You may already know Sebastian Clovis from his jaw-dropping overhauls on Gut Job, but there’s a lot more to him than just rehabilitating homes. Carpenter, designer, mentor, and self-described artist, he’s a man of many hats.
From his multigenerational ties in building to his adorable pup (and goats), here are 10 things you may not know about Sebastian.
1. Meet Nahla, His Precious Pup — And a Force to be Reckoned With
“She’s a daredevil, and she’s definitely kind of spicy.”
Even though he can handle running all sorts of challenging remodels, there’s no handling Sebastian’s five-year-old Shiba Inu, Nahla.
“She’s really kind of fiercely independent, but not just that, she definitely has nine lives. She’s burned through like seven of them.”
2. He Has a Very Green Thumb
Sebastian, although plenty capable of knocking things down, would much rather create. There are few better showcases of this than his own garden, where he grows an assortment of fruits and vegetables. All natural, of course!
3. Though Canada is Home, He Loves to Travel
Like most people after the last few years, Sebastian is eager to start traveling again. When you can’t travel to the places that truly resonate with you, they start to pull you towards them, and he’s been feeling the same.
“Costa Rica is my dream destination, but I also have a strong calling to go back over to Saint Lucia and see my grandfather.”
4. Construction and Renovation are More Than Just a Job to Him, They’re an Artform
It’s easy to overlook all of the hard work that goes into creating a beautiful living space, but it takes skill and passion to make it right and make it last. It’s for these reasons that Sebastian considers himself, first and foremost, an artist. It’s a talent and an artform he feels is in his blood.
“I remember looking in my grandfather’s eyes and looking around the house in Saint Lucia and realizing he built the entire house himself over forty years ago. He built the foundation, poured the concrete. I looked at him one day from across the dinner table, and I just realized, like, I’m you.”
5. Professor Clovis is Teaching the Next Generation
Despite all the years he’s put into becoming the skilled tradesperson and artist he is today, he’s more than glad to pass on all that knowledge to the next generation of up-and-coming tradespeople. He wants to pass on the same advice that has been given to him.
“Don’t get bogged down by the minutia. Be a value to every circle that you go into, any place that you go to. Do your best to add value and you’ll add value.”
Passing on wisdom for him is more than just how to do a job, but how to be the best version of yourself as you do it.
6. Building Roots is Just as Important as Building Great Homes
As much as he values the finished product that comes from working with his own two hands, Sebastian values the connections and bonds that he makes during these jobs. Meeting new and incredible individuals as clients, strengthening friendships by working side-by-side, or finding commonality with family through shared passion, each renovation is an opportunity to connect.
“My favorite part of filming Gut Job is just being able to bring in so many people from my life. I’ve just been able to really open up my contacts list and call people.”
7. This isn’t His First Rodeo
If he looks familiar, it’s because he’s no rookie. Sebastian first joined Home Network in 2014 and has been on several different shows over the past eight years. You’ve likely seen him and his work on hit shows like Save My Reno (along with now Gut Job co-star, Samantha Pynn) and Home to Win.
8. Meet his Partner and Designer Extraordinaire, Ayanna
As skilled as Sebastian is, he can’t do it alone, so he gets help through the incredible team around him. Meet his partner and talented interior designer, Ayanna Augustine. You can catch Ayanna helping Sebastian make the most of his overhauls on Gut Job.
9. He Played Football in the CFL
Sebastian has played as a free safety for the B.C. Lions, the Winnipeg Blue Bombers, and the Saskatchewan Roughriders, and played for the Lions during their 2006 championship season.
10. He Keeps Goats and They’re Beyond Cute
What more is there to say? If you follow Sebastian on Instagram, you’ve no doubt been lucky enough to not only see Nahla regularly, but to watch his goofy little goats in all their mischievous glory.
