Today we’d like to introduce you to Jenna Edwards.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
Being a creative, specifically an actor, in LA started for me when I was very young. I remember watching TV one day and in my little feetie pajamas, I walked into the kitchen and announced that I was going to be an actor in Hollywood.
That dream became a reality when I moved out here in 2000 and was lucky enough to find an agent who helped me land a role in the series finale of BUFFY THE VAMPIRE SLAYER. It was a dream come true.
Little did I know the following month, my life would become an absolute nightmare.
I was buying oranges at the farmer’s market in Santa Monica. It was a typically beautiful So Cal day when a car came barreling through the market slamming over 60 of us to the ground and killing 10.
I almost died that day.
Through many years of intense years of therapy, I was able to heal from the crash and turn my tragedy into hope for others.
I’ve done many things since I healed including acting in a guest role on MALCOLM IN THE MIDDLE, producing award-winning films, and working on the marketing team at Mattel during the BARBIE MOVIE launch.
But, the thing I’m the most proud of is making my story of healing from PTSD into a novel for teens and young adults and sharing the message of Aggressive Optimism® through public speaking.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
It has definitely not been a smooth road. But, I’ve found that the things most worth doing don’t have smooth paths.
I’m an optimist at heart so I look at all the bumps in the road as lessons that have equipped me to handle whatever is thrown my way.
The path of a professional creative is rarely an easy one and I’ve found it’s important to cultivate the right mindset so we can keep going because the world needs stories told through all forms of art.
From moving out here from Minnesota, establishing myself as an actor, literally losing my mind and my representation and ability to pursue my craft (my PTSD manifested in an inability to read and a stutter so acting wasn’t in the cards until I healed) to jumping back in and starting over to losing my ability to speak to high schools because of Covid and then back to marketing at Mattel, my journey has been one of resilience and reinvention.
The biggest challenge of all has definitely been my own mindset and my own ability to lock out the noise of what I “should” be doing and focus on what I actually “want” to be doing.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
Recently I was part of a massive layoff at Mattel. I saw this as an opportunity to get back to what I truly wanted to do with my life. After much reflection, a lot of fear, and an insatiable desire to truly live my life the way I want to live it, I’ve landed on my work being all about, what I call, Aggressive Optimism®.
At its core, Aggressive Optimism is an unshakeable belief in possibilities and a process on resilience. Life is going to throw things at you, especially if you are brave enough to follow your dreams, so honing a way to keep your eye on the prize and move forward is the key. And speaking and telling stories about Aggressive Optimism is the work I was put here to do.
I specialize in telling these stories through keynote speaking to young professionals and high school & college students as well as writing stories in novels with characters who have an optimism take on life.
I think the thing that sets me apart is that I truly believe with all I am that we can and need to pursue our dreams. You wouldn’t have those dreams if they weren’t meant for you and the world needs more people living their fullest potential.
Are there any apps, books, podcasts, blogs or other resources you think our readers should check out?
My favorite books are: Big Magic by Elizabeth Gilbert, Girl Wash Your Face by Rachel Hollis, and Let’s Call Her Barbie by Renee Rosen
As for podcasts, I really only listen to one and it’s The School of Self Image with Tonya Leigh
Otherwise, I’ve been lucky enough to have cultivated a group of friends who I get so much inspiration from. We have incredibly inspiring conversations about life, work and the mark we want to leave on the world.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.jennaedwards.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jennaedwardsofficial/
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jennaedwards?utm_source=share&utm_campaign=share_via&utm_content=profile&utm_medium=ios_app
- Youtube: https://youtube.com/@jennaedwardsofficial?si=GRGlx1zjNJe9KpNB
- Soundcloud: https://on.soundcloud.com/cDeq4ZvKX4sBYyynoE
Image Credits
Elisabeth Anne Photography
