On Making Bad Life Choices: 5 Questions with Sherita Janielle
Interivew by Jennifer Cooper
Photo courtesy of Sherita Janielle
“Life seemed like it was a series of unfortunate decisions. ”
This article appears in the Empowerment Issue of Jennifer Magazine.
You may not know her name, but you’ve probably seen her. Sherita Janielle is a model who has been in over 50 commercials for brands like Lancôme, Chevrolet, and Bank of America. She’s also a writer, speaker, and travel expert. This past year she expanded into podcasting with a show she co-hosts with her godmother called Bad Life Choices. They cover everything from cosmetic procedures to people pleasing to toxic relationships. When I caught up with Sherita last month, she said her life was in a “bit of a transitional stage.” “Perfect,” I said. “Me too. Let’s talk.”
Your podcast is called “Bad Life Choices.” Your tagline is: Bad choice, good story, lesson learned. Why is this the right podcast at the right time?
A considerable amount of content revolves around inspiration, however, I believe the time has come for us to embrace our own mistakes and allow them to guide us towards a better future. Rather than solely being captivated by the success stories of others, the "Bad Life Choices” podcast takes a new approach.
You co-host this podcast with your godmother. What’s the backstory there? Did you approach her about it, did she approach you, or was it a mutual thing where you simultaneously said, “Let’s do this!”
The podcast is dedicated to recognizing our missteps, those moments where we veered off course or made less-than-optimal decisions. The goal is to delve into these instances, understand where we faltered, and most importantly, learn how to rectify them. By doing so, we prevent these blunders from becoming recurring obstacles that hinder our progress. After all, the most valuable mistakes are the ones we only make once.
I'm someone who often generates a stream of ideas, always bubbling with fresh concepts. My godmother and I share an exceptionally close bond; our conversations delve into the most open and candid aspects of our lives. I frequently turn to her for guidance. However, there came a juncture when life seemed like it was a series of unfortunate decisions.
I thought - wouldn't it be intriguing we transformed this into a podcast? The notion appealed to us, and yet, we allowed it to linger in the background for around eighteen months, until we finally mustered the courage to take a step forward.
Timing, as they say, is crucial. We believed that the right moment had yet to arrive. Now, having undergone transformative life experiences, the stars seem aligned. It feels like the opportune juncture to step into the light and share our message with the world.
In one of your episodes you talk about unnecessary cosmetic procedures and the conversation surprised me. I think a lot of people go into a procedure thinking it will make them feel “more like themselves” but as you all discussed, that’s not always the case. What did you learn from that conversation with board-certified dermatologist and hormonal skin expert, Dr. Zenovia?
Dr. Zenovia's wealth of knowledge never ceases to amaze me, every time I talk to her I learn something new. I suppose I hadn't fully grasped the extent to which people flock to trends in cosmetic procedures. Suddenly, the desire for prominent features, like oversized lips, becomes all the rage. Personally, I've always held the belief that one should embrace the natural face they were born with, nurturing it through great skincare. This perspective has been a cornerstone for me.
Yet, it was truly enlightening to learn just how some individuals want to change their appearance. The stark reality emerges when these transformations don't come out the way they planned and the aftermath often culminates in regret.
Okay, I have to ask, because it’s the title of the show: What’s one of the worst decisions you’ve made?
Oh I have definitely made some bad life choices but it's hard to pinpoint just one because some of the major decisions I've made have led me to where I am right now and I actually love who I am and the life that that I have currently. I would say the worst decision I’ve ever made was not listening to my gut. Intuition is a powerful thing and should not be ignored - when it is, it always ends badly.
What’s one of the best?
The best decision I’ve made and continue to make is to continually put myself out there. I am constantly meeting wonderful people that have become great friends and trying new experiences that enrich my life. I just try to live life to the fullest each day and I think it shows.
You can follow Sherita on Instagram and find her podcast, Bad Life Choices on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.
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