To do the work you love, you’ve got to unlock a few doors. UNLOCKED Stories are honest conversations with people who chose a path and made it happen.

As you might know if you follow my blog closely, I’m a total astrology geek and I’m fascinated by mystical arts, spirituality, intuition, and divination systems of all kinds. For me, divination is a fun hobby; something I like to study in my spare time. But for Theresa Reed? Divination isn’t just a hobby—it’s her full-time career!

Theresa is a professional Tarot card reader and she’s been a “self-employed mystic” for 25 years and counting. It’s an unconventional career choice, to say the least, but despite many challenges along the way, she has made it work!

If you love Tarot—or even if you’ve never picked up a Tarot deck in your life—I know you’re going to be inspired by Theresa’s story and her stance on life, business, and how to deal with negativity from people who just don’t “get” you. Her advice? Ignore anyone “who tries to poop on your glitter.” Ha! Read on for more hysterical (and wise) insights from this Tarot queen…

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What do you do?

[Theresa]: I am a professional Tarot card reader.

I picked up my first Tarot deck when I was a teenager and I fell in love with Tarot pretty much instantly.

I practiced on myself (and my sister) for many years, and eventually I started doing readings for customers at the bar where I worked.

At a certain point—after I had gotten, oh, probably 500 readings under my belt—I realized, “I’m pretty damn good at this.” I decided to “go pro” and start charging money for my readings, and… that’s what I’ve been doing for the past 25 years!

In addition to doing Tarot readings for my clients, I also write a Tarot blog, I teach a little yoga on the side, I co-host a podcast, and I work as a business mentor for peeps who run spiritual / metaphysical businesses.

I’m also the author of The Tarot Coloring Book which will be released by Sounds True in November 2016. (I’m still getting used to adding “author” to my bio!)

What were you doing before you became a full-time Tarot reader?

[Theresa]: I had a variety of jobs. Mostly office and waitress stuff. My last job was bartending.

Funny story: after I decided to pursue Tarot as my full-time career, my last boss (at the bar) mocked me and told people I’d never be successful. He totally trash-talked me behind my back and claimed I would be “crawling back” to the bar begging for my old job back in no time.

Well, shortly thereafter, his dumb-ass bar went out of my business. Meanwhile, 25 years later, I’m still going strong. HA!

What is your favorite part about your work?

[Theresa]: Tarot is a really amazing tool for understanding what’s happening in your life, and why, and what you can do to change your situation if you don’t like how things are going!

After a good Tarot reading, my client usually feels like, “OK, I get it, I know what I need to do to create a better future for myself,” and I love seeing people walk away from a reading feeling clear and empowered.

There’s a misconception that Tarot is all “predicting the future,” but it’s really not, because the future is always changing based on the choices you make today. Tarot is really more about becoming conscious—conscious of your choices, conscious of other people’s motivations, conscious of what may be lying ahead, and how to best work with the energy around you.

I’ve had times in my life that were very hard but Tarot has always been my ally. It has helped me to navigate tough times, make wiser decisions, and create a life I really love. My biggest joy is helping others do the same.

It all boils down to one theme: I like to help people.

What is your least favorite part about your work?

[Theresa]: My least favorite part is when people don’t respect my boundaries. That can show up so many ways in my line of work!

From the no-shows (my biggest pet peeve) to the people who think I need to drop everything right this minute to serve them, to the freebie-seekers who expect something for nothing… all of that B.S. has been the hardest to deal with.

I am very firm these days. If you mess with me or disrespect me? I won’t be working with you again. Ever. The stronger I get with my boundaries, the more I tend to attract the awesome clients, and not the flakey or rude ones.

How do you begin your day?

[Theresa]: I begin by brushing my teeth and making my bed. Lame, but true! I like a clean mouth and a made bed.

Then I check my email. I know, I know… all the productivity “experts” say that you shouldn’t dive into emails first thing in the morning! But I always like to check in and make sure my clients are taken care of. Since people purchase Tarot readings through my website, pretty much every morning, I’ve got a couple of notifcations letting me know about new bookings that have come in over the past 12 – 24 hours. I need to stay on top of those to make sure nobody is left hanging. That’s very important to me.

Once I’ve done a quick check in, I post my “Card for the Day” on my various social media channels. Then it’s time to feed some unruly cats and get something to eat. Somewhere in there, I do some yoga and meditation.

Then once all that is squared away, I start doing Tarot readings! On any given workday, I might do 8-20 of readings for clients—a combination of email readings, phone readings, and (very occasionally) in-person readings for local clients that I’ve known for a long time. (I never invite strangers into my private studio space—been there, been burned by that! Only peeps I know I can trust.)

When you’re having a difficult or stressful day, how do you get through it?

[Theresa]: Breath work helps a lot. Taking the time to “breathe through it” and be present makes any difficult situation better.

I also am fortunate that I have the most amazing husband and children—they are always there for me when I’m not at my best.

And when all else fails: a glass of wine solves all.

What has been the most challenging aspect of your career?

[Theresa]: I’ve received a lot of criticism and flack over the years regarding my choice of profession. Let’s face it: “Tarot” is a “non-traditional” line of work! Just doing this type of work puts you in the line of fire.

I’ve gotten hate mail from people who feel skeptical, offended, or insulted by my work (people who feel that Tarot is “against their beliefs”) and I’ve had countless people tell me that reading Tarot is “not a real job.”

