Inspirational Women In Hollywood: How Actress Alexa Fischer Aims To Help People Build Their Confidence
I have a really big wish — to have over a million people wishing at once. Right now there’s so much to wish for — social justice, healing, cooperation, peace — and when we can come together as ONE, we can see how powerful we are to set intentions collectively.
As a part of our series about Inspirational Women In Film and television, I had the distinct pleasure of interviewing Alexa Fischer.
Wishbeads founder Alexa Fischer is an actress, coach, author, and motivational speaker whose work helps people go after their dreams, build their confidence, and break free from fear. Using online courses, private coaching, and her goal-setting jewelry line, Alexa’s work has helped people polish their speaking and presentation skills while tapping into their own greatness. She has shared her techniques with future leaders at the Girls Athletic Leadership School and current leaders at companies like Trader Joe’s, SONY, Google, PepsiCo, and IBM. Her Wishbeads jewelry is carried in boutiques around the country and has been worn by celebrities, friends, and folks young and old.
Thank you so much for doing this with us! Our readers would love to get to know you a bit better. Can you tell us the story of how you grew up?
The first image that comes to mind is me at the age of three in front of the fireplace lip-synching Hall & Oates songs to the amusement of my parents. At a very young age, I knew the power of delighting others with my antics.
It wasn’t merely performing for others that brought me joy, it was a true love of people that kept me quite engaged with the world around me. Whether it was chatting up a stranger, or helping my mother in her maternity stores at a very young age, I simply loved and was fascinated by people. With keen observation, I wanted to peer inside each person to see what made them tick, what their struggles were, and how that affected the way they operated in the world.
In other words I was one curious kid, with a big heart, playful personality and an endless desire to learn.
Can you share a story with us about what brought you to this specific career path?
When I was in high school, I had the good fortune of taking an acting class with Judy White. She was the beloved drama teacher and in this class we explored the book Working by Studs Terkel. It’s a magnificent collection of monologues from real people sharing about what they do all day and how they feel about their work. We prepared various monologues, and it was my first taste of stepping into another person’s shoes to see the world from their perspective and communicating their story through my body and voice.
There wasn’t anything flashy about the production — I don’t even recall performing it in front of others, but it did have a profound effect on my love of acting and my first taste of developing a sense of empathy for others. This one class awakened a deep desire in me to connect with people in a deeper way and help share their stories — first as an actress and later as a teacher and entrepreneur.
Can you tell us the most interesting story that happened to you since you began your career?
You’ve likely heard every cliché there is about the entertainment industry and the various personalities that one might encounter as an actress. They’re cliches for a reason! I’ve had plenty of run-ins with crazy directors, mis-behaved superstars, and an industry that seems quite comfortable with all the shenanigans that happen on set.
Once upon a time, my father-in-law was a producer on a top television talk show. He was in charge of the celebrities who appeared on the show — making sure that their experience in the studio was flawless. He had one philosophy that guided every one of his interactions and that was, “Treat people like stars and stars like people.”
When I was shooting an episode of a top TV show, one of my costars was a young girl who played my daughter. We were on-location shooting when she came to me and said, “Where is lunch?”
When I pointed to a crowd of people streaming into a nearby building, she tossed her hair, rolled her eyes and said, “That’s not for us. That looks like it’s for the extras.” And stomped off.
There is an unspoken hierarchy on set in which “Extras” are categorized differently than the top billing cast and crew. They’re typically kept in a “holding area” with access to somewhat scaled down amenities like snacks. Don’t get me wrong, they are critical to the production, but they simply don’t get the attention that the rest of the crew typically enjoys.
Back to the story… I watched her huff off, but I was hungry and it seemed pretty obvious that’s where lunch was being served, so I headed into the direction of the masses. Sure enough, it was everyone’s lunch line. It just so happened that as I sauntered up to the entrance, I found myself chatting with the lead of the show, who happened to be deeply engaged in conversation with the “extras” in line. There we were — in the same boat — people working, people hungry, people waiting our turn.
