Life & Work with Taji Torrilhon

Today we’d like to introduce you to Taji Torrilhon.

Hi Taji, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
For most of my life, I had terrible stage fright. The sort where I was dizzy and nauseous any time I had to get up in front of people. I used to say it’s because I was shy. But that’s not really true. The truth is, I’m a rape/incest survivor and one of the ways I coped with the chronic trauma of childhood was by shutting down and never speaking up.

As an adult, I grew to have a successful catering business, to teach cooking classes, and found a way to talk to people. I got good at “performing” my professional self. But that shy little kid was still running the show inside. I was always so nervous to share anything personal about myself. Which felt like I was always hiding and never felt good.

Then I took a live storytelling class and everything changed.

I took the class because I wanted to get over my stage fright and I knew I needed to find a way to tell my story. I was terrified when I walked into class that first night. But it turned out to be exactly what I needed. I learned how to craft my story and how to get up in front of people to tell it. Ultimately, I learned more than I ever thought possible: how to reclaim my voice and own my story.

A few weeks later, I got up and told my story on a stage. I was still sweating and shaking, but I did it. I discovered that the more I told the truth about myself and allowed myself to be seen, the MORE comfortable I was, not less. The first time someone from the audience came up to me and said they really needed to hear my story and that it made them want to tell theirs, I had an a-ha moment: I realized that finding my voice could help other people find theirs.

So I founded Resilient Storytelling, a coaching & education company where I help people tell their stories. I realized early on that telling your story with confidence and ease has more to do with mindset than anything else. So I also got certified as a Mindset Coach. Now, I bring together mindset science and storytelling magic to facilitate trauma-informed coaching programs for creatives and culture-changers. I believe our stories are our power, and nothing makes me happier than helping someone find their voice, tell their story, and show up as their whole self in their life and work.

Last year, I realized a longtime dream and co-founded CO(OP, a community for sexual trauma survivors to self-heal. There, I bring together my lived experience with my coaching skills to hold space for fellow survivors. We offer the resources, community, workshops, and healing tools I wish I had access to decades ago. So, so grateful to be co-creating this beautiful collective.

I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey have been a fairly smooth road?
Well, nothing about my journey has been smooth 🤪 Mostly, it’s involved a lot of therapy and trauma-healing work to be able to show up for myself, my business, my friends, and my family.

I’ve always felt like an outsider BUT/AND I’ve also always felt like being different was my superpower. I’m a queer woman, rape/incest survivor, white mama to a black son, and entrepreneur who struggles with mental health and chronic physical health issues. There’s a lot about my life that is unusual or goes against-the-grain. Which is why I like to work with other folks who also don’t fit in the box. And why I’m all about sharing our stories. Because we are better together.

As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I’m a Story Coach & Mindset Coach. I help people rewrite the stories they tell themselves and the world. I’m a 2-time Moth Stories winner 🎉 I’ve got a degree in journalism and am a longtime writer. I’m a certified Mindset & Habits Coach. And I have trained as a Trauma-Informed Space Holder.

While the coaching work I do is rooted in mindset science, I love bringing storytelling magic to the table. Everyone has a story to tell and every story matters. Nothing makes me happier than helping folks rewrite the stories they tell themselves and the world. I especially love working with people who are outsiders, creatives, and culture-changers. Recently that’s been:

A professional medium/psychic, An exec at Google, A vocal artist, A communication coach, Other mindset coaches, An environmentalist who works with young people, A founder of a storytelling program for Middle Eastern women, A professional DJ, An intuitive business coach.

What quality or characteristic do you feel is most important to your success?
Flexible thinking A growth mindset.
Ability to be vulnerable.
A deep sense of self.
Balancing my work ethic with self-care.
An amazing support system.
Ability to pivot and lean into change.
Really good communication & storytelling skills.

Contact Info:

• Email: [email protected]
• Website: https://www.resilientstorytelling.com/
• Instagram: @tajitorrilhon
• Other: CO(OP on Instagram: @coop_collective

Image Credits:
Leah Minium