When I first started doing this work—and even today, occasionally—I had to deal with a whole lot of shaming and negativity from people I didn’t even know, as well as people I really loved. For example, my parents were so embarrassed by my career that they would lie when people asked them what I did for a living. Think about how that feels for a minute. Getting that sort of hostility and shame thrown your way just for doing something that you feel called to do—it’s outrageous. It’s not surprising to me that many Tarot readers (and other mystical service providers,like astrologers and psychics) just give up, or feel like they have to “hide” to avoid scorn.

I never understand people who want to make someone feel bad. My mission in life is to make people feel good—so that type of energy has always been hard for my sensitive self to comprehend.

When you get hate mail, criticism, and negativity from people who don’t understand your career, what do you do? How do you get through that?

[Theresa]: By focusing on the lovers, not the haters. I get far more love than I do negativity.

I make it a point to surround myself at all times with people who support me—my family, my friends, my fellow Tarot lovers and other peers in the spiritual world, Having a positive tribe around me helps to drown out the ignorance and the mean-spirited stuff.

I recommend staying focused on love and the people who “get you” rather than giving any mind to anyone who tries to make you feel inferior. Unfriend people, if you need to, or remove certain relationships from you life. Fire anyone who tries to poop on your glitter.

Do you ever fantasize about having a totally different career? What would you do in your fantasy-world?

[Theresa]: Oh my goodness—my fantasy career when I was a teenager was to be a make up artist! I loved playing with make up (still do) and had a plan to go to beauty school so that I could move to New York and hang out with musicians. I never went to beauty school but I’ve always hung out with musicians and artists—and I did live in New York for a spell.

Now, at this stage in my life, my fantasy career would be to be an emcee for a male strip club just like Jada Pinkett Smith’s character, Rome, in Magic Mike XXL. Seriously—hanging out with a bunch of screaming women, wearing a sassy fedora and ogling Channing Tatum in a g-string? My idea of the best job EVER.

Who are your personal heroes and role models?

[Theresa]: I have SO many! My husband for one. He’s the most honest person on the planet and has taught me more about being “real” and honest than any person I ever met. That level of integrity is something I aspire to.

I admire people who have had to work very hard to achieve success. People like Jay-Z or Oprah Winfrey. I love people who are unconventional like Andy Warhol. I dig feisty women such as Patti Smith, Eleanor Roosevelt, and Emma Goldman. I admire politicians who care about people like Bernie Sanders. And I love, love, love seeing young people who are putting themselves out there in a big way like Lena Dunham. So yeah…way too many heroes and role models to count. I could go on and on and on… but my cat is walking across my desk and demanding that I swaddle him with attention right now so I’d better get on that. (In cat-world, cats are the only heroes worth paying attention to. Haha!)

You’ve got a thriving career as a Tarot reader, great clients, and lots of neat side-projects. What’s next for you?

[Theresa]: My next “big thing” is my book, The Tarot Coloring Book.

Stepping into the role of published author has been an interesting journey. My book comes out in November—it’s being released by a major publisher—and this book has the potential to take my work in amazing new directions, and to put Tarot into the hands of thousands of people who might otherwise be intimidated by it.

I’m excited about the book release, but also a bit anxious. I know that there’s going to be a lot more attention coming towards me (more than I’m used to, anyway) and possibly media interviews and exposure and just, you know, a lot of new customers engaging with (and potentially criticizing / scrunitizing) my work. It’s a vulnerable feeling!

But the book is already finished, so all I can do at this point is relax, trust that I’ve done my best, and trust that people will love the book as much as I do. Or not, I guess! Haha! But stressing about it won’t really help me. That, I know for shizzle.

I also know that the type of anxiety I’m feeling is not uncommon. Whenever you’re about to take a big leap forward into the unknown—with a new job, a new project, more exposure, or whatever—it often triggers feelings of anxiety because you’re leveling up yo’ game!

We all get scared, sometimes, when we’re standing at the edge of our comfort zone. Through working with Tarot, though, I’ve learned that there’s always a way to take a challenging situation and emerge victorious. You’re never just passively at the mercy of “the universe” or your own emotions. There’s always a way to take charge and steer your life in the direction you want it to go!

Last but not least: what’s your biggest piece of advice for anyone who wants to do amazing work in the world, stay motivated, and unlock major doors?

[Theresa]: My biggest piece of advice is: trust your gut, always. You have all the wise guidance you need right there within yourself. Learn to listen to that little voice for it is often right.

I do want to add one more thing: never let your failures—or other people—define you. This is your life, baby. You have a chance, every day, every moment, to get it right. No matter how big you screw up, you CAN start fresh right now.

Your future is in your hands—so be intentional and live it well.

UNLOCK yourself

Three questions to think about, write about—or talk about with a friend.

1. Theresa discovered Tarot at a young age, fell in love with it, and practiced for many years before she decided to “go pro.”

Do you have a “hobby” or “secret obsession” that maybe, just maybe, you could turn into a full-time career? Or a side-business that you do part-time?

2. Lots of people are confused about what Tarot is, or think it’s evil, or think that Tarot readers are scam artists. Theresa has had to deal with a lot of criticism and misunderstanding over the years.

Have you ever been criticized because of your career choices (like: your parents didn’t approve of your major in college, or your spouse thinks your job isn’t a “real” job)? How did that feel—and what, if anything, did you do to shake off the negativity and stay confident?

3. Theresa says that the worst part of her work is dealing with the (occasional) client who doesn’t respect her time, who flakes out, or tries to haggle and get freebie work for no pay. Setting clear business boundaries and policies helps Theresa to avoid these types of annoying situations.

What is your least favorite part about your job or career right now? What’s one proactive thing you could do to resolve this issue and/or prevent it from happening again in the future?

