Mason Martsolf, athlete, fashion model, and social influencer, chatted with #Powerjournalist Markos Papadatos about his motivations, latest endeavors, and future plans.
Margaret Mead once said: βNever doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, itβs the only thing that ever has.β This quote applies to Mason Martsolf.
Talent runs in his family. Mason is the son of Emmy Award winner Eric Martsolf (“Days of our Lives”) and nutrition professional Lisa Martsolf. He is also the twin brother of Chase Martsolf, and they both turned 20 years old a few days ago.
Water polo journey
On being a water polo player, Mason said, “I’m just nearing the end of my career. I’m ending my sophomore year at Valley, and right now, we are in swim season. As far as I know, I’m done with water polo because I’m not playing competitively at a college next year because I’m in the transfer portal right now.”
“My brother, Chase, he’s going to San Diego to play for the team, but I didn’t make the cut, which is okay. I’m fine with that. I am probably going to play club water polo. I think my competitive journey is over,” he noted.
“I’m super excited for the Olympics, though,” Mason admitted. “In a few years, in 2028, they will be here in Los Angeles. I have no idea how LA is going to be. I feel like everyone’s either going to get out of town or they will stay here to try and see the Olympics.”
Daily motivations
On his daily motivations as an athlete, Mason shared, “My motivation has a lot to do with the people around me. Thanks to my parents, I have always had an upbringing based on athleticism and good habits. Also, with my twin brother, it’s very easy. A lot of what I do, 90 percent is tied to my twin brother.”
“Like every day when I wake up, I go next door to his room, and if he’s not awake, I go wake him up. If I’m not awake, he wakes me up. We hold each other accountable. I feel like that competitive nature is extremely helpful with athleticism. I don’t think I would be where I am if it wasn’t for him pushing me, and him always being there. So, Chase is definitely a major part of my motivation,” Mason elaborated.
Mason on having Eric Martsolf as his father
To millions of daily viewers, Emmy winner Eric Martolf has been Brady Black on the Peacock soap opera “Days of our Lives” (since November of 2008), and prior to that, he was Ethan Winthrop Crane on the 2000s daytime drama “Passions,” but to Mason, he is just a normal dad.
“When I was younger, I didn’t understand that at all,” he admitted. “People would come up to us at Nordstrom Rack and they would be like ‘Oh, you’re Brady Black!’ I would have no idea what that meant. To me, he is just dad.”
“He is the same father that I sent reels to and I laugh with,” he admitted. “I think it’s really cool and really special that he gets to attend all these great events. He gets to have us around as well too. I’ve been to the studio many times, and I went to the Emmys last year and it was an incredible experience.”
“It is neat to be able to see a different side of him as an actor. That’s really cool,” he admitted.
Mason on his mother Lisa Martsolf
On his mother Lisa, he said, “She is great, and she is working in nutrition right now. She’s a nutritionist. She helps older women get into shape and basically achieve their goals. She is working with peptides right now.”
“I was on a peptide when I had my shoulder surgery, and that helped my recovery,” he said. “I am on a peptide right now for strength building, so that is what my mom is working with right now.”
Jodi Benson as his godmother
If that weren’t enough, Disney legend Jodi Benson (the voice of Ariel in “The Little Mermaid”) is his godmother. “To have her as my godmother is amazing,” he exclaimed. “It is so much fun. If anyone is curious what she is like in person, she is the exact same as her mermaid princess character. She is the sweetest person.”
“Whenever she would come over, we would go to Disneyland, and we would have her there with us. She would be the guide who would take us around the park. Some people would actually recognize her and they were be like ‘Omg, it’s Ariel.’ We would be in line, and she would start singing. Everyone would look over, and it’s crazy fun. It is such a really cool experience having her in our lives,” Mason elaborated.
Plans for the future
On his future plans, Mason shared, “Right now, in April, I’m in the transfer portal for college. So I applied to schools and I am waiting on my decision. Hopefully, I’ll make it to UC San Diego because that’s where my brother is going. Honestly, I want to be in that area, and I’m pursuing Sociology and Psychology. I’m going to have my AA in both when I graduate LA Valley.”
“I want to pursue marriage and family therapy. That’s what I want to do farther down the road,” he said. “Right now, I want to go to school. I want to stick to modeling a little bit and see where it takes me.”
Mason on the modeling world
On being a part of the modeling world, he remarked, “It is going really well. I’m with DT Model Management. I will be going a magazine shoot soon for a cover. This will be my first gig in a very long time, so I am super stoked about that”
Mason on turning 20
On turning 20 years old, Mason stated, “It doesn’t feel any different than in my teenage years. I still have the same responsibilities. I have the same pressures in school and athletics. It can definitely be a step forward or a step backward depending on the way you look at it.”
“My birthday was exciting. I had a great day, I celebrated it having dinner with my family,” he added.
The digital age
On being a part of the digital age, Mason said, “As far as like social media is concerned, I feel it is the gateway to opportunity, especially in this day and age, with all the education and all of the opportunities that is accessible.”
Stage of his life
On the title of the current chapter of his life, Mason revealed, “Change.” “I’ve been at LA Valley for the last two years, and it has been the same rinse and repeat. Now, I am finally stepping into something new and there is going to be a lot of change… for the better.”
Advice for young and aspiring athletes, models, and social influencers
For young and emerging athletes, models and social influencers, Mason said, “I would say that there is a lot of criticism. There are a lot of people who will tell you that ‘you can’t do it’ and there are a lot of challenges that you’ll face.”
“I saw a few challenges with my surgery, and there is only so much you can do. I would encourage them to just be themselves, and stay true to themselves, especially for young and aspiring athletes. Life is short so go out and really enjoy it. If you really want to do this, then go and do it,” he added.
Superpower of choice
If he were to have any superpower, it would be “flight.” “I would love to fly,” Mason admitted.
Success
On his definition of the word success, Mason said, “I feel like success, to me, is based on comfort and not the material things. It’s being surrounded by the people that I care about and setting goals, and achieving them. So, reaching my goals and maturing would be success.”
Message for his supporters
For his supporters, Mason expressed, “I would say ‘thank you’ for all of the support. My biggest fans and supporters are my family, who have been there for me during the hardest times of my life while I underwent shoulder surgery. I cannot thank them enough.”
To learn more about Mason Martsolf, follow him on Instagram.
