Well said with Wood Harris: a wellness dialogue
Welcome to Well Said, a conversation series with people we admire: thinkers, creators, and everyday visionaries reshaping what it means to live well.
In this edition, we sit down with Wood Harris—an acclaimed actor and artist whose quiet power, discipline, and creative drive have made him a standout presence on and off the screen. Known for embodying complex characters such as: Eric Edwards (Forever), Avon Barksdale (The Wire), Julius Campbell (Remember the Titans), Ace (Paid in Full), Tony “Little Duke” Evers (Creed), Jimi Hendrix (Hendrix), and Spencer Haywood (Winning Time), Wood speaks to the kind of wellness that’s built in solitude: learning what serves you, protecting your energy, and letting honesty be the compass. His approach has evolved with knowledge—food, fasting, meditation, time in the sun—and with fatherhood, which sharpened his commitment to what he consumes and what he models. Influenced by natural, minimal practices and guided by teachers who shaped his craft, he reminds us that clarity is a practice, and wellness is the groundwork for creative life.
Here, we talk evolution, rituals, protecting your energy, creative focus between projects, fatherhood’s imprint on health, and what real wellness looks like when the cameras are off.
How has your approach to health and wellness evolved over the years?
I have evolved a lot. My evolution is due to the information I receive about what's good for me and what's not. I've learned more over the years, and I've applied myself to what I've learned. So my food understanding has evolved, and so have I.
Are there any wellness rituals (mental or physical) that have become non-negotiable in your life?
Not many rituals, but I've meditated and sunbathed ritualistically in the past.
How do you stay creatively inspired between projects?
I'm inspired creatively all the time. But I can't always make strides with said inspiration. I'm driven creatively.
You've portrayed iconic figures and complex characters — how do you protect your own identity and energy in the process?
I separate myself from ppl as much as I can. To have a bit of solitude is a must. That helps reset my energy. I protect my energy by not oversharing it.
Who or what experience has shaped your view of wellness and longevity the most?
Dr Sebi has a profound influence on me regarding health and wellness. He was a naturopath who is credited with healing several people (of serious illnesses) using herbs and fasting techniques.
How has fatherhood shaped your understanding of wellness?
Fatherhood makes me more conscientious of what I consume because I have to provide healthy food for my kids.
Do you think there’s a connection between creativity and wellness? How do you keep both alive?
Creativity is connected to wellness for sure. A healthy mind will make better decisions, and a healthy body works better for you in every way.
If you could offer one piece of advice for staying true to yourself in a high-pressure, high-visibility world, what would it be?
Be honest with yourself. Acknowledge your flaws and work on them.
What do you think is needed in the current wellness space?
MORE HEALTH AWARENESS AND BETTER GUIDANCE TOWARD A HEALTHIER LIFESTYLE.
We asked our previous Well Said guest to ask a question without knowing who our next guest would be:
Who is your favorite instructor you’ve ever had and why?
Gene Terruso. He was my acting teacher in college and gave me my understanding of the art form.
What is something you would ask our next Well Said guest about wellness?
Do you fast, and are u aware of autophagy?
