We had the good fortune of connecting with Marrielle Monte and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Marrielle, what role has risk played in your life or career?
I feel taking risks is synonymous with truly living life. You can’t remain indoors all day and expect to lead an extraordinary life. As the song from the classic Christmas movie Santa Claus is Coming to Town suggests, “put one foot in front of the other, and soon you’ll be walking out the door!”

Throughout my life, I’ve embraced numerous risks. Some were meticulously planned, while others were driven by instinct, where I stayed true to myself and leaped in. Not all risks yielded the desired outcomes, but each taught me valuable lessons about myself and helped shape the life I wanted to live. Without taking risks, I wouldn’t be the person I am today.

I’ve ventured on many adventures because I discovered the courage to embrace risks. Growing up as a performing artist, I faced risks daily. You don’t always have to heed the little voice in your head that discourages you from pursuing what’s right in front of you. While its goal is to keep you safe, it only sometimes offers the most accurate advice. Risk-taking can indeed be daunting, yet it can also bring remarkable exhilaration!

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
From a young age, I was blessed with a joyful upbringing. My parents wholeheartedly supported my passion for dance and the arts, setting the foundation for my adventurous life. My journey took me to Broadway and worldwide, where I performed in numerous productions, commercials, videos, and films. Eventually, because of my husband’s work, I found my home in Denver, loving the roles of mother, wife, and dog mommy of our crazy Boxer, Kali.

When I discovered the International Day of Happiness in 2015, I felt compelled to share the joy it represents. I approached my son’s elementary school principal with the idea of teaching the kids a “happy dance” and inspiring them to create happiness in their lives. After an exhilarating day of teaching, I shared an important message with the students: I’m not always happy, but in those moments, I look into the mirror and speak to myself. I affirm, “I am POWERFUL!” “I am SMART!” and “I am STRONG!” Their initial giggles turned into a lively wave of participation as they joined in, shouting out affirmations of empowerment. By the day’s end, all the students were beaming with excitement and joy, jumping and shrieking with delight.

One curious child asked, “We can talk to ourselves that way?” and another exclaimed, “This was the best day of my life!” I left the school with a heavy heart, realizing that many children were unaware of their potential to uplift themselves with positive self-talk. I knew I had to act. My research revealed a need for more resources dedicated to empowering children in this way, and I was compelled to fill that gap by writing *Magic Thinking for Kids* in 2018. I am proud to share that the book has received three distinguished awards. Additionally, I created a coloring book titled Magic Thinking Affirmations: Coloring Book to complement the picture book.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, I could not visit schools, so I created the Happiness Flip Workshop to teach children the principles of my book. It’s not just about reciting affirmations; it’s about envisioning and feeling those emotions as if the positive thoughts have already come true. As Napoleon Hill wrote, Whatever your mind can conceive and believe, it can achieve.

Seeing the transformation in kids’ eyes as they light up with newfound power and confidence brings me so much joy. I teach them that while negative thoughts are natural, we can shift our perspective, practice gratitude, and use simple tools to flip those thoughts. One such tool is grounded in the idea, as explained by Zig Ziglar, that our minds cannot distinguish between reality and imagination. By feeding our minds with images of ourselves already achieving and embodying our desired emotions and states, our minds align with those visions.

I am fortunate enough to continue my passions in acting and filmmaking, working with Chestnut Tree Films here in Denver. Together, we create enchanting Colorado Christmas movies, adding a touch of holiday magic to our art.
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If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
If one of my far-away besties were visiting, we’d kick off the adventure with a trip to Uchi Denver for the most incredible sushi experience! Then, we’d check out the concert schedules for Red Rocks and Fiddler’s Green to catch some unforgettable live music.

If it were the fall, we’d marvel at the vibrant autumn colors of Kenosha Pass. Come winter, we’d immerse ourselves in the festive spirit at the Lighting of Breckenridge, cheer on the runners in the Race of the Santas, and delight in the holiday dog parade — what a magical season!

During the summer, we’d hit the water for paddle boarding on Jefferson Lake, soaking up the breathtaking natural beauty. Whatever the season, it would be a fun-filled weekend packed with great food, music, and outdoor adventures!
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Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I dedicate my shoutout to my husband, Luis, who supports all the creative and adventurous ideas I conceive. I also dedicate this to all the women who support me with love and laughter, helping to keep me grounded. ❤️

Website: https://www.marriellemonte.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/marrielle_monte/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marriellemonte

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/empoweringkidz/

Other: My film website is:
www.ChestnutTreeFilms.com.

Image Credits
Lyle DeRose, April Thompson, Kelly Collier, Bill Barstner

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