Now this might not seem like an interesting story to most, but it’s one that I think about often, simply because it became so clear to me that we are all in this together and everyone — no matter their title — deserves to be treated as equals.
The moment we think we are better than someone else, we lose. (And our soul, starves.)
None of us are able to achieve success without some help along the way. Is there a particular person who you are grateful towards who helped get you to where you are? Can you share a story about that?
The first person that comes to mind is David Mamet. I was up for a leading role in a primetime television show that he had written and produced, and when I read for him and the other television executives, his first comment to me was, “you’re a F#@! great actress.“ (A very Mamet response!)
I had the good fortune of studying acting at Northwestern University as well as the Yale school of Drama. Of course, I was familiar with Mr. Mamet’s work and his compliment certainly lifted my spirits.
Mr. Mamet wanted me for the role, it ultimately went to someone else. That’s just the business… (And a story for another time!)
Much to my delight, a few months into filming the series, I was informed that Mr. Mamet had written a part for me in an episode he was scheduled to direct. In the end, we got to work together after all. I’m sharing this story because it taught me a valuable lesson. Bring your best work to every opportunity, believe in yourself above all, and ultimately your path will be paved not just by what you get, but by the twists and turns along the way.
Had I landed that leading role, I may not have pushed myself to forge new endeavors, including teaching and producing online classes. A decade later, I’ve launched 12 onlines classes with over 100K students around the world. So, yes, I believe everything happens for a reason. When one door closes another one opens.
You have been blessed with great success in a career path that can be challenging. Do you have any words of advice for others who may want to embark on this career path, but seem daunted by the prospect of failure?
Yes! One of the best things you can do is befriend fear. Fear is truly a remarkable teacher! Think about it… Life would be so boring if everything went perfectly. In fact, it’s because of our obstacles, specifically the moments when we stumble, that we learn the power of resiliency, perseverance and commitment! Nothing is sweeter than bouncing back and getting up after you’ve been knocked down. Instead of living in fear of those obstacles, look for them! Seek challenges, lean into uncertainty, and live on the edge of excitement and hesitation. That’s how you expand and build muscles of confidence and live a life without regret.
What drives you to get up everyday and work in TV and Film? What change do you want to see in the industry going forward?
I appear on different screens these days! Screens inside the online courses that I’ve created, the Instagram Lives that I do each morning, and when I simply send someone a video message. While I may not be playing characters on television, I’m honoring my life as a teacher on screen. What drives me to do my best each and every day, is the idea that I’m in service to someone. As I mentioned earlier, my love of people drives everything I do, and sharing my insights on screen is an extension of that intention. You never know who’s listening or watching and my hope is that something I say will shift them and they’ll be better for it as a result.
As for the entertainment industry, it’s my hope that people still make stories worth telling, that actors will step into roles that challenge and excite them, and that the entertainment business is an inclusive, diverse, collaborative and creative environment for everyone.
You have such impressive work. What are some of the most interesting or exciting projects you are working on now? Where do you see yourself heading from here?
My career is at a very interesting intersection at the moment. I’m leveraging all of the chapters of my career — as an actress, teacher, and entrepreneur — to bring them together as new offerings for the world.
As an online instructor and coach, my courses focus primarily on building confidence to express one’s ideas clearly with confidence. Right now we find ourselves in a pivotal moment in time. Due to the pandemic and the uncertainty in the economy, many people are looking to create new streams of income, specifically on the Internet. My work helps people to feel confident on camera, shining with authenticity, so they can effectively share their message with world. We ALL are finding ourselves in front of that little lens more than ever. It doesn’t have to be intimidating!
With my company Wishbeads, I’m offering an experience for people to tap into their own power to make their wishes come true. By seeing your wish, writing it down, and then stashing that wish inside of jewelry — you have a physical reminder to take action toward your deepest desires. Not only do people need hope and inspiration at this time, they need to find the personal power to take action if they want their lives to change for the better. The world needs for us to change, and I believe that major shifts happen in the world when we take individual responsibility toward our own happiness.
