We all ride a rollercoaster of emotions and experiences in life, with surprises around every turn. That climb to the first summit of the coaster is usually a slow build of anticipation, then once you’ve crested that first peak, there is almost always a steep drop. Some of those drops are short, some are hiding around a curve, and nearly all of them feel devastating. But it’s how you bounce back from the fall that tells the real story of your life. Yes, in my career I have been rewarded with success, but I have had my share of steep drops, as well. I had one of my most painful rejections at a time when everyone thought I was on top of the world. I had to dig deep to find enough resilience to recover from that setback. It wasn’t easy but I’ve always believed that failures are just as important as successes because they allow you to truly appreciate those joyful highs. I’d like to talk to you about my journey and how I’ve had to dig deep into my core beliefs to find the resilience to go on, many times in my life.

What would you say if God came to you and said “ You have a choice – be disabled the rest of your life or lose your sense of humor and the ability to work at your chosen profession?? Well, I’m not saying God made an uninsured idiot hit my car at 60 miles an hour to prove a point – But yes I kept my sense of humor and have been working ever since. People for the past 3 years have called me brave and resilient. Yes, I am in constant pain .. that just goes with the broken body gig – But I am proud to say I am very lucky to work with actors, fellow agents, buyers, etc. that make me feel it is all worth it. Not to mention being a Wife-Mom and Grandma. No matter how bad things get, there truly is a reason to get through it.

Resiliency isn’t something you know you have until it is called upon you to have it. And despite going through the ups and downs of what is considered modern life, I never once thought about the idea of being “resilient.” Then along came 2020, and that year did its absolute level best to put be on the ground for good. And in a couple of cases, In the ground. But I had to get up. For my mother. For my father. For my kids and my wife. And for me. I had to reach in and decide if I was going to bounce back or give in. And really, there wasn’t a choice to be made.

After years of hard work, I had achieved my dream. I was a successful voiceover actor. Bookings were plentiful. Clients were happy. The bank account was full. And then, without warning, my “money voice” physically gave out. And with it went my confidence, my career, and my identity. Silence had replaced success. I was also physically, emotionally, and creatively crippled. It was only after several years of vocally therapy and learning to speak from what I call my “authentic” voice, that I realized I had a higher calling. Experiencing the trauma of losing my own identity gave me the ultimate gift of helping others find their own authentic voice and greater success and happiness.

I thank God every day for this journey and the opportunity to share it with all of you.

The moment I realized that I was divinely created to bring something unique to this world while using my voice, my mindset shifted. I absolutely refuse to lose. From being teased as a child for being dark-skinned, to being fired from my dream job as a radio personality and then struggling to survive throughout 3 grueling bouts with cancer - I'm still standing. Again, I refuse to lose. And so, I look forward to sharing my journey. Not just the good stuff. . . .but the bad and especially the ugly. My passion is voiceover without a shadow of a doubt. But my PURPOSE is to inspire people to NEVER give up - ESPECIALLY when facing adversity.

Mine is not a story of surviving a monumental life-altering event, but rather of overcoming the more pedestrian struggles of life that come upon us all - parenthood, divorce, life-sucking, dead-end 9-5 jobs, aging, the death of parents, and the challenges often inherent to a career in VoiceOver: a shift in trends, losing work, being replaced, getting dropped by an agent, and losing your sense of where you fit in this ever-burgeoning business. Throw in a worldwide pandemic and we’ve all got a lot in common, don’t we? These are the kinds of events that can chip away at our sense of self and leave us feeling lost in the wilderness. But there is one major secret to resilience and finding our way out of the darkness and back to the light, and it’s something each of us is capable of doing and doing well. I so look forward to sharing this not-so-secret secret to resilience with you. ❤️