We were lucky to catch up with Simone Reyes recently and have shared our conversation below.
Simone, 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?
To risk is to feel fear. At least that is true for me. I am acutely aware of the limitations of fear. I know what it feels like to be stuck in flight or fight or just be frozen by it. I have also had to come to terms with the fact that even if you have done your homework and feel as prepared as you will ever be that fear can make you doubt everything you believe about yourself. It takes work to welcome my inner voice that tells myself that’s ok. It’s ok to be scared. It’s ok to feel paralyzed so long as you don’t let it run your show. It’s worked for me to reason with myself by asking “ what’s the worst thing that can happen if you fail ? “ Is it worse than feeling like fear won ? And what if it all works out ? What if once the feeling of fear moves aside and you find yourself feeling joyful and proud ? You just have to psyche yourself out of the fear, embrace the risk and fly. And if you fall dust yourself off and try it again. And remember more people are rooting for you to do well than the haters who are hoping for you to fail. Don’t let anything stop you from taking a risk that your soul has commanded you to take. And when it’s all said and done, no matter what the outcome is, be proud of yourself for being brave.
Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?
I have worked behind the scenes in the entertainment industry for decades – supporting a mogul build his multi million dollar empire, starred in a reality show on Oxygen, became a television executive, wrote a few books, spent countless hours as a grassroots activist. Did a TEDx talk etc. but at no time did I ask myself what is the one thing you want to do for YOU ? I woke up one morning and realized it was now or never. So I found a music producer ( Al Bonhomme ), recorded some music , filmed some music videos ( Frontman Media ) , assembled a band ( Al, Leila Afshar, Georg Egloff, Scott Harris, Paul Gomez and occasionally Sheena Gao ) and became a country music singer. A liberal vegan country singer from New York City living in Laurel Canyon isn’t typical but it’s who I am and I’m having the time of my life. We have played at Molly Malone’s, Maui Sugar Mill Saloon, The Whisky and now The Mint
If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
1. Follow your bliss. Think about what makes you happy and expand on that. It doesn’t matter what it is but if you like to sew why not consider designing a few beautiful fashion pieces to sell online ? If you like to write why not embark on a novel or a book of poetry that you can self publish ? If you enjoy taking photos of your friends or painting why not do a gallery show – even if it’s creating your own space in someone’s garage after hours and inviting your friends. Follow your passion and see where it leads. If may surprise you !
2. Surround yourself with people that make you better and who believe in you. For me that is my band. For you maybe it’s your best friend. Or a sibling. Maybe it’s your boss. Or your spin class instructor. Perhaps it’s your therapist. Etc. Make sure the words you hear are ones of encouragement. Get a hype man or woman to tell you that you are worthy of going after your dreams. And as for the negative people who only make you doubt yourself send them packing. Don’t make time for people who don’t applaud when you win.
3. Give back. When going after your dream make sure that those that are on the ride with you feel seen and appreciated. It will make the journey so much more fun and add that little bit of fairy dust to keep the trip magical and blessed.
What do you do when you feel overwhelmed? Any advice or strategies?
I’m late to the party on this but now when I’m feeling overwhelmed I call my friend and we book a bike at Soul Cycle which is a spin class here in LA and other major cities. I’ve been riding six months now consistently about four times a week. It’s become part of my weekly routine. I recently got hit with a wicked flu and had to miss two weeks of spin which made me recognize how important moving my body / dancing and flipping my hair on a bike to Taylor Swift or One Direction is to my mood. My friend and I found our favorite Soul Cycle teachers Edward Pagac @epagac David Z @spinvillain Diego Andres Gasca @daddydiegz and Logan Coffey @coffeyboyy who are each unique in their teaching styles but all deliver the goods in spades. It’s undeniable that I feel lighter emotionally and stronger physically when I leave a class. I head over to @earthbar after each class to get my smoothie and I am armed and ready to face the day ahead. I love that you can purge a lot of anxiety on those bikes ( which is something I struggle with daily) and leave feeling a little lighter and a little brighter just by making time for self care.
I also spend quality time with my cat Bardot who, like all animals, is a living breathing example of a walking meditation delivered without effort … just ease and grace.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.simonereyes.com
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/simonereyesmusic
- Facebook:www.facebook.com/simonereyesmusic
- Twitter: www.twitter.com/simonereyes
- Youtube: https://youtube.com/simonereyes
- SoundCloud: https://soundcloud.com/user-602785033
- Other: https://youtu.be/8VS7WRpDH8s?si=08cC7AULAUgpBEZm
Image Credits
Donna Dennison Teddy Gomez
