Brande Roderick on Confidence, Resilience, and Post-Baywatch Life
In this episode of the Beyond the Boardroom podcast, host Aleksandra King dives deep with, former Playboy Playmate of the Year, actress and entrepreneur Brande Roderick. Brande, known for roles in Baywatch and Starsky and Hutch (2004) , shares candid insights on navigating fame, battling stereotypes, and her powerful transition into the business world and filmmaking.
The Hollywood Journey: From Baywatch to the Mansion Brande Roderick was 25 when she joined Baywatch, a time she felt was "a little more mature" by Hollywood standards. She describes her time on the show as the "best job I ever had," a peaceful and serene experience that fostered a family-like bond with co-stars like David Hasselhoff, Pamela Anderson, and Jason Momoa. She notably worked with co-stars Stacy Kamano, Alicia Richter, and Krista Allen, maintaining a close friendship with Alicia Richter and Stacy Kamano years later.
Simultaneously, Brande was making waves in the Playboy world. She became Playmate of the Month in April 2000 and was later named Playmate of the Year at age 26. Becoming Playmate of the Year, she recalls, was "very exciting," putting her among only around 60 women in the world. This led to a two-and-a-half-year "courtship" with Hugh Hefner , a time she cherishes for the amazing experiences and places it took her, such as walking the red carpet at the Cannes Film Festival.
Fighting Stereotypes and Proving Her Smarts Despite her success in modelling and acting, Brande felt she always had to "work harder" to overcome the "dumb blonde" and "Playboy/Baywatch" stereotypes.
Proving Business Acumen: Her time on Celebrity Apprentice served as the "perfect gateway" to prove her business intelligence and acumen. Brande excelled in the competition reality show, working 16 to 18 hours daily and fundraising substantial money for her chosen charities, including California Youth Police Charities and Promises to Kids.
Creative Hustle in Hollywood: Brande's tenacity in securing roles like the one in Starsky and Hutch (directed by Todd Phillips) shows her "outside the box" thinking. She recounts sending an autographed 8x10 from her Surreal Life co-star, Emmanuel Lewis, to director Todd Phillips with a note to "hire my girl Brandy". She also attributes her repeat acting gigs to her practice of sending thank you cards to producers and casting directors.
The Mindset of Resilience: Pivot and Regroup Brande defines her approach to overcoming life’s hurdles with the word "pivot". When faced with the end of her marriage to NFL player Glenn Cadrez, she viewed it not as a disaster but as a closed chapter requiring a "new dream" and a moment to "regroup". The main takeaway from her book, Bounce Don't Break, is to never take a closed door as the end. She advises, "when a door closes, find a window to crawl through" and get back up, which will make you stronger.
Key Takeaways
Embrace the Hustle: Brande believes in working hard and taking "the extra step that someone's not gonna take" to get ahead in a competitive industry.
The Power of Gratitude: A simple thank you card can lead to repeat business and is a genuine expression of her gratitude for opportunities.
"Pivot" is Essential: Life is a series of chapters; when one ends (like a marriage or a canceled show), pivot, regroup, and start a new dream.
Don't Be Afraid to Be a "Dork": Brande shares that her true self is a "nerd" who loves to sing and dance with her kids, a side the public might not expect.
Learn More
Watch the full podcast to learn more about the Actress and her advice on attraction here. Find out more about Brande on her website here. Read more about her entrepreneurial pursuits as she talks on this podcast here.