Interview with Marilyn Cortez

Hi everyone!

This week we had the pleasure of interviewing Marilyn Cortez. 

Adam: Hi Marilyn, thank you so much for giving us some of your time!  I hear you’re quite busy with your career (actor, producer, AND stuntwoman) but I’m actually super interested in all the other things you get up to when you’re not working.  How long have you been doing Shaolin Kungfu?

Marilyn: Kung-Fu I have doing it for about 10 years. I had the best martial arts teacher anyone can find, he invested a lot of time with me and taught me various styles including Capoeira. Those teachers do not come around often. I competed in several tournaments. I always had an interest in Martial Arts, but back home all I could do was Shotokan-Do, I did that style for a few years. Until I moved to the United States and here, I found all sorts of Martial Arts style. I don’t compete anymore but I do make sure I practice my forms so I don’t forget!

Adam: Haha, don't forget!  Your teacher sounds incredible! I did Kung Fu myself for a while and loved it… it probably made me the fittest I’ve ever been but is it true that you also do Crossfit and Boxing as well?  That’s incredible.

Marilyn: Yes, Boxing, I have always been a fan of boxing since I was a little girl. One of my favourite boxers is Roberto Duran (Hands of Stone), I learned how to jump rope because of him. Crossfit I find it very challenging but it is one of those workout where I can achieve a great exercise in a short time. I try to mix it up as much as possible.

Adam: Israel and Turkey are a couple of your favourite places to visit… have you been to Istanbul?  I spent a week there and can’t wait to go back.  I can’t think of many cities that has had such a rich, interesting, and conflict-heavy history, I found that really fascinating.  What do you love about traveling?  Do you have plans to travel anywhere special in 2017?

Marilyn: I love to travel. I have been traveling for 20 years. Yes, I was in Istanbul. I remember going to a market and having the best shrimp ever. I love meeting the local people and learning their culture. I can tell you, for example; in the countries that I have been what my favourite food there was. In Israel, I ate lamb for the first time in my life, and I had loved lamb since then. In France, I had the best bread and crepes. In Finland, I remember having the best salmon soup and Egypt some sort of rice mixed with stuff, I do not know what that stuff  was but it was good. And I could keep going but the list would  be long very long. In summary what I love about traveling is the food, the people I meet , the culture and history of those countries. Yes, I think my next trip God willing would be to Australia, which I have never been and possibly Antarctica.

Adam: Haha, that's great.  Food is obviously a big part of a nation's culture.  I'm Australian and I haven't even seen enough of Australia, it's so big.  I've had a few friends go to Antarctica, and tourism might be restricted in future to protect that environment... might need to get onto it soon.

Obviously, your fans are well-versed in your movie credits, but is there anything you’d like to share with us about your hobbies, and how you spend your time when you’re not on set? 

Marilyn: When I am not on set, I love to catch up on reading. I love reading books . And I love going to the movies. I love  spending time with my dogs: Bruno and Rambo. At the moment, I am trying to learn Hebrew so I would put some time into that when I am not on set. I like to go running, it clears my mind, if I am having a stressful day, running will make it a lot better.

Adam: Thanks again for spending time with us Marilyn, it was such a pleasure!