Today we’d like to introduce you to Chelsey Rives.
Hi Chelsey, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, let’s briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today.
I was having the time of my life. I went from a tiny Texas town to Harvard, where I earned a Master’s in theatre performance. I moved to NYC, landed agents, and booked commercials and voice-overs. I was performing on big stages in front of thousands of people across the country. I was killin’ it. I killed it for 12 years. Then, life took a drastic turn. Buried under a decade-long battle with PTSD, fear swallowed me whole. Hospital stays, panic attacks, chronic pain, and deep depression replaced auditions. I had to return to Texas, barely able to function. Then things changed again. I learned that the only way out was through. I learned how to embrace resistance and turn fear into fuel. With much help and support, I clawed my way back from rock bottom. And I wouldn’t change a single thing. Now, I combine everything I learned about overcoming fear and self-doubt with my years of acting training and experience to help people speak up & play big so they can step into the version of themselves they most want to be.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might need to become more familiar, what can you tell them about what you do?
I am a communication coach and founder of Volcano Heart Coaching and Consulting. I help people who struggle with imposter syndrome, performance anxiety, and social awkwardness speak up, so they can get the opportunities they deserve. I work with clients privately, in corporations, non-profits, and educational institutions. For over 10 years, I was silenced by fear, self-doubt, and anxiety. It robbed me of time, income, and the ability to connect with the most important people in my life. Now, I combine everything I have learned about facing fear with my professional acting training and experience to help people communicate with confidence. My academic training in drama therapy, work experiences, and lived experiences have attuned me to the complex role trauma and chronic stress play in the body, voice, and ways we connect with the world. I earned a master’s degree in theater performance from the Institute for Advanced Theatre Training at Harvard University and studied at the Moscow Art Theater and London Academy of Theater.
What were you like growing up?
I was a go-getter from the start. Full of grit, guts, and heart. I got myself from a tiny Texas town to Harvard, where I earned a Master’s degree in theatre performance. I lived in London and Russia, all before the plucky age of 22.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.volcanohearttx.com
- Instagram: instagram.com/Volcano_heart_communication
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/volcanoheart/
- Other: Tiktok.com/@Volcanohearttx