The one role we were born to play is to become the best version of ourselves. I teach people how to shine as the superstar they truly are.
We are very interested in looking at diversity in the entertainment industry. Can you share three reasons with our readers about why you think it’s important to have diversity represented in film and television? How can that potentially affect our culture and our youth growing up today?
Of course diversity is it is important in any industry and specifically in the entertainment industry here’s why:
- When you see it, you can become it. Diversity in television and film is critical because it’s a true reflection of the world we live in. When a young African-American girl sees a detective that looks like her, she plants the seed of possibility that that can be HER someday.
- A diversity of ideas and perspectives. Most people don’t realize that the shows we see on TV are typically written by teams of people. When you have a diverse writers room, everyone benefits from the lived experiences of each person there. When you’re writing dialog for a Asian woman and you’re a white man, you can get a richer, more authentic voice of that character if you have a diverse group of writers at the table.
- Breaking unconscious bias. We have a lot of work to do if we are to break down the unconscious bias we have around the characters and stories we see on screen. When we can use the mediums of television and film to share the stories of ALL KINDS of human experiences, then we can learn from one another. Stores are such a powerful way to see the human journey. The highs, the lows, the challenges.
For everyone — and especially our youth — by embracing a diversity of ideas, races, cultures, genders and lived experiences — and seeing those stories played out on screen — we are really building bridges of understanding and connection. We can finally realize that we are ONE human family and that means we can hopefully take better care of one another.
What are your “5 things I wish someone told me when I first started” and why. Please share a story or example for each.
It’s going to be OK. I can’t tell you how much energy I wasted fretting about my career when I started acting. So much wasted energy! Worrying about the future is a natural human tendency and yet there is nothing we can do about the future, so why bother losing valuable energy worrying about it? I would recommend transforming that nervousness into curiosity. Curiosity is filled with positivity and purpose, and that energy alone unlocks the possibility of new ideas, new relationships, new information and new opportunities.
It’s cool to be kind. I’ve watched so many actors, directors, and producers all try to have the biggest ego in the room, but it’s far cooler to be kind than to act like a jerk. Why? Because nobody wants to hang out with a jerk! The Golden Rule is golden for a reason. Do unto others as you would have them do unto you. Trust me, you’ll be remembered for how wonderful you were to be around instead of being recalled as the arrogant, entitled, such-and-such who was a terror on set.
Play the long game. In an age when everyone wants instant gratification it’s all too easy to get frustrated every time you hear a no. The key is to remember that life is not a sprint, it’s a marathon. You’ll cross the finish line if you pace yourself along the way. Nurture relationships, and when you do have the opportunity to perform or participate in any capacity in this industry, do it with joy, appreciation, integrity, and pride. Your patience will pay off if you keep your eye on the prize.
Everyone matters. The entertainment industry is all about collaboration and that’s not just the names that appear on the cast list. Make sure that you navigate this business with kindness toward everyone. From the people that are working the craft service table, to the guards that work the gates on the major studio lots, to the person that’s reading the script to you when you’re auditioning. Everyone matters. And when you are focused on them, you instantly shift your focus away from yourself and trust me — that’s a good thing!
Everything counts. Every experience we have in life matters. I know that may sound very obvious, but how often do we get frustrated when we get a smaller role than we hoped for, or we get depressed after every rejection. One of the best opportunities I had came from a friendship that was formed with a make-up artist I met while doing a Neosporin commercial. That one connection opened up an entirely new chapter in my career and I am so grateful that I was in the right place at the right time to meet her. When you keep yourself open to every opportunity, you can make the most out of each experience!
Can you share with our readers any self care routines, practices or treatments that you do to help your body, mind or heart to thrive? Please share a story for each one if you can.
Learning how to take care of yourself is one of the best investments of your time and energy. We all have habits and some habits lift us up and some habits drag us down. Here are a few techniques that I’ve learned over the years that have served me well. May you put them to good use!
