Meet Mission: Impossible’s Newest Action Star: Stephen Oyoung on Fitness, Stunts and Longevity
Photo Credit: Raen Badua
With Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning now lighting up theaters, all eyes are on the franchise’s latest breakout face: Stephen Oyoung. While fans may recognize him as the voice of Mister Negative in Marvel’s Spider-Man video games or from roles in Twisters, John Wick 3, and Star Wars: Rogue One, this marks his biggest on-screen role to date. A former stuntman and lifelong martial artist, Oyoung opens up in this exclusive fitness Q&A about how he physically prepared to share the screen with Tom Cruise, how his training has evolved, and what longevity looks like after nearly two decades in Hollywood. Whether you're a fitness buff or a movie junkie, this is a behind-the-scenes look at what it takes to stay camera-ready and action-star fit — even when you’re not throwing punches on screen.
From Stuntman to Mission: Impossible Actor: Stephen Oyoung on Training with Longevity, Aesthetics, and Sharing the Screen with Tom Cruise
The cast of Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning at the New York premiere. Photo Credit: Nisha Johny & Jonathan Jacobs
OnFitness Magazine: You’ve done stunt work and action roles in massive films — how has your training evolved from being a stuntman to now preparing for major acting roles like Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning?
Stephen Oyoung: It’s become more specific for longevity and aesthetics. Whereas with stunts you have to be functionally fit for all sorts of high impact scenes, with acting you really just need to look good for camera and feel good. So that’s been nice, especially as I get older.
OnFitness Magazine: How do you physically prepare for a role where you’re performing intense action scenes alongside someone as famously committed as Tom Cruise?
Stephen Oyoung: Thankfully on a Tom Cruise film he’s doing all the heavy lifting! And I didn’t have a fight scene for once so that made it much easier on me. Usually I’m kicking and punching and falling all over myself and the actor, and it’s stressful. But with this film I just had to look the part. So for me it was a lot of upper body work because we have to do justice to the uniform on camera. Trying to get those shoulders and arms popping.
OnFitness Magazine: You’ve studied various martial arts, including Shaui Jiao, Praying Mantis, and Wushu Kung Fu — how do those disciplines influence your current training routine?
Stephen Oyoung: I think the biggest thing with wrestling and kung fu is the mobility aspect of it. Keeping those hips and knees strong so I can just live a healthy and active life. Also it just gives you confidence which is the biggest thing you need as an actor.
OnFitness Magazine: What does a typical week of training look like for you when you’re getting ready for a film like Twisters or video game motion capture for Spider-Man?
Stephen Oyoung: I try to work out three times a week, and rest completely in between for maximum recovery. It’s true what they say, you break down the body in the gym, you build up during recovery. Those three days are usually full body, but I don’t stress too much about my legs outside of squats, because I’m working show muscles. Shoulders, traps, arms, upper pecs. Again, really trying to focus on aesthetics.
OnFitness Magazine: With such a demanding physical schedule, how do you balance strength training, martial arts, and recovery?
Stephen Oyoung: Did my agent say I had a demanding schedule? Because I have an inordinate amount of free time! But for anyone that has a tight schedule, you really just need one hour for any of these workouts! And frankly, walking is the best for your overall health. Anyone can do it.
OnFitness Magazine: Are there any fitness or recovery practices — like cold plunges, stretching routines, or nutrition hacks — that have become essential to your regimen?
Stephen Oyoung: I love saunas. Nothing’s better than heat. The most flexible people in the world come from hot places. It’s the greatest hack to flexibility in my opinion. And now, as I get older, I’ve increased my daily protein intake because it’s just harder to gain and maintain muscle.
OnFitness Magazine: You’ve been in the industry for over 18 years. What have you learned about longevity and staying injury-free in such a physically taxing profession?
Stephen Oyoung: Go at your own pace. You’re only competing against yourself. It’s all about consistency and the best way to stay consistent is by setting reasonable goals that you can achieve. Toss out the ego. It’s your own body, not anyone else’s.
OnFitness Magazine: For fans who want to train like an action star, what would you recommend they focus on first: technique, conditioning, flexibility, or something else?
Stephen Oyoung: Absolutely technique. You can be the strongest, most flexible person in the world but if you don’t have technique or good control of your body you are a danger to yourself and everyone around you. If you work on your technique, you’ll also look the part, which is the most important thing is show business!
OnFitness Magazine: Do you approach fitness differently now as a lead actor compared to your earlier days as a stunt performer or fight choreographer?
Stephen Oyoung: Yes, as a stunt performer I did a lot more work with spatial awareness, air awareness, weapons manipulation. Now as an actor I try to just work on what looks the best on camera. The stunt department can come up with the choreography, my job is to show up looking the part. Of course as a martial artist I like to stay sharp, but there’s a lot less pressure. I can just practice for enjoyment, which has been liberating.
OnFitness Magazine: When you’re not training for a role, what keeps you motivated to stay fit — and do you ever allow yourself a break from the grind?
Stephen Oyoung: I think once you have a certain level of skill, you want to maintain that. Anything else feels like a step backward. So for me it’s fun. I enjoy working out. It’s not a grind. Of course we all have our lazy days, so I just try to get back into a comfortable rhythm once I’ve had a few moments off. You have two philosophies, one where you push push push, and the other where it kind of ebbs and flows, like life. When I was a young performer, I pushed. Now I try to take it more calmly. It’s all about enjoyment and longevity.
Stephen Oyoung, exudes quiet confidence in a sleek dark suit. Photo credit: Kittisak Sirichunsuwan
Rapid-Fire Round: Stephen Oyoung on Workout Anthems, Stunt Stories, and Action Star Essentials
Favorite workout song right now?
Rinzler, Tron: Legacy soundtrackWhat’s one exercise you hate but do anyway?
SQUATS!Most intense stunt you’ve ever done?
I had to get hit by a charging horse. And a four story high fall. Hated doing both.What’s in your gym bag 100% of the time?
Tricep rope cable attachment, they’re always missing or taken up at all the gyms!If you could train with any action star (past or present), who would it be?
The one and only BRUCE LEE! And Jackie Chan!Post-workout meal: Clean fuel or cheat meal? Be honest!
Is Asian food considered clean? Ox tail soup, or pho, or dumplings. I’m pan-Asian!
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