Meet Mallory French

Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Mallory French. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Hi Mallory, 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?

Truthfully, I still haven’t figured out how to get rid of the feeling that I’m the least talented or most incompetent person in a room, but in the past year, I have developed an odd practice that’s revitalized my self-love and respect that makes those intrusive thoughts take a back seat.

Humility was an important value that was instilled in my upbringing. “Be humble,” was emphasized so much in my youth, that when I was given a compliment, I didn’t understand what to do with it, so I would kindly dismiss it. If someone told me I was great at something, I worried that accepting their praise would come off as bragging, or worse, make me egotistical, so I spent years downplaying my talents, intelligence, and self-worth. Now, as an adult, I’m spending a lot of time healing my relationship with myself by listening to constructive feedback and allowing myself to accept compliments with grace as if they’re gifts, not something to be afraid of.

We know ourselves better than anyone else, and that’s why it’s easy for us to slip into a critical stance judging our potential, skills, and worth. Everything is filtered through your self-perception because that’s the only lens you have to work with, but you still get to decide what you think about yourself and others. I often get sucked into the thought spiral of wondering if I’m trying hard enough or if I’m talented enough to create something as good as the version of the thing in my head, so I’ve found it’s crucial for me to routinely pause and course-correct my inner dialogue from being a critic into being a cheerleader. The way I’ve been doing this is by using something I already do as a voice actor, but applying it outside the booth: talking and listening to myself.

As a recovering people-pleaser, I noticed my default was to prioritize other people and their needs over my own, so I began viewing my past self and future self as separate people from who I am in the present. I began writing letters to Future Me (FM) with advice, encouragement, observations, and questions and signed them from Past Me (PM). When I separated these parts of myself, it was like having one close friend who needed a little encouragement and helping another who was seeking advice. Suddenly, it was easier to set “myselves” up for success. When I could listen and learn from my past to better plan and support my future, I felt my confidence repairing slowly after maintaining this unusual relationship for the past year. When you start treating yourself with the same love, respect, and support that you would pour into your best friend or partner, you start to notice the evidence that you are worthy of love. And that proof compounds into confidence over time.

When I anticipate the needs of FM, I end up having more time and energy to pour into my work, relationships, and creative projects. I can’t do that if I’m constantly working with never-ending to-do lists and never taking breaks between projects. As I’ve gotten older, I’ve felt the importance of rest, so I schedule breaks and meals to make sure FM gets a chance to breathe before hopping into the next project. When I run out of something and see that there’s a backup primed and ready for me to use, I’ll audibly thank PM for thinking ahead and having my back. Developing the trust that I care and will show up for myself has been invaluable to rebuilding my self-esteem. When you feel safe, supported, and cared for, that’s when you can show up as the best version of yourself and create your best work. Thanks to PM and FM, I’m able to spend more time enjoying the present.

Appreciate the insights and wisdom. Before we dig deeper and ask you about the skills that matter and more, maybe you can tell our readers about yourself?

I’m deeply in love with stories. There are so many incredible vehicles for storytelling, from TV and film to books and video games that inspire and entertain millions, but I’m always drawn back to its original medium: the human voice. Every time we call a loved one, catch up on life updates over a cup of coffee, or linger in the shower rehearsing what we’ll say (or what we should have said), we immerse ourselves in stories. The stories we tell ourselves and other people are powerful tools we use to understand our humanity and influence how we move through the world. I recently ventured into the world of audiobooks and it has been an incredible experience. I enjoy the challenge of stretching my voice to portray 17 unique characters in a single story. Working with authors to help their characters come off the page and into the ears of listeners has become one of my favorite ways to connect people with compelling art.

As a voice actor, it’s my job and privilege to use my voice to breathe life into these stories. I work with clients to bring their original characters to life and provide a confident narrative voice to communicate their prose. Sometimes this is a warm narration, and other times it’s a shrieking creature, but the passion for the story, the essence of the human experience is where my focus is. Excellent storytelling allows us to reflect on our values and reminds us we’re alive and capable of incredible things. As a fellow storyteller, I recently began publishing original prose, essays, and short stories examining life through unique perspectives. Using out-of-the-box ideas and a curious lens, I invite listeners to explore and challenge our perceptions of the world through thoughtful dialogue and the full range of sounds my voice is able to make.

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?

A hunger to learn, the courage to be an amateur, and a desire to connect with others will take you on incredible adventures. I remind myself regularly that success is not linear. It’s easy to look at others and see a natural progression in their achievements and careers, but “success” isn’t a sensation you feel until you stop long enough to acknowledge how far you’ve come. That reflection provides an important perspective, especially if you’re a high achiever. Give yourself a little credit—don’t get so lost in the grind that you forget to stop and celebrate your hard work.

The only thing in life we experience that is linear is the passage of time. The steps you take toward your career, learning a new skill, or developing relationships don’t necessarily happen in a straight line. I’ve spent time performing musical theater, comedic improv, scare acting, training doctors in bedside manner, as well as directing, writing, and even conducting before I did my first voice-over job. Sample it all, even if it feels like a step backward. Never be too proud to become a beginner again. Find what sets your soul ablaze and makes you keep coming back, then see what happens when you pour yourself into it. Any life experience becomes fuel for your art, so do your creative work a favor and have an interesting life trying lots of things and making lots of mistakes along the way. It took me decades to understand that failure is an essential part of the learning and creative process—it’s not a reflection of your ability, value, or self-worth. It’s just another baby step to get you where you want to go.

Any advice for folks feeling overwhelmed?

I’m someone who spends a lot of time in my head, so when I feel myself getting anxious or overwhelmed, I take it as a sign that my engine (my brain) is just getting overheated and needs a break. To cool it down, I’ve found it incredibly helpful to switch the focus from using the brain to using the body to accomplish tasks. To balance out the time I spend working on my computer, I make time for things I enjoy doing by hand, use analog tools, and engaging my entire body in activities that allow my brain a chance to go on auto-pilot. I lift weights, run, and train in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. I take my dog on long walks, cook meals from scratch, and clean my apartment. I use a Bullet Journal and a fountain pen and spend time writing poetry, prose, and short stories that help me better understand myself and my experiences. I don’t have home internet or own a TV, so what I consume at home is music and books. I listen to the local jazz radio, like a little old lady, and write down musicians that I enjoy and want to listen to more. I annotate in the margins of books and appreciate paper, real paper, that someone else placed their well-manicured thoughts on as a way to connect with me, the reader. I play with my dog and snuggle my cat, lay on my floor, and allow myself to be bored. The discomfort of sitting alone with my thoughts is rarely as bad as I think it is, and while it’s easier to pull out my phone and scroll or watch a video online, I know I’m doing myself a favor by allowing myself a break from screens and other people’s ideas. Even as an extrovert, I’ve come to deeply enjoy solitude in a world that’s betting on me not enjoying time alone with myself.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://ladyjackalope.com

Image Credits

Jordan Moore, Shawn Mihalik, Danny Martinez