Chasing Dreams with Aimee J.

When it comes to following your dreams, Carrie Olsen is a true inspiration. From a young age, Carrie listened to cartoons and was drawn to the process of voicing those characters. In her career in human resources, Carrie found herself voicing online trainings and truly tapping into a passion. From there, she pursued voiceover work and eventually made it a lucrative full time career. Carrie shares with Aimee what it’s like to connect to your passion and go after it with everything you’ve got. From the hard work to the rewards you reap, she shares why it’s all worth it to do what you love.

TWEET: Finding your passion and pursuing it with everything you’ve got, on this episode of #ChasingDreams

Being aware of your limitations while trying to expand your range.

Voiceover artists work hard - and they don’t just “talk” for a living. Carrie shares why being a voiceover artist takes much more than just your voice to be successful. She discusses how she learned about the industry and immersed herself in the world of voiceover talent in order to absorb as much insight as she could. From listening to podcasts like The Go For It Show to connecting with a coach that could take her to the next level, Carrie was committed to honing her skills and being at the top of her game.

Become a student of all of the voiceovers around you.

Learning about the voiceover industry is essential. According to Carrie, this is the key to succeeding and making it a long-term career. She shares how you can get started without spending a fortune on trainings and equipment. Carrie discusses how you can be a student of the voiceovers that are all around you - from commercials to cartoons to podcasts and beyond. When you’re ready to make it a career, it’s all about practicing, learning, and persevering no matter what.

TWEET: Becoming a student of your surroundings, on this episode of #ChasingDreams

Catching up to your dreams.

When Carrie connected with her coach, Alyson Steele, she was ready to make voiceover her career. She didn’t expect it to happen so quickly. Within 3 weeks of getting started, Carrie landed her first radio campaign. Because things moved so quickly, Carrie found herself catching up to her dreams, which is a great thing. Her passion for voiceover work combined with her love of teaching led to the creation of the Voiceover Success Intensive, which helps guide voiceover students through the process of turning this into a career. Carrie shares what it’s like to work with students and the rewards that come with seeing them land their first jobs. She also discusses some tips and remedies that help her keep her voice conditioned for full time work.

Be persistent and don’t get discouraged.

As she closes out her chat with Aimee J., Carrie shares advice for fellow dream chasers who are ready to pursue their passion. Her number one tip? Be persistent. Carrie shares why it’s important to keep going, no matter what, and to never get discouraged. Like anything, making voiceover a career takes a lot of hard work. For Carrie, the hard work paid off - big time. She offers some insight into how you can make it happen in your own life. Carrie also shares some “bucket list” items for her career and how she manages to balance it all - being a mom and having a busy career. It’s clear that, in Carrie’s case, hard work and perseverance paid off - and it can for you too.

TWEET: It’s all about perseverance and working hard ~ Carrie Olsen, Voiceover Success Initiative

OUTLINE OF THIS EPISODE:

• [1:22] Introduction of Carrie Olsen.
• [2:44] How Carrie discovered her interest in voiceover work.
• [3:18] When did you realize voiceover work could be your career?
• [5:08] The first voiceover work Carrie did and how it felt to see the work come to...

Dream-chasing isn’t about limiting yourself to one pursuit. For Stephanie Glass, it’s about balancing your life so you can pursue all of your dreams. As an IT and library sciences professional, she is passionate about managing information infrastructures and helping people access the information they need. Stephanie found her passion for library science quite by accident, but when she found it she knew she had to pursue it. She realized dream-chasing didn’t have to end there. And so, Stephanie has built a life around pursuing all of her passions - from IT to performing arts and beyond. In this chat with Aimee J., Stephanie shares her approach to balancing a busy life and maintaining focus on what matters most.

TWEET: #Libraries aren’t just about books, they are about #information ~ on this episode

Balancing your time when you pursue multiple passions.