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For more UNLOCKED interviews, click over here.

Know somebody that ought to be spotlighted? Write to me here.

See you next time for another inspiring conversation!

To do the work you love, you’ve got to unlock a few doors. UNLOCKED Stories are honest conversations with people who chose a path and made it happen.

A note from Ellen: Sherry Richert Belul is one of my dearest friends, and one of the most inspiring human beings I’ve ever met. She really needs no introduction. Just dive into her story and you’ll fall in love with her—and her mission,too.

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What do you do?

[Sherry]: I run a company called Simply Celebrate where I create meaningful, customized gifts that encourage people to celebrate life, moment by moment, every day.

Two of the gifts that I offer on my website are Audio LoveGrams and Tribute Books, which are special, handmade books filled with photos, memories and stories all about someone’s life.

I also run an online course where I teach you how to make your own DIY Tribute Book to honor someone you love—like a parent, grandparent, or an awesome friend.

What was the inspiration for your business?

[Sherry]: It may sound sad or morbid, but “funerals” were actually a big part of the inspiration for Simply Celebrate.

At funerals, all of your loved ones gather around to honor you, celebrate you, and say wonderful things about how much they love you. I always thought to myself, “Why do we wait until our loved ones are ‘gone’ to celebrate them? We shouldn’t wait. We should express our feelings now.”

With everything I do at Simply Celebrate, I am trying to inspire people to “say it now.”

On your website, you often talk about creating a “daily celebration practice.” Why do you think it’s so important to celebrate life every day? After all, not every day is your birthday or New Year’s Eve!

[Sherry]: When you create a daily practice of celebrating yourself and others, and celebrating ordinary moments, it’s just like having a spiritual practice or a meditation practice. It really changes your life.

You feel more appreciative—even when things aren’t perfect. You laugh more. You create richer friendships. You might fall in love with your husband or wife all over again—who knows? All kinds of miracles happen when you celebrate.

And I firmly believe that you don’t need a “holiday” or a special “reason” in order to celebrate. In fact, unexpected celebrations are often the best ones of all!

Daily celebration really does become a “way of life.” You can choose to be an Optimist, or a Pessimist, whatever type of –ist you want. I choose: Celebrationist.

What are some of your favorite ways to be a Celebrationist?

[Sherry]: There are so many options!

You might choose to call a friend that you haven’t talked to in a decade or more.

Or you could mail a printed photo to your sister along with a favorite childhood memory of her.

You could plan a special adventure for you and your brother to share together.

You could interview your best friend’s elderly mother and record the conversation so that your friend will always have her mother’s voice with her.

The simple act of being fully present and engaged when you’re talking to someone, really listening to them without half-looking at your phone or being distracted—that is a beautiful form of celebration, too.

I share tons of celebration ideas on my website, including a Love List that you can download and print out for inspiration. I also collect lots of celebration inspiration on my Pinterest board.

What were you doing before you started your company, Simply Celebrate?

[Sherry]: Before running Simply Celebrate, I was scrambling to get out of a pit of depression.

On the outside, my life looked pretty amazing. I was the executive director for an animal protection agency. Before that, I worked for Teen magazine, writing press releases about “The Great Model Search” and the merits of Dippity-do hair gel. I had a whole string of interesting jobs that sounded “cool” and “impressive.”

But on the inside, I was lost. I constantly criticized myself and I felt I wasn’t living up to my potential. I thought I was “too emotional,” and that I felt things to deeply. My life was measured by all the things at which I failed or all the ways I failed.

Then, two things happened.

One, I was led to take a meditation class where I discovered that the iron wall of depression was not as solid as it looked. I noticed there were moments of well-being and joy in my life—a friend’s kindness, my cat purring against my chest, the taste of lime, the sound of bells in the distance.

These moments were pinpricks of light in the iron wall. I started looking for these pinpricks everywhere. From there, I realized I didn’t have to wait for those moments of joy to land in my life: I could create them—for myself and for others.

The other thing that happened is that I took a class called “Creating a Life Worth Living.” During that class, the idea dropped in to create a business making one-of-a-kind books full of stories, appreciations, photos, and wishes from a whole group of someone’s closest friends and family.

Suddenly, all of my attention was turned to love and celebration. Instead of scanning my life, looking for what was “wrong,” I began to seek out and celebrate everything that felt so “right.” It was like a new compass was being constructed inside of my heart, pointing me towards the light.

What is your favorite part about what you are doing now?

[Sherry]: One of my favorite aspects of my work is that the “ripple effect” of this work can be so surprising and unexpected.

A customer might hire me to help create a Tribute Book, for example, thinking, “Oh, this will be a neat gift for my mom.”

But then, through the process of collaborating with me to create the book, that same customer might realize, “My mom is the most incredible woman, I need to celebrate her much more often…” or “I suddenly feel a powerful urge to visit my homeland in Ireland…” or “Wow, now I feel inspired to write a children’s book for my kids; I never thought I would do that…” or “I never knew I could feel joy so deeply, or that there was so much love inside of me…”

When we take the time to celebrate, it’s like a deep wellspring of love gets “uncorked” inside. New ideas start flowing. So much appreciation bubbles up. Life really changes. Always for the better.

Least favorite part?

[Sherry]: Technology.

I was hosting an online event recently where I was teaching dozens of people how to create handmade gifts and experiences—instead of shopping at malls on Black Friday—and then just as the class was about to begin, my website hosting service had an outage and my website went down!

Luckily, it went back up within a short amount of time, but these sorts of technological snafus can be so stressful.

