Today we’d like to introduce you to Chelsea Haynes.
Chelsea, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
Engaging. Effervescent. Encouraging.
A wise man once said, “there are two great moments in a person’s life; the day you were born and the moment you discover your purpose.” To know your purpose is to understand why you pursue life passionately. Raised in a suburb of Houston, Texas, as a young girl Chelsea enjoyed theater arts. At an early age, Chelsea knew her place was in front of people using her voice to inspire and to instruct others. Chelsea discerned it was necessary to cultivate her giftings to become a lifestyle and entertainment journalist, and she enrolled at the University of Missouri to study Broadcast Journalism and Spanish.
Fluent in Spanish, Chelsea has a passion for food, fernweh, sharing her faith with others and being in fellowship with a variety of people from different cultures. Now, Chelsea is a lifestyle storyteller on WATE-TV’s newest lifestyle show, Living East Tennessee. Prior to her gig in East Tennessee, Chelsea lived in Columbia, Missouri as she studied Broadcast Journalism and Spanish and six months abroad in Barcelona, Spain.
A blossoming blogger, Chelsea explores spiritual truths and encourages her peers to deepen their faith through daily devotionals as they pursue the peace of God in the midst of an unpredictable world. As an eternal optimist, Chelsea enjoys reading, watching television, traveling, teaching children and shopping for the perfect pair of shoes.
Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
If it were easy… everyone would do it.
I like to say that when life gives you lemons, make lemonade. Often times, the sourest part of life can bring pain, hurt and change, but it’s about taking the curveballs life throws at you and enjoying the sweet moments, to make the perfect batch of lemonade.
After spending time at KOMU-8 TV in Columbia, Missouri, reporting on fires, deaths, and state politics, I realized that there had to be more to my future career in TV news. I wanted to bring smiles to people’s faces, rather than bringing them the breaking news of deadly car accidents and school shootings.
I remember asking God why he gave me a mouthpiece if it was only going to glorify the ugly things of the world. I prayed that He would make a way to give me an opportunity to speak life into the community, and share stories about what makes our human population, so great. I wanted to share the stories of Christians and Jews, Blacks and whites, Latinos and Filipinos, the immigrants and the Americans. I feel like every cultural background has a history and a narrative that’s beautiful, and that’s what I wanted to share with my audiences.
Please tell us about Chelsea Haynes: ON DEMAND.
TV reporter by day… blogger and vlogger by night.
Professionally, I make a living as on-air talent for Knoxville’s only lifestyle show, Living East Tennessee. From the survival stories of patients with lung cancer and sickle cell disease, to the hidden history of the African-American community, these human interest stories are what educates my audience, and pulls on their heartstrings, as I uncover stories that are the true heartbeat of East Tennessee.
What differentiates my work from the rest is being able to encourage my audience with an inspiring story. On my personal platforms, I am able to share God’s Word with the community, to motivate, uplift and inspire people with spiritual truths that will continue to mold them and shape them to be a better person.
God is a refiner, and as He continues to refine me on my own personal journey, I want to share with others what I have learned. I know first hand how a God-breathed transformation can launch an eternal, internal change that will impact your life forever. I want to share with the world the peace, joy, love and grace that God gives his children every single day.
Do you look back particularly fondly on any memories from childhood?
Growing up, my dad said I would always ask him, “how can I get from here to there?”
The “here” I was referring to was the couch, and the “there” was the TV screen.
I don’t recall this memory at all, but it is a little nugget I carry with me, reminding myself that your dreams can come true if you work hard, believe in yourself, and trust in God.
When I tell you that the Lord has truly guided my steps, opened doors, shut others and said, “Chelsea, I need you here,” that’s the plain and simple truth.
I just do what I am told.
There’s really no luck involved, just unwavering faith and the discipline to pray and the courage to trust in God, even when you can’t see the finish line.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.chelseahaynes-ondemand.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chelseahaynesondemand/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ChelseaHaynesONDEMAND/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/chelseeeaolivia
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