Nely Galan Blog

The Swan: That Extreme Show and the Essence of Me

2011-08-23T15:00:00.000-07:00

At some point in our lives, we are all tested. We find ourselves at a crossroad where we must face a challenge, or series of challenges that force us to stand back and reassess the landscape of our reality. Such a crossroad in life could be prompted by a breakup, the death of a loved one, the onset of a disease, the loss of a job – any one of so many different situations where we spiral downward and ultimately hit rock bottom. Many of us shut down and allow our health, appearance, and our essential life force to gradually fizzle, until we literally become more walking dead, than vibrant life.

I am living proof. At one point, I was a complete zombie.

At age 35, I really thought I had it all: I was the hustling, respected and successful president of Telemundo, an early pioneer in my field as a Latina professional. I had a rich and famous boyfriend.

After I found out I was pregnant, I realized that my perfect boyfriend and I had “irreconcilable differences,” and that we could never stay together. It was a huge slap in the face for someone like me, who at the time, believed there was nothing I could not solve or fix or will into perfection. I love my son, but single mamihood was certainly not the life I had envisioned for myself. It wasn’t until a few years later that I became enveloped by an overwhelming sense of shame, sadness, and ultimately a darkness that only those who have suffered from depression can truly understand.

Despair hit me hard.

People often ask me how I was able to step out of this emotional shadow and away from the ‘victim’ mentality I had squarely set into my mind. The simple answer is that one day I decided to stop everything, put myself first, and check into a health spa. I needed the kind of life regroup one can only find after a solid week of meditation and massage. While I was there, away from the noise and clutter of everyday life, I was hit with the realization that I hadn’t actually taken care of myself in what seemed like forever, and that I needed to finally give back to that vibrant person I knew always existed within me, but of whom I had lost sight. I had to value an essence in myself, and pick up the pieces of my life that lay shattered around me. I felt revamped when I returned home. I decided to be proactive about caring for myself—which in my case, given the rhythm of my life at the time, meant intentional non-action. Or, taking time off for me! It was an epiphany.

TRANSFORMATION AND MAINTENANCE

While I was away, my son had been given a book, The Complete Works of Hans Christian Anderson. I decided to sit and read it with him one night, and while I recited the fable, “The Ugly Duckling,” out loud, I had an idea. “The ugly duckling was always a swan -- and didn’t know it.” As I uttered the words, it suddenly hit me that many women must feel exactly like I did—trapped inside their own potential, but yearning to achieve the natural joy and confidence that exists deep within the folds of their psyche.

Inspired by this experience, I created the hit Fox reality television series, The Swan, which put me directly in touch with thousands of women who, like me, had hit a wall. In The Swan, I propelled these women into action through physical transformation. Granted, the show garnered a lot of criticism, as some felt that the show encouraged women to believe they had to change every bit of themselves (externally as well as internally) in order to find true happiness. Unfortunately, a prime-time TV show makes it impossible to see all that transpires when the cameras aren’t filming: the transformative hours of therapy, the life coaching, and all of the other options and new pathways that these women were given to literally makeover their life attitudes. I firmly believe and can attest to the fact that a woman’s most glorious ‘natural state’ arises out of total self-confidence.

At one point, and at the last minute, the network decided to change the show from a more holistic therapy based, internal transformation documentary, to an extreme plastic surgery and ratings-driven vehicle—all of it against my better instincts. I got flack for what the show ultimately became, but I knew that at the core of my intention and motivation was the power of change. And this struck a chord. The Swan seems mild in comparison to the television shows that now permeate primetime TV. In a way, the show was the first of its kind to literally transform its subjects into the people of their dreams.

The Swan changed so many women, but one lesson I took away from the show is that maintenance is the key to life. As mothers, we often start to put our mates first, and then our children become the center of our universe. We slowly lose ourselves, and in many cases, also our self-esteem. Then we stop maintaining, physically. How we look can be a direct reflection of how we feel inside. We must be vigilant about this.