Stephanie’s love of performing goes back many years. In college, she chose to minor in dance because of her love of performing. Today, she finds herself making the time for auditions so that she can continue to pursue her passion for performing. Stephanie shares the many performing jobs she’s done and how she manages to balance her time with a busy career in IT. She discusses some commercial modeling jobs she’s had and how she funds her performing jobs. Stephanie also gives us a glimpse into the difficulties of balancing time with so many passion projects, and how she focuses her efforts to make her week run smoothly.

Library science isn’t just about books.

Stephanie’s passion for library science and IT are clear. She discusses the realities of library science and, in doing so, crushes our misconceptions about it. Stephanie also gives insight into the level of expertise and education required to be a librarian and just how valuable library science is. Today, she works with a non-profit organization in Philadelphia as the Head of Technology Systems, but in the past has held positions ranging from Digital Archivist to Technical Services Librarian.

TWEET: How to pursue multiple #passions without running out of time, on this episode

Discovering a passion for performing.

Stephanie loves all aspects of the performing arts. Her performance experience ranges from film acting to choreography and beyond. When she discusses performing, it’s clear that she is pursuing something she truly loves. Stephanie offers insight into how she landed the award-winning role in the web series “Walk of Shame” and what the experience was like for her. It’s refreshing to hear about how Stephanie pursues multiple passions in order to build a true dream-chasers life in every way.

What’s next for Stephanie.

For Stephanie, performing is something she plans to devote more time to in the future. She discusses her passion for fight choreography and her hope that she can do more of that going forward. Stephanie has created a happy life, filled with things she loves, which came from facing her fears and saying “yes” when many of us would have said “no”. In closing, she offers a piece of advice to fellow dream-chasers, “Say yes.” When it comes to living a dream-chaser’s life, Stephanie is going at it full force and is loving every minute.

TWEET: Say yes to #opportunities that pop up rather than being afraid ~ Stephanie Glass

OUTLINE OF THIS EPISODE:

• [1:19] Introduction of Stephanie Glass of
• [3:09] Aimee and Stephanie discuss their friendship and how they met.
• [3:52] Stephanie’s struggles in figuring out what she wanted to do while in college.
• [7:57] Stephanie’s passion for library science and the work she does.
• [12:49] The importance of libraries, even in today’s digital age.
• [14:39] Finding accurate information online.
• [17:45] How Stephanie balances her time and is able to pursue her passions.
• [21:21] How Stephanie has found commercial modeling...

Chasing your dreams doesn’t always mean doing what you loved as a kid, but for Andrew Alliance that’s exactly what it means. Andrew grew up with a passion for video games. In fact, he wanted a Nintendo so badly, he agreed to clean his house for a week so his mother would buy him one. Since the very first game, it was true love for Andrew. He is incredibly passionate about gaming, which is how he landed gigs as Brand Ambassador for Playstation and Nintendo of America. He is the host of The Show Radio, which showcases his passion for gaming, tech, and entertainment. If you want a glimpse into following your dreams with everything you’ve got, this is the show for you.

TWEET: Following your childhood dreams to create a life of purpose and passion. Find out more on this episode

A passion for gaming that continued throughout his life.

It all started in 1987, when Andrew got his very first Nintendo. Since then, he’s owned just about every system out there. Andrew discovered his passion for broadcasting thanks to attending the Edward R. Murrow High School in Brooklyn, which is known for its focus on theater and broadcasting. Since then, he has always known broadcasting was in his blood. In 2009, he decided to start podcasting using Blog Talk Radio. As soon as he started, Andrew knew he would be doing this forever. To date, The Show Radio has produced 296 episodes centering around gaming, tech, and entertainment.

Finding your niche and sticking with it.

Andrew focuses on high quality when producing his show. From detailed bullet points to follow to rehearsals, he makes sure he is on point when the show is recorded. It’s this focus on quality that Andrew is known for. He shares his particular passion for unbiased reviews and how he chooses the products and games he’ll review. Andrew focuses on things related to his areas of passion - gaming, tech, and entertainment. He also discusses the difficulties of balancing all areas of life - school, his show, family, church - so that he is fulfilled in all areas.

