“Life is all about teamwork. Relationships are about teamwork.”
It’s a good philosophy to adhere to, especially for Kyle Schmid, who makes his living bringing stories to life on television and the silver screen in SIX. SIX, a miniseries appearing on History, focuses on the efforts and eventual exploits of SEAL Team Six as they hunt down an infamous Taliban warlord. Because none of what Schmid does would be possible were it not for the team who helps him in his endeavor to portray another, even more important team – the titular Navy SEAL Team Six.
“Our show wouldn’t be what it is if we didn’t have each other’s backs like we do day in and day out,” Schmid says. “It’s a hard lesson for some people to learn, but life is about growing.”
Schmid just ran his first ever mud run at Tough Mudder Half Los Angeles this past weekend. But with his trusty team by his side he faced down 5 miles and 13 obstacles worth of mud with no problem.The team rallied for Got Your 6, a nonprofit aimed at empowering veterans and providing them the tools to do good work in their respective communities.
“No one is perfect and we are constantly evolving,” Schmid said. “Challenge after challenge we will grow and see where we come out in the end.”
Find out more about Schmid, the SIX crew and Got Your 6 below:
What kind of training did you do to prepare? Anything Tough Mudder Half-specific?
Typically, I lift and do cardio in the gym as well as take my dog on some awesome hikes. Recently however, we’ve been getting together and working out as a group again. It changes the workout dynamic, makes it a lot more fun and ultimately intense – perfect for Tough Mudder training.
What is working on the show like, teamwork-wise?
We went through a training regiment for a week called SealFit when we first met each other. It was one of the most difficult things any of us had ever done. We experienced our limitations and overcame those and rediscovered them again and again. I trust these boys immensely. We’ve got a good family.
How did you get involved with your charity?
I got involved with Got Your 6 shortly before the show premiered. They placed their stamp of approval on the show. For many that was a big deal as it is run buy veterans and needs to meet a certain standard of criteria. Later on we met at the White House at an event for veterans hosted by Michelle Obama. Since then we’ve continued to grow. Major Bill Rausch and I jumped out of planes with the Golden Knights in support of the U.S. Army Recruiting teams only a couple months ago.
What does giving back mean to you?
Giving back in a business like mine is a necessity for me. Especially with regards to SIX and the stories that we portray. We aren’t the heroes who have sacrificed and given this country their time and their lives. Those men are currently deployed, or training in the various military programs across the USA, or veterans who have come home to try and find peace. We’re simply actors, one’s who care deeply about portraying a story given to us on loan by the real heroes and veterans who have sacrificed so much for this country to live freely. I feel that it is important for us to give back in any way we can.