When you’re having a difficult or stressful day, how do you get through it?

[Sherry]: I’m lucky that over the years I’ve been exposed to so many amazing tools and practices that bring me back to center.

A few of my favorite practices are… putting on a fun hat, meditation, listening to an iTunes playlist full of my favorite feel-good music, writing thank you notes to strangers, leaving appreciation voicemails for people I love, doing a five-minute creative writing prompt, making an audio recording in which I talk to my centered/higher self, doing a handstand or headstand, reading thank you notes or love letters I’ve received through the years, looking at my favorite photos, meeting a friend face to face, eating foods I love, going outside to look for ten beautiful things, and making a list of things that sparkle in my life.

What has been your most challenging chapter career so far—a roadblock or “locked door” moment?

[Sherry]: Well, there is the one I mentioned earlier. Back when I was dealing with intense depression, I felt very “locked in,” like my heart was locked away behind an iron wall. That was probably the most challenging chapter of my life.

Career-wise, it was this: I had written my book, Simply Celebrate: 101 Simple Ways to Turn Ordinary Days into an Extraordinary Life. I had written a book proposal that happily hooked in an agent for the book. A great publisher was “definitely interested” in the book and they put it into their system to be run by all the internal departments. I was sure this was “the big moment” when I got a publisher and everything would shift for me into a new career level.

Well, the publishing house’s marketing department said the market was flooded with this genre of book and so they turned it down. I was devastated. My agent wasn’t able to get anyone else interested. I nearly gave up on my book and my whole business at that point.

That sounds so disappointing. How did you find your motivation again after experiencing that set-back?

[Sherry]: The key was that I realized I never wanted my life to be in the decision-making hands of anyone or anything outside of me. I also didn’t want the joy of this book to be diminished by external reviews or judgments.

I let myself bask in the accomplishment of creating this book that I loved. Then, I self-published my book and felt an incredible sense of empowerment and joy.

If I wanted to publish I book, I could publish a book! This was a huge lesson for me in learning that I am the master of my own dreams.

Do you ever fantasize about having a totally different career? What would you do in your fantasy-world?

[Sherry]: Simply Celebrate is my fantasy career!

Although, for a time, I took a gig as a writer/editor for Nickelodeon’s parenting website and I got to travel to hotels, stay overnight with my son, and review them. That was a wonderful, fun job that brought me tons of joy. I also got to see all kinds of theater and live music with my son.

That job didn’t have the deeper meaning and connection that my “real” work has … but it sure was fantastic and helped me bond with my son. I feel so fortunate to have all those great adventures to remember.

Who are your personal heroes and role models?

[Sherry]: My Zen teacher, Cheri Huber is a tremendous role model for living a life full of joy, vitality, presence, compassion, love, and productivity. She’s written more than 20 books and leads retreats helping people turn their attention away from the voices of self-judgment and onto the life they want to live.

My other role models are all around me, everyday. People like you, Ellen, who are doing work they love and that serves the world, despite all the challenges. I’m lucky to be surrounded by people like you who are dedicated to living lives full of creativity and passion. Lives that are gifts to others.

My other role models are the strangers I collect on my Pinterest boards, “Aging Zestfully” and “It’s Never Too Late.” These are collections of photos and stories from folks over 70 who are living energized, vital lives and who are trying new things, even later in life. I am so inspired by people who don’t allow themselves to grow “old” as they age. I have so much work I want to bring into the world and I want to be doing it into my nineties!

Last but not least:

[Sherry]: What’s your biggest piece of advice for anyone who wants to do amazing work in the world, stay motivated, and unlock major doors?

I believe there is nothing more valuable we can offer ourselves—and others—than to seek and create pinpricks of light in the world. What are those pinpricks or sparkles for you?

My best piece of advice is to keep asking yourself, “Right here, right now, in this moment, how am I living the life I long to live?” “If I’m not living it, can I do one small thing that enables me to step into that world?”

One more favorite piece of advice: “Life is fleeting. Don’t wait. Say it now.”

Say it now—and also do it now. Don’t wait for the “perfect moment” to take a step towards your dream life or career, or hug someone, or call a friend, or write a letter, or self-publish your book. The right moment is happening right now.

Unlock Yourself

Three questions to think about, write about—or talk about with a friend.

1. Sherry noticed that people often “save” beautiful words and feelings until somebody’s funeral. Then, after their loved one has passed away, they express all of their love. Her philosophy is: “Don’t wait. Say it now.”

Is there something important that you’ve been “postponing” for too long? Something you need to say? Or a step that you want to take to transform your life or career? What is it? Why do you think you’ve been “waiting”?

2. Sherry experienced a major set-back after a publisher decided not to publish her book. But she bounced back by taking matters into her own hands—by self-publishing instead! She says that self-publishing made her feel empowered again because the future of her book was no longer in somebody else’s hands.

Are you feeling disappointed about something that’s happening—or not happening—in your career right now? What is one thing that you could do to take back your power?

3. Sherry’s company, Simply Celebrate, is quite unconventional. But it’s her dream career and she’s making it happen!

Do you have a hobby, a passion, a type of writing, crafting or art that you love to do? Do you ever think about turning it into a business? What might that look like?

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For more UNLOCKED interviews, click over here.

Know somebody that ought to be spotlighted? Write to me here.

See you next time for another inspiring conversation!

To do the work you love, you’ve got to unlock a few doors. UNLOCKED Stories are honest conversations with people who chose a path and made it happen.

