Who knew Elizabeth Banks’ softball injury would bring her to acting? 🤩Did you have any canon moments that led you to your dream career? Tell us about it!
I have a nerve disease, Small Fiber Neuropathy, that ended up causing me to create my own dream job. This disease upended my life when I was 24. I have far fewer small fiber nerves than one should have, & those I do have began misfiring; there is no off switch. Little is known about this disease, there is no cure. It took a long time to be diagnosed as I look normal, I'm very healthy, & tests upon tests revealed nothing. Skin biopsies ultimately confirmed my diagnosis; with this in hand, the road to finding a new normal began. First came figuring out a medical regimen. That regimen was medications, treatments, to help mask the nerve pain. What came second was learning to live, cope with chronic pain. I began therapy with a therapist who specializes in patients with chronic pain, doing PT, & yoga. Being active again gave me a glimmer of hope. I love to hike, be outdoors. It has always been a form of therapy for me, a happy place, & that became my goal. Meanwhile, I was also seeking becoming independent again. During college I'd worked taking care of animals, horses on down to birds, reptiles, staying in clients homes while they were away on business, vacation, etc. I'd needed a gig that worked for a full time college student, allowed me to include my dog, a Lab, Baylor, & paid the bills. Fast forward, I started doing this again, but now back in the Berkshires, MA where I'm from. I could make it work around medical appointments, therapies, & it got Baylor & I out of my parents home, nomad lifestyle, until I got back on my feet. I loved it. Being around animals has always been necessary for my well-being as well. I feel a deep sense of connection, comfort, understanding with animals, this, ..intuitive connection. In this work I was finding a sense of purpose, service, deep appreciation. I'd always been a strong, independent person. A pleaser, a doer, always putting other's needs before my own. I'd lost all sense of who I was with my diagnosis, & I finally felt I was rising from the ashes. It's been twelve years since my nerves went haywire. I'm now 36, & I've been able to take things I love, things I've learned, & build myself my own dream job. I hike packs of dogs daily, train, & board dogs in my home. I'd love to continue this, but to expand into rescue, have a sanctuary. Yes, this disease has affected my life negatively in a lot of ways, but it's brought a lot of positive enlightenlightenment too. Life comes with a lot of hardships, mentally & physically, meaning you must hold tight to the joys in life. This journey has taught me so much, bettered me. I give myself more grace, acknowledge I have limitions, put myself first at times. I'm more compassionate, empathic. I'm more confident, I'm far stronger than I ever thought possible. Before this disease fully yanked the rug from beneath me, I was more focused on a job that could provide me materialistically. That focused changed when I realized life is short, shouldn't be taken for granted. I struggle financially at times, but I'm utterly grateful for what I have. I'm glad I chose wanting to be fulfilled, to be happy. To Kerry, I watched your George Washington University graduation speech during my darkest days. I'd recently started watching Scandal, & I have a connection to GW, so I decided to watch your speech, it changed my life. I understood your speaking of being guided in one direction, but having a passion & drive towards another as well. I related to your story of your fear of having to play a frog in a college play production. Throwing yourself into literally studying frogs, their ways, movements. Learning all you could in order to do this role to the very best of your ability, I knew that need, drive. You spoke about The Hero's Journey, bringing awareness of this work to me. You talked about how we are each the hero of our own story, our own life. Your speech gave me hope during one of the toughest times in my life. It gave me strength, boosted me forward, then gave me the confidence to take the path I'm on today. Thank you. Thank you for sharing your gift with the world. Thank you for using your voice for the betterment of our lives, our future. Thank you for your compassion, strength, wisdom, vulnerability.
Love E. BANKS...Such a great woman that spearhead awesome projects..Kerry ...always in great company....Enjoyed this conversation....These two are so real & down to earth ❤
What a great interview! I remember wanting to be an altar girl and being told that only boys could be altar boys. My mom said that it was unacceptable and found other spirituality.
Elizabeth Banks is from my hometown of Pittsfield Ma only I didn't know her and I'm 10 years older than her I lived on the other side of town which is called the Westside she was more Central
@kerrywashington now you should come spend a summer in the Berkshires! Perhaps get back on stage? Tony Goldwyn, Joshua Jackson, Kate Hudson, many more have graced the stages at Berkshire Theatre, and Williamstown Theatre. It's gorgeous in the Berkshires; endless places to hike, and swim! enjoy nature. Wonderful places to enjoy music and dance, -Tanglewood and Jacob's Pillow. Easy access to NYC. We'd love to have you 🙂.
yall superHILARIOUS...maaad easteR eggz... shoutOut to bRandi...you can say that was a REAL ONE/fRiend...i say it like that because She' was myAce wife...n not someONE i actually met on myOWN...n still She' was a REAL ONE shoutOut to Her' & Her' tRybe...{back2back lexus}
Who knew Elizabeth Banks’ softball injury would bring her to acting? 🤩Did you have any canon moments that led you to your dream career? Tell us about it!
