This month at Brixton Warehouse, we’re talking wellbeing, routine, and the power of creative focus with actor, director, and all-round local legend Gary Macdonald.
A long-time friend of Brixton Warehouse and regular at our Sunday and Monday yoga classes, Gary’s career spans stage and screen — from the Royal Court and Talawa Theatre to EastEnders, Young Soul Rebels, and Secrets & Lies. He now splits his time between London and LA, balancing creativity, community, and wellness.
On Finding Yoga — and Keeping It Going
Lisa: Gary, you’ve been coming to Sam’s yoga class at Brixton Warehouse whenever you’re back in London. How did you get started with yoga?
Gary: I actually began in LA — Bikram yoga, of all things. The first class nearly killed me. But they had this offer: pay $30 for the month, come every day. So I did it. Thirty days in a row. And I saw the benefits really quickly — the heat loosened everything up. It wasn’t just physical; it helped me focus.
Lisa: So, did you combine it with the gym or make it your main thing?
Gary: Back then, I still went to the gym once or twice a week, but yoga became a constant. The discipline of going every day, sweating it out — it gave me structure. And that’s what I always need — structure.
On Routine, Motivation & CommunityLisa: You’ve talked about how discipline comes naturally when you’re working on a project.
Gary: Yeah, when I’m rehearsing or filming, I’ve got structure. I’m up, I’m focused. But between jobs, it’s easy to drift. I’ve realised I do better when I’ve got people around me — I’m a team player. That’s what yoga gives me. You’re in a room with others, everyone’s doing the same thing, and you connect.
Lisa: That’s something we see a lot — people come for the physical side, but it’s the connection that keeps them.
Gary: Exactly. It’s not anonymous. You laugh, you stretch, you feel part of something. And that keeps you coming back.
On Creativity, Focus & the Actor’s MindLisa: Does yoga help your work as an actor?
Gary: Definitely. Acting needs focus and calm. Yoga teaches you that. You learn to breathe through things — not just poses, but situations.I remember doing a one-man show I adapted from The Invisible Man. I was going to perform it solo, but then I thought about including someone else — a friend who wasn’t getting much work. I realised I’m always drawn to collaboration. Even when I think, “This will be just me,” I end up making it about the team. That play became something special. It was about visibility — who gets seen, who doesn’t — and I think that theme runs through everything I do.
On Structure & Self-Discipline
Lisa: You mentioned earlier how having someone check in helps you keep momentum.
Gary: Yeah. I did this creative leadership course once — every week, you had to tick off what you’d achieved. It sounds simple, but that kind of structure keeps me accountable. Left to my own devices, I’ll procrastinate. I’ve got scripts I want to revisit, projects I want to revive — but unless there’s a team or a deadline, they sit there. That’s why classes like Sam’s are so important. You show up, people expect you, and suddenly you’re consistent.
On Self-Care, Mindfulness & Routine Lisa: You’ve clearly explored a lot of wellness practices — yoga, reiki, even some LA self-help programmes!
Gary: (laughs) Yeah, I’ve tried them all. Reiki, deep-tissue massages, even those sensory-deprivation tanks where you float in darkness. It’s weird at first — you feel like you’re in a coffin — but you come out feeling amazing. And I’ll happily go get a pedicure or a Chinese foot massage. Some people laugh, but those little things keep me grounded. It’s not vanity — it’s self-care.
Lisa: Totally. It’s about reminding yourself you’re worth that time.
Gary: Exactly. Spending £25 on your feet might not seem sensible, but it makes you feel good. You walk out lighter. It’s an investment in yourself.
On Landmark Moments — and Listening to the Inner Voice
Lisa: You told me about an experience that really shifted your mindset — was that through Landmark?
Gary: Yeah, that was life-changing. I’d always been sceptical about self-help stuff. But I went along with my ex, who loved it. They ran these long sessions — 8 a.m. till 10 p.m. — all about focus and awareness. It was intense.
At one point, they said, “When you truly listen, you’ll hear your inner voice.” I thought, yeah, right. But a few days later, something happened — I heard this voice, as clear as someone next to me, saying, Put £100 on that number. I didn’t — and it won. The next time, I did — and it came in again. It sounds mad, but I can’t explain it. It made me realise the voice wasn’t some mystical thing. It was instinct.
Lisa: That’s powerful — like learning to trust yourself.
Gary: Exactly. It’s not about magic. It’s about tuning in to your instincts and letting yourself listen.
On Creativity, Identity & Believing in Yourself
Gary: I think all of that — yoga, acting, Landmark — it all comes back to the same lesson: be yourself. For years, I tried to be what I thought people wanted. But everything that’s worked out for me has come from being authentic.I even did this visualisation thing once, a meditation where you meet your “double” — your most successful self. In my vision, I was driving a white convertible, working on set at Pinewood Studios. A few years later, I was on set — in costume, in that exact car. It’s strange how life mirrors what you imagine when you’re open to it.
On Community, Connection & What’s Next.
Lisa: You’ve always had a strong link to community — from The Posse theatre collective to your work in LA. What’s next for you?
Gary: I’ll always split my time between London and LA, but Brixton feels like home. The Warehouse is part of that — it’s community, creativity, and wellbeing under one roof. And I’m still chasing that structure — that daily practice. Maybe it’s yoga every day. Maybe it’s getting another play off the ground. But it’s always about staying connected.
Join Gary at @Brixton Warehouse. Come join our Monday night yoga sessions with Sam Clarke — all levels welcome. Find balance, stretch, laugh, and meet others on the same path.
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Thank you, and see you soon, Lisa Clarke