A note from Ellen: Do you ever feel like you have “too many” passions or “too many” great ideas and it’s impossible to choose “just one,” especially when it comes to your career? I can completely relate to that feeling. So can my friend Elizabeth Rainer, the multi-talented woman who is sharing her story with us today.

Elizabeth is an actress, artist, photographer, chef, creative retreat leader, blogger, and the founder of Little Box of Joy, a new company where you can order a “mystery box” full of enchanting surprises and have it delivered to your doorstep. (So sweet!)

During our conversation, Elizabeth described her career to me as a “patchwork quilt.”
A collection of various passions and skills, all lovingly stitched together to create her very own “dream career.”

As you read along, I invite you to ask yourself, “What are my biggest passions? What do I love to do? How could I stitch several passions together to create a beautiful ‘quilt’ that feels just right for me?”

Your career really can be any kind of “quilt” that you want it to be…

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What do you do?

[Elizabeth]: I am an actress, artist, photographer, chef, and creative retreat leader..

That’s a long, beautiful string of “job titles.” Tell us about your acting work, first.

[Elizabeth]: The theater company that I work for is called Living Voices.

Through Living Voices, I perform one-woman educational outreach programs across the country. Each show combines live theatre with archival film footage. The programs range in topics from Anne Frank and the Holocaust, to the women’s suffrage movement, to immigration through Ellis Island at the turn of the century.

I feel proud of this educational work and grateful that I can teach through my acting.

In addition to acting, you also do photography and other forms of visual art. Tell us more about that.

[Elizabeth]: Every day, I post a photograph on my blog, Little Cup of Beauty. I enjoy going out into the world and finding beauty even in the most tattered or unusual places. The practice of looking at the world through the lens of beauty has enriched my life.

Two or three times a year, I also co-lead an event called the Radiant Life Retreat with my dear friend, Heidi Rose Robbins. We gather circles of women together for several days of rest, play, music, art, food, ritual, and astrology. It’s such a unique experience—so peaceful and restorative—and so much fun! It’s like summer camp for grown-ups. I can’t wait for the upcoming retreat in March in Ojai, California!

You’ve been able to create a career that blends all of your passions in interesting ways. If there’s a “theme” or a “purpose” that ties all of your various projects together, what would it be?

[Elizabeth]: That theme would probably be… “transformation.” I try to create an experience of transformation with everything that I do.

When I am onstage, performing in one of my shows, my hope is that each person in the audience walks away from the performance feeling educated, inspired, and transformed in some way.

Off the stage, I love creating art, ceremony, ritual, making things sacred and unlocking beauty. At the retreats that I co-lead with my friend Heidi, I provide food and music and I love creating a nourishing atmosphere where people can experience that feeling of transformation, too.

When an experience touches your heart and “changes” you, in a positive way, that is pure magic. I love creating those types of experiences, onstage, offstage, at retreats, through food, all kinds of ways!

Your job sounds so magical! But, just between you and me and the Internet, are there any aspects of your profession that you don’t like?

[Elizabeth]: I have to do quite a bit of traveling for my job. Sometimes I will be “on the road” for three or four weeks at a time.

While I love to explore new places, being away from home for such long periods of time can be tiring. I definitely love flying home to my own nest. (My husband is always happy to see me walk through the door.)

How do you begin your day? What’s your favorite morning ritual?

[Elizabeth]: I love starting my day with a big mug of hot tea with cream. My favorite is Harney & Sons Earl Grey Supreme with a touch of Paris. It is a yummy combination. I use loose tea and make a whole pot.

When you’re having a difficult or stressful day, how do you get through it?

[Elizabeth]: When I am really stressed out, I might call a friend or lay on the floor.

But the thing that has consistently helped me through the years has been to go on a walk. Walking calms me down and smoothes out all my crinkles.

If I am upset or need to work something out, the best remedy is to put on my walking shoes and step out into the day.

What has been the most challenging moment of your career thus far?

[Elizabeth]: Early in my acting career, I got cast in a Broadway show. I felt like I had finally “made it”. I was so happy. But then, due to a personal conflict, I was let go and I lost the part. I was stunned. It was hard for me to understand what had happened.

How did you get through that “locked door” moment?

[Elizabeth]: I cried a lot, took long walks and talked with friends. I was also writing in a journal every day during that time. I was writing what Julia Cameron calls “the morning pages.” That daily writing practice helped me to throw my pain onto the page.

Not long after that, I moved across the country and began a new chapter. I was able to dust myself off and continue with the work I love.

Do you ever fantasize about having a totally different career? What would you do, in your fantasy-world?

[Elizabeth]: The nice thing about my life now is that I get to combine all the little snippets of things that I like into one big ol’ crazy quilt of a career.

But… I will say this: I once played Peter Pan and had the enormous fun of being able to fly in the production. I do fantasize about really being able to fly!

Who are your personal heroes and role models?

[Elizabeth]: Juliette Binoche, Cate Blanchett, Helen Mirren, Vivian Maier, Deborah Madison, Kate Bush, Paula Moderson Becker, Paul Klee, Joseph Campbell and my truly wonderful mom.

What’s the next project that you’re unveiling for the world?

[Elizabeth]: I am currently working on my new project called Little Box of Joy which blends art, ritual, and sacred celebration… with snail mail!

Basically, I am offering a mystery box full of surprises that gets tailored to you and shipped to your doorstep.

You can check it out here.

Last but not least: what is your biggest piece of advice for anyone who wants to do amazing work in the world, stay motivated, and unlock major doors?

[Elizabeth]: Everything that I am doing now required me to face tremendous fear of failure or rejection.

One of my motivations has always been the mantra “TRUST IN LOVE.”

