From Trauma to Purpose: Casting Director Sally Forcier on Dreams, Mental Health & Healing

Описание: What if your childhood was filled with chaos, addiction, and suicide attempts, yet you still found a way to build a life of purpose, creativity, and healing for others?

In this episode host Elizabeth Axelgard sits down with casting director, producer, and Wild Philly Films founder Sally Forcier of Forcier Casting & Productions. Sally shares how she went from dreaming of a stable home as a child to building a career in film, empowering actors, and creating powerful, hope-filled stories around mental health and healing.

You’ll hear Sally talk about:
• Growing up with addiction, instability, and a mother who attempted suicide six times
• How acting and on-camera work became a doorway to possibility
• Pivoting from “in front of the camera” to casting, producing, and coaching actors
• Launching Wild Philly Films and creating documentaries about mental health and equine therapy
• Leaving a “safe,” secure state job to walk fully into her calling
• Why your current circumstances don’t define your future, and why it’s never too late to dream again

If you’ve ever:
➡️ Felt stuck in a story you didn’t choose
➡️ Wondered how to turn pain into purpose
➡️ Or needed permission to pivot, reinvent, and dream again…
Sally’s story will speak to you.


Chapters:
00:00 – Welcome & introduction to Sally Forcier
01:11 – Childhood dream: wanting a stable home & a life beyond chaos
02:01 – Discovering performing, theatre, and the joy of storytelling
02:57 – First casting call: from young mom to on-camera acting
05:26 – “Failure is your middle name”: rejection, grit & inner belief
06:37 – Pivoting from actor to consultant and casting director
07:46 – Saying yes when the door opens: the birth of Forcier Casting
08:47 – Bringing film to Sacramento & supporting local actors
10:13 – Launching Wild Philly Films & telling stories that matter
11:36 – Notorious Nick and the power of true, inspirational stories
12:08 – Growing up with addiction, mental illness & suicide attempts
13:18 – Realizing “this isn’t healthy” and choosing a different life
14:02 – Her daughter’s trauma and the seed of Through Horse’s Eyes
15:08 – Equine therapy: healing, connection & horses as mirrors to the soul
16:18 – The second documentary & disconnecting in the High Sierra
16:45 – Wild Philly’s bigger mission: growth, motivation & mental health
17:01 – Pandemic, lost dreams & the diminished spark to dream big
17:40 – Limiting beliefs & becoming the architect of your own story
18:25 – Focusing on what’s possible instead of what you don’t want
20:03 – Being miserable in the “safe job” & finally walking away
21:13 – Getting uncomfortable, taking risks & letting life flourish
22:47 – Advice to her daughter (and us): don’t give up, you have purpose
23:43 – “You are enough”: faith, calling & knowing you’re here for a reason
24:24 – Fulfillment vs. glamour: the real life of making movies
24:50 – Legacy, impact & doing what you were meant to do
25:10 – Closing thoughts & what’s next

About the host:

Elizabeth Axelgard is a top-producing real estate agent serving Sacramento, Placer, and El Dorado Counties. Guided by a mission to make meaningful connections and enrich the lives of others, she brings genuine care, deep local expertise, and a commitment to excellence to every client relationship.
As the host of “This Dream Is Yours,” Elizabeth shares inspiring conversations with dreamers and doers, motivating others to live with intention and possibility.

WATCH NEXT: More inspiring conversations about courage, calling, and reinvention →    • This Dream Is Yours  

Subscribe to the channel to support the series & stay notified when new episodes go live.