For the last three seasons, you could catch me a a nurse, a commander, a pedestrian and many other nondescript roles in one of the productions filming in Chicago.  As a side hustle, I work as a Background Actor—or BG for short—on Chicago PD, Chicago Med, Chicago Fire, Next, and an upcoming Disney movie, etc.

In my “real” life, I am a life-long marketer/branding/storyteller/communications executive who has made a positive impact on the bottom line of Fortune 500 retailers, sports marketing firms, small businesses, as well as city and state government.  My expertise lies in redoing all aspects of branding, innovation and capturing stories that demonstrate a business’ heart and authenticity.

I started doing BG work to fill time after a layoff, continued to do it when my schedule allowed after committing to a full-time job and now it is serving to keep me and my soul feeling satisfied, valued and connected as I conduct a search for my next full-time “real” opportunity in marketing and communications.

While some may see the BG work as unconventional, I find it has a lot of strong parallels to the corporate life.  For example, BG is there to enhance the scene to provide a better, authentic experience for the viewing audience.  That is a lesson in humility I carry forward—I am only a part of a team and the team is not about me.  When we all work together, do our part—no matter how big or small--and align our goals, we deliver a polished and desirable end result.

The collection of diversity in the BG world is impressive.  I love hanging out in holding with a cross-section of humanity!  This part of the job is for me as rewarding and as interesting as seeing myself escape the cutting room floor and appear on the TV.

I have played games of cards, shared intimate stories, laughed, nearly cried and celebrated with aspiring actors/writers/crew, people who have BG for 30 years, retired folks who share time and experiences together, executive who use PTO time to shoot a few times a month, students and…this can go on and on.  There is no one type of BG.  Yet this melting pot of people and their varied reasons why keep it entertaining, stimulating and exciting.  I need to continue to celebrate the diversity and welcome everyone’s uniqueness—in corporate life and set life.

On set, it is the director’s vision—shaped by input, audience demographics and a need to stay true to the brand—that shape and drive each scene.  In corporate life, a similarly transparent leader doesn’t leave things open to interpretation and guesswork.  Everyone is given clearly defined roles and jobs and the environment thrives on collaboration.

BG work also reminds me that one doesn’t get what one hasn’t worked for and achieved.  Featured actors and crew have one set of snacks, get to go through the food lines first (wait—catering is amazingly off the hook on most productions—yum!), grab the first transportation and, well, you get it.  As BG, you haven’t earned that status.  I see some BG voice displeasure, harbor resentment and wish they were afforded the same consideration of those who are higher up the ladder in both importance and pay.  Hey, they have earned their rung and if it bothers you, then work to climb higher, not work harder to bring others down, making the workplace toxic.

There are no consistent hours as a BG except what time to be on set.  The day may be 2 hours or 20—the lesson here is that the work is done when the job is completely finished to a high level of satisfaction.

Watching the crew work—so many people working in synchronicity—so many different roles and different levels in the jobs—really increases appreciation for an organized plan enhanced by out-of-box improvisation.  And the magic that comes through to the audience—a car explosion, a surgery miracle, the belief that what they are seeing is real and authentic—reminds me that nothing eclipses teamwork, planning, and practiced execution, resulting in a final perfect result.

So, Background work and my “real” job are surprising similar. 

Starting in May of 2017, my life began to resemble a soap opera.  It seemed so absurd, so sad, so not real that I went to sleep at night hoping I would awaken to find it a dream.  Unfortunately, it was real.

The personal challenges, the heartache, the pain were all shared with my family.  I learned the deepest value of family and close friends and have become a better person because of them.  Thank you so much--I love you--we all will continue to heal together.

While all that was going on, I had surgery on my shoulder and knee--the 13th and 14th surgeries of my life. I also have more torn tissue and other orthopedic issues so severe that I have had to give up my beloved horseback riding forever.

I also went through feeling the worst I ever have.  With much testing and an amazingly dedicated rheumatologist, I was diagnosed with an autoimmune disease. What the...

I realize I am luckier than most who have chronic illness or disease, and eternally grateful every day.  I am, however, finding challenges in replacing my athletic life.  Gone is horseback riding, basketball, softball, tennis, running and all that. So I have turned my attention to cycling the past 1.5 years.  I love getting out in nature, racing against no one, and doing good for my body.  It can be as social or as quite as I want.  

I have participated in two Bike the Drive events and raised funds in the hope for finding a cure for diabetes during the Tour de Cure ride.  It is a disease that has affected my brother, father, and me.  You can check out my fundraising page and make a donation main.diabetes.org/site/TR?px=12563016&fr_id=12322&pg=personal

So the point is, when a door shuts, a window opens.  When scared, hurting or in doubt, family is the best harbor.  And when looking to find yourself, be kind, be patient and know where you are is where you need to be.

See you on the road!

July 2015 is a month to remember for fans of women in sports.  The US Women's National Team brought home the elusive World Cup title in resounding fashion.  And they did it with an historic number of people watching.  More than 25 million fans tuned in here in the United States, making the championship match the most watched soccer match in US history. 

 Oh, and it posted higher ratings than LeBron James and Steph Curry could muster for the NBA Finals.

We saw not one but two female coaches hired to coach in men's professional sports.  Becky Hammon guided the San Antonio Spurs to the championship in the NBA Summer league.  

The following week, Jenn Welter was tapped as the inside linebackers coach intern for the Arizona Cardinals..

Serena Williams mowed down the competition on the manicured lawns of Wimbledon on her way to her 21st Grand Slam title, entrenching herself in the discussion of the best-ever female tennis player.

There is no discussion that Rhonda Rousey is the best-ever female MMA fighter.  What can be debated is whether she is the best MMA fighter male or female  after her dismantling of Bethe Correia.

Not only are women showing up, the are showing up in ways and fashion that no one would have predicted.  This splash down in July demonstrates to all that women not only want to compete, they want to win.  They want not only to be acknowledge, they want to make people stand up and take notice.  

The quality and performance is there.  The product on the court, on the pitch, in the Octagon, in the pool and on the sideline is the best version of itself.  These women are tough, determined, intelligent and are not going anywhere.

The dramatic rise in attendance for NWSL games post World Cup is off the charts.  Sell outs are happening every where.  But let us not forget the groundswell of support after the last time the US captured the Cup.  And the two women's soccer leagues that folded since then as well.

To continue to support these women and their sports is the only way the momentum can be sustained, the only way to secure sponsors, turn on the bright lights of TV.  These women and their leagues need the fans after the embers of the victory bonfires have died down, when the novelty wanes.  

Go support women's sports at all levels so we all can win.