Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Chéri Ballinger. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Hi Chéri , thank you for being such a positive, uplifting person. We’ve noticed that so many of the successful folks we’ve had the good fortune of connecting with have high levels of optimism and so we’d love to hear about your optimism and where you think it comes from.
When I was restarting my life after having been down for 4+ years from a TBI, I received the best advice: Every day, focus not on your own problems but instead consciously do something for someone else. Soon, you’ll forget about what worries you and the beautiful fruit of this is that you experience so many blessings as well. I realized that life is so precious and every single day is a beautiful gift and when I focused on that, I cannot help but experience such a joy and optimistic outlook! Helping others, being of service, is such a worthy endeavor. I think it’s also how you find your purpose in life. I was blessed to have a second chance and it really is the catalyst and drive for everything I do.
Thanks for sharing that. So, before we get any further into our conversation, can you tell our readers a bit about yourself and what you’re working on?
After my TBI (traumatic brain injury), there was really no light at the end of the tunnel. I have so much compassion for others who feel hopeless because I felt that way for so long. It’s beyond horrible. Most people don’t receive a second chance at life and a miraculous recovery like myself, however; that doesn’t mean there isn’t hope—there is ALWAYS hope. No matter your circumstances and/or struggles, when you recognize that it’s a part of life and that life is precious, it really changes your perspective. Truly, perspective is everything! I want to bring people Hope. I’m blessed now to be a film producer who is part of a movement to make great films again–a pendulum shift back to the Golden Age of Hollywood with beautiful storytelling. I’m also so privileged to be the US Ambassador for a number of charity organizations such as The Women’s Brain Project in Switzerland and the Same You Foundation in the UK (founded by actress Emilia Clarke). It’s so important to me to give back and help others who are struggling with similar health issues I endured! Charity is really the heart of living a purposeful life. A beautiful organic development is that I am also an international speaker–sharing my personal comeback story to bring others Hope with my motto “Be the Light”. I love speaking around the world! To bring everything full circle, I realized that I really want to bring back elegance to our society. Elegance can be defined as being graceful in appearance or behavior but it’s so much more than that. It’s really a state of mind that is clear and confident–a state of being that doesn’t create drama, chaos, excess or vulgarity. It’s being focused, determined, and intentional. I really think that it comes down to having respect for yourself and others. I want to lift others up, remind people that life is a beautiful gift, and inspire others to really live up to their true potential! It is aspirational to become elegant and more people would be happier with this positive mindset.
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?
With everything I’ve experienced, I think these qualities and skills are the most important:
-Cultivate a positive mindset and outlook. Recognize that life is a beautiful gift.
-Never stop learning and growing. Always be open to bettering yourself and consciously make an effort to do so.
-Be humble and be of service to others. We only get this one beautiful life and we are all going through struggles so make it count.
Before we go, maybe you can tell us a bit about your parents and what you feel was the most impactful thing they did for you?
My parents are such treasures and looking back I can recognize and appreciate their wisdom in teaching my brothers and I to be kind, work hard, and always try to do the right thing. They gave me my Catholic Faith which is my rock and where I get my unshakeable strength and resolve. I’ve been through so much and the miracles I’ve experienced have only reinforced the impact of what my parents have taught me.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.CheriBallinger.com
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/CheriBallinger
