Page 46 - Demo

46 || FITNESS MAGAZINE || JUNE 2015 || EDITION 1nter actor Neil Napier, who is currently starring on Syfy%u2019s thriller Helix as Dr. Peter Farragut, who reveals his introspective side to MOST Fitness, saying that he in fact identifies in some manner with all the characters he portrays. The ruggedly handsome Canadian is a rough and tough athlete on the outside, but a soulful, softie on the inside, who loves his wife dearly, respects animals, and relishes a good story like none other. It is stories that make Neil come alive more than anything, and his story is as compelling and engaging as the ones he helps create through his performances. As a hockey, football, and rugby player growing up, Neil divulges how his athleticism and skills learned as an athlete greatly aid him in all areas of his life, especially the numerous physical and intense roles he often portrays. He also dishes on who he would love to invite to dinner and what made him become an actor, and gives us a behind the scenes look at what a typical day is like on the set of Helix. It %u201chas me dropping my bag off in my trailer, getting a coffee and sitting in the hair and makeup trailer to start the day. I love this time, as I get to chat and goof around with our awesome artists. Other actors come in and out, and it is a nice time to touch base and ease into the workday.%u201d From there the actors join the crew on set to quickly rehearse the scene they are about to shoot. Then after some lighting adjustments and possibly some small changes to the scene, they will spend a few hours shooting it. Once everyone is happy, they move on to the next. The crew then kicks into high gear to shift all the equipment to the next set, as the actors go off to begin preparing for the next scene. %u201cThis scenario repeats itself over and over until the day is done. In the midst of it, there is a lot of time for fun, and to take the time to enjoy the people I work with. It is a great job, and we are blessed with a fantastic cast and crew - people I am grateful to have had the opportunity to get to know.%u201d So how did a sports-loving boy born and raised in Montreal grow up to be the star of a hit show with numerous movie and TV credits already notched on his belt? Neil tells us that as a young kid, he was always interested in stories-%u201cI loved to read, to put on little shows with my older siblings and run around in the woods by my house with my friends as we played out crazy narratives we spun. It was a free and exciting feeling to pretend we were explorers discovering new lands, or outlaws evading the law, the sound of the bloodhounds almost audible in our imaginations.%u201d However, as Neil got older athletics took on a more prominent role in his life, and he focused most of his attention to that. He played sports across the calendar: hockey season gave way to rugby season which By: Darcy Tharp