Meet Terrill Ross | Actor, Motivational Speaker, Fitness Enthusiast, Spiritualist

We had the good fortune of connecting with Terrill Ross and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Terrill, what role has risk played in your life or career?
Risk taking and how do you think about risk?

The way I think about risk is by measuring the exchange. Taking chances is a part of feeling and being alive, the reward will always be greater than the act of being still. Whether you win or lose at least you can say you tried something that scared you. You must risk failing in an effort to succeed. The risk of never reaching for the greater version of you is living a life that is in all aspects Mundane.

What role has taking risk played in your life/career.

Taking risks is a large part of who I am as an actor, who I have been as an entertainer, and it is something that will continually be a part of my path. I am reaching for the version of me that I can see in my dreams. It’s risky, I aspire to make a better life for myself and for my husband (who is already living in his craft as well) I can’t risk not manifesting. I take a risk with every submission for a role, every time I expose myself or part of my soul for a role I take a risk. It’s all a part of the design. Risks are scary things but let’s be honest they make our hearts beat faster, they make our palms and pits sweaty, they make us feel alive. The amazing marriage I share right now is the reward for me taking the risk of believing what I saw in a dream God gave me about my husband when I was 15 (we didn’t meet until I was 30).

Risk are the necessary part of change in any situation, people won’t always see your true journey, they wont see all your wins nor all your loss’s, what they will see are the foot prints you left behind. Take a chance, take a step risk it all if its gonna change your life but let your footprints be glorious and defining. I heard an awesome quote by Len Brown “You don’t have to be great to get started but HAVE to get started to be great”. You won’t know until you know but the journey will always be worth taking,

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
I’m an actor and I Love to entertain. My favorite part is when I’m able to portray different mindsets than my own finding roles that challenge me like that. It’s all been a journey and I’m enjoying the ride, the view and the station. I believe the stories actors portray help to change people’s lives and their visions of their destiny. What I want more than anything is to amass a great catalog of works and projects I have been part of. I believe in working in silence but celebrating out loud.

I’m a motivational speaker, it feels wonderful to enter a room and speak life into people’s dreams. It’s empowering finding ways to help people push forward through circumstances and road blocks. It’s easy to believe God is able and will provide when you’re advising someone else as “their” house is the one on fire. It’s a different thing when the heat from the flames are In “your” house, when it’s “you” coughing and trying to believe the words “Gods got it” it hits different when it is your own private and personal fire. I wanna be the voice that helps people heal and step through crisis. Life has forced me through some challenging situations and I praise God for bringing me through. I believe that my story can help people grow, maneuver, and remind them what’s possible.

I’m also Fitness enthusiast and I love to help people change their bodies to transform themselves. It’s helping clients transform into better versions physically that brings me joy. Building a better body is in fact the best gift you can give yourself. I have been training people for quite a few years now and it’s the after pictures that make me feel like I did my job. My fitness page on instagram is @AbetterNakedMe

I think that what sets me apart from others is the fact that I believe that we all have gifts from God and all of his children are immensely talented. That being said, whenever I step on the stage it is my intention to be so good you can’t ignore me. Whether you like me or not is one thing but you’re gonna believe everything that comes out of my mouth while the camera is rolling the good the bad and the petty *giggles*. I’m a life learner. I believe in learning new things regularly and it helps to set me apart from the pack.

I got to where I am today by taking ownership of my own life. I got tired of being complacent, tired of seeing my colleagues go for what their dreams are and waiting for I don’t even know what to start mine. A light switched on in me one day. I knew in my heart there was room for me in my craft. I believe it’s possible to fly if you put your mind to it and I intend on doing some flying in my life, I wanna creatively explode into the world. No one can do this for me and I can’t stand still and wait to be discovered at the mall. I want to do some great things and that is gonna take work. It is challenging because not only am I am openly Gay and married I don’t fit the “tv” gay box because I’m too masculine or the full out hunk for Hollywood cause I have a husband. What I do to overcome challenges is stay true to my craft and know that what is for me will find its way to me because I’m reaching for it. I know that what Is meant for me will find its way and will not blocked Nor stopped nor revoked by any person or entity. I’m Terrill Ross and I’m blessed.