Every time I start to worry that the sky is falling, I ask myself, “What do I love most?”

I try to follow what I love most.

This brings me back on track and reminds me that I have so much to be grateful for.

Unlock Yourself

Three questions to think about, write about—or talk about with a friend.

1. Elizabeth has lots of passions and skills: acting, photography, music, cooking, leading retreats and rituals. Rather than choosing “just one” pursuit to focus on, full time, she has figured out a way to swirl several passions together.

What are 5 – 6 of your biggest passions or skills? If you could wave a magic wand and swirl them all together to create your fantasy job or career, what would that look like?

2. Elizabeth says that “taking a walk” is her favorite way to de-stress and clear her mind.

What’s your favorite de-stressing activity? Could you make some time for it today?

3. Elizabeth’s latest project is a side-business called Little Box of Joy. You can order a mystery box full of delightful surprises and Elizabeth ships it to you!

Do you enjoy writing letters, mailing gifts, or doing “random acts of kindness” for people, just to brighten their day? What’s your favorite way to “make someone’s day”? Is there a way that you could turn that passion into a business or side-business? What would that look like?

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For more UNLOCKED interviews, click over here.

Know somebody that ought to be spotlighted? Write to me here.

See you next time for another inspiring conversation!

To do the work you love, you’ve got to unlock a few doors. UNLOCKED Stories are honest conversations with people who chose a path and made it happen.

A note from Ellen: I was introduced to Ann Randolph through a mutual friend, and as soon as Ann and I started chatting I knew: this woman is OUT OF THIS WORLD.

Ann is an award-winning playwright, actor, comedian, and performer, though she prefers to simply call herself a “storyteller.”

Ann’s plays touch upon the dark, messy, uncomfortable aspects of what it means to be human. Audiences leave Ann’s shows feeling cracked open and cathartically transformed, like it’s finally OK to share feelings they never thought they could share. The Washington Post calls her work “inappropriate in all the right ways” and Mel Brooks calls her “a genius.”

Buckle up for Ann’s story, which will inspire you to keep marching towards your dream, even if the journey tests your faith and patience to the limit. If Ann can find the inner grit to keep going, keep writing, and keep putting her work out there… why not you?

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What do you do?

[Ann]: I am a storyteller. I write and perform solo theatre shows. I also teach people to speak their truth for the page and the stage in writing workshops across the U.S .

What types of shows?

[Ann]: Most of my shows deal with situations that people may find uncomfortable to witness or talk about. Situations and topics like sex (not PG13-rated, Disney-fied sex, but raunchy, awkward, messy sex), grief, insanity, illness, and stories about marginalized people in our society who often get ignored.

How did you become a storyteller and performer? Where did this all begin?

[Ann]: I was always doing these things. As a little kid I would impersonate different people. I was attracted to oddballs—misfits — people living on the margins of life.

In college, I needed to get a job and there was this mental hospital. Built at the turn of the century, old Victorian, just rotting and decrepit.

They told me they didn’t have any jobs available. But every semester, they let six college students live there—with free room and board—if they’re studying Psychology.

And I go, “I’m not studying Psychology, but I could write plays for the patients.” They said, “You can move in.”

I was assigned to the Schizophrenic Unit. It smelled like urine and dirty feet. Practically my first day on the job, I see a guy walking around with no pants on, masturbating. These patients had no filter, no censorship. It was so hardcore.

I’d never been around the mentally ill before, but somehow I felt pulled to be with these people. Oddly, I felt right at home.

I wound up working there for four years. I wrote plays. I would cast the patients in my plays as a form of “creative/art therapy.” That was the beginning of my “official” playwriting career!

An unconventional beginning! What happened next?

[Ann]: After graduating from college, my goal was to write and perform on Saturday Night Live. My dream was to live in NYC. But I had no money. That was a problem.

I read in the back of a magazine that I could earn $20,000 dollars for one summer’s worth of work cleaning fish in Alaska—so I went there and I got a job on a slime line cleaning fish.

I lived in a tent. I was terrible at that job because I was very slow. I got fired. Then I saw an ad in the paper from a local school seeking a Professor to teach Humanities and Playwriting. I’d never taken a Humanities course in my life, but I walked in there, lied, and said, “Yes I can do this”… so I got the job. I even wrote the first play for the college based on my experiences at the mental hospital.

After that (this is the hyper-accelerated, sound-bite version of the story…) I joined a comedy troupe in Boston, then I spent a year in NYC, then bounced back to Alaska to clean rocks after a huge Exxon oil spill, earned a ton of money there, then went down to New Mexico and moved into a mansion with three professors studying Chaos Theory at the Santa Fe Institute.

While living in Santa Fe, I had this vision of building an outdoor theater in the mountains. I was singing at a local church, and—as it turns out—the church owned some land and they offered to give it to me—for free—if I’d build the theater there. I happened to be dating a contractor at the time, so I used my Exxon oil spill clean up money, hired him to help, and built the theater on the donated church land.

When the theater opened, I put on my first show. Well, at least… my first show outside of a mental institute!

Tons of things happened after that show debuted: you got cast in a movie, moved to L.A., and signed with a talent agency. You also worked at a homeless shelter. That’s not exactly the “glamorous Hollywood actor lifestyle” that most people envision. What was that experience like?

[Ann]: After moving to L.A. I worked at a homeless shelter for 4 nights a week from 7pm to 7am shift. I took the graveyard shift because I was allowed to sleep part of the night. I needed my days free to create. On my days off, I received reduced rent from where I was staying because I only slept there 3 nights a week.

