We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Leona Mctaggart a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Leona, thank you so much for making time for us. We’ve always admired your ability to take risks and so maybe we can kick things off with a discussion around how you developed your ability to take and bear risk?
I was never considered a “risk-taker”, usually playing it safe within the comforts of my small home-town of Cresaptown, Maryland. Although I am very adaptable to change, taking risks is something I wasn’t fond of or willing to do….until I had to. During my work at our county Area Agency on Aging, I entered a submission to the National Council on Aging (NCOA) and CVS Pharmacy Prescription for Better Health contest in 2009 for a fall prevention program resulting in our agency winning. The prize was a trip to Las Vegas, Nevada to attend the NCOA Conference. This would be my first trip by myself. To say I was petrified would be an understatement. I had severe anxiety about the entire flying process, and never been to Las Vegas, I didn’t know what to expect. I began to make lists…..a lot of lists. Writing my concerns and fears down and listing ways to overcome them has given me a sense of control over my anxiety and “the unknown.” I had recently gotten a new puppy at that time and my first list was the things he was going to need in my absence (i.e. food, exercise, any emergency care, etc.). I made another list for what sessions I would be attending and what is available at the hotel I would be staying so that I could pack accordingly. I arrived at the airport very early as this would be the 3rd time I’ve flown (first time solo) and managed to navigate through the gates and security with no issues. Creating lists is a tool that I have used time after time in my many new adventures as after I returned from my trip, I began to seek out more opportunities to travel and do things that I would have never of thought were possible. Fast forward 14 years. During this time I’ve been back to Las Vegas 5 times, Hawaii, and most recently, New York for an event that proved just how big of a risk-taker I was becoming. I auditioned for a show on The Food Network and had to go through many rounds, taking me out of my comfort zone once again. I turned to my trusty lists and began listing things that were asked of me, how I was going to execute those requests, etc. Many requests had strict deadlines, which I included in my lists. Once I was cast and found out I was going to be traveling to New York for an unknown amount of time, that nasty anxiety bug crept back in. I now had 5 dogs to plan for, packing clothing and items for an “unknown” period of time. I just knew what day and time I was leaving my small hometown and that I would be going to a place where I had never visited before and meeting other castmates and production staff that I wasn’t sure if I’d have a connection with. Planning for this trip took literal weeks. I had lists on top of lists! I was scared and anxious and I am placing my trust, travel arrangements and safety in people I had never personally met. I relied on my lists and one by one, I was able to mark off each task, each reminder, each box. Once my list grew smaller, my anxiety was lessening, and I was ready and prepared to make this trip and compete on this show.
Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?
I am currently working on a cookbook, a project that I never thought I would be able to do. Starting out as the worst cook and attending culinary bootcamp has impacted my life in such a way that my hobby and passion for experimenting with different recipes and flavors have taken me on this incredible journey. My cookbook will be available at the end of this year and it includes personal stories and photos of my family and furbabies. I am a devoted wife and dogmom to my five furbabies, Prudence, Sassi, Eunice, Penny Lane and Lil Man. I love cooking for my furbabies, and they haven’t turned down a meal yet.
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?
Being organized, dependable and being able to “go with the flow” are the three areas that were instrumental during my journey. My lists kept me organized and on task. My dependability enables me to advance with every audition as I was able to meet deadlines and be “where I was supposed to be.” And I had to go with the flow because nothing is scripted. Things change last minutes and wrenches are thrown at me that I had to dodge and adapt to. Everyone has these qualities within them…it’s being able to manage and tap into these qualities during crucial times is what lead my journey to success.
Is there a particular challenge you are currently facing?
The number one challenge I encounter frequently is when I make a commitment, honoring it. I often get asked to help with an organization or even attend a friend or family event and I’ll respond “yes.” However….when the actual time arrives, I find myself searching for excuses and reasons why I can’t attend. This is a horrible trait of mine and always has been. I have to give myself a “good talk” to get me to follow through with my commitments. Perhaps that’s why I’ve been married 4 times! What I am doing is I am actually following through. The last two engagements, I did attend (although I admit, I used starting a new job to try to get out of one of the commitments which was 4 hours away from my “home comfort zone”). However, I followed through and what I am doing is not promising or committing to a lot of things at the same time. I like my “free time” and if I’m asked or invited to attend an event, fundraiser, gathering at a friend or family’s house and I know I won’t want to go…I’ll just say NO. It takes more energy to come up with excuses, reasons and at times flat out lies than it does to refuse to attend in the first place.
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