okanlawon shared insights into how he approached fitness as an actor.

Okanlawon admitted that his fitness aspirations were mainly driven by the demands of specific physical roles in movies. However, his perspective underwent a significant transformation due to Pastor Odukoya’s encouragement to prioritize overall fitness.

Reflecting on his journey, the actor highlighted the influence of his friend, now referred to as “Pastor Jimi Odukoya,” who had been passionate about fitness and acting long before assuming his role as a senior pastor.

He said, “A year ago, I decided that I wanted to be ready and fit all the time. One of my best friends convinced me, you probably know him, and now I’m forced to add ‘pastor’ to his name.

“Pastor Jimi Odukoya is a gym buff, and we used to work out together before he became the senior pastor and he just inspired me to look a certain kind of way, to be strong, fit and healthy. So there is nothing I do that is primarily to become a ‘chick magnet.”

Deyemi Okanlawon further explained that his new fitness routine not only suits him personally but also benefits his acting career.

“An actor is essentially his voice, emotions and body, and for me to be where I want to be all these things come together,” he said,

“If I had a film coming up and I knew that there was going to be some showing of skin, I used to go hard for two or three months. Then one year later I wouldn’t even go near a gym. Now, I’m healthy and it works for the films too.”

KanyiDail recalls that Deyemi Okanlawon recently revealed that his wife deliberately avoids following him on social media and abstains from watching any of his movies.