Plan financially especially for retirement; Be persistent. Stay on top of technology trends. Take time off for fun. Say no thank you immediately if something doesn’t resonate with you. And know it doesn’t have to resonate with you!
Books have the power to shape, influence, and change our lives. Why is that so? What goes into a book that can shape lives? To address this we are interviewing people who can share a story about a book that changed their life, and why. As a part of our series, I had the pleasure of interviewing Jennifer Ellis.
Jennifer Ellis started her company Life Enlightenment in January 2001. She is featured in the book Guerrilla Publicity 2 and has co-hosted and produced several radio, podcasts, and TV shows. Prior to running her own business, Jennifer worked in the music industry for over a decade. Jennifer is a vegan who spends time volunteering for animal-related organizations and causes. She is passionate about wellness, health and sports. She is an ACE Certified Group Fitness Instructor, a Certified and Registered Yoga Teacher, a Certified Meditation Teacher, a Brand Partner for Young Living Essential Oils, a highlighted instructor in the documentary Your Brain On Yoga and the list goes on!
Thank you so much for doing this with us! Before we dig in, our readers would like to get to know you a bit more. Can you tell us a bit about your “backstory” and how you grew up?
As it pertains to this topic, I grew up in Connecticut… a very normal life, I think. But when I was 4 years old, I remember crying that I was having a heart attack, that was the first of life long anxiety and OCD episodes. My parents spent many years bringing me to doctors to find out what these “chest pains”, “thoughts”, and “shortness of breath” were due to. And they were not provided with any concrete answers. So, I lived with it…
Let’s talk about what you are doing now, and how you achieved the success that you currently enjoy. Can you tell our readers a bit about the work you are doing?
I am currently a fitness, yoga, and meditation teacher — committed to the physical and mental well-being of my students.
You are a successful leader. Which three character traits do you think were most instrumental to your success? Can you please share a story or example for each?
I believe any successful leader has the following three traits: authenticity, listening, and compassion.
What’s the WHY behind the work that you do? Please share a story about this if you can.
My why — fitness, yoga, and meditation have been what keeps me in a physical and mental state of wellness since I was a child therefore, I know they work and I feel absolutely blessed to do that work I do!
None of us are able to achieve success without some help along the way. Is there a particular person who you are grateful towards who helped get you to where you are? Can you share a story about that?
I believe we are going to get into that in your next question…
Awesome! Let’s now jump to the primary focus of our interview. I’m an author and I believe that books have the power to change lives. Can you please tell our readers about “The Book That Changed Your Life”? Can you share a story about how it impacted you?
Rewind Replay Repeat: A Memoir of Obsessive Compulsive Disorder by Jeff Bell is the book that changed my life. As I previously mentioned I had undiagnosed anxiety and OCD since I was four years old. In 2007, I saw Jeff Bell on a talk show called The View from the Bay. He was talking about things I do but never told anyone, thinking I was crazy. I actually thought I was dreaming when I saw his interview (ha ha). I immediately bought his book on amazon and had it overnighted (the days before Amazon Prime). I read it twice cover to cover. And from there I was able to get the help and support I needed … what I was experiencing had a name!
What was the moment or series of events that made you decide that you wanted to take a specific course of action based on the inspiration from the book? Can you share a story about that?
After reading Jeff’s book and the resources he provides in it, I was able to get support around my anxiety and OCD as well as do my own research on a path best for me now that I knew what was going on. I even wrote an email to Jeff afterwards thanking him… and every chance I get I still make sure to thank him.
Can you articulate why you think books in particular have the power to create movements, revolutions, and true change?
You never know who you may help by telling your own story. In telling your own story, some one may feel less alone, you may inspire them, you may provide them with tools they have been searching for. Books and words are very powerful!
A book has many aspects, of course. For example, you have the writing style, the narrative tense, the topic, the genre, the design, the cover, the size, etc. In your opinion, what are the main, essential ingredients needed to create a book that can change lives?
Simple — be you, be authentic.
What are your “5 Things I Wish Someone Told Me Before I Started My Career” and why? (Please share a story or example for each.)
Plan financially especially for retirement; 2. Be persistent. 3. Stay on top of technology trends. 4. Take time off for fun. 5. Say no thank you immediately if something doesn’t resonate with you. And know it doesn’t have to resonate with you!
The world, of course, needs progress in many areas. What movement do you hope someone (or you!) starts next? Can you explain why that is so important?
We still fall short on mental health support in the United States, I feel. Therefore, be kind — guide and support those who may be struggling. Provide hope and kindness to everyone you meet. And know that you may go through something similar in the future therefore treat people as you would want to be treated if you were in their situation as you maybe in the future.
How can our readers further follow your work online?
Thank you so much for taking the time to share with us and our readers. We know that it will make a tremendous difference and impact thousands of lives. We are excited to connect further and we wish you so much joy in your next success.
Thank you!!!!!
Jennifer Ellis Of Life Enlightenment On The Book That Changed Her Life was originally published in Authority Magazine on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.