Today we’d like to introduce you to Leslie O’Hare.
Leslie, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
As a child, I loved acting and public speaking. I acted in community theatre and participated in beauty pageants from 5 to 23 years of age. I also competed in the Miss New York USA Pageant. I always knew that I wanted to become an actress, television talk show host as well as a public speaker.
My high school principal decided to launch a speaking competition for all seniors. The winner of the competition would get the opportunity to deliver the benediction at our upcoming graduation ceremony. I entered the contest along with 120 other seniors. I wrote my own speech (which was the first time that I ever wrote a speech). I won the completion.
During the graduation ceremony, I spoke to over 300 graduates and to their family and friends (a few thousand audience members). Immediately, I knew (based on the audience response and my comfort level) that speaking was what I was destined to do as a career. This experience also gave me the assurance to know that if I could speak in front of a large audience, I could also speak on television to host my own show.
I can definitely say that that day was the launch of my speaking and television hosting career. Fast forward to my adult years, in my early twenties, I moved to New York after college to pursue my acting career. While in New York I had the opportunity to be on various television shows, movies and acted in shows Off-Broadway. I also started hosting my own talk show on a local cable station. I stayed in New York for 15 years, then, jumped at the chance to move to Dallas, Texas to become a radio personality.
I thought this was a great opportunity to broaden my entertainment career in the radio industry. While in Dallas I continued my speaking career. I also began my own television talk show called “The Leslie O’Hare Show” which aired online and on an ABC affiliate station in Dallas. As much success that I have had I have also gone through some tough challenges. In my twenties, I was in an abusive relationship. As a child, I was abandoned by my father.
As an adult, I was rejected by my mother and society and had to start life over [2017-after a divorce] at almost fifty years of age after losing my home, marriage and almost my mind after being in a challenging marriage [ten years married]. I had to quickly make the decision to position myself to elevate my thinking so I could elevate my life in order to save my life.
Choosing to change my mindset in order to have control over my life and not allow the circumstances in my life to have control over me, has allowed me to help women regain their focus and their life back. I want everyone to know that the things that happen in your life (the challenges and tough times); are not there to stop, they are they are to move you into your rightful destiny.
The tough times are exactly why I am where I am today. The tough times have transformed me and my life. The tough times, the pain, the hurt and the struggles and most importantly my faith have positioned me to WIN in my personal and professional life!
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc. – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
As much success that I have had I have also gone through some tough challenges. In my twenties, I was in an abusive relationship. As a child, I was abandoned by my father.
As an adult, I was rejected by my mother and society and had to start life over [2017-after a divorce] at almost fifty years of age after losing my home, marriage and almost my mind after being in a challenging marriage [10 years married]. I had to quickly make the decision to position myself to elevate my thinking so I could elevate my life in order to save my life.
Choosing to change my mindset in order to have control over my life and not allow the circumstances in my life to have control over me, has allowed me to help women regain their focus and their life back. I want everyone to know that the things that happen in your life (the challenges and tough times); are not there to stop, they are they are to move you into your rightful destiny.
The tough times are exactly why I am where I am today. The tough times have transformed me and my life. The tough times, the pain, the hurt and the struggles and most importantly my faith have positioned me to WIN in my personal and professional life!
So let’s switch gears a bit and go into the Leslie O’Hare Media story. Tell us more about the business.
Tell us about your business/company?
Although I am represented by The Billionova Agency for my everything that I do within my career… Leslie O’Hare Media is a media company that I started as the umbrella that oversees/houses my television and speaking career. As well as my upcoming book and fashion line.
What do you do?
I am a TEDx Empowerment Speaker, Keynote Speaker, Author, Television Talk Show Host, Television Director/Producer/Writer, and Theatrical Producer/Director.
What do you specialize in, what are you known for, etc.?
I am a highly sought after speaking for Corporations, Colleges and Universities, Women’s Conferences, Church Conferences, Youth Conferences, Marriage Retreats and Non-Profit Events.
What sets you apart from others?
I think my philosophy in life sets me apart and that is:
I challenge my audience to re-examine their relationship to the most important aspect of their professional and personal life. I dismiss traditional frameworks, opening a new paradigm in which I encourage them to accept constraints, recognize opportunities and reconnect to a sense of well-being and a belief that they can have the life they want.
From Senior executives that are deeply entrenched in decades of habits, to entrepreneurial leaders, who are unbounded by anything but their own insecurities, to church groups, to aspiring recent graduates – they all share a common life-changing experience after attending one of my keynote speaking events.
After working with thousands of the busiest professionals on the planet, I also saw a common theme. The happiest ones were the most fulfilled. Happiness is not the goal, fulfillment is. With fulfillment comes happiness and greater productivity and better relationships.
What makes a fulfilling life? It is recognizing that you’re already a CHAMPION! It’s up to you to choose whether to awaken the CHAMPION within so you can live your BEST LIFE or choose to let the CHAMPION remain dormant and allow life to pass you by…
Come on people, let’s choose to ROAR loud and become the CHAMPION you were meant to BE!
Has luck played a meaningful role in your life and business?
I tell everyone not to focus on bad luck or the bad that things that happen in their life.
Choose to be positive and always have a good outlook on life. Whenever you do that… good things will come to you, and whenever the not so good things happen, you will be in a better frame of mind to find a solution to resolve the bad things or unfortunate things that happened.
It’s mind over matter. You get to wake up every day with the Free Will to choose what type of day you’re going to have—good or bad. You get to choose what type of life you will have good or bad. No matter what, choose good, every day—all day and watch what the AMAZING things life will throw your way!
Contact Info:
- Website: www.LeslieOhareMedia.com
Getting in touch: VoyageDallas is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