Meanwhile, I was part of the Groundlings comedy group alongside Will Ferrell, Chris Kattan, and Cheri Oteri. All these incredible performers were my peers, but I felt ashamed, like I was living a lie. I was performing, but I felt I had much more to say then a 3 minute sketch. I was at a choice point. Do I stay with Groundlings or quit and focus on solo shows. I quit and focused on returning to solo shows.

Everybody thought I was nuts to do this but I had to listen to the stories that wanted to come through me and they were not always funny. Also, it was terrifying financially because who makes their living from solo shows? Who goes to see a solo show?

For the next 10 years, I wrote and performed 4 solo shows in addition to other plays and sketch shows. These shows would win awards, get great reviews, but I made no money. All the money I saved went into renting theaters and never an apartment. I never had my own place.

I really struggled with comparison, jealousy, and questioning my level of talent. My career seemed like it was crawling along while my peers appeared to be soaring. Deals would come my way but then nothing panned out. People told me I was too outrageous, that my characters needed to be toned down. It was now 10 years at the shelter making $8.60 cents an hour and well, I just plain lost faith. I lost my mojo.

Finally, a mentor told me that I needed to stop hiding the fact that I worked at a shelter, and instead, I should write about it.

That’s what I did—and that choice changed my career.

I wrote a play called Squeeze Box, all about my experiences working in a shelter, and in writing that play, I rediscovered myself and found my faith again. The show was discovered by Mel Brooks and Anne Bancroft. They optioned the play and helped me hone my chops for over a year, before they opened Squeeze Box Off-Broadway.

Being a professional writer/performer is rarely an “easy” road. You’ve had to endure so much rejection and frustration along your path. Yet you keep going. Where does your “grit” to keep going come from?

[Ann]: I’ve had a lot of successes and also a lot of failures. But each failure made me more fearless. Each time I got knocked down, it gave me something deep and gritty to write about. It gave me more courage, too. At a certain point, you’re like, “What have I got to lose?”

I’ve learned that things are rarely “linear” in this business. My career path has been extremely swervy and loopy, not a straight line. I’ve had incredible opportunities handed to me—Broadway opportunities, Hollywood film deal opportunities—only to have everything fall apart at the last moment due to uncontrollable circumstances. Frustrating things happen. But miraculous things happen, too. Like I once received a $10,000 check—out of the blue—from a woman who saw one of my shows and wanted to support me. Then at one of my lowest moments, I got a phone call from someone who loved my work and wanted to help me set up a national tour so that I could perform all across America. Totally unexpected. You just never who’s going to email you or call you up… or who’s going to be sitting in your audience one night… or what’s around the corner.

When you are having an exceptionally difficult or stressful day, how do you get through it?

[Ann]: Should I lie or tell the truth?

Tell the truth!

[Ann]: HAHAHA! I eat a bunch of crap. I have this thing with McDonald’s. That’s my unhealthy coping strategy. I’ve done that. I also love to spend time alone in the woods. That’s my healthy coping strategy.

So McDonald’s and Nature?

[Ann]: McDonald’s and Nature!

I love that. Aside from getting recharged by French fries and forests… who are your personal heroes and role models? Who inspires you?

[Ann]: I have so many. Astor Piazzolla, who’s an Argentinian jazz tango artist. His music inspires me. Carol Burnett, definitely. As a kid, it was Pippi Longstocking.

What’s next for you? Any new projects on the horizon?

[Ann]: I’m premiering my new solo show, Inappropriate in all the Right Ways” at the Marsh. The Huffington Post just gave it a wonderful review and said, “It’s a show like no other” That’s the best compliment because I have combined my love of performing with teaching. I perform and then guide the audience in telling their own stories, so by the end of the show, the audience takes the stage. It’s super cool and inspiring. If you live in SF, please come to the premiere.

Also, this past summer I got to help create a story to Saint-Saëns Organ symphony. It was digitaly mapped in front of 35,000 people with this amazing orchestra playing in front. I love the idea of creating stories to classical music.

I am going to begin my interviews in November and then I will go from there.

What is your biggest piece of advice for anyone that wants to do amazing work in the world and stay motivated and unlock their major doors?

[Ann]: Surround yourself with people who believe in you. People who can be your champions. That’s HUGE.

Who believes in you? Only go to them.

People often give up on their career dreams because they feel too lonely or someone put fear in their bones.

To really do something big, there’s got to be that encouragement. If you don’t have anybody to provide that encouragement right now, create a voice in your head that champions you.

Unlock Yourself

Three questions to think about, write about—or talk about with a friend.

1. Ann says to surround yourself with people who believe in you: your champions.

Who is your biggest champion? Who roots for you to succeed? What could you do to deepen and strengthen your relationship with that person even more?

2. Ann has had a series of peculiar jobs—working in a mental institute, a homeless shelter, gutting fish in Alaska, cleaning up after a huge oil spill—yet each “odd job” provided a ton of inspiration/material for her to write about in her plays.

Have you ever had a really “odd” or “random” job? Did that job teach you something important—or influence your life in an unexpectedly positive way?

3. Ann isn’t afraid to talk about the dark, messy, gritty aspects of being human—and by sharing her experiences onstage, she gives the people in her audience permission to open up and share their feelings, too.

What’s something about yourself—or your past/life experiences—that you’ve always kept quiet? Would it feel healing to share that story? Would sharing help others to feel less alone? What’s stopping you from speaking about it?

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For more UNLOCKED interviews, click over here.

Know somebody that ought to be spotlighted? Write to me here.

See you next time for another inspiring conversation!

To do the work you love, you’ve got to unlock a few doors. UNLOCKED Stories are honest conversations with people who chose a path and made it happen.

A note from Ellen: I’m excited to feature this interview with Teresa Kokaislová, a young attorney based in NYC. As a former attorney myself, I know that getting through law school and landing a job in such a competitive, demanding industry is no joke. But Teresa is doing it — and not only that, she’s doing it while navigating life in a new country, living four thousand miles away from her family in the Czech Republic. She’s brave, hardworking, and I have a feeling you’ll be deeply inspired by her story.

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What do you do?

[Teresa]: I’m a European attorney working in a NYC law firm.

What were you doing before you got your current job in NYC?

[Teresa]: I spent many years studying to become a lawyer and a law researcher. I studied in Prague, Vienna and then finally San Francisco. I also worked as a “lawyer in training” at the European Space Agency in Paris. And I worked as an intern for a branch of the United Nations in Vienna. It has been quite an international journey leading up to my current job!

What is your favorite part about what you are doing now?

[Teresa]: Living in NYC! It’s an amazing place. Practicing law is exciting, no matter where you’re based, but living in a place like New York City makes my work even more exciting and enjoyable. I love my current environment and the people I meet every week.

I love NYC, too! What are some of your favorite restaurants, businesses, museums, or parks? If I were visiting the city for a few days, where would you encourage me to go?

[Teresa]: I love walking around and exploring NYC by accident mostly. But some of my favorite places are the Highline, Riverside Park, and the NYU campus with its tiny hidden streets and even tinier houses. I also love Bakeri in Greenpoint, LIC Market in Long Island City and The Chocolate Room in Park Slope!

I know, from personal experience, that being an attorney is a very demanding profession. When you’re having a difficult or stressful day at work, how do you get through it?

[Teresa]: With tea and sweet treats. Also: I make a very detailed plan of everything that has to be done and follow it meticulously. Having a clear plan helps me to feel calmer.

What has been the most challenging chapter of your career so far? Have you ever experienced a “locked door” or a “roadblock” that was very difficult to get through?

[Teresa]: There have been quite a few! The most recent roadblock — one I wasn’t sure I could overcome — was getting my visa and work permit so that I could legally work in the US.

After I completed my studies and got admitted to the New York State Bar as an attorney, I was excited to finally become a US lawyer and couldn’t wait to start working.

But then my visa expired and getting a new one proved to be much more difficult and complicated than I expected.

For many months, I wanted to work but due to my visa status I could not accept a job.
Eventually — fortunately — I was able to get the visa that I needed, but it was quite stressful while I waited all those months. I definitely had moments where I wondered, “Am I going to have to leave the US? Then what? What’s going to happen? Where will I go?” The waiting period was an uneasy time.

How did you get through that stressful waiting period?

[Teresa]: It was not easy because I’d never experienced anything like it before. It took quite a while to realize that I needed to be patient, hopeful and just keep working on a solution.

I couldn’t have done it without my family and friends, who were very supportive and believed that everything would work out. To sum it up, I got through it thanks to patience, support and love from my family—and also my future employer’s generosity. They actually waited for me, and held a job open for me, for six months while I waited for my visa and work permit to get processed and come through!

These days, I do some “pro bono” [free] legal work, and I’ve been handling several immigration cases. It feels so good to provide legal guidance for my pro bono clients and help them with their immigration issues, because I understand what they’re going through and how stressful the immigration process can be. I am so happy that I can “give back” and help out!

Do you ever fantasize about having a totally different career? What would you do?

[Teresa]: I do! I’m not entirely sure what it would be but I often think about being a baker, a photographer or starting a small tea plantation — just big enough to have a year’s supply of tea.

You’re obviously a big tea lover! What’s one type of tea that you could not live without?

[Teresa]: I couldn’t live without Marco Polo from Mariage Frères, an old French tea house. It’s a beautiful flowery and fruity blend of black teas. I have also recently discovered Whittard Tea, a fine English tea company. Their Darjeeling is incredible. But I love so many teas, I could go on and on…

Who are your personal heroes and role models?

[Teresa]: My grandmothers, my friend and mentor Gisela, and Winnie-the-Pooh.

I love Winnie, too! He is a very wise bear. Speaking of books and fictional characters, what are the last three books that you read and loved?

[Teresa]: The History of Love by Nicole Krauss, Identity by Milan Kundera and Right Ho, Jeeves (or any story about Jeeves) by Pelham Grenville Wodehouse.

Getting back to Winnie… do you have a favorite Winnie-the-Pooh quote?

[Teresa]: Yes, I do! It’s for any day and any occasion:

“What day is it?” asked Pooh.
“It’s today”, squeaked Piglet.
“My favorite day”, said Pooh.

Last but not least: what’s your biggest piece of advice for anyone who wants to do amazing work in the world, stay motivated, and unlock major doors?

[Teresa]: Listen and be generous. I have learned that listening and generosity can unlock many doors. And, by being generous, you may even help to open doors for someone else.

Three questions to think about, write about—or talk about with a friend.

1. Teresa says that Winnie-the-Pooh is one of her heroes.

Do you have a fictional character who inspires you? Why do you admire that character?

2. Teresa was born in Europe but now lives and works in NYC.

If you could move to another country permanently or temporarily, where would you go and why?

3. Teresa says that “generosity can unlock many doors.”

When’s the last time you did something generous for someone else, with no strings attached? How did that feel? What happened next?

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For more UNLOCKED interviews, click over here.

Know somebody that ought to be spotlighted? Write to me here.

See you next time for another inspiring conversation!