TWEET: Can a passion for video games really create a career? Find out on this episode

Maintaining balance in a busy life.

For Andrew, his priorities are clear - his family and church come first. But he also has to make time for school (where he’s majoring in Business Marketing), his show, and - of course - gaming. Andrew shares the value of scheduling when dealing with a hectic life and how this can help you stay focused on what really matters. Scheduling things in advance, says Andrew, helps him maintain the balance he needs to be happy. He also shares with Aimee some of the reactions he gets from fans and how powerful they can be. Andrew says this is the biggest reward of what he does.

What’s next for Andrew Alliance?

When asked, “Are you satisfied with your life?” Andrew made it clear that he will never be satisfied. He is always striving for more, doing more, and aiming higher. Andrew shares some of the things he’d like to do next, including speaking gigs. He also discusses the value of constantly listening to podcasts to expand your knowledge base. In closing, Andrew shares his “one thing” with fellow Dream Chasers.

TWEET: The value of continuously striving for more, on this episode of #ChasingDreams

OUTLINE OF THIS EPISODE:

• [1:07] Introduction of Andrew Alliance,
• [3:01] Understanding what it means to be a brand ambassador.
• [3:28] When did Andrew’s love of gaming begin?
• [4:50] Where Andrew went after his first Nintendo.
• [7:03] When did Andrew decide to share his passion for gaming?
• [10:04] How he got started in podcasting and how his show evolved.
• [11:59] The frequency of Andrew’s podcast and the type of content.
• [13:33] How Andrew decides which products he gives a review on.
• [15:57] The structure of his show and how he transitions to different topics.
• [19:33] How

For Miguel Palmeiro, giving back is at the core of who he is and what his law firm stands for. He found his passion for the law while attending school as a pre-med student. Disillusioned with the field of medicine and wanted to find a way to truly give back, he decided to follow in his older brother’s footsteps and take a look at law school. After doing incredibly well on the LSATs, Miguel felt he had found his calling. He shares with Aimee J. how he chased his dreams, became a success, and still maintains focus on giving back to the people who made it all possible.

TWEET: The importance of giving back and pushing forward, on this episode of #ChasingDreams

Finding your purpose, even when it takes you away from your planned path.

Miguel shares the importance of always striving to find happiness. His plan when he started school was to be a doctor. But, when he realized it wasn’t making him happy, Miguel knew something had to change. His passion for finding his purpose drove him to keep pushing forward to make his dreams a reality. Miguel shares how important it was to have support as he applied for law school and the encouragement he felt as it came to fruition. While attending law school, Miguel found his true calling of litigation while on the National Mock Trial Team. Once he found his passion, Miguel set his sights on being a litigator who always maintained focus on giving back.

How Miguel manages to give back through his law firm.

Straight out of law school, Miguel worked with his brother. Eventually, he knew he would have to find a way to be a litigator so he could follow his true purpose. This led to the creation of The Law Offices of Miguel Palmeiro. Miguel discusses with Aimee why he places such a high value on giving back and some of the ways they manage to maintain this as part of the practice. He discusses their focus on helping indigent clients because of his passion for helping clients who wouldn’t otherwise be able to afford help. Miguel’s focus on community extends to work he does with the state of Maryland and generously giving back to his own law school.

TWEET: Finding your purpose even when it wasn’t your original plan, on this episode of #ChasingDreams

Challenging the status quo and not compromising your values.

From the start, Miguel knew he would challenge the status quo in all that he did. His very first case was his own, after having an accident and facing difficulties with the insurance company. Miguel’s passion for finding ways to do more has carried on throughout his career. He believes that giving back is a core part of his success because, according to Miguel, as long as you keep giving back and pushing forward, everything will work out. Miguel goes on to explain how important it is to take a gamble on yourself in order to chase your dreams.

