TV Filming

Have you ever imagined what it would be like to be on TV? Growing up, I definitely have dreamed of it but never thought it would be possible until now...last month I was blessed with an incredible opportunity to film my own episode on an award-winning TV show called "Legacy Makers" on Inside Success TV. Although the episode will on be streamed exclusively on Inside Success TV's streaming service starting close to summer of next year, there can be opportunities for it to be featured elsewhere in the future and that is a chance that I was willing to take!

If you're wondering why I was given the opportunity to film this TV show episode...it is because the show "Legacy Makers" documents business owners, entrepreneurs, or successful or impactful people that are making a difference in the world and leaving a legacy that will outlast their time on this earth. As a 2x award-winning published author that is an active mental health advocate in the community, I was able to land a spot on this TV show and be casted. The whole purpose of my episode is to advocate for those that do not feel like they have a voice, to represent the underrepresented, and to advocate that even those with serious mental health conditions can be successful and live a fulfilling life too, all while explaining what it takes to be an author and how to publish a book.

Something that I talked about in my interview is that there are different definitions of success. If someone would have asked me like a year or so ago, I would have said my definition for success falls along the lines of how many awards I've achieved or how many things I've accomplished. However, my definition has now changed for the better and I consider success to be me waking up each morning and living out my life with meaningful purpose. It is me getting to advocate for others and prove doctors and psychiatrists wrong that thought I would not physically or mentally survive past a certain age or have a place in society. It is me getting to write my own story rather than that of what others would expect of me as someone that grew up in a traumatic, abusive household and battles several mental illnesses on a daily basis, especially Borderline Personality Disorder.

The question that stuck with me the most during my TV show filming experience, was when my videographer asked me what is the one thing that people get wrong about someone with Borderline Personality Disorder and how does that impact those of us living with the disorder. It strikes my heart to the core because I truly do believe that we are not bad people, but we are just misunderstood and I got to talk more about that and explain how we are not ourselves when the illness takes over. I got to express that I have to separate that part of me out and give it a name to learn how to cope and become more self-aware and learn how to live with it. I got to explain how that might help others around me too in seeing the real me even when I am being self-destructive or hurtful to those around me. My videographer and I got to have a bittersweet conversation about this as he opened up about some personal things, and we were able to talk through them.

I am by no means a professional...however, no one can deny that I have lived experience beyond my years in the mental health treatment world. I try to think of it positively because I have so much experience and am so open about sharing my story, that others feel comfortable enough opening up to me...even someone that was merely filming me and doing their job. My heart yearns to make a difference in this world, and I hope that my story will be shared. I hope that this TV show episode gathers hundreds, thousands, many millions of views...but not for my own sake...but for the sake of bringing God glory and to inspire others to share their story and realize that they are not alone and that they can have a voice and live a fulfilling life too.