And yet, it doesn’t stop with just physical maintenance. Just as critically is emotional maintenance. Sometimes we feel guilty when we spend time on ourselves over our families, and yet what good are we to them if we are not feeling our absolute best? More importantly, what are we teaching our children when we don't maintain our physical and mental well being? What will their worth become when we are not showing them the best and most nurtured face of our own self-esteem?

GROWTH IS OUR RESPONSIBILITY

Another lesson I learned from The Swan is that growth is a responsibility; we must never stop blossoming intellectually, physically, or emotionally. Advocating our own personal growth is a legacy that we must leave to our children. Personally, this came in the guise of going back to school. I took a break from television and entertainment, and I am now working on a Masters/Doctorate in Clinical Psychology. The bottom line is that I took my mind out of its comfort zone, and consciously worked on maintaining and growing through school and learning. Instead of complaining that I’m getting older and not feeling good about myself, I am proud to have started the difficult task of going back to school at an older age, and even prouder for seeing it through.

I am “swanning” my mind. No plastic surgery could ever buy this type of confidence. My now 11-year-old son sees his mami studying, taking difficult exams, relishing in the victory of a hard won ‘A’ on a paper. He and I are growing together everyday, and this invaluable and ongoing process of intentional evolution is the most precious gift I could ever give to us both.

check this and other blogs out on www.mamiverse.com

Nely Trip to Israel Day 4, 5/2010- Continued-

2010-05-18T10:29:00.000-07:00

Day 4- continued

After the Museum of the Shoah, we had a sobering lunch. The feelings related to everything we had heard still haunted us and we could not shake them and still have not been able to days later.

Our wonderful guide Mike took us to a bluff overlooking Jerusalem, and showed us all the maps of Israel from the time it became a country up until today. That geography class really was the key in explaining why all we hear about in the States, is about fighting in Israel. The territory that was given and assigned to Israel in 1948, has been continually compromised, re- assigned and cut, to the point where what we now see on a map is a country with a bunch of pockets of unofficial territories that have been settled and taken over by others, often by force. Most of the territories have been settled by the Palestinians ( who want their own official country) but unfortunately, different factions within their group want different things. It is clear to see why negotiating a settlement with the Palestinians has been difficult. Which group can you negotiate with, when the others like HAMAS, might then reject the agreement?

This all became very palpable when we visited the city of Bethlehem. The Christians among us were excited to see where Jesus was born. Bethlehem has been such an integral part of the Christmas story that you can't believe you are actually going to be there and experience the place so many songs and prayers have been written about.

Well, entering Bethlehem, which is 15 minutes from Jerusalem is a bit complicated. It is, as we discovered, a Palestinian territory.
We had to take our passports and cross into " another country". Israelis have been asked by their military not to enter Palestinian territories for fear of violence. So, we entered Bethlehem without our tour guide, or driver , who are Israeli. I have to say this is odd and scary for an American. Imagine you stepped from one side of the street in Santa Monica to the other side of the street ( with a Passport in hand and a military check point in between) in Venice. The Santa Monica side of the street is a first world country and the Venice side is the third world in every way. Very jarring.

Everyone treated us respectfully in Bethlehem, but the holy feeling of the Old City in Jerusalem is not here. There is a commercial feeling to the Church of the Nativity ( which has been split in half between the Catholics and the Greek Orthodox). Jesus' birthplace is owned by the Greek Orthodox, and the church had very mean, old school priests keeping everyone in check, in the assembly line that is the viewing of Jesus' birth place.
We all commented on how different it felt from the sacredness we had experienced before.

That evening, the Palestinian scholar Rami Narallah joined us at dinner ( although he could not stay to eat with us). He was direct and honest. He told us that Palestinians believe this land is their birth right, that they were here first, and that they have rights to the land.

He said that the Palestinians will not stop until they have their own country and until they have the ability to have the kind of economic advantages he feels are accessible to the Israelis.

He admitted that there are different factions among the Palestinians and that they don't see eye to eye. However, he feels that all of this has happened due to the economic hardships they have had to endure in their settlement regions.

He said they also believe the Old City of Jerusalem should not belong to Israel but rather be a neutral zone, belonging to the world.

He also made it perfectly clear that if these things were not achieved soon, violence and terrorism would continue in the region.