Finding your happiness and knowing your end goal.

For Miguel, building a successful law practice is incredibly rewarding because of how much it allows him to give back. He explains his future plans for The Law Offices of Miguel Palmeiro and his priorities moving forward. Miguel also offers his #1 piece of advice for fellow dream chasers: find the top person in the field you want to be in and connect with them. He shares the value of getting advice from someone who’s been where you’re starting and the insight they can provide. In addition to being happy with his life and career, Miguel has received accolades for his work, including being listed in the Top 10 Under 40 Personal Injury Attorneys for 2015.

TWEET: Challenging the status quo, on this episode of #ChasingDreams

OUTLINE OF THIS EPISODE:

• [0:56] Introduction of Miguel Palmeiro,
• [2:13] What inspired Miguel to go to law school.
• [3:21] How he went from pre-med to...

Today’s episode of Chasing Dreams features the youngest dream chaser ever on the show. Aimee J. chats with Sarika Mehta, an 18-year-old student at the Culinary Institute of America who is going after her dreams with everything she’s got. Sarika first fell in love with cooking in middle school. Over the years it evolved into her true passion and purpose. Sarika is passionately pursuing her dreams and shares with Aimee J. the process of figuring out her path and finding a way to go after it.

TWEET: Chasing your dreams can start at any age, on this episode of #ChasingDreams

Finding your purpose at a young age.

When Sarika first started experimenting in the kitchen, she was in middle school. She shares the process of discovering cooking and how it evolved into her true path in life. Sarika first fell in love with the feeling of preparing food for friends and family and seeing how happy it makes them. She discusses how rewarding it is to see people appreciate what she’s created. Sarika goes on to talk about how food brings together community and is all about spending time with people you care about. Her passion for food is clear, so it’s no wonder she found her calling in the culinary arts.

Choosing to follow a non-traditional path.

As Sarika’s love of cooking evolved, it became clear that this would be her path. Her parents always knew she wouldn’t follow a traditional path, like math or science, so they weren’t surprised to hear Sarika wanted to go to culinary school. They’re only requirement? That she get a 4-year degree in whatever she decided to pursue. And so, she decided to attend the prestigious Culinary Institute of America. Sarika talks about a typical day at school and how it differs from what she expected going into it. It’s surprising to learn just how academic the program is, which is something Sarika finds particularly rewarding.

TWEET: What happens when you decide not to follow a traditional path, on this episode of #ChasingDreams

Identifying your big goals as you work towards your dreams.

At a very young age, Sarika is very clear about her goals and purpose. She’s also open to the fact that her plans will evolve as she tries new things in her field. As she works towards her Associate’s Degree, Sarika believes she will pursue a career in catering, but also has her eye on opening a restaurant of her own. After her Associate’s Degree, she will pursue her Bachelor’s Degree, at which time she can choose her area of specialty. The CIA has endless options in her field, which is something that excites Sarika.

Sarika’s favorite dish and how she maintains focus on her goals.

As Aimee J. closes out her chat with Sarika, it’s pretty clear that she’s following her true path. Sarika has tremendous passion for the culinary arts and is excited about what the future holds. She shares her current favorite recipe and her take on culinary-themed movies like “Chef” and “Burnt”. In closing, Sarika shares a quote that has inspired her on her journey and one that is sure to inspire her fellow Dream Chasers. It’s refreshing to hear from someone who, at such a young age, is so clear on her purpose and passion.

TWEET: Bringing people together through the culinary arts, on this episode of #ChasingDreams

OUTLINE OF THIS EPISODE:

• [0:48] Introduction of Sarika Mehta, the youngest dream chaser to ever be on the show.
• [2:32] What was it about cooking that inspires Sarika?
• [3:48] The process of experimenting with cooking starting in middle school.
• [5:22] The reaction of Sarika’s parents when she showed a passion for cooking at such a young age.
• [8:34] Were you ever intimidated to be pursuing your dream so early in life?
• [11:07] What is a day like at the Culinary Institute?
• [14:48] Sarika’s dreams after school.
• [20:25] The average age of students in her classes.
• [24:17] Sarika’s backup...

