Trust Your Mind

When I saw the Vocal challenge for The Metamorphosis of the Mind, I had to dive into the fun and write this piece in the hopes it inspires even one person who is currently in mind warfare, debating should they switch careers or have they wasted their life on a career that is not giving them their purpose and fullfilment. 

Hi, my name is Tammy Reese, I am the owner of Visionary Minds Public Relations and Media. Since 1998 my professional life has revolved around entertainment and media. 

Before that, in 6th grade, I was a lead in a Halloween school play and also a co host for our school daily news. I also was the MC for our 6th grade graduation. My love for TV, film and media at such a young age sparked my parents to encourage me to follow the path which I love. My parents always inspired me. My mom as a community leader who was well known for advocating for civil and disability rights as well as social justice throughout her life while my father is a army veteran who served the US military for 16 years. When I entered middle school, my parents took me to audition for a Central NY-based youth TV and stage production company called The Media Unit. I made my audition and didn't know that The Media Unit would change my life in so many ways. I was in the company from 1998–2006 as an actress, writer, choregrapher, tv host and director. I learned so much and was highly trained ahead of entering Empire State College in 2006. During my time with ESC, I interned at Clear Channel Radio (Now iHeartRadio). After two years, I obtained my Associates Degree in media studies.

My mind at this time had nothing but media and entertainment on it, but then my priorities changed. I became pregnant in 2008 and gave birth to my son in 2009. All of the training and hard word paused because my mind shifted into motherhood and my son was the only thing that consumed my world. I enjoyed every moment of it and still do almost 16 years later. When I first became a mom I took time off from the entertainment and media industry and went into corporate and public service work such as a restaurant, call centers, and after school programs. Why? Steady income. Many of us who are independent or freelancers I'm sure can relate. Fast forward to 2014, I said to myself, it's time to get back to it.

My mind went into writing mode and during 2014 I began to write for a local newspaper, and write short films on social issues such as domestic violence and suicide prevention which I co produced and made a visual reality. I didn't know that those videos along with others I created after that would lead me to eventually recieve the 2018 40 Under Forty Award and the 2019 WCNY/PBS Makers: Women Who Make America Award. Those honors are dear to my heart.

Going back a bit, between 2014 and 2016 I got back to acting on stage. This time with The Red House Arts Center as an ensemble cast member of The Color Purple and Dreamgirls. My mind was set on acting again. My roots are theater and it was something I loved since I was a little girl. Then guess what? My mind went else where, again. I got the urge to start my own business brand, Visionary Minds which has evolved since 2016 until now. The mission has always stayed the same. Since 2016, the Visionary Minds Public Relations and Media brand has focused on highlighting creators, business owners and thought leaders through various outlets (social media/public access tv/press coverage).

My mind went from being in the spotlight, to taking a break, to being back in the spotlight, to wanting to shine a light on others. My mindset shifted various times as a realized I am a true storyteller as an actress, writer, media and public relations professional. It's through storytelling that I have been able to help others grow their brands and share stories that entertain, inform and matter. I also covered a variety of entertainment industry events, premieres and red carpets.

When 2020 hit, that was the year my mom passed away, on January 31 2020. My mind entered a dark place of grief and then two month later the pandemic hit. It was a hard time for me, especially mentally. Through my family and my tribe I got out of that dark place and my mind went full blast into media mode. Interviewing celebrities over the phone and Zoom. When the world opened back up I began to cover in person events again in additon to digital media.

Acting is my first love, media has become my baby and along the way I always have been a advocate for mental health. I have interviewed a host of people about their experience and work regarding mental health and I too, have been interviewed about my experiences countless of times. I have recently been featured in a book titled All In Her Head by Misty Pratt. In this provocative debut nonfiction book, Misty Pratt weaves together science and women's personal experiences in the mental healthcare system.

Mental health advocacy has been a calling of mine and to chat about via social media for years. Being in the entertainment media industry, I am constantly at prestigious events, interviewing and taking photos with celebs which can often seem otherworldly and glamours. However, I am always advocating for my fellow media pros to prioritize their mental health because this industry at times can be draining mentally as we are constantly soaking up the various news cycles. After decades of my life being consumed with media and entertainment, now as a married mother entering the 4th decade of my life, I have decided to shift my mind to another passion which is Psychology. I have enrolled back to Empire State College, now Empire State University with the goal of learning more about the mind to help others in this advocacy work that I do.

Media and entertainment will always have my heart. I am honored to have interviewed legends of our lifetime such as Phylicia Rashad, Jasmine Guy, Norman Reedus, Sharon Stone, Laurence Fishburne, Jennifer Connelly, Billy Porter, Sigourney Weaver, Angela Bassett to name a few. As I pivot to my literal Metamorphosis of the Mind there are so many possibilities of what I can do with a Psychology degree and I am excited about where my heart, soul and mind takes me.

To anyone who is experiencing life changing situations or shifting careers while battling with your mind, please know that you are not alone. Change and new normals are scary but you are having a unique Metamorphosis of the Mind for a reason. You will get through it all. Train your mind to believe it. It's ok to trust your mind and shift your mindset.