“When I was a teenager, my dad used to put a lot of pressure on me to be successful, and I’d really beat myself up about things like losing martial arts competitions.”

In the normal life of an actor or director, running around, there’s not much time to go to church. But there’s other ways to be spiritual, too.

I wanted to become an engineer, or get a masters in business. But I had the opportunity to do films when I was about 25 and it was a great way to express myself.

I do a little bit of yoga-style meditation. Relaxing and breathing even just one minute a day makes a big difference.

Film is about what you are thinking. It’s about what’s inside.

First the movie, the actual playing of the role and trying to deliver what everybody wanted. Then, when the film came out, there was instant fame. I was just a kid from Sweden, I didn’t know what was going on.

I think the energy I give off is quite non-confrontational. That’s something you learn from karate. Once you try to be a tough guy, you’ve got to pay up. You’ve got to prove yourself. And that’s exhausting.

I prefer to channel my problems and inner demons through a character. Another persona. That protects me and my family. I can get my frustrations out that way.

My problem is that people get intimidated by someone big and beautiful like me. They hate to think I can be smart as well.

Your body’s made to run, to walk, to trek long distances and carry things, work in a forest, and hunt animals. You have to keep it alive to function.

I used to play drums when I was a kid, play the trombone.

I discovered martial arts, first judo and then karate.

If I need to bulk up for a role, I will do more weights. If I need to slim down for something, I will do more cardio. That’s usually how it goes.

I think by planning an exercise regime, your diet follows to some extent.

My sensei was a British karate champion named Brian Fitkin. He was my mentor and because I had a hard relationship with my dad, he became a father figure to me.

Nicolas Cage is a great actor and he’s done some good action movies too.

At least once a week, I try to have one day where I have nothing planned so I can get up and just go back to bed and lay around and recharge my batteries.

A conversation isn’t a competition.

When deciding between two competing theories, always go with the one that doesn’t involve a magic spell.

There are two powers in the world; one is the sword and the other is the pen. There is a great competition and rivalry between the two. There is a third power stronger than both, that of the women.

As an actor, I don’t feel like it’s necessary to watch a great deal of films. In fact, I think it can lead to imitation and unhealthy competition, which just isn’t needed.

I was never going to give Mariah Carey any competition.

There’s no difference in dealing with the music business with the majors than any other competition. The music business is way more cutthroat than any other business.

You have to compete in life because if you don’t have no competition – no competition, no spirit, you know, you’ll fall under the slightest struggle.

I don’t have a competitive bone in my body, so the last thing I want to do is be competing with people.