Meet jacqueline Pitman

We were lucky to catch up with Jacqueline Pitman recently and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Jacqueline, we’re so appreciative of you taking the time to share your nuggets of wisdom with our community. One of the topics we think is most important for folks looking to level up their lives is building up their self-confidence and self-esteem. Can you share how you developed your confidence?
WOW, this is a great question because my journey towards building confidence and self-esteem is ongoing. My self-confidence is constantly being challenged in all aspects of my life, including work, friendships, and love. Nevertheless, remaining true to my core beliefs keeps me on solid ground.

For a long time, I mistakenly linked my self-confidence and self-worth to external factors like the people in my life and the circumstances I found myself in. It took me a lot of time to realize that these external things should not influence my self-worth.

Growing up as a foster child from the ages of 7 to 18, I faced a lack of stability and support. I didn’t have family to shield me from life’s external pressures and uncertainties. All I owned was what could fit in a plastic bag as I moved from one house to another, borrowing everything from clothes, pets, parents, and friends. This transient existence left me with little self-confidence, often feeling lonely, ugly, and unloved.

It wasn’t until high school that I began to shape my self-confidence. I actively sought involvement in numerous clubs and sports, embracing opportunities to build self-assurance.

The turning point came when I moved from New Jersey to California at the age of 18. I worked three jobs to put myself through college. During this period, I started to appreciate how all my past experiences, even the challenging ones, contributed to the person I was becoming. At 27, I was fortunate to find a mentor who helped mend my broken wings and allowed me to soar in business and beyond.

Today, I have a clear sense of self, an appreciation for my journey, and a humble awareness of the positive impact I have on the lives of others. It’s taken me 60 years to reach this point, but I continue to grow and evolve in my pursuit of confidence and self-worth.

Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?
I am the owner and CEO of PartyPit Productions Inc. and Pitman Casting Inc., a full-service reality television casting and development company in Los Angeles.

Over the past several years, under my shingle, Pitman Casting, I have been the Casting Director of The Golden Bachelor, The Golden Bachelorette, America’s Most Wanted, Price is Right, Let’s Make a Deal, Blind Date, Kids Say The Darndest Things, 13 seasons of FaceOff, and Who Wants to be a Supermodel?

I also lived in Rome, Italy, for a few months when I created, executive produced, and cast Bravo’s To Rome for Love. We took five single African-American women to Italy with relationship expert Diann Valentine to find themselves while searching for “The One.”

I also created and executive produced the hit MTV show NEXT!, which I based on my own dating life. I also developed and Co-Executive Produced ABC’s hit plastic surgery show, Extreme Makeover, when I was head of development at Lighthearted Entertainment.

But I must admit, I’m most excited and humbled to currently be the Casting Director of The Golden Bachelor and Golden Bachelorette because they are my peers; I related so much to so many of their journeys. They didn’t just give me hope of finding love at 60; they spread that hope worldwide! My cast members shed tears and bared their souls, sharing their life stories, dreams, and love pursuits with all the openness, generosity, and grace you can imagine. They’re living proof that senior citizens aren’t an invisible population, that the zest for life and love doesn’t fade with age, and that it’s ok to still seek that fairytale ending even in our 70s.

There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?
#1 LIFE IS NOT A COMPETITION I’ve always believed that some friendly competition can be good, but I don’t compete or measure my successes to others. Life isn’t a race; it’s a wild adventure meant to be cherished. I make a point to celebrate both my successes and my losses because setbacks can open the door to unexpected opportunities. Failure can also open our hearts and minds to receive things we might have missed otherwise.

#2 I’D RATHER LIVE MY LIFE THAN LEARN FROM YOURS: From an early age, I’ve realized that everyone is interesting and has something to teach me. I don’t think anyone is boring. We all have unique stories that come with valuable lessons. However, I also understand that not every experience comes with a lesson; sometimes, they’re just meant to be experiences. I’ve never been one to keep a list of life lessons because I found it got in the way of truly living. I want to approach life with the wonderment and curiosity of a kid, rather than the rigidness of an adult. Seeing things with fresh eyes, even if they seem familiar, creates space for exciting new things to happen. In the world of reality TV, leaving room to call audibles is where real reality lives.

#3 YOU NEVER GET A 2nd CHANCE TO MAKE A FIRST IMPRESSION: In my line of work, they often say, “It’s all about who you know.” I believe there’s some truth to that, but more importantly, it’s about “who you know and the impression you make when you first meet them.” I take pride in being memorable now. I may not be the smartest, the most attractive, or the funniest, but I have the ability to leave a lasting impression. There was a time when I would walk into a room, and no one would even notice I was there. This lack of self-confidence didn’t serve me well, especially as a Casting Director. I had to learn how to turn on the charm when needed. I owe this skill to my upbringing as a foster child, moving from one home to another, and embracing people from all walks of life as my family. Being a foster child, as challenging as it was, prepared me for the life I lead today – it too was a precious gift!

What has been your biggest area of growth or improvement in the past 12 months?
I spent the entire Covid pandemic as a single person, living alone. My office shut down, and we had to start working remotely, which left me feeling isolated and lonely for about a year. This was particularly tough for me since I had always been surrounded by my amazing friends. During the quarantine, I took a hard look at my life and the people in it. Everything felt so different. Mental health became a big concern for everyone, no matter their age, and the world appeared to be in a state of political and social chaos.

As a nation, we were all going through challenging times, so we had to be understanding and forgiving towards one another, even though our experiences were unique. When the restrictions finally lifted, I jumped back into action, trying to regain some semblance of my previous life. However, something had changed within me. I was no longer interested in rekindling shallow, insignificant relationships. I yearned for deeper connections with people who were actively striving to become better human beings, those who found happiness in the midst of chaos and were dedicated to bringing more peace into their lives by aligning their minds, bodies, and spirits. These individuals were hard to come by, but fortunately, I wasn’t alone in this desire, and it greatly contributed to my personal growth.

Contact Info:

Suggest a Story: BoldJourney is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
Resilience
Where do you get your resilience from?

Resilience is often the x-factor that differentiates between mild and wild success. The stories of

Productivity
Beating Burnout

Often the key to having massive impact is the ability to keep going when others

Leadership Development
Finding Your Why

Not knowing why you are going wherever it is that you are going sounds silly,