Walter Fauntleroy & his leap of faith to Entertainment

Have you ever met someone who had a story? Yes, well then  let me introduce you to Walter Fauntleroy. His story and  journey to where he is in life are relatable, raw, and genuine.  From a troubled past to a bright future, he proves that with  determination, love and support you can achieve anything.  But none of this could’ve been achieved if he hadn’t believed  in himself and his higher purpose.

“I just left my career and my wife supported me.” 

Cox: Walter, tell me about a time before acting since you  started later in life.
Walter: Mike listen, I was a (NOC) Network Administrator  for GTE, and my job was to make sure systems were okay. I  was there when we became Verizon as well as the Y2K scare  and everyone was up in arms about the technology crash and  the end of the world. Crazy, right? 

Walter (continued): I had a lot of success dealing in that  world. Mike, I was making nearly $70,000 a year 20 years  ago, so you know that was a comfortable life. Things  changed once I had my two sons and I started to look at my  life. I wanted to instill in them the principles of doing what  they want and love in life so I would hypothetically ask them  what they want to be when they grow up. I honestly found  myself feeling like a hypocrite because though I had a career  and financial success I wasn’t doing what I loved.

It was at this moment for Walter that he realized he had  unfulfilled dreams he needed to attend to. He couldn’t set the  right example for his boys without actually being that  example. This dream went beyond just what we see today. It  was and still is about continuing to encourage those around  him, especially his family. This was the moment life was  going to take a change and he left it all behind.

“It has to be something that pushes and elevates you further.” 

Cox: Leaving everything behind at 30 to start over, what was  your motivation?
Walter: I had this thing of regret already that was kicking me  in the gut. I just couldn’t stand it. I was in my previous career  for 8 years. This is what gave me the motivation. I stepped  out on pure faith. I always had the mantra of walking by faith  and not by sight. 

Walter (continued): I was successful in Texas and I had actor  friends with the same level of success, but many seemed  satisfied with the “glass ceiling” level of success, but I just  couldn’t settle for that as a reason to limit my own efforts.  Had I succumbed to that way of thinking, to me, it would’ve  meant I was on deck for a major strike out myself & I just  couldn’t live without trying. I had selfless eyes on me that  mattered. I knew where I wanted to go was beyond my  current reach and site & I had to discover that, for them, at least. This is where my faith came into play and I had to go  deeper. 

Walter attributes his wife to being a guiding force that helped  him change his ways and focus on the right path throughout  his journey. He has heard many times that men who listen &  can get in touch with their feminine side can, oftentimes, be  more successful, which he started to notice as heeded to her  wisdom. It was her and his children who he says are the  reason he is where he is today. 

Cox: What kept you staying the course after moving to LA at  35 with your wife and kids to pursue one of the toughest  industries to break in?
Walter: Honestly, my past hadn’t always been squeaky clean  and I’ve been through a lot. I’ve had to learn how to motivate  myself when no one else would. After my initial trouble in  L.A., I finally hit a wall, and this was the time I wanted to  step completely into the light. So I stayed the course because  I had already faced a lot of adversities and regrets. And after  stepping into the light I knew I could never leave it. This was  my time and there was no turning back. 

Cox: How do you keep yourself grounded?
Walter: I stay grounded because I’m here today based on the  shoulders of those who came before me. I have had a  wonderful support system and mentors throughout my life because of them I am who I am and remembering that keeps  me grounded and humble in my journey. This also is the  reason I know my journey isn’t and has never been about me,  it’s about other people at the end of the day. I’m here just like  you are here Mike to be a servant to others. At the end of the  day, I’m just trying to serve in as many ways that I can. 

Walter went on to talk about how it is the arts, that creative  spirit, that drives his enthusiasm, his love and that has been  his salvation. Art is a way to express, connect and inspire  others to think more, be more, and become more and that’s  what he wants to do with his life and career. 

“That’s how you form your destiny.” 

Cox: What advice would you want to give to others who are  thinking of switching careers and desire to make a change in  life at an age they think isn’t possible?
Walter: They have to look at what the nature of God is in  them. The work of your life is always pulling you upward  even if you don’t realize it. It’s so involuntary just like  breathing. So you have to go for it and remember to preserve  it because you will have your highs and lows but it’s part of  your journey. People get what they want in life because they  want it and go for it. They have to remember that. 

Walter (continued): So what I tell people is to keep going  because you will hit that port of destination. Whatever that is for you you will get there. And when you get there you will  go to other ports of destination because your journey is  supposed to take you on multiple adventures. Never stay  comfortable with reaching that first port of destination  because there are others you have to reach. Enjoy the  journey!