Written By: Leslie Means
Feature Image By: Rachel Gnagy @ Inscribed Photography
I’ve never taken acting lessons. In fact the only acting I’ve ever done came during a high school play where I was cast as narrator.
Does that even count? I didn’t have to memorize a single line. Yeah, I don’t think that counts.
But my lack of performance skills didn’t deter me from trying out for a Dove soap commercial during a seemingly despairing time after college. I was recently married, had just moved to Houston, Texas and had troubles finding a television reporting gig in such a top market.
No one wanted a gal with little television experience.
So when I saw a casting opportunity for this commercial I decided I would give it a shot. It was the era when normal people suddenly became stars overnight through this new concept of reality TV. I thought, “If they can do it, I’m sure I can too.”
But I needed help. Someone had to film and edit my audition tape. And since I wasn’t making an income, I couldn’t hire anyone. Instead, I turned to my husband who had all the video and editing equipment at his new job with the Houston Rockets NBA team.
“Kyle,” I asked nervously, “I saw this commercial audition, and I want to try out for it. Can you please help me?”
He knew I had a better chance of getting struck by lightning than get cast in this commercial. Admittedly, I knew it too. But that didn’t stop ether of us from trying.
“Sure Les, I’ll help you,” he said.
A few days before the deadline, Kyle took me to his work studio to film my audition tape. Only hours prior he had been interviewing NBA Basketball players, now he was helping his wife fulfill some crazy idea to star in a Soap commercial.
I didn’t get a call back.
A few months ago, I was talking to my sister about goals and ambitions. “You know Leslie, the reason you’re able to try new adventures is because Kyle is so supportive. You couldn’t do it without him.”
I took her words and pondered them for a while. I’ve always known how lucky I am to have found a supportive guy, but in our 8 years of marriage I don’t think I’ve ever really known just how much.
Every time I want to try something new, he believes in me. He suggested we move back to Nebraska so I could expand my journalism career closer to home. He went from a cushy job with the NBA to rouging corn fields in Kearney until he could find a new career path.
He has supported my writing, my crazy dreams and even my decision to leave the television business. And just a few days ago during one of my latest adventures, I received a simple message of encouragement that kept my spirits high.
“Good Luck with your retreat. We know it will be great. We love you.”
That message came during a moment of frustration and nervousness; a moment when I questioned what I was doing. But just like so many familiar adventures of the past, his support carried me through.
And that’s when I truly realized just how lucky I am.
My business adventures could fail or succeed, my future has yet to be written. But one thing is certain. I have a guy that believes in me and that means more than he will ever know.
Read more from Leslie in the Kearney Hub.