We recently connected with TERACE GARNIER and have shared our conversation below.
TERACE, appreciate you joining us today. It’s always helpful to hear about times when someone’s had to take a risk – how did they think through the decision, why did they take the risk, and what ended up happening. We’d love to hear about a risk you’ve taken.
The biggest risk I’ve ever taken, and will continue to take, is on myself. My hopes, my desires, my dreams. My goals. Every social construct in our world has a list of what we should do, who we should be, where we should go, as people, as professionals, well into our later years – even how we should die. But I don’t follow that. That doesn’t track with my life.
I will always do what feels right to my soul. I will follow my passions, even if they are against the grain, not on the path society would have me follow. Even if that means I walk that path alone, I will always choose myself.
If that means taking a risk, then so be it.
Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.
You never realize how your actions can impact someone. It can take just a simple note of kindness to someone to turn their life around. I wanted to FIGHT for our freedom and fight for what’s right. I’ve always fought for survival for myself and if I could stop someone else from having to fight the same way, I would.
I’ve always stood up for people. Whether they’re children, women, or anyone who needs a helping hand. I want to help, however that help makes itself known. It’s my soul’s purpose. Because when I was a child, when I was a young woman, no one stood up for me in the way that I needed.
So now? Now I handle that for those who need it.
I’ve always been of a journalistic mindset. As a child I was overly concerned with the world around me – I was always focused on what people were doing and why. Once I enlisted into the United States Air Force, I became a journalist for real: I was an AFN Broadcaster overseas in Japan for three years, covering world news and local events, from what Japan was doing in international politics, to the effects of the hot dog eating contest on base during the Fourth of July celebration.
The way I got into the news, the way I’ve lived my life, has never been traditional. I’ve pushed against the tide my entire life: from people telling me “this is how you do things” to “no one cares if one child doesn’t make it.” I’ve always been about the alternate path. I choose what feels best to me, to my soul, over “what everyone else does.”
I’d like to be known as someone who always stands up for women, their children, and other survivors. Because tragedy doesn’t just strike when you think it will.
Since I was a kid – I’ve done what I thought people needed: I used to make woven baskets and they took hours to make; I would fill them with candies and cards for orphans to open on Christmas Day. I used to put on puppet shows for our church and other churches across Michigan. I used to help out in the nursery so the adults could go to church service. I was the first person in my school to hold a bible study.
There is light and darkness within each of us; and people choose which best suits them. Me? I choose light over darkness every single time. My backbone, one could say, is the thing that gets me through the darkest times.
I’ve always stood up to bullies, even when I got hurt in the process. But that’s okay; I’ve survived horrendous tragedies and am strong enough to handle what most other people cannot. It’s not that I’m special; it’s my determination to survive.
I don’t give up on anyone: not myself or others. Everyone has in them the capacity to do great things, and I want to see us all achieve our highest potential.
Other than training/knowledge, what do you think is most helpful for succeeding in your field?
Perseverance. Nothing is ever handed to you – this has been the mainstay in my life. I’ve always had to work hard and prove myself, over and over again.
As a journalist, finding stories is what it’s all about: uncovering the truth, understanding the human dynamic, and following your gut that tells you, “There’s a story here.” If you can’t compel yourself to succeed then you’ll have nothing.
How about pivoting – can you share the story of a time you’ve had to pivot?
It would be easier for me to share a time in my life when I didn’t have to pivot. The old adage that “life can be messy” is exemplified in my life and career moves. Settling has never been an option for me. As soon as I get comfortable life sends me a curveball and insists that I remake myself. At this point, I’ve worn so many different hats and done so many different jobs that it would be apt to call me a Terace of all Trades.
A memorable pivot, however, was when I was honorably discharged from the United States Air Force. I wasn’t expecting to be out of the Air Force so soon – I had been of a career mindset, intending on putting in more than 4 years. But sadly that option was taken from me at the hands and deeds of another airman
This unexpected pivot led me to pursuing a full time national correspondent job with Fox News, an organization which sent me all over the country in pursuit of stories to elevate the national agenda and into meeting people who I had never considered would be my close confidants and friends. It also gave me the leeway to pursue my nonfiction career – writing about my life and the lives of others. 
Contact Info:
- Instagram: @miss_t_garnier
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TeraceEGarnier?mibextid=LQQJ4d
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/terace-garnier-b5100953
- Twitter: @TeraceGarnier
- Youtube: @TeraceGarnier
Image Credits
Barry Morgenstein for certain photos