Sheryl Green: An Interview

This year’s recipient of the Judi Moreo Achievement Award which is presented to a member of the Las Vegas National Speakers Association chapter was presented to Sheryl Green for her outstanding service to the chapter and its members.

Sheryl Green is a storytelling expert and animal advocate. She has always enjoyed writing. However, it wasn’t until a divorce shook her world, that she discovered the power of story. Having penned three novels, she now brings her penchant for storytelling to non-fiction and content writing, working with businesses and individuals who want to position themselves as experts in their field. She leverages the power of story through blogging, website content, book coaching and ghostwriting, and speaking engagements.

Learn more at:
www.sherylgreenspeaks.com

What did you think about winning the Judi Moreo award for NSA Las Vegas?

I was so surprised! Last year was my 2nd year serving on the NSA Las Vegas board and I help whenever and wherever it’s needed. I’ve always believed in giving back to the community (though I hate that term!) and it was an honor to learn that my actions are recognized and appreciated.

Where did your career begin?

Ha! The magazine isn’t long enough for that story. I got an undergraduate degree in Psychology and Anthropology and then decided to go for a Masters in Forensic Psychology so I could become a profiler with the FBI.

Let’s just say that I didn’t get the job and I’m incredibly grateful for it. I can’t imagine living my life entrenched in the worst aspects of human nature (and I don’t do well with bureaucracy). I floundered between customer service, tech support, teaching, and mental health counseling, before finding a job in Public Relations where I was able to use my talents to write, speak to the media, plan events… it was heaven for me.

What made you make the decision to give that up and go into professional speaking?

I was laid off from my job in October of 2015 because the company just couldn’t afford to pay me anymore. To be fair, I haven’t completely given up that career, it’s just morphed. I drove home from work that last day and realized that I never wanted to feel powerless over my future again. It was time to start my own business and take control of my life.

I wanted something that would allow me to impact a lot of people, make a good living, not be stuck in a cubicle, and leave time to do animal rescue. I’d joined Toastmasters 5 years earlier to conquer my fear of public speaking and learned that I actually loved it. When I found out that people made a living doing this… I was sold. I’ve been building my brand ever since.

I also realized that there’s a big need out there for content writers for businesses. Many businesses struggle to communicate who they are, what they do, and how they’re different from their competitors. I’ve built a business writing website content, blogs, ghostwriting books, and taking others through the writing process from concept to published book.

This is what prompted me to teach storytelling for businesses. I never realized this wasn’t something that came naturally to everyone. I was meditating at a writing retreat last year when the title “Once Upon a Bottom Line” popped into my head and I realized that I could use my writing and storytelling skills to help businesses. (Amazing what happens when I stop talking… I should probably do that more). I wrote the book about harnessing storytelling for sales and the rest is history.

What scares you the most about embarking on this new career?

Is “everything” an acceptable answer?

Professional speaking is a whole different beast. There is no “one way” to build this business. That’s both liberating and terrifying. You truly have to develop a tailored approach and then run head first into the unknown. People can guide you (and many have) but ultimately, you are in the arena alone.

I also struggle with a lot of self-doubt when putting myself out there and “selling” myself. It’s funny, when it comes to the animal rescue, I have no shame. I can ask for absolutely anything I need for those animals. But for me… that’s a different story.

What’s the best advice you’ve ever been given?

That’s a really hard one. I’ve been surrounded by so many amazing mentors (you included) and learned so much. But I’d have to say that the best life advice came from my dad and stepmom.

They said, “Life begins after divorce.”

They couldn’t have been more right. My divorce gave me the opportunity to start over, discover who I really am, and learn tools to overcome challenges that I can now share with others. It allowed me to change the story I was living.

But I don’t think you have to get divorced to have this opportunity. Everyone faces challenges in their lives. It’s what you do about it that really matters. Do you put on your victim hat and become bitter and hateful because of your experiences, or do you choose gratitude and build a new (even better) life?

There’s this amazing quote from the band, Satsang, “Maybe all this stuff didn’t happen to you but actually happened for you.”

What inspires you?

Philanthropy.

Don’t get me wrong, I love money as much as the next person. But I love it for what it can do for this world, not for what it can buy me. I’m inspired by people (and businesses) that have a higher purpose in life. People that give of themselves to support whatever cause is close to their hearts.

I saw an interview with John Paul DeJoria (co-founder of Paul Mitchell hair care) and now I have a bit of a mentor crush. He learned the power of giving and caring for others at an early age and has built it into every facet of his company, from the way he treats his employees, to the fact that his products are never tested on animals, to the money he donates through his Peace, Love & Happiness Foundation.

I pretty much want to be him when I grow up.

What is the biggest challenge you’ve ever faced?

Well, having to bail my husband out of jail wasn’t exactly a highlight of my life, but it probably wasn’t the biggest challenge. I’d probably have to say Depression.

I’ve studied psychology and worked in the field, but nothing prepares you for actually experiencing depression. Thankfully, I was never suicidal. But there was a period there when I wished I would die somehow. I couldn’t get out of bed. I had absolutely no hope for the future. I learned what the books mean by “helpless and hopeless.”

My stepmom found me laying on the bathroom floor one day in the fetal position, crying my eyes out. That was my rock bottom. She picked me up and made me take action.

What do you think allowed you to overcome it?

There were so many things. Having a strong support system was huge for me. Taking responsibility for where I was in my life and giving up the title of “victim,” gaining perspective, facing my fears, and using humor (my ex-husband gave me a treasure trove of material based off his crime). I talk about all of these and other strategies in my book, Surviving to Thriving: How to Overcome Setbacks and Rock Your Life. (Shameless plug alert!)

I went on anti-depressants for a few months to rebalance my body, but I truly believe that the animal rescue kicked in before the drugs had the opportunity to.

I discovered my voice, my purpose, and my peace in animal rescue. Volunteering is the best possible medicine. Having something to focus on besides your own problems, being a part of something bigger and surrounding yourself with a community of like-minded people, and obviously, I’m a little partial to the animals. Getting a good snuggle from a furry creature releases more “feel good” chemicals than a pharmaceutical ever could.

I understand you are also an animal advocate. Tell us about that.

When my stepmom dragged me up off the floor, one of the things she said was “Go do something for someone else.”

So, I did. I went to Pet-a-Palooza to give my dog, Akasha, a break from being cried on. I started talking to some women from Foreclosed Upon Pets and learned that people were abandoning their animals in foreclosed houses. Realtors and bank representatives were finding the animals and rushing them off to a second chance at life.

I was horrified. Akasha had (and has) been my rock through the divorce, the move, the foreclosure, the bankruptcy, and everything that has happened since. I couldn’t imagine going it without her, never mind leaving her behind to die. Something switched on inside me and I realized that I was on this planet for a reason.

With the organization’s help, I hosted a yard sale and raised over $1,000 for them. I began doing adoption events, walking pups at the shelter, and never shutting up about the needs of animals (seriously, just ask my friends). When it came time to plan my High Performance Leadership Project to earn my Distinguished Toastmaster Award, I wanted to do something to honor my friend’s service dog who had passed away from cancer. I asked her if she could give money to any rescue organization, who would it be?

She introduced me to Hearts Alive Village and my life changed forever.

The founder, Christy, was super excited for the fundraising assistance and helped me put together the event. Paw it Forward was a huge success and we raised over $5,000 for this brand new rescue. I got more and more involved, wearing whatever hats needed to be worn from fundraising to event planning to marketing and communications. I joined the board and became the Director of Communications and Cuddling (it’s a hard job, but someone has to do it!).

The way I see it, these animals saved my life. They were there when I was at my lowest point and they pulled me out of it. I’ll spend the rest of my life repaying them. It’s my dharma (purpose) to speak for those who have no voice.

Where do you see yourself over the next decade?

In a puppy pile getting snuggled?

I’ll be teaching businesses how to communicate their story and how to use Cause Marketing (partnering with a non-profit) to improve their sales and the community as a whole. I’ll have a ton more books out that will help businesses, non-profits, and individuals, and will always support the animals. (A portion of the proceeds from my speaking engagements and my books go to Hearts Alive Village).

And I’ll be doing all of this from a beach in Maui.

All kidding aside… actually none of that was kidding. I want to speak, I want to write, I want to rescue. I just want to do it on a larger scale, impacting more people, and making more money so I can help usher in a time when every animal has a warm bed to sleep in.

What else should people know about you?

Ha! Seriously, how long do you want this to be?

The one thing no one can call me is “bored.” I have so many irons in the fire right now. There’s just so much I want to accomplish in this life and so much change I want to affect.

I’m a part of the Unstuck Happiness Conference where I share my personal struggle with others to give them hope and the tools to face their own challenges.
I’m currently co-founding the first Cause Marketing based Chamber of Commerce so we can teach businesses how to work with non-profits and get the most out of their relationships.

I’ve partnered with another speaker to create Phil-Inspired, a company that teaches storytelling and fundraising to non-profits.

In my spare time, I head out into nature whenever possible. Being in the outdoors grounds me and gives me that feeling of universal connection that we’re all looking for. I’m also a huge music person. I drum with a rhythm crew out here in Vegas and I go to concerts whenever possible. Music has this amazing power to unite us and there’s nothing like feeling the energy at a live show. I love to do yoga and go to the gym, and in February, I’ll climb 1500 stairs for my second Scale the Strat to benefit the American Lung Association.

I think that’s me in a nutshell. Oh, one more thing… in the words of the great Bob Barker, “Help control the pet population. Have your pets spayed or neutered.”

To learn more about Sheryl, buy her books or hire her, visit:
www.sherylgreenspeaks.com
or email her at :
sheryl@sherylgreenspeaks.com

Sheryl, it is an honor to me that the award bearing my name has gone to such a worthy recipient as you. Congratulations!

This article originally appeared in the Winter 2019 issue of CHOICES Magazine