Self-care is one of the most overlooked areas of our lives. Without taking the time for ourselves, we’re often left drained, unfulfilled and just plain unhappy. On today’s episode of Chasing Dreams, Aimee J. chats with Dr. Jattu Senesie. Jattu is the founder of Essence of Strength, a business with a mission of helping people integrate self-care into their routine and truly find their purpose. After spending 7 years as an OBGYN, it was clear to Jattu that this wasn’t the right path for her. She found herself yearning for more out of life and 5 years ago, she decided to make a change. She didn’t have a plan, but she was determined to find her purpose. After experiencing the process of integrating self-care into her life, she realized it was the missing link for so many others. That’s why she decided to dedicate her life to helping people like her follow their true path in life.

TWEET: Giving yourself permission to be #happy: on this episode of #ChasingDreams

Why we forget about self-care.

For many people, especially those in the medical field, self-care is the last thing on their mind. It seems selfish to focus on your own needs when your job is to help others. The fact is, according to Jattu, if you don’t take care of yourself, you can’t take care of others. She shares why this is such a difficult thing to grasp and how she helps women understand its value in daily life. In her own journey, Jattu failed to practice self-care and therefore ignored the signs that what she was doing with her life wasn’t right for her. She decided being a doctor was her Plan A and she spent years focusing on making it work. When Jattu finally understand she was on the wrong path, it took time to adjust and find her way. Her goal is to help others avoid these missteps and point them in the right direction sooner.

Giving yourself permission to be happy.

Happiness can be elusive. The fact is, you must understand yourself before you can find true happiness in your life. Jattu shares the importance of coming to terms with self-care as a valuable asset in life and how it equips you to recognize the signs that something just isn’t right. She delves deeper into the subject of happiness and discusses how a favorite Socrates quote inspired her along her journey. The quote, The unexamined life is not worth living, is all about finding out what works for you in life. Jattu discusses how she helps her clients think about the things in life that bring them fulfillment and happiness, and how this paves the way to their purpose in life. When you give yourself permission to be happy, you’re saying it’s okay to take care of yourself and follow your true path.

TWEET: Achieving goals that are in line with your #purpose: on this episode of #ChasingDreams

The ripple effect of making changes in your life.

Jattu delves into the idea that making small changes in your life will begin to grow into big changes. It’s all about doing what’s right for you, which can be tough when faced with a stack of expectations from others. Jattu shares the reactions she got when she left medicine and how she still gets those reactions today. All too often, others don’t quite understand the need to follow your true path, but the important thing is that you stay true to yourself and allow yourself to find true happiness in life. By discovering what’s unique to her clients and what things drive their purpose, Jattu is able to help them tap into the true essence of your path.

Achieving goals that are in line with your purpose.

As Aimee J. closes out her chat with Jattu, the discuss some tips that can help Chasing Dreams listeners get started on the path to self-care. She shares a bit more about working with clients and how they react to the process of discovering their true purpose and path in life. Jattu shares an important tip that

Dream-chasing isn’t always easy. The road is filled with unexpected twists, turns, and bumps. But, when you know you’re following your purpose, you have to keep going. On today’s episode, Aimee J chats with her friend Yuzun Kang. After tapping into his passion for creativity at an early age, Yuzun went on to join Riot Games as development manager and product owner. Getting there wasn’t easy, but Yuzun explains why every experience - even the difficult ones - was worth it. Today’s Chasing Dreams will leave you feeling as though anything is possible.

TWEET: Don’t ask for permission; just go for it. Anyone can do anything. Find out more on this episode.

Finding your purpose and what it takes to make it your reality.