- The magic pause. It’s all too easy to react in the moment, and yet, how many times do we regret something we said or did because we blurted out the first thing that popped into our heads? When you feel that pang of energy — those moments when you want to bark or bite — all you need to do is pause. Take three slow breaths and give yourself the space to think clearly. In this quiet place, you can suddenly see options! You empower yourself with the ability to CHOOSE what you want to do next. I promise you, after practicing the magic pause, you’ll enjoy more peace of mind and live with fewer regrets.
- Meditate daily. There is so much science around the benefits of a daily meditation practice. By quieting in your mind, you’re allowing yourself to connect to a deeper part of your being — a source of energy, light, clarity. and calm. That connection will bring you back to your center, help you feel more grounded, and give you the space to relax. Meditating daily is like taking a shower for your nervous system, rinsing away the noise, stress, and nagging thoughts that keep us worked up and confused. Try it and see for yourself.
- Smile often. Again this may seem overly simplistic, but I believe we are too hard on ourselves and typically wear a mask of scorn. I try to catch myself in the mirror and smile every day at my reflection. This tiny gesture of self-love is the kindness and compassion that we are often looking for from others and yet we can give it to ourselves in this one tiny gesture. Instead of criticizing the tired eyes or the little wrinkle, smile at yourself instead! You deserve to feel that love.
Can you please give us your favorite “Life Lesson Quote”? Can you share how that was relevant to you in your life?
When I was studying at the Yale School of Drama I had a remarkable teacher. His name was Wesley Fata and he was a former Martha Graham dancer. He shared two priceless words with his students. “Champions adjust.”
These two words can be used for pretty much any situation. Whenever there’s a crisis, I pivot to find a solution. Whenever I’m upset about something, I take a deep breath and remember to shift my energy. When I am surprised by a new obstacle in my path, I pause and look for a creative way out.
Life is deliciously challenging and if we can learn to be our best cheerleader and recognize our heroics along the way, the journey can be quite rewarding. Life calls for adjustments all the time! Champions welcome challenges instead of fearing them. Thanks, Wesley!
You are a person of huge influence. If you could inspire a movement that would bring the most amount of good to the most amount of people, what would that be?
I have a really big wish — to have over a million people wishing at once. Right now there’s so much to wish for — social justice, healing, cooperation, peace — and when we can come together as ONE, we can see how powerful we are to set intentions collectively. I created Wishbeads — as a way for people to experience first hand the power of writing your wishes down, wearing them daily, so you can stay inspired to take ACTION.
As the world is facing unprecedented uncertainty — I believe that change truly happens on an individual level. Our thoughts and our feelings create our perception of the world. My mission is to help people see that simple shifts in awareness and small steps with positivity and purpose, can change things for the better. Yes, there is work ahead and that work requires commitment and clarity. When we come together to focus our minds and hearts, we can beat the drum of possibility and create a true movement for change — one wish at a time. As Margaret Meade said, “Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed, citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.”
Imagine the power of one million people wishing at once… Powerful!
Is there a person in the world whom you would love to have lunch with, and why? Maybe we can tag them and see what happens!
The first person that comes to mind is the author, Elizabeth Gilbert. Her wit, her humor, and her keen insights just seem to cut through all of the veils of illusion that so many of us fall into — this idea that we need to show up in the world with more polish than perhaps we feel in any given moment. Just recently, she celebrated her birthday by posting a photo of herself from the taping of Oprah’s SuperSoul Sunday. The purpose of her post was to highlight the fact that she had a terrible Botox job a few days earlier and decided to poke fun at her uncharacteristically angry face — her emotions frozen by the injections.
She can laugh at herself, while doing deep emotional work and sharing her honesty align the way. Who wouldn’t want to have lunch with her?! I know I would!
Are you on social media? How can our readers follow you online?
For more information:
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/alexafischer
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/1000wattalexa/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alexafischer
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wishbeads.official
This was so informative, thank you so much! We wish you continued success!
