In this episode, we sit down with Simon Newton, a former British soldier, Hollywood body double, and celebrity bodyguard, whose career has taken him from military deployments in Iraq to protecting some of the biggest names in entertainment. Simon kicks things off by sharing his journey into the military, explaining that his decision wasn’t driven by patriotism but by a strong desire to be a soldier. He reflects on the lessons the military taught him—punctuality, discipline, and the importance of never taking shortcuts—which have shaped his career in Hollywood and beyond.
We delve into Simon’s fascinating experiences as Dave Bautista’s body double in the action-packed movie Final Score and his work on Sherlock Holmes. He clarifies the often-misunderstood difference between being a body double and a stuntman, giving us a behind-the-scenes look at what it really takes to stand in for a Hollywood star.
Simon also shares gripping stories from his time in Iraq, including the intense transition from what seemed like a quiet deployment to facing daily bombings and attacks. He opens up about the first shocking realization that he was in the middle of a war zone and how those moments shaped his perspective on life and duty. Simon’s candid account of life in a war zone offers a raw and real view of what it’s like to face danger every day.
We also explore Simon’s time as Michael Jackson’s bodyguard, where he reveals the crazy lengths fans would go to in order to catch a glimpse of the King of Pop. He talks about the unique challenges of being a celebrity bodyguard, from dealing with intense fan interactions to working around the clock with stars like Rita Ora. Simon sheds light on the glamorous yet exhausting reality of being on call 24/7, never having a day off, and balancing personal life with the demanding needs of high-profile clients.
Finally, we wrap up with Simon’s thoughts on whether he would consider going to Ukraine, reflecting on his experiences in war zones and his current career. This episode provides a captivating look at Simon Newton’s multifaceted career and the incredible experiences that have shaped him into the professional he is today.
Key Topics:
- Simon’s decision to join the military and what drove him
- Lessons learned from the military: discipline, punctuality, and doing things right
- Being Dave Bautista’s body double in Final Score and working in Hollywood
- The difference between a body double and a stuntman
- Simon’s deployment in Iraq and the reality of daily bombings and attacks
- Working as Michael Jackson’s bodyguard and dealing with intense fans
- The demanding and relentless schedule of being a celebrity bodyguard
- Simon’s thoughts on returning to a war zone, including Ukraine
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