Once Yuzun saw beyond the stereotype of video games, he realized gaming is about taking an interactive experience and using it to communicate how we live our lives. After playing a videogame called Braid, Yuzun was inspired by the philosophical idea behind it and curious to find out if he could make video games his life. Creativity was something he discovered early, tapping into his creative spirit after watching the sequel to “The Neverending Story”. In college, he followed his creative passion by majoring in Creative Writing, but would eventually find himself in Law School. Yuzun explains that he really didn’t like law school and knew right away this wasn’t the life for him, but that the experience was invaluable. He shares how the learnings from law school have been applied to his current career with Riot Games - in very unexpected ways.

From a passion for film-making to pursuing a Masters of Fine Arts in Poetry.

Staying true to his creative pursuits, Yuzun found himself being encouraged to apply for a Masters of Fine Arts in Poetry. Growing to love poetry more and more throughout the experience, Yuzun enjoyed his education but always knew there was more for him. Film-making became a passion pursuit as well, but he wouldn’t “settle down” until he was finally able to gain an edge in the gaming industry. After his stint in law school, Yuzun hit the ground running with his sights set on making it in video games. Getting started, however, would be anything but easy. What came next, Yuzun says, would shape his future.

TWEET: Always be prepared for #opportunity: on this episode of #ChasingDreams

Don’t ask for permission. Just go for it.

When Yuzun decided it was time to find out if he really could make it in the video game industry, he knew he’d have to work hard, be very determined, and come up with creative ways to gain notice. He started by searching for interning opportunities in the industry, but wouldn’t get very far. From there, Yuzun found himself writing reviews for games in the hopes this would give him his break. This led to many networking opportunities at gaming events and conferences. Yuzun tells Aimee how networking led to his first job with a video game startup. After much hard work and sacrifice, Yuzun was able to learn a tremendous amount in his experience with the startup. These skills, he says, would help him throughout his career. Yuzun shares some valuable insight into how fellow dream chasers should approach their passions.

Being prepared for opportunity is key.

As Aimee closes out her chat with Yuzun, they discuss the importance of being ready for opportunity when it comes. Yuzun shares his mindset of hard work, doing your best, and always - always - being ready for opportunity. He goes on to discuss the value of teamwork in building a successful, fulfilling career, and how his team at Riot Games is critical to his career happiness. After sharing many nuggets of wisdom with dreamchasers, Yuzun tells us what’s next for him and shares a few more tips with listeners. If you’re thinking about going after your dreams with everything you’ve got, you don’t want to...

Following your dreams doesn’t come without risks. Like most dream chasers, when Caroline Page decided to go after her dreams, she faced a lot of uncertainty about the future. But she knew it was worth the risk. In her chat with Aimee J., Caroline shares the process of dream-chasing and how - in the end - she found her way to happiness. After spending many years in theater and believing this was the life for her, Caroline faced the reality that entertainment simply wasn’t the lifestyle she wanted. So she set out to chase her dreams and follow the passion she knew in her heart was her purpose.

TWEET: “Every man dies. Not every man really lives.” #Braveheart. Find out more on this episode of #ChasingDreams.

The decision to follow your dreams is the most important one you’ll ever make.

Caroline first faced her life’s passion in high school during a mock trial. It was then that she found the path that would eventually lead her to happiness. Getting there, however, would mean she had to take some risks, face some fears, and fight to find her way. After deciding to pursue entertainment law, she found her way to sports law and discovered her true calling. Her desire to distance herself from the entertainment industry encouraged Caroline to search for a better legal speciality to secure a happier future. Once she found sports law, Caroline knew this was where she belonged.

How did Caroline end up in New York City?

After attending law school in California, most of Caroline’s friends assumed she was planning to take the California state bar exam and practice law there. But Caroline had other plans. LA wasn’t the life for her, so she decided to make her home in New York. After passing the New York state bar, Caroline made a life in New York City with no friends, no job, and not a lot of money. It was worth the risk though, because she knew this would lead her to the life she dreamed of. After doing acting jobs to get by, she was able to land a legal assistant job at CAA Sports, which paved the way for a bright future in sports law.

