I would just like to thank the bosshole who told me I wasn't going anywhere...
I had a bully boss. You know the kind. I call him “the bosshole” and I really owe him everything. Because I made up my mind to show him, and I did.
Being happy – truly happy – is the best revenge. That was the big lesson I got. I thought about it recently when I was interviewed for a radio show recently.
“This is really impressive,” the host said as he read my bio on air. I felt like he was talking about somebody else. I’ve never defined my life by accomplishment, but rather, by resilience. I always kept fighting when it seemed like all hope was lost.
So, don’t be overly impressed by my credentials (although I’d never get hired if I didn’t mention I’m a four-time Pulitzer Prize nominee, best-selling author of nine books including an Oprah book and one of three women speakers in the top 15 keynote speakers on the prestigious Global Guru list). I am far more proud that every time I fell down – and I fell down plenty – I got right back up and fought.
Fawn kayaking near her home in Dunedin, Fla.
My first book was rejected by every major U.S. publisher, but I persevered until it became a No. 1 best-seller. I kept writing the Oprah Winfrey Show until one of my 29 letters was noticed by Oprah’s people and my book was an Oprah book. I was an investigative reporter for some of the nation’s best newspapers and magazines, but I had a bully boss who literally tried to derail my career, telling me “You’ll never be more than you are right now – a reporter.” I fought back, big time. And I won.
Life is all about our obstacles. They hold our greatest opportunities for success and growth, but we do have to earn them. If I hit the wall (and every so often, I still do), I just take the next step, knowing that sooner or later, I’ll get to where I need to go.
My first book was rejected by every major U.S. publisher, but I persevered until it became a No. 1 best-seller. I kept writing the Oprah Winfrey Show until one of my 29 letters was noticed by Oprah’s people and my book was an Oprah book. I was an investigative reporter for some of the nation’s best newspapers and magazines, but I had a bully bosshole who tried to derail my career, telling me “You’ll never be more than you are right now – a reporter.” I fought back, big time. And I won.
Our obstacles hold our greatest opportunities for success and growth, but we do have to earn them. If I hit the wall (and every so often, I still do), I just take the next step, knowing that sooner or later, I’ll get to where I need to go.
I am based in Dunedin, Fla. where I am not in a relationship for the first time in more than three decades. What a great moment in my life! I live with two magnificent cats and a ridiculous black dog who is the best adventure partner ever.
When I die, I don’t want my obituary to say, “Fawn Germer, best-selling author and acclaimed investigative reporter died…” I want it to say, “Fawn Germer, a badass adventurer who loved and was loved. She lived one hell of a life and blazed a lot of trail. She cared about humanity and was a great friend. A passionate swimmer, cyclist and kayaker. She loved dogs and cats. And, oh yeah, she wrote books and spoke all over the world, inspiring millions of people to take risks, put their self-esteem issues in check, and dare to go for broke. She lived by the old Japanese proverb: “Fall Down Seven Times, Get Up Eight.”
Fawn with her adventure dog, Sonny Germer.
Fawn's new book came right in the midst of a Zoom call.
Okay, so you still want the "official" bio?
Fawn Germer is the irreverent, beloved best-selling author of nine books including the Oprah book, Hard Won Wisdom. She has been a keynote speaker for nearly 100 Fortune 500 companies and was nominated for the Pulitzer Prize four times for her work as an investigative reporter. Fawn’s first book was rejected by every major publisher in the United States, but Fawn would not give up until it was the No. 1 nonfiction bestseller that Oprah loved. Her newest book Coming Back, on St. Martin’s Press, shows how to turbocharge your career by changing the way you change.
She is co-host of the wildly popular Hard Won Wisdom podcast, which is sponsored by the national Women’s Leadership Network.
Fawn is an inspiring storyteller and life adventurer. She’s learned plenty the hard way, and is as authentic as they come. She interviewed hundreds of the most accomplished leaders of our times, including famous CEOs, prime ministers, presidents, Nobel Peace Prize winners, scientists, Academy Award winners and many other trailblazers who revealed that success is born in risk, and power comes from consciously disabling your doubt and self-esteem issues.
Fawn loves to hear from her audiences and you can find her on Facebook or write info@fawngermer.com ..