Meet Nancy Solari
Personal Background
Nancy Solari is an inspiring example of living the life you want with a positive mindset, regardless of the challenges you face – and she is no stranger to adversity.
Born and raised in the Pacific Northwest, Nancy faced tremendous hardships during her childhood and teenage years. She witnessed domestic violence, her parent’s divorce, her sisters’ battle with eating disorders, and her mother’s fight against breast cancer. Then, at the age of sixteen, Nancy was diagnosed with retinitis pigmentosa, a progressive retinal disease that leads to blindness. Since her diagnosis, Nancy has experienced subtle yet significant vision loss, but rather than allowing the disease and her painful past to keep her down, she chose to persevere and follow her dreams.
As her life progressed, Nancy adapted to increasing blindness, but continued to face immense challenges outside of her diagnosis: sexual harassment in the music industry, financial instability, battling suicidal thoughts, infidelity, and the heartbreak of suffering multiple miscarriages. But Nancy remained optimistic, turning each hardship into an opportunity for growth. She chose to harness these experiences into fuel to help others overcome obstacles.
Professional Background
Nancy obtained her BA in Broadcasting and Psychology from the University of Oregon and studied film at William Patterson University. After graduation, Nancy served on the production staff of Good Morning America and Entertainment Tonight until she could no longer read a teleprompter. She transitioned into the music industry until her loss of vision made it difficult to navigate dark studios and stages. Nancy then pivoted to real estate and became one of the top realtors in Los Angeles. Never one to give up, Nancy would take up to twelve buses to show houses when she could no longer drive due to diminished sight. She prepared for open houses by arriving three hours early to memorize the layout of the house, so she could effectively show it to prospective buyers.
Although Nancy felt passionate about all of her previous professions, she felt drawn to create a career that worked with, rather than against, her blindness. She obtained her Life Coaching degree from the Institute for Professional Excellence in Coaching and launched Living Full Out in 2008 with the intention of helping others realize their dreams. Today, Nancy is an accomplished CEO, coach, and motivational speaker and regular columnist at Entrepreneur magazine and other publications. She has presented for organizations such as National Ticketing Association, Boston Scientific, Public Risk Management Association, Braille Institute Library, National Retail Federation, and many more, sharing her tools for success with audiences and organizations all around the country. She has been a guest on numerous podcasts where she’s shared her expertise on topics such as entrepreneurship and living a healthy lifestyle.
Nancy is the creator and host of The Living Full Out Radio Show, a community that draws audiences across social and cultural lines. She believes that there is healing in the unity that comes from sharing the struggles of our lives. On the show, listeners can ask questions or hear inspiring stories from guests. Nancy’s life experiences and education provide her the unique ability to empathize and, at the same time, guide people to better attain their goals.
In 2015, Nancy became the first blind person to host a live-streamed television show when she premiered The Living Full Out Show on a web-based platform. Most recently, she acts as the creator and host of Nonprofit MVP, a live-to-tape competition TV show that offers cash and prizes to non-profit organizations across the country, reaching an audience of over 30 million viewers.
Though she is legally blind, Nancy continues to enjoy life and make connections with people. She believes fully that you don’t need sight to have vision. Living Full Out allows Nancy to utilize her writing, speaking, and listening skills while freeing her from the limitations that sight-driven jobs present. Nancy also spends time advocating, volunteering for organizations like the Foundation Fighting Blindness and participating in clinical trials to develop cures for retinal diseases.
Outside of work, you can find Nancy dancing with friends, singing karaoke, or traveling and embracing new cultures. She loves spending time with her guide dog, a Labrador named Frost, and her chihuahua French bulldog mix, Charlie.
No matter where you connect with Nancy, you will find her meeting the next challenge in life head-on and with a smile on her face.