Since I noticed how direct and honest he was I asked him what Palestinians and He thought of America. There is obviously no love lost. The only President he thought remotely got the Palestinian point of view was George Bush. He personally likes Obama, but thinks he's incapable of getting anything done in th region. They see us as people who don't understand the rest of the world ( probably true), and a country that is a puppet of Israel. It was hard to hear but I told him even harder to hear is the threat of violence, something we just don't have the stomach or the tolerance for in our country. Israelis live with that threat daily.

Don't the Palestinians realize with the stance of terrorism as solution, it is difficult to sympathize ? They would do so much better in how they are seen and heard around the world, with non violent protests or even a hunger strike. When they figure that out they may actually get somewhere.
For now, I understand it is difficult to give in to terrorism and violence as a means of negotiation.

Shalom

Nely Galan

Nely Trip to Israel Day 4, 5/2010

2010-05-18T10:27:00.000-07:00

Day 4

Day four began with a talk from a man I would love to continue to study with, Dr. Shalmi Barmore, who is a Holocaust scholar. He personalized the experience of the survivors and the generations that followed. As a psychology graduate student I couldn't help but think of the extreme Post Traumatic Stress Syndrome the Jewish people have experienced.
these are conversations that can't be simplified into a couple of sentences. We had a deep and profound conversation with a learned man but who touched us in a very human way with a pain connection.
There wasn't a dry eye in the room.
I was impressed with the compassion, intellect and love displayed by my travel group on the trip. It has been truly wonderful to see us all, in this light; vulnerable, open and cracked wide open. I have loved it for all of us.

The day only got deeper when we went to The Holocaust Museum.
First, we were told that the word Holocaust means " burnt offering"
and that it was a name given by others to the horrific events. The Israelis have decided to refer to the Holocaust as the Shoah, which means "destruction or destroyed" more appropriately.

We entered the children's memorial, which was beautiful in its simplicity. It had thousands of little lights burning in a blackened room culminating in a series of holographic pictures of children.. Powerful, painful and again the tears were flowing.

We met Bernice, our guide through the museum. She was clearly a New Yorker and she told us she and her husband moved to Israel some years ago and she decided she wanted to share the story of the Shoah with everyone she could.
She did a masterful job of taking us through this extraordinary museum and narrating the story in a way I had never heard. This museum carries the stories of so many survivors of the Shoah that they have been able to tell a complete story from a first hand point of view.
Bernice explained the slow series of events that occurred in Germany and the world, leading up to WWII. She explained the history of anti semitism from ancient times leading to that era. She talked about the rise of a charismatic leader called" The Fuhrer" ( Hitler), and an economy and devastation that would all contribute to create the perfect storm of a the most horrific act in history. We learned all the twists and turns that led to the Shoah and all the times it could have been stopped- if only other countries had taken the Jews in as refugees, if only more people had spoken up or done something ( although the museum does honor the 23,0OO non- Jews who risked their lives around the world to help the them.)

I had to think, What would I do, would I help another and risk my self and my family? Would I speak up and not be a party to injustice? If I was the leader in a country, would I take in a poor group of immigrants, when my own people are suffering for lack of food or jobs? What kind of person would I be? You realize that in life you are tested in small ways daily, and the choices we make lead up to the measure of our character.
It is all very difficult to take in.

The time we spent at the museum was emotionally overwhelming, it was too much to process that much evil available in mankind. When Bernice humanized for us how this all happened slowly with small acts and judgments leading to a progression that came to a head in a terrible economy when Germans desperately wanted prosperity and Jews were an easy target for them.
In these tough times in the world, it makes you realize that as much as you want to believe this kind of genocide could never happen again to anyone, it could and in some parts of the world it is.
The terrible part is that in some way we all contribute to it.

Overwhelming ! I can't help but feel that we live blindly in the U.S, Our concerns seem so trite when you travel almost anywhere else in the world and particularly when you are in a place like Israel, where the real issues in humanity are at the forefront everyday.

I don't think we truly understand how vulnerable the entire world is and how it all could be gone in an instant.

