Life & Work with Chelsea Rose Cook of Los Angeles

Today we’d like to introduce you to Chelsea Rose Cook.

Hi Chelsea Rose, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
Hi, I’m Chelsea. I’m an actress, author, and podcast host based in Los Angeles. I’ve been a storyteller for as long as I can remember. In third grade, I created a series of short stories that my teacher read out loud to the class, and I’ve loved bringing stories to life ever since.

I’ve been working on camera for a decade now, and in 2020 I moved from Cincinnati to Los Angeles to further my theatrical career (yes, in the middle of the pandemic – that’s a whole other story!).

Since then, I’ve led multiple indie and network films, starred in national commercial campaigns, and stepped into leading roles in the micro drama space: the short, vertical series made for your phone that have become one of the fastest-growing formats in entertainment.

Acting taught me more than just how to bring a character to life. It’s a career built on hearing “no” (sometimes on the daily), and every audition taught me something about holding onto myself in rooms that wanted me to fit a mold. Navigating this industry has taught me how to detach from outcomes, how to rest without guilt, and how to stay true to who I am.

Alongside my acting, I’d been doing personal development work for nearly a decade and had started to realize that those lessons weren’t just for me anymore. In fact, I had a plethora of stories and advice that could help other women on their own journeys. So, a few years ago, I created Soul Trip with Chel: a self-development brand rooted in radical self-love and authenticity. The vision really came to life when I launched the podcast earlier this year.

Soul Trip with Chel is about the journey back to yourself: becoming who you really are, owning your authenticity, and learning to deeply love and accept yourself along the way so that you can be your own best friend. Each episode blends my own real stories, from relationships, acting, and beyond, with practical tools that listeners can use in their own lives.

From there, I wrote my first book, The Way Back to Yourself: Soft Strength for Naturally Nice Women. It’s for women who’ve always been the “nice girl” or the “good girl,” and it shows them how to stop putting themselves last, set boundaries, and say no without guilt – all without losing the kindness that makes them exactly who they are.

I also recently launched the Soul Trip Sanctuary, a membership for anyone who wants to go deeper. I’m so excited to create a community for women to self-actualize, support each other, and step into their unique power.

So whether I’m on set, behind the mic, or on the page, I’m still doing what I’ve loved since third grade: telling stories. Now, I also get to help women come home to themselves. To me, it’s all part of the same work: showing up fully as myself, and helping others do the same.

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
It definitely has not been a smooth road, but I think that’s what has made the journey so impactful and rich for me.

Acting asks you to hand your heart and your art to strangers and then let go of what they do with it (or don’t). For a long time, when I was new in the industry, I tied my worth to whether or not I booked the job. Over time, the rejection wore on me more than I let on – or even realized at first.

I’m also a naturally sensitive and empathic person in an industry and society that rewards thick skin. Growing up, I thought my sensitivity was a weakness, almost a curse. But ultimately, I’ve come to see it as a huge asset and blessing. I learned that I didn’t need to harden or abandon who I am simply to survive. I just needed to find boundaries that work with my nature instead of against it. That lesson became the foundation of everything I teach now.

There’s been burnout too, from trying to do everything at once and from ventures that didn’t work out the way that I hoped. Those seasons taught me to trust the process and to measure progress by learning and alignment, not just by speed and external validation.

And honestly, this interview is a beautiful part of the challenge. For a long time, I kept my acting and my Soul Trip work completely separate. I was worried about being seen as too much in one world, or not serious enough in the other. Letting people see the whole picture still feels vulnerable, because I share so openly on my podcast and in my book. But quite frankly, I’d be doing my audience a disservice if I didn’t.

I realized that this is exactly what I encourage women to do: speak their truth, love who they are, and be seen doing it – so it was high time that I did the same.

Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I’ve been so fortunate to be trusted with lead roles across genre, tone, and platform, from network films to streaming series to the fast-growing world of micro dramas. My work can be found on Prime Video, Hulu, Lifetime, Tubi, Disney Star, Apple TV, and Samsung TV Plus. I’ve led multiple Lifetime films and appeared in the Prime Video series Countdown. I was also thrilled to be one of the leads in Unlikely Romances, Dhar Mann Studios’ first-ever original episodic series, created for Samsung TV Plus. On the commercial side, I’ve served as a national spokesperson for Optimum and starred in national campaigns for brands like Secret, Benefit Cosmetics, and Zeposia.

More recently, I’ve stepped into the world of micro dramas, and it’s been such an exciting space to grow in. My lead role in Leaving Mr. Wrong for Mr. Right debuted as the #1 show in its first month on GammaTime, the first premium micro-drama platform built for American audiences. I also starred in the independent feature Yellow Broken Road, which premiered at Dances With Films in Los Angeles and went on to win Best Narrative Feature at the Gary International Black Film Festival.

Coming up, I’m leading two micro dramas for VertTV, including one where I reunite with Vivica A. Fox, my co-star from the Lifetime romantic comedy The Christmas Campaign (a true full-circle moment!). I also star in an upcoming micro drama from Jupiter Entertainment, the production company behind Oxygen’s Snapped. And, my love of romantic comedy has recently led me into sketch comedy – you can catch me in upcoming sketches on ClickUp Comedy!

What really sets me apart is that I understand both sides of the camera. Before I moved to LA, I founded my own marketing consultancy called The C Perspective, and I also ran Wit and Wishes, a travel and lifestyle blog where I wrote travel stories, created video content, and partnered with brands. So, I know firsthand what productions and brands need from the people that they hire. I show up prepared, collaborative, and genuinely excited to bring a story to life, whether it’s a two-hour film or a thirty-second spot.

Off camera, that same love of storytelling lives on through Soul Trip with Chel. You can listen to the podcast on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music, and iHeartRadio; and you can find my book, the Soul Trip Sanctuary, and all of my other ventures at www.chelsearosecook.com/beyond-the-screen.

Let’s talk about our city – what do you love? What do you not love?
What I like most about LA is that you can truly find anything to do here if you look for it. Whatever you’re into, there’s a class, an event, or a community for it somewhere in this city. I also love that LA brings together people from all walks of life.

The creative energy is really inspiring, too. It’s a city that is full of people who are betting on their dreams. And when I need to recharge, some beautiful getaway spots are just a short drive away: Ojai, Santa Barbara, and Idyllwild. They’re my go-to places to get grounded again.

What I like least about LA is the hustle culture that treats burnout like a badge of honor. If you’re not aware of this pattern, it’s easy to feel like you’re falling behind whenever you aren’t working. Luckily, I’ve learned how to slow down on purpose, and I’m all the better for it.

Oh, and another con: the traffic. You know you were thinking it!

Pricing:

• Soul Trip with Chel Podcast: free on Spotify, Apple, Amazon Music, iHeartRadio
• The Way Back to Yourself ebook: $22
• Soul Trip Sanctuary membership: $18/month

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.chelsearosecook.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chelsearosecook
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@soultripwithchel
• Other: https://creators.spotify.com/pod/profile/soultripwithchel/

Image Credits
Kathy Alene Photography
Philip Guerette