We had the good fortune of connecting with Tasha-Nicole Terani and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Tasha-Nicole, we’d love to hear about how you approach risk and risk-taking

Risk can be much bigger in our minds than in our reality.

As I approached the biggest risk in my life, I recall feeling scared, worried, confident, determined and passionate all at once! This was normal, yes. Ultimately, what took me through that cloud was that I desperately wanted it! I was hungry in my core. It had deep rooted meaning for me and it meant my life is worth something. I have more to offer! Find that, and you can conquer anything.

I believe that taking risks is vital in the pursuit of reaching our goals. It is the ability to conquer your fears. It may be the single most important part of achieving success. It says everything about you and about your determination to make your dreams a reality.

Taking risks all depends on what the individual person considers a risk! How do you differentiate what is an actual risk from the simplicity of just leaving your comfort zone?

Risk is about letting go of something you believe works for you. Something that you’re comfortable with. Risk is about facing your fears and overpowering them. I have found that you absolutely have to let go of one thing or idea to pursue the next! You can’t hang onto everything all of the time. Risk is about forcing oneself to decide which path to take next, and being confident in that decision.

I’ve taken many risks, not only to achieve success in my career but also to achieve self confidence. Each time you face your fear you are taking that risk! For some, taking a risk is simply standing up for yourself and saying, I’m worth it. Your drive, ambition and confidence must outweigh your fear of things not working out.

I know for myself, everything I’ve ever succeeded at in my life took risks. Sometimes big risks and sometimes mild risks. Risk nonetheless! With each risk we build confidence for the next pursuit. Putting our fears in the backseat just long enough to step up to the next level. Wanting to achieve has to be stronger than your fears.

When you feel it’s right, follow your instincts without hesitation. Hesitation often masquerades as risk.

The biggest risk I took in my life was at age 26 and is the reason for everything I’ve accomplished today. I was modeling around the world for years. Successful on the outside, while on the inside I was yearning to be something more! I didn’t picture myself modeling for a long time. I never did. I always thought it would be just a side thing for me. Yet 13 years in from when I started, I was still modeling. I got comfortable and I started to believe it was all I had to offer. I remember telling my best friend that I was frustrated that everyone just sees me as a model and nothing else.

He said, “You have to do something else for them to see something else!”

You have to risk what you currently have and push yourself to reveal something bigger, brighter and healthier!

Soon after I read a line in a book called Good to Great. It said, “If you want to be the best and be successful you need to be pursuing something that you truly believe you can become the best in the world at doing.”

Something about that day, that question, at that moment, forced me to look deeper. I knew the answer wasn’t modeling. Within minutes I knew! I realized I’ve always known. The next day I called my agent and left the modeling business for good. I bought a soccer ball and cleats and went to the field immediately. Within 3 months I was breaking soccer World Records.

Trust me, once you do take the risk, something inside you kicks in! That fire inside you that wants more is officially ignited!

Over time I have learned not to strive for perfection, instead I strive for completion.

In my experience risk will always equal reward. And when you reach the finish line you will say it was all worth it!

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?

What makes the TNT Soccer System work is that TNT Training is about more than just soccer. It’s about building individual confidence. Building up children’s skills and confidence on their own, in order for them to be stronger for their team.

We believe that confidence in one’s own skills will translate directly to the team.

The TNT System takes basic soccer drills and adds angles, measurements and boundaries to make learning soccer ball control easier than ever before. Putting you on the fast track to learning the fundamentals of soccer. Many of our products are designed specifically around building confidence for kids.

We have training available via DVD and streaming. We have a soccer ball specially designed by myself to have a soft touch on the body which is perfect and less intimidating for kids. We also have Confidence Flash Cards, Confidence bracelets & Confidence Cones!

The Every Child’s Dream Foundation is my baby! It was a lifelong dream of mine to help orphaned and abandoned babies and children ever since I was 8 years old. I promised myself that when I finally find success in my life I will start a foundation to nurture and support babies and children in need.

In 2009, I made that dream come true.

As of 2022 my foundation has sent care packages to more than 98 countries and every state in the U.S. We cater to orphanages, hospitals, shelters and disaster relief efforts worldwide. Our goal this year is to reach 100 countries served.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
If you want to have fun and be truly inspired, stick to classic Los Angeles! My go to with visiting friends is always the Griffith Park Observatory with a quick stop at IN and OUT first of course!

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?

I was abandoned as a baby and sent to an orphanage. In a single moment, with one decision, I lost my entire biological family. I spent years in an orphanage before I was finally adopted and brought to the United States.

I struggled to fit in from the beginning. I was lucky enough to have an incredible adoptive father, Nick who would guide me and make sure I knew my life mattered. He taught me everything I know about love, life and business. He is the first person to ever truly believe in me. The power in that was enough to change my life.

He owned a computer company at the time and I’d skip school as much as possible to go to the office and watch him work. I watched everything and I listened to everyone. They respected him and looked to him as a mentor and friend, not just a boss. That stuck with me.

I had never heard people talk about their boss the way people talked about my father. He didn’t tell them what to do. He guided them! He mentored them and he made them see that their work was vital and important. They felt seen around him. They were experiencing the same beautiful uplifting energy I experienced with him.

The great man he was in the office, he was outside of the office. He was always coaching my teams and using the same type of motivational techniques when it came to sports. I would say he is the greatest contributor to my success in business and in life. I was lucky to have recognized my fathers gifts and wisdom early enough to make them second nature.

Both of my companies revolve around helping and guiding children. I often find myself tapping into my fathers guidance and channeling it directly to the children I work with.

Website: www.tntgosoccer.com www.ecdnonprofit.org

Instagram: @tashanicoleterani

Nominate Someone: ShoutoutLA is built on recommendations and shoutouts from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.