Hi, I'm Gina Casazza.

Growing up, school and I had a complicated relationship. I struggled academically and hated reading — it felt like every book was written for someone else. I felt out of place, always searching for a sense of belonging I couldn't quite find.

Then I discovered The Outsiders by S.E. Hinton. That one book completely rewired me. For the first time, I saw myself in the pages — the longing to belong, the search for identity, the courage to be different. I became a reader. My grades started turning around. And I began to understand that the stories we tell ourselves have the power to change everything.

After college, I said yes to the wild unknown and stepped into film and television. I worked on the set of Dancing with the Stars, the TV show Wrecked, served as personal assistant to Ralph Macchio, and ran the production company of the legendary Penny Marshall.

I also pursued acting, becoming a proud member of SAG-AFTRA, and found my voice on stage as a stand-up comedian — even opening for Nick Swardson. Hollywood taught me that taking a chance on yourself is always worth it.

Everything I've lived — the struggles, the breakthroughs, the glam and the grind — led me back to the message that The Outsiders first sparked in me. Belonging matters. Mindset matters. Resilience isn't just a buzzword — it's a survival skill.

Today I channel all of it into speaking, writing, and building communities where people feel seen. I've delivered over 100 talks across conferences, school assemblies, workshops, and intimate settings — reaching kids, teens, and adults alike. I'm the founder of a nonprofit, the author of children's books, currently writing a young adult novel, and my podcast with special forces veterans dives deep into the mindset it takes to truly show up for your life.

Whether on a TEDx stage, in a school gymnasium, or at a leadership retreat, the message is always the same: you don't have to have it all figured out. You just have to say yes — and trust the journey.