TWEET: When you find your #passion, go after it with everything you’ve got. On this week’s episode of #ChasingDreams

Why it’s important to keep searching for your dream job.

Even though Caroline liked her job at CAA Sports, she knew there weren’t enough challenges for her. She was ready to practice law as an attorney and leave legal assistant status behind. After a colleague recommended she apply for an opening at NFL Players Association, Caroline was able to secure the job of her dreams. She relocated to Washington, DC and now reaps the fruits of her labor in chasing her dreams all these years. Caroline shares the importance of following your dreams, no matter what, and how taking risks can truly create a life without regret.

Caroline’s belief that anyone can live a life without regret.

Caroline shares her story of risk-taking and following the road less travelled in order to chase her dreams. Even though she faced a lot of uncertainty about the future, she always knew she had to fight to get what she wanted out of life. Caroline shares her favorite movie quote, which is the perfect way to sum up her approach to life. Her inspiring story of perseverance will surely give hope to dream chasers everywhere. Caroline is now living the life of her dreams. She travels, has a career she is passionate about, and is happy. That’s what dream chasing is all about.

TWEET: Chasing dreams means taking risks. Why it’s all worth it on this week’s episode of #ChasingDreams

OUTLINE OF THIS EPISODE:

• [0:59] Introduction of Caroline Page of the NFL Players Association.
• [2:22] Discussing Caroline’s background in acting, and how that evolved into a career in sports law.
• [4:51] How Caroline shifted gears from entertainment law to sports law.
• [6:36] Why Caroline...

Following your dreams even when the deck is stacked against you.

If being a dream chaser was easy, everyone would do it. In Aimee's chat with Joe Pardo of The Dreamers Podcast, she finds out how Joe pursued his dreams in spite of the many things standing in his way. With a passion for helping others that goes back to early childhood, Joe knew his life’s purpose would be in that area. However, a multi-million dollar family business and high expectations to maintain a connection to it prevented Joe from following those dreams for many years. Joe discusses the importance of letting go of what you can’t control in order to pave the way for a dream chaser’s life. Even though there were many naysayers along the way, Joe pressed forward and created a life that’s all about helping others.

TWEET: A hard deal is a bad deal. Find out more on this episode of #ChasingDreams

The difficulty of leaving the family business and choosing the road less travelled.

The obvious choice for Joe - at least to outsiders - was to work at the successful family business. That was the easy path; that was what was expected of him. The problem? That’s now what made Joe happy. Joe shares the difficulty of owning his dreams and breaking with tradition - no matter what anyone else said. Although Joe had the support of his grandparents from a very early age, things weren’t so easy with the rest of his family. Because Joe knew in his heart that his dreams were worth chasing, he opted out of his family business in early 2014 and followed his dreams with everything he had. Joe discusses the fear and uncertainty that comes with pursuing your passions and why it’s worth every sacrifice.

Facing your fears when you go after what you want in life.

Dream chasing comes with sacrifice; with hard work; and with overcoming doubt. Joe shares the importance of facing your fears when you decide to go “all in” in pursuit of your dreams. Trying things outside of your comfort zone certainly falls under the “fear facing” category, which Joe explains is another key to finding your way to happiness. As Joe found his way to the dream life he wanted, he managed to develop multiple businesses, podcasts, a business school, and eventually wrote 2 books. He explains how he juggles it all and still leaves room for new dreams for the future.

TWEET: Why you must face your fears to follow your dreams. On this episode of #ChasingDreams

The inspiration behind Joe’s 2 books and how he brought them to life.

From an early age, Joe knew he wanted to help others. His earliest dream was to become a child psychologist. As he allowed that dream to evolve into the life he’s created for himself, his desire to help people never left him. Joe understood the value of sharing his passion with others and the rewards that would come with it. He was inspired to write 2 books that helped him connect with a broader audience and, therefore, help even more people. His books, entitled 31 Life-Changing Concepts and How to Dream Big and Win quickly became passion projects that helped Joe spread the word about his work.

Pursuing multiple dreams and how they all work together.

When you find your passion, your purpose, your dream, it’s not uncommon for those things to continue to evolve. With this evolution may come new dreams, which should by all means be pursued. According to Joe, once he discovered that he had multiple dreams, it was pretty clear that they all worked together to build the life he’s always wanted. By not setting limits, it’s possible to find many ways to share your dreams with others. At the close of his chat with Aimee J., Joe shares his advice for fellow dream chasers and explains what’s next for him.

TWEET: How going outside your comfort zone can pave the way to happiness. #ChasingDreams

OUTLINE OF THIS EPISODE:

• [0:54] Introduction of Joe Pardo of

Understanding the consequences of our actions and how distractions can create victims.

When you consider how each decision we make can have a ripple effect in our lives, and the lives of those around us, it’s easy to relate to the story Ed Devitt shares. Through the all-too-common invincibility mindset of a teenager, Ed faced an unimaginable challenge that changed the lives of everyone around him. As Ed shares his powerful story, it’s clear that he has developed an unparalleled passion for life as a result of the obstacles he’s faced. Perhaps the most powerful aspect of Ed’s story is his willingness to take responsibility for his actions and share the reality of how each choice we make could have devastating effects. His story is as devastating as it is inspiring, which is why it’s an important one to share with all of you.

TWEET: One choice can change the course of your life forever. Find out more on this episode

The profound impact of the choices Ed and his friends made.

As Ed delves deeper into the details of his crash on June 10, 1999, he shares in heart-breaking detail the moments that led to his traumatic brain injury and the death of his friends. Approaching the subject with honesty helps to connect Ed’s story with the overwhelming process of recovery, coping with loss, and feelings of guilt he faced at just 18 years of age. Because of his traumatic brain injury, it was difficult for Ed to process what happened in the days following the crash.

Facing the process of recovery following a traumatic brain injury.

The recovery process was challenging - Ed had to learn how to eat, walk, and do just about everything that once came naturally. As he moved through recovery, it became clear that Ed was lucky to be alive. It’s with this attitude of gratitude that Ed eventually came to share his journey with others, in the hopes that he can help to prevent the devastating impact of distracted driving and driving under the influence.

TWEET: Dealing with a #TraumaticBrainInjury and finding a way to #inspire others

The dangers of the “this could never happen to me” mindset.

The fact is, the situation Ed found himself could happen to anyone. It’s all about choices. As Ed discovered in his own journey, the choices he made that night and in the years following his injury led to some harsh realities. Ed shared how, as a teenager, he felt - as most of us do at that age - invincible. In spite of his gut instinct telling him not to get in the car, Ed figured, “why not? What’s the worst that could happen?” It’s this mindset, according to Ed, which leads to many tragedies. From distracted driving to driving under the influence, the belief that “this could never happen to me” all too often influences us to make poor choices. And those choices can lead to tragedy.

Ed’s wake up call and evolution into a speaker.

After years of struggling with alcoholism and finding a way to cope with the events of that night in June of 1999, Ed finally had the wake up call he so desperately needed in 2013. It came from his wife. After she helped him see just how dire his situation was, Ed was able to find his way to recovery from addiction. Today, he shares his inspiring story with schools and at events around the country. Through the power of his story, Ed helps others see just how dangerous our distractions can be. The fact is, Ed could have seen his tragedy as just that - a tragedy. Instead, in true Dream Chasers fashion, he chose to make it his motivation to help change the mindset of others. To save lives. To see beyond one life-changing event and into the bright future that exists in spite of it and also because of it.

TWEET: I thought I was invincible. I found out that night I was wrong. ~ Ed Devitt

OUTLINE OF THIS EPISODE:

• [0:52] Disclosure about the sensitive subject matter contained in this episode.
• [1:07] Introduction of Ed Devitt, who...