Navigating Hollywood and Raising Honorable Men
When Alejandro de Hoyos walked onto my set, there was an immediate shift in the energy of the room.
You can usually tell when someone has spent their life in the "trenches"—whether that’s a film set or a dojo—and Alejandro carries both.
I’ve met a lot of people in Hollywood, but meeting Alejandro felt like meeting an older brother or father who had already navigated the shadows I’m currently walking through.
Alejandro (left) and Axel (right) moments before starting the interview.
One of the first things we bonded over was the discipline of martial arts. I told him about my own journey into Krav Maga—how I was always the "nerd" kid and didn’t find my masculine strength until later in life. Alejandro’s path was different; he started at 12 to stop the bullies in Mexico, earning his black belt by 17.
In this industry, everyone wants to be the "nice guy," but Alejandro argues there’s no virtue in being weak. Real virtue is having the power to be dangerous, yet choosing to be peaceful. That’s a lesson that applies to every production meeting and contract negotiation I face.
Honesty in a City of Smoke
We spent a lot of time talking about who you can actually trust. Alejandro doesn't mince words. He introduced me to a phrase his grandma used to say: Plato de Lengua —"a plate of tongue." It’s his way of describing people who are all talk and no action.
In Hollywood, "words are cheap." Alejandro’s perspective was a wake-up call for me. He leads by a code of honor that feels almost ancient. If he says he’ll be there, he’s there. He doesn't make excuses, and he expects the same from his four sons and his business partners. It reminded me that despite all the 8K cameras and AI tools we use, the only thing that actually builds a bridge in this town is a man’s word.
“If you can’t trust someone in a small way, run.”
The High-Stakes Dance of Action
As a director, I’m always trying to figure out how to capture "real" action. Alejandro, who produces and stars in his own films like The Contractor and The Unexpecteds, gave me a masterclass in the "Why" behind the violence.
He told me about hiring bare-knuckle fighters for his stunt teams because he wanted the audience to feel the raw, unchoreographed grit of a real struggle. "A fight scene is useless without a reason," he told me. Whether you're defending your son or your honor, the audience has to feel the motive behind the punch. It’s not about the "cool" kick; it’s about the emotional stakes.
The Final TAKE
What I took away most from Alejandro wasn't just business advice; it was a lesson in equilibrium. I admitted to him that I often feel like a failure because I’m not yet where I want to be. He looked at me with the calm of a guy who’s seen it all and reminded me that you’ll never be happy in every area at once. You have to find joy in the struggle of payroll and production while cherishing the peace of family.
Meeting Alejandro was a reminder that I don’t have to choose between being a creative and being a "fixer." You can be both. You just have to be honorable enough to stand by your vision and tough enough to protect it.
Alejandro and Axel on set after the interview was done.
If you’re a creator or an entrepreneur feeling like you’re surrounded by "sharks," watch this episode. Alejandro’s transparency about the pain of independent film and the necessity of discipline is the "emotional first aid kit" we all need.
“In this town, people will tell you everything you want to hear. But words are cheap.”
Watch the full episode with Alejandro De Hoyos and Axel Axe on YouTube