Shalom,

Nely Galan

Nely Trip to Israel Day 3, 5/2010

2010-05-18T10:19:00.000-07:00

Day 3

Today we started ( by popular request) with a tour to Mount Olive. Our incredible tour guide Mike Rogoff, who is beyond educated and cultured, brought so much meaningful color commentary every step along the way. At Mount Olive we were reminded of the message of the olive branch and the meaning of olive trees in ancient Israel.
I finally realized where the universal message of the olive branch came from. We never really speak of ancient things in the US, because there is no "ancient" anything in a country just over 200 years old. Here, the ancient seems so present everywhere you go and in everything that is spoken.

We then spent the morning walking through the old City of Jerusalem , divided by four religious and cultural sections; the Jewish Quarter, the Muslim/Arab Quarter, The Christian Quarter, and the Armenian Quarter.
As you go through each quarter filled with market places and restaurants, they feel distinctly different although at first glance they might seem the same.

In the Christian Quarter, Mike took us to the Holy Sepulchre, were Jesus was believed to be Crucified and where he is buried. There we so many people from all over the world, mostly Russians and Greek orthodox followers on our particular day. Our group, which is mostly Catholic, were very touched with this part of the trip.

We then shopped in the Christian
Shops, which were full of iconic jewelry and chachkis. It made me realize how well the Christians, especially the Catholics have marketed their religion through their merchandised iconography.
I can say that, since I was raised Catholic and I know first hand.
This quarter was very art and collectible oriented, with the highest prices and the most order.

The Muslim/ Arab Quarter was frantic, inexpensive and rapid fire in negotiating prices.

The Jewish Quarter was quieter, more together but the merchandise was less flashy, more cultural and low key. Prices negotiable to a point.

I didn't get to spend time in the Armenian Quarter shopping area.
You are on your own.

In the midst of this unique and holy place where so many religions are in such close proximity , it is so easy to observe the passion and zeal of their followers. When you observe the importance of each culture; its traditions and rituals, you realize how dominant is the factor of religion and each one's respective ideology in this country.

It is something that we do not experience in Los Angeles. It is difficult to even explain how it feels to be in the midst of the power of religion and its supreme importance, when you are here.
Its an inexplicable force dominating both church and state.

Later at the hotel, we were graced with a talk by Dr. David Mendelsson from the Hebrew University in Jerusalem.
He brilliantly explained the history of Israel, how it became a state and the challenges it has faced, since its inception.

You really feel ignorant coming here. At home, you think you are smart, well read, but once here , you realize you know nothing. Here you are exposed to the complexity of the issues, cultures , religions and most importantly the geography of enemies who live in such close proximity-all while trying to work think out, so far unsuccessfully. It is quite a difficult rubik's cube. There is no easy solution to any of it.

On a culinary note, we have been well fed by the Federation. Each day enjoying local Israeli cuisine.

On this night we found an Argentine restaurant called, The Gaucho Grill, that I highly recommend. Afterwards, we walked all over the city and felt very safe walking at night by ourselves. However, we had to laugh at the directions we got from everyone," go left, then right and then its that way!" Good luck finding anything with those directions! Everyone was lovely but we continually lost our way and luckily found magical neighborhoods along the detours, that enchanted us. We love Jerusalem.

Until tomorrow-
Shalom,

Nely Galan

Nely Trip to Israel 5/6/2010 Day 1 & 2

2010-05-18T10:14:00.000-07:00

This is the first day post jet lag on our Israel Journey.

We are a diverse group of Latinos, Koreans and African Americans from the US, happily invited by the Jewish Federation and the Consul General of Israel in Los Angeles.

Most of the Latinos have been friends or acquaintances for many years and we have been brought together randomly by way of our community leadership on this trip. We have the incredible opportunity to get to know and understand Israel authentically and to get to know each other in perhaps a way we have never had the chance to do..

Last evening, after our 15 hour plane ride, we had the privilege of experiencing the Jewish tradition of Shabbat at the Western Wall. There were Israeli soldiers and citizens, as well as people from all over the world. It was a very interesting experiencing the rituals of the wall. We were separated by sex, Men and Women in separate parts of the wall. This was a very odd experience for Americanized empowered women.

We washed our hands in the fountains three times before entering the wall ( to cleanse everything that has come before) In order to appropriately approach the sacred space.

The powerful feelings the women felt were overwhelming. We found ourselves sobbing at the inexplicable presence and energy we found ourselves in. It was almost too much to take in at once. It is as if we were engulfed in a tidal wave of a shared consciousness of grief, hope and dreams that has been alive here for centuries. We placed our little notes with our intentions and wishes in the niches in the rough ancient wall. It was a magical experience.

We walked away from the wall backwards never giving it our back as one would do in the presence of royalty, as we learned is the custom.

We then had a walk through the old city, on the way to our Shabbat dinner on the roof of Beit Shmuel were we met Rabbi Hal who gave us a special blessing and welcome.

Beneath the stars, with a beautiful view of the old city, we all felt so grateful for the magic we had already experienced on the first day and for all the knowledge to come. We can't wait.

Shabbat, Shalom,
Nely Galan

CELEBRITY APPRENTICE 2- Nely Galan's Finale Blog

2009-05-11T11:14:00.000-07:00

CELEBRITY APPRENTICE 2
Nely Galán’s Finale Blog

The finale of the Celebrity Apprentice did not disappoint - it was a clash of the titans.

Another impossible task -

1) To create a Celebrity Auction - and get celebrities to donate all the auction prizes.

2) Create a theme around your charity and Kodak. Take an ordinary location and make it extraordinary.

3) Create a brand appropriate campaign for Kodak - sell their digital frames and their message. We know how tough Kodak tasks can be and Jeff Hayzlett made this one particularly tough.

4) Sell your charity through integration at the event.

5) Make lots of money by selling tickets to Cirque du Soleil show, also by getting celebrities to show up and buy other celebs' auction items for the most money.

In conclusion - be creative, call in all your contacts, pull every rabbit out of a hat and by the way do it... in 24 hours and within a tight budget.

These powerhouses did it... even after losing their event planners.

In the end, as suspected it seemed to be a draw.

Annie - hands down, won for money (450,000 collected) and charity integration. Joan won for creative, brand, celebs, best auction gifts - everything else. Even Jeffrey Hayzlett from Kodak agreed.

Who would Donald pick?

I was confused until the end - it seemed as though he was confused, too.

I kept thinking, Trump is into money and Annie is a money-making beast!!! She is tough and seemed unlikable (at least the way she was edited) but Trump doesn't care about likability - think Piers!

But Joan is an American icon, formidable and 75 years old – those factors alone should get her The Celebrity Apprentice Lifetime Achievement Award.

I was there at the LIVE finale.
The tension between these 2 women and between other members of the cast was palpable. It wasn't just Joan and Annie - it was also Dennis and Jesse (over Dennis' drinking problems); and Clint and Donald (over how Clint was edited). There were a lot of issues going on. Definitely heavier vibes in the room than when we were at the finale last year. What happened to Khloe Kardasian, Natalie Gulbis, and T-Boz? They didn’t show. I wanted to meet them. Issues or scheduling conflicts?

The show, however, was fabulous! The heated discussion in the live boardroom session between all of the participants, and the wild showdown at the end between the two ladies, was uncomfortable to watch and great television.

The minute I guessed Annie was going to be fired and that Joan was going to win, was when Piers and Trace came out. I assumed Trace would vote for Joan and thought for sure Piers would vote for Annie. When Piers voted for Joan - I thought that's it, that's the ammunition Trump needs to make his decision.

Joan it was!!! The crowd went crazy!!!!!! I was sitting next to all the people from her charity. They were so nice and grateful. They truly spoke highly of Joan. I felt for them and was happy their charity got the recognition and the money.

It was a great night. Two extraordinary women, fighting as equals - not pussyfooting around and pretending to like each other, but going at it.
Trump got his great TV rating moment and I am one satisfied viewer.
I felt particularly satisfied because they really both won. Annie took home 450,000 for her charity, she's now a household name, and her charity got a ton of publicity. Joan got the title, 400,000 (150,000 that she raised in the final task plus 250,000 for the win), her charity is now on the map, and she gets recognized for 75 years of accomplishment. Win-win for all.

Okay, I have to give you a little bit of gossip about the show before I go.

I have to say our party last year was cozier. This year a million people were there and the celebs came and went - they were too bombarded to mingle. Last year, we took pictures with each other and had a glorious time.

I have decided this season's cast looks way better in person. People always tell me I look better in person and that I look thinner. The camera just doesn't love everybody.

Melissa is a thousand times better looking in person and she has quite a cute boyfriend, too. Jesse James is unrecognizable in person from TV. In person, you get it - he's very cute and sexy - you go, Sandra Bullock. Herschel Walker is a doll on TV and in person - but again, way more handsome in person. Claudia is pretty on TV - but in person, beautiful!!! Brande is beautiful on TV and in person and nice - the camera loves her. Here's the shocker - Annie! Television really doesn't do her justice. She looks way younger in person, and she's really quite pretty with beautiful porcelain skin.

It was great to see Stephen Baldwin, Trace Adkins and Piers Morgan again. I feel that after this season, our season is the loving first family of The Celebrity Apprentice.

Can't wait for next season. Who will superstar casting director, Chuck Labella (who deserves a medal for having an uncanny gut instinct about what mix of people to invite to a dinner party that would create excitement, smart conversation, controversy and fireworks) invite to partake in the next Celebrity Apprentice dinner?

My suggestion Chuck - next year we need an illicit behind the scenes romance.

Any thoughts?

Hasta next year!

Nely

CELEBRITY APPRENTICE 2- Nely Galan's Episode 10 Blog

2009-05-04T12:22:00.000-07:00

I am so happy The Celebrity Apprentice has been picked up for another year. I learn so much from watching the show. I told Donald Trump after the show last year that there should be a Celebrity Apprentice boot camp for professionals. It is important to look at the skills and traits that have gotten you to where you are and address if they are still working for you.

When you watch The Celebrity Apprentice it is often clear and painful to see successful people who are stuck in patterns. They have never had the opportunity to stop and realize that there is time to change. There is time to do things differently and grow into the person you were always meant to be, even if you are a Celebrity. Reinvention is a beautiful thing!

I believe that is the theme of this episode.

The task to write a jingle had Clint Black as the obvious project manager and most likely to win contestant.

I felt sick to my stomach for Annie and Brande, putting myself in their shoes, and understanding the extreme difficulty of this task. Yet they came from behind, (clearly underestimated by themselves and others) and yet they won the race. Or maybe it is better put that Clint lost the race and they won by default. No matter- they won.

I find that this often happens in life. It has happened to me so many times. Sometimes I am so cocky and sure of success and then I lose. Other times when I feel like I don't deserve to win or I am unsure, I win in spite of myself. Even more complicated is that sometimes when I try hard and win, in the end I lose because the win was bad for my life. I have also sometimes lost and been devastated and in the end it was the best thing that ever happened to me.

When Trump fired Clint Black, he said that he was grateful for the insight the show gave him about working with others, I thought, this guy is going to go home and change. He realized his behavior is no longer working for him, he needs to let it go. He shifted and when he has time to take it all in, I believe it will be extraordinary for him.

In terms of Annie, she is in every way extraordinary. I rooted for her to win and I was thrilled to see it happen. But, like Jesse the week before, she is not a good winner. She is so gifted she doesn't realize she doesn't have to say I ,I, I, I, so many times. She just is great, she doesn't have to remind us every second. It diminishes her greatness.

It is hard to watch that behavior for me. I realize how often I have done that. I think women have to constantly prove themselves in the work place that we learn to "toot our own horn" in order to be recognized. We create this bad habit of constantly telling you how good we are, always justifying why we deserve our seat at the table. Watching it on TV, I realize that it is unnecessary and unattractive. Note to self and to Annie.

Later when Trump took the final four (Jesse, Joan, Annie and Brande) and had Piers interview them for their eligibility for the final two spots, his insights were profound and exactly what we all have been thinking.

Do Brits just have a knack for this because they are not from the US and they don't care what we think? Both Simon Cowell and Piers have an innate ability of hitting the nail on the head. Piers was right about all.

He thought Brande was lucky and not winner material (although likable and smart).

He felt Jