Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Amy Lyle. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Amy, thanks so much for taking the time to share your insights and lessons with us today. We’re particularly interested in hearing about how you became such a resilient person. Where do you get your resilience from?
I grew up in a chaotic, sometimes violent home, and humor became my lifeline. I don’t know where it came from—maybe it’s a gift from God—because even as a child, I could spot the absurdity in the most ridiculous situations. When your mind is wired that way, you can’t help but see the humor. Even if it’s inappropriate or poorly timed, it’s always lurking, ready to burst forth.
Humor is undeniably a superpower. It can light up an entire room, ease the pain of failures, and forge connections—even in the darkest times. I can’t imagine navigating the world without viewing it through a humorous lens. As Nora Ephron once said, “Everything is copy,” and she’s right. Finding the funny in even the crummiest situations has been vital for keeping my soul and sanity intact.
My resilience comes from experiencing countless setbacks and learning to rise and fight another day.
Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?
I made the leap from salesperson and corporate trainer to the creative realm, which includes writing books, articles, stand-up comedy, scripts, acting, speaking, serving as a long-time guest panelist on an Atlanta morning show, and co-hosting a podcast. Although I thought navigating a competitive sales job was challenging, I quickly realized that marketing myself was (pun intended) an entirely different story.
The common thread running through everything I do is finding the funny in the crummy (also the title of my Boston TEDx Talk). Not long ago, I confided in a friend about feeling uncertain about my direction. She assured me that the type or size of the project didn’t matter, saying that whatever I pursued, I was always using my gift to help others feel better about their missteps. With a playful touch of sarcasm, she asked, “You don’t see the theme?” For the first time, I did.
Helping people find humor in their mistakes can be life-changing. Many become paralyzed by their failures, abandoning their passions after a setback. However, when we learn to laugh at our blunders, we unlock the ability to move forward—and in doing so, we inspire others to persevere through their own struggles. After all, it’s our failures, not our perfections, that connect us.
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?
Tenacity. Resilence. Support.
I believe working in sales, for over a decade, instilled a strong sense of tenacity and resilience in me. I’ve learned that “not interested” is often just a temporary response and rarely personal. Having friends in the creative field has been invaluable, as they understand that even the smallest step forward can be incredibly validating and rejection is simply part of the industry. Knowing that I will have encouragement from people who can relate is reassuring.
I don’t like giving advice, but I wish more people understood how many roadblocks come with anything worth doing—and that the pursuit itself, no matter the outcome, holds immense value. It’s also important to recharge by spending time with people who uplift and support you.
To close, maybe we can chat about your parents and what they did that was particularly impactful for you?
I grew up in a chaotic and often tumultuous household, yet my parents embodied discipline. They demonstrated responsibility through their strong work ethic, careful management of finances and health, and dedication to giving back to the community.
They encouraged my sister and me to participate in sports, instilling the value of daily practice and teaching us to work hard for ourselves and the team. I believe my tenacity—an expression of discipline—and my desire to give back are rooted in the example my parents set.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/amylyleauthor/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/amylyle.me/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/amy-lyle-bb8a322/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/amylyle?s=09
Image Credits
Andrea Ferenchik and Brian White
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