“Isn’t it hard growing up in such a beautiful family?”

Coming into the world with a forceps delivery, I was born with a traumatic facial injury, which paralyzed half of my face. I had multiple surgeries over my life, including three surgeries in 2020 and 2021— some 12 hours long.

Although I had unconditional love from my parents, sister, and close friends (some from elementary school), I felt unattractive and insecure.

In middle school, a teacher asked me, “Isn’t it hard growing up in such a beautiful family?” People often don’t realize the impact their words can have.

It didn’t help that I grew up in a family that worked in an industry solely focused on appearances — my mother ran a casting business, and my sister and I eventually joined it. Casting often involves a focus on external beauty. And, although I got to attend many movie premieres by limo, you can imagine how uncomfortable it would have felt to have all eyes on you as your arrival was announced.

Many people along the way wanted to point out that I was different. I was always on high alert.

Being “different” turned out to be a gift

Insecurity can help you make terrible decisions without understanding why.

Back to high school and college I found myself drinking and partying alot. At the time, I thought that it was just having fun. Now I realize that it was a way to mask the pain.

Then, I married and divorced in my 20s.

However, going through life looking “different” gave me the gift of seeing and experiencing life in ways that others can not even imagine.

I see the good & beauty in all people and get to experience that. Of course I developed survival tactics along the way, I knew that one day I’d find a way to let my inner light shine through.

We grow when we face a crisis head-on

It wasn't until we had a family crisis that I made me look at myself and find out who I really was and what I wanted my next chapter, and the future, to look like.

I made a promise to myself and my family that I would work as hard, as I knew they would have to, to make us whole again. Crises affect the entire family, and I was determined to learn how I had fit into the formula that created this one.

I began weekly therapy, started and attended support groups and retreats, found a coach, “took to my bed” as needed, talked to trusted people, went deep inside myself, did breathwork, acupuncture, meditation, and read everything I could to assist in my growth.

During this time, I co-founded Women’s Daily Post — an online and offline community for women to connect with other women through shared interests. I continued working as a casting director, C.S.A., life coach, P.C.C., and photographer.

My career evolved naturally into life coaching

I want to back up and let you know how I got to a life coaching career.

After college, I went into the family business, casting, with my mom and sister.

I grew up cooking with my mom, an amazing self-taught cook who learned from a Julia Child book. I needed something to fill my time beyond the casting business, so my mother and I started teaching evening cooking classes in our family’s kitchen.

We’d show food lovers how to craft an entire meal and then enjoy it together over wine. Sometimes we’d invite friends, producers, and directors, which led to us catering film shoots. 

I loved growing the catering business with my mom, too. I appreciated being behind the scenes, and I was really good at it.

I was a guest chef for Julia Child once — my idol! Who gets to cook for Julia Child?! And if you’re wondering what I prepared, it was her duck confit with an orange-balsamic reduction.

I had always loved snapping candid photos and action shots at family functions. People noticed my photos — first my family, and then creatives whose work I admired told me I had a natural talent. I followed this nudge and studied headshot photography in New York City under a premiere headshot photographer. He taught me how to help a person share their true self in front of the camera. 

I have a knack for making people feel at ease, and people spread the word. I grew my photography business on word of mouth alone.

Having your photo taken can bring up so many uncomfortable feelings — vulnerability, insecurity, and some big fear. Through curiosity and connection with my clients we would connect, share and they felt safe, which would relax the experience, and I could capture their essence. 

After a photo shoot, clients would tell me, “That felt like therapy!”

After finding more joy and purpose, I want to help other women do the same

I support my coaching clients as they change their lives for the better.

Fourteen years ago, I read that life coaching was all about working with your client and supporting them in moving forward — this inspired me! So I started training to be a coach and have been fully certified and working in this field since 2010.

Initially, I didn’t quite own that I was a coach. In spite of all the training and certification, I was swirling in “imposter syndrome.” I was trying to launch a coaching business while co-running the casting business with my husband and taking headshots.

It turns out I needed to be cracked open to figure out who I was, what I could offer the world, and what I wanted my life to really look like. And I worked tirelessly to find build on my skills and gain the coaching confidence I needed. 

We both grow during your coaching process

And as a life coach I get to be behind the scenes of supporting clients through change. It’s as if I’m behind the camera or in the kitchen, crafting a masterpiece. Only now that masterpiece is you.

I believe the right coach can change lives. Every woman deserves to find more happiness. 

I love the personal development I’m privileged to witness in you as your life coach. Studying, connection, community, adventure, and growth are essential life elements and creative fuel for me. 

Nothing lights me up more than seeing women go after what they want — and thriving in the process. I’m honored that I get to do this work and it makes my heart swell knowing I offer women a safe place to explore and that I get to be their cheerleader and to a degree their mentor.

I’m beyond grateful for the communities of women I’ve found and nourished, amazing friends, and incredibly loving and supportive family. Every single person in my path has contributed to my own growth.

Get in touch and we’ll talk about your challenges and how I can help you shine. betsy@betsycasting.com