Rachel Boehm Author Bio:
Rachel Boehm is an award-winning journalist, turned workplace wellness organizer and advocate. Her experiences with school and workplace bullying, fat shaming, disordered eating, perfectionism, and verbal and emotional abuse began at a young age and continued into her late-twenties.
Embracing a survivor’s mindset, Boehm now views her journey as a calling to transform the way individuals and organizations view well-being, the beauty of the human body, metrics of success, and the fragility of time.
Boehm was raised in Austin, Texas. A love for the fine arts, film, and television took her to Southern California for undergraduate studies and to pursue a career in the industry.
A quarter-life crisis fueled by the tumultuous nature of the industry and a realization of society’s flawed definitions of beauty and success, sent her on a multi-year soul-searching quest. She traveled back to Austin, then on to the UAE, Syria, Jordan, Europe, and New York City, before accepting a graduate studies scholarship with American University in Journalism and Public Affairs. Following commencement, she moved to Northern Virginia.
This journey is detailed in her memoir I Am NOT!, which in many ways provides the backstory for her 2018 self-published collection of quips and lessons learned, Tripping in Public.
Today, Boehm works at an individual and organizational level to change the dialogue around the workplace well-being experience. She shares her story and works to help others: redefine success and beauty; develop mindfulness and self-compassion; and embrace the art of the “always something” mindset.
Through her many endeavors (day job, side hustle, and private practice), Boehm seeks to help everyone bring their best selves to work and life, and to truly love the skin they’re in.
What inspires you to write?
Everything I do is based on the philosophies that work shouldn’t suck or kill you, that no one should have to choose between making a living and living a life, and that everyone should be able to look in the mirror and love what they see. Life is too short not to love your body and love your life. One way I help people feel confident in their bodies and life is through storytelling.
Tell us about your writing process.
I'm a cross between a "pantser" and outliner, when it comes to writing. Often I have a story idea that is bursting to get out and I need to just start. And then, I have to take a step back and think, OK, what's actually next and where is this going. Otherwise, I might write myself into a tangle and it will take longer to unknot it than it would if I had loosely outlined in the beginning.
For Fiction Writers: Do you listen (or talk to) to your characters?
I definitely listen and talk to my characters.
Who are your favorite authors?
I recently discovered Emily Henry's fiction and I cannot stop reading it. Even when the stories all work out, I am devastated when they end because they're over. And yet, I cannot slow down reading them because they are so delicious.
I'm also primarily an audiobook gal. My favorite narrator is Julia Whelan.
What genres do you write?
non-fiction, fiction,
How did you choose the genre(s) you write?
I don't choose them. The genres choose me =).
What three things are on your writing desk at any given moment?
Tea or coffee or water.
I like a clean desk.
What hobbies do you have when you need a break from writing?
I absolutely love stand-up paddle board. I am a big fan of nearly anything outdoors. I also have several side businesses and am pursuing my doctorate. So often, my fiction writing is my hobby away from scholarly research and writing. I get very excited for adjectives.
What formats are your books in?
eBook, Print
Website(s)
Home Page Link
Follow On Amazon
Link to Author Page on OC Publishing
Author’s Social Media Links
Goodreads
Facebook
Twitter
Pinterest
YouTube
Instagram
All information is provided by the author and is presented as it was submitted so you the reader get to hear the author’s own “voice” in their interview.