I have a nerve disease, Small Fiber Neuropathy, that ended up causing me to create my own dream job. This disease upended my life when I was 24. I have far fewer small fiber nerves than one should have, & those I do have began misfiring; there is no off switch. Little is known about this disease, there is no cure. It took a long time to be diagnosed as I look normal, I'm very healthy, & tests upon tests revealed nothing. Skin biopsies ultimately confirmed my diagnosis; with this in hand, the road to finding a new normal began. First came figuring out a medical regimen. That regimen was medications, treatments, to help mask the nerve pain. What came second was learning to live, cope with chronic pain. I began therapy with a therapist who specializes in patients with chronic pain, doing PT, & yoga. Being active again gave me a glimmer of hope. I love to hike, be outdoors. It has always been a form of therapy for me, a happy place, & that became my goal. Meanwhile, I was also seeking becoming independent again. During college I'd worked taking care of animals, horses on down to birds, reptiles, staying in clients homes while they were away on business, vacation, etc. I'd needed a gig that worked for a full time college student, allowed me to include my dog, a Lab, Baylor, & paid the bills. Fast forward, I started doing this again, but now back in the Berkshires, MA where I'm from. I could make it work around medical appointments, therapies, & it got Baylor & I out of my parents home, nomad lifestyle, until I got back on my feet. I loved it. Being around animals has always been necessary for my well-being as well. I feel a deep sense of connection, comfort, understanding with animals, this, ..intuitive connection. In this work I was finding a sense of purpose, service, deep appreciation. I'd always been a strong, independent person. A pleaser, a doer, always putting other's needs before my own. I'd lost all sense of who I was with my diagnosis, & I finally felt I was rising from the ashes. It's been twelve years since my nerves went haywire. I'm now 36, & I've been able to take things I love, things I've learned, & build myself my own dream job. I hike packs of dogs daily, train, & board dogs in my home. I'd love to continue this, but to expand into rescue, have a sanctuary. Yes, this disease has affected my life negatively in a lot of ways, but it's brought a lot of positive enlightenlightenment too. Life comes with a lot of hardships, mentally & physically, meaning you must hold tight to the joys in life. This journey has taught me so much, bettered me. I give myself more grace, acknowledge I have limitions, put myself first at times. I'm more compassionate, empathic. I'm more confident, I'm far stronger than I ever thought possible. Before this disease fully yanked the rug from beneath me, I was more focused on a job that could provide me materialistically. That focused changed when I realized life is short, shouldn't be taken for granted. I struggle financially at times, but I'm utterly grateful for what I have. I'm glad I chose wanting to be fulfilled, to be happy.
To Kerry,
I watched your George Washington University graduation speech during my darkest days. I'd recently started watching Scandal, & I have a connection to GW, so I decided to watch your speech, it changed my life. I understood your speaking of being guided in one direction, but having a passion & drive towards another as well. I related to your story of your fear of having to play a frog in a college play production. Throwing yourself into literally studying frogs, their ways, movements. Learning all you could in order to do this role to the very best of your ability, I knew that need, drive. You spoke about The Hero's Journey, bringing awareness of this work to me. You talked about how we are each the hero of our own story, our own life. Your speech gave me hope during one of the toughest times in my life. It gave me strength, boosted me forward, then gave me the confidence to take the path I'm on today. Thank you. Thank you for sharing your gift with the world. Thank you for using your voice for the betterment of our lives, our future. Thank you for your compassion, strength, wisdom, vulnerability.
Hi Kerry I'm from Pittsfield Ma as well
How is it possible to come back bigger and better every season such a well done production you can see how much detail goes into this
Considering her book release recently , I would LOVE Viola Davis to make an appearance on this . Such great and refreshing interviews.
Love E. BANKS...Such a great woman that spearhead awesome projects..Kerry ...always in great company....Enjoyed this conversation....These two are so real & down to earth ❤
I love this set of questions because it gives more of the person not the actor. ❤❤
Just so good!!! Enjoyed every minute of it.
Ker, what a fascinating chat! Loved it. 💖
Thank you great interview.
I love this concept your show is great congratulations God bless you!!
What a great interview! I remember wanting to be an altar girl and being told that only boys could be altar boys. My mom said that it was unacceptable and found other spirituality.
Omg Elizabeth!!!!! ❤😊
I’m moving to Massachusetts this month and I’m taking literal notes😂
What a lovely lady!
whatt.. i didn’t know kerry washington had a youtube channel ??!
Honestly same!
Outstanding, ladies!
Berkshires gal 🙌🏽💗
i love her sm she so cute 😭😍
Elizabeth Banks is from my hometown of Pittsfield Ma only I didn't know her and I'm 10 years older than her I lived on the other side of town which is called the Westside she was more Central
@kerrywashington now you should come spend a summer in the Berkshires! Perhaps get back on stage? Tony Goldwyn, Joshua Jackson, Kate Hudson, many more have graced the stages at Berkshire Theatre, and Williamstown Theatre. It's gorgeous in the Berkshires; endless places to hike, and swim! enjoy nature. Wonderful places to enjoy music and dance, -Tanglewood and Jacob's Pillow. Easy access to NYC. We'd love to have you 🙂.
You know your friends when someone skips to you.
yall superHILARIOUS...maaad easteR eggz... shoutOut to bRandi...you can say that was a REAL ONE/fRiend...i say it like that because She' was myAce wife...n not someONE i actually met on myOWN...n still She' was a REAL ONE shoutOut to Her' & Her' tRybe...{back2back lexus}
idk whY...💞 yöu/yall