Engage the power of resilience practices that create a path to joyful living.
Are you or your organization interested in hosting a talk, workshop or retreat?
My reputation as a speaker is built upon my ability to connect with the audience in an authentic and powerful way.
In today’s climate of constant change, it’s easy to fall prey to uncertainty and fear. This is why it is more important than ever to have a toolbox of strategies for how to be more resilient and joyful in the face of change, no matter how challenging.
As a twenty-one-year Army veteran and resilience training expert, I have become a true practitioner of resilience and joy.
From overcoming trauma, to being hand picked to help lead the Resilience Program for the United States Army - at the Pentagon in Washington DC, I have a treasure trove of practical lessons to share that will help you not only get through change, but actually welcome it as an opportunity to create more joy in your life.
joy after trauma
Jennifer Ballou is no stranger to trauma. Having lost her husband, who was deployed to Afghanistan and killed by an IED, she found the strength to continue her own military career, while raising their children. For a period of time, even as she was teaching resilience training, she thought that she had worked through her trauma, but at some point realized that there was more work to be done. She was only numbing the bad, which also prevented her from finding true joy. Once she allowed herself to feel all the emotions of her loss, that’s when she could truly let happiness back into her life.
THREE SIMPLE STRATEGIES
Is there such a thing as a magical elixir to remove pain? While there are things that can numb us to pain, there is no potion that can remove it. Strategies that can get us on a path of healing, feeling more resilient and joyful, even in light of the hardest challenges, is what this clip is focused on. As a 21-year Veteran and expert facilitator with the Pentagon’s Resilience program, Jennifer Ballou teaches her clients three simple strategies that require practice, but are ultimately the tools to becoming more joyful and resilient. She is not only a teacher of these tools, but also a practitioner who has used them to change her life profoundly.
the power of relationships
When life throws us traumatic curve balls that completely shift our lives from stability to instability, from joy to despair, from certainty to uncertainty, it is easy to crumble, but true strength comes from being able to look around and ask for help. To lean on your support group and community. Jennifer Ballou knows a great deal about resilience personally and professionally. As a military woman, she suffered the loss of her husband, who was also in the military and died after an IED explosion in Afghanistan. This left Jennifer widowed, while still serving and raising their children. She also knows how to teach resilience, as her career path took her on a journey that culminated as the Senior Enlisted Advisor of the United States Army Resilience Directorate, Army G1, Pentagon. Jennifer shares the stories and strategies that teach people how to become more resilient.
a sign of strength
Asking for help is a sign of strength, yet far too often people feel they should figure things out on their own and not burden others. But, as Jennifer Ballou, Resilience Training Expert shares, asking for help is a key trait of resilient people. It is also an opportunity to let people in who love you and would feel honored to support you through a difficult time.
Live your most resilient life
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MSG (ret) Jennifer Ballou’s personal story of hope and healing gave our entire team great insights into some of the challenges of the veterans, family members, caregivers, and survivors we serve. Her journey in overcoming adversity left our team inspired to continue our service to veterans, while giving us the tools needed to strengthen our personal resilience. Jennifer and her family are models for all to emulate.
MIKE LINNINGTON
CEO, WOUNDED WARRIOR PROJECT
I’ve been lucky enough to hear Jennifer share her insights, stories, and wisdom; not just once but on many occasions. Every time I listen to her speak, I’m uplifted and feel empowered to be the best version of myself. And that’s because Jennifer is such a powerful speaker – both in what she says and how she says it. She speaks from the heart and through her life stories, she helps the audience connect to their own strength and resilience. Jennifer is one of the rare speakers who is willing to be totally real with the audience and that makes her message stay with you long after her talk ends!
KAREN REIVICH, PHD
Director of Resilience and Positive Psychology Training Programs
Jennifer Ballou has a story to tell. It is compelling, it is personal and it is real. I truly believe her story of great tragedy and personal loss, recovery and ultimately triumph over almost impossible odds is one that we can all learn from and grow. I highly encourage you to invite her to come speak to your organization. You will leave inspired!
Raymond chandler
14th Sergeant Major of the Army (retired)
Raw, personal, soul-tugging messages that are relevant and timeless. I have had the incredible fortune of working with Jennifer and hearing her speak on multiple occasions. She has the unique ability to share stories and principles with passion and candor. Jennifer is authentically Jennifer, a remarkable leader living one heck of a life. Spending time with this gem is an invitation to embark upon a wonderful journey of love, pain, triumph, learning, and self-reflection.
chris david
Senior Manager
Accenture
Jennifer is second to none in strength and resiliency training. She was the most respected and relied upon Ready and Resiliency professional in the U.S. Army. It is amazing to see how she helps people through the darkest times in their lives. She is tremendously passionate about and invested in helping others find their joy again. There is no one I would trust more to lead people through life’s transitions.
Lt. Gen. michael ferriter
U.S. Army (Retired)
President and CEO
National Veterans Memorial and Museum
