This story was originally published in the Spring 2025 issue of ICON/REFINED. Grab your copy here. 

Written by Chelsea Clarke

Photography by James Patrick

Colin Egglesfield is more than just an actor. He’s a creative entrepreneur, a traveler, a communicator, and someone who thrives on self-expression. His career, which spans modeling, acting, and entrepreneurship, is built on an innate drive to create, perform, and inspire others. But at the heart of it all is a philosophy that has guided him through both personal and professional challenges—a mindset shaped by experience, ambition, and an unwavering belief in possibility.

Egglesfield attributes his entrepreneurial spirit to his upbringing. “I’ve always had an entrepreneurial spirit,” he says. “I just always have admired people who were doing brave and audacious things.” A major influence was his mother, an Irish immigrant who came to America at a young age. “I think that immigrant mentality of coming to America and aspiring to be able to fulfill all your dreams…that mentality was instilled in me at a very early age.” He originally planned to follow in his father’s footsteps and become a doctor. But life had other plans. One day, he heard a radio ad for a modeling competition that promised travel and adventure. “At 22 years old, why not, right?” That leap of faith led to international modeling opportunities, and soon, he found himself in Milan, walking runway shows for Versace and having suits fitted by Giorgio Armani himself. Being surrounded by some of the most talented designers, photographers, and stylists in the world made him see creativity in a whole new way.

Acting wasn’t something he had considered at first, but when he started booking commercials, his agent encouraged him to take it more seriously. He had some experience on stage in school plays, but the thought of performing in front of people had always terrified him. “What I loved about acting class, and I think everyone should take an acting class, is that it helps you go head-on. It forces you to face why you do get afraid of audiences.” That journey of self-discovery was as much about overcoming fear as it was about learning the craft. “There’s power in just being authentic and real.” It wasn’t easy, though. He recalls how he was often gripped by the fear of judgment, but with time and practice, he learned to push through. One of his acting teachers had a mantra: “Dare to suck.” It became a guiding principle for him, giving him permission to fail and grow without the crushing weight of perfectionism.

“There’s power in just being authentic and real.”

After taking drama classes, Egglesfield started appearing in television series such as Law & Order: Special Victims Unit, Gilmore Girls, Charmed, and Nip/Tuck. He made his film debut with a role in Must Love Dogs before landing his breakthrough role as Josh Madden on All My Children. In 2005, he was named one of People magazine’s “Sexiest Men Alive,” and a year later, he starred in the romantic drama Beautiful Dreamer. His film work continued with projects like Life Happens, Open Road, A Stranger in Paradise, Vice, and Bad Moms, sharing the screen with Hollywood icons like Bruce Willis, Sylvester Stallone, and Gary Oldman.

As he worked his way through Hollywood, he learned to deal with rejection. The numbers are staggering—he estimates he’s gone out for over 2,000 auditions in his career. “You just have to know the game that you’re playing,” he says. “In the game of acting, the rejection or the failure rate is 98%… But that doesn’t mean that I’m not doing what I love.” That shift in perspective changed everything. Instead of seeing rejection as a personal failure, he reframed it as part of the process. “Most actors walk into a room with the energy of ‘I hope I get this job, I hope they like me.’ But people can sense and feel who you are, and that communicates more to them than what comes out of your mouth.” Letting go of the need for outside validation and focusing on the love of the craft became his secret weapon.

Even with his packed schedule, he knows the importance of balancing work and life. “Because I love what I do, when I do have downtime, I want to jump on Canva and create more,” he laughs. “But I do have to be reminded to step away.” Exercise is a non-negotiable. Whether it’s hitting the gym, going for a run, or simply stepping outside for fresh air, he knows that staying physically active is crucial for mental clarity. “Even just during the day, I get up and I will just reach down and touch my toes. I will just reach up and stretch. Because so much of how we communicate is the energy that we radiate with.” 

Egglesfield is also the author of Agile Artist: Life Lessons from Hollywood and Beyond, where he shares insight from his career in entertainment, and more personal stories like his battle with cancer. “When I was diagnosed, I had to really decide—do I want to be someone who is going to be worried and anxious and afraid, or do I choose to be a character that would help me get through this experience?” He decided to face it like the characters he admired, taking on the persona of Maximus from Gladiator before walking in for his treatments. That mental shift gave him strength in moments of fear.

With a desire to share his experience and inspire more people worldwide, Egglesfield leads Beyond Impact, a communications masterclass designed to help attendees improve their communication skills. He leads participants through techniques particularly focusing on building confidence, authenticity, and impact in both personal and professional settings, covering topics like conversation framing, body language, subtext, energy exchange, and adapting to different communication styles.

Egglesfield’s journey is a perfect example of how facing fear and uncertainty can actually lead to growth and success. Whether he’s on a film set, in a business meeting, or speaking in front of an audience, he tackles it all with the same mindset: embrace the unknown, trust yourself, and keep moving forward. “Once you decide who you are, no one can tell you otherwise,” he says. 

“Once you decide who you are, no one can tell you otherwise.”

Want to Rejuvenate with Colin?

Join Colin for his upcoming INSPIRE Rejuvenation Retreat in Scottsdale, AZ from April 3 – 7, 2025 — a getaway designed to refresh your mind, body, and spirit. It’s an intimate, all-inclusive experience where you can relax, heal, and tap into your full potential.

What’s Included:

• Healing activities like yoga, meditation, and a hike through the Arizona mountains
• An energy healing session and chakra work to help you feel grounded
• Insightful guest speakers sharing tips on health and wellness
• Time to unwind by the pool and enjoy nourishing meals
• A fun dance party under the stars to let loose and have fun
• Tools to help you manifest your dreams and create more abundance in your life

This retreat is all about reconnecting with yourself, finding peace, and embracing your purpose. Space is limited, so don’t miss out on this chance to relax, recharge, and grow. Visit agileartist.com for more.