Ashley Parker Angel has discovered his perfect fit, a harmonious blend of his talents and aspirations. As a former member of O-Town, he candidly shared his decision to depart from the entertainment industry and his music career, opting instead for a life as a fitness trainer. "After two decades of performing," he recently confessed on Instagram, "I realized that the pursuit of entertainment's triumphs left me feeling anxious and depressed." Despite the success he'd garnered with record sales, television shows, and even starring roles in Broadway's Hairspray and Wicked, the 44-year-old yearned for something more in line with his true desires.
"I realized during that time that the lifestyle of being away from your family, constantly on the road, on location," Ashley explained, "and the relentless pressure of creating the next BIG HIT on my resume was becoming disastrous for my physical, mental, and emotional health." The "Liquid Dreams" singer, a proud father to 20-year-old son Lyric with ex Tiffany Lynn, had witnessed firsthand the crumbling under the constant pressure of the industry. And he even experienced his own dark moments.
"At a certain point in my mid-20s, I thought about taking my own life to avoid ever being called 'washed up,'" he shared, "to escape the mental pressure I felt to keep up with my success." But Ashley was grateful for the people around him who "taught me how to cure my own depression and take back control of my life by breaking my addictions and learning healthy coping mechanisms."
"At the end of 20 years working solely in entertainment, I was grateful to change someone's life for an hour or two onstage," he continued, "but I wanted to make a BIGGER impact and help people change their lives forever." This desire spurred the "All or Nothing" singer to become a fitness and peak performance coach.
"The FREEDOM that starting my own company has given me," he enthused, "such as traveling the world on my own schedule, spending quality time with my family, friends, and those I have the privilege and honor of coaching, has unlocked the most rewarding and fulfilling chapter of my life." Ashley also encouraged his followers who might be feeling "afraid to try something new and different" in their careers to make the change and "bet on" themselves.