Some of the other things I have learned.

“When you take care of your business your business will take care of you”

“Everyone needs to know when to accept help”

“Pain has a purpose”

“Accepting your flaws gives you power over them”

“The Universe is alive”

“Decisions do determine your destiny”

“Cutting dead ties is essential for growth“

“What you accept is what you allow”

I believe that we all have a beast that live inside of us and that beast is great at something it could be great at fixing things, cooking, drinking, fighting, sex, singing. Whatever it is, understand that the beast you feed the most is the one that’s gonna rule supreme over your life and then feed them accordingly because the one you starve the most is the one that will die and the one you feed is the one that will feed you.

I want the world to know it’s possible to become whatever it is that you want to be. I am a witness that God still works miracles and answers prayer. I’m a hard worker and I believe in the power of me. I want to inspire all the little boys out there like me I wanna show a little gay boy someone Grown, Hardworking, Successful, loved by God and Gay so that he has something outside of what he sees on regular television (which generally promotes a much more effeminate brand of gay culture) to aspire to be.

I’m Terrill Ross look me up on Instagram and follow me. @Terrill.Ross

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
If my best friend was coming to visit for a week the first place we would go to is the gym (I attend planet fitness here in Dallas). Then we would go get some food from the Biscuit Bar in Dallas for brunch (I love the variety). They have great signature cocktails and the menu is extensive as far as different types of biscuits go. Once we have done eating we would then more that likely go to the gun range at Shoot Point Blank. I enjoy driving through Dallas we may joy ride while laughing and telling jokes. Dinner would be at home as my husband is some what of a chef and cooks well.

There is a place I like to go to and think its near Love field airport we would probably go there watch planes take off and talk so that would definitely be on the agenda. I love music and live entertainment so it’s we would attend the variety show at Area 111 on a Sunday evening. We would also go to my favorite Dallas chicken shack “Mommas Chicken and Waffles” there is something about that chicken and seasoning with the pairing of pickles and peppers can you say mmm mmm good *inserts smile*

I would have to add horse back riding I mean I live in Dallas guns and horses right *I’m joking* (or am I).

I guess the last thing I would add is that I love the view of the sun going down from my terrace so we would enjoy that daily while smoking hookah and drinking some Moscato.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I have to give a shout out to everyone who has ever supported me whether at a live performance or on film. It is your continued support, love and even Fan mail (yes I read them) that help push me and make me feel like the path that I’m walking is the one for me.

I got to give a thank you to my family. I am the oldest of eight children and it’s actually one of my brothers and my sister who at separate times pushed me to get started walking towards my dream.

A shout out to my high school English Teacher Ms. Princess Towe. I don’t know if you know but that day you came and pulled me out of my class and asked me to join the speech and debate team. It is a root that changed the course of what I wanted to do with my life.

To my Baby Mamma/one of my very best Friends Charity Your love and support gave me strength in some of my darkest times.

Last but definitely not least I have to give a shout out to my Amazing Husband Kendall Ross-Bennett when God blessed me with you He knew you would support me in a way that no one else knew how to or was even capable of. Your faith in me and my gift helped to stretch my mind as to what I believed was possible for me for real. As I’m leveling up and all these glorious God sent opportunities are pouring into my life I know that I wouldn’t be able to do, manage or maintain any of these things without your love at my side to ground me but still push and challenge me. Loving you helps power the machine inside Terrill Ross (now Ross-Bennett).

Instagram: @Terrill.Ross @AbetterNakedMe

Facebook: Terrill Ross

Other: tiktok @Terrill2nd

Image Credits
Daryl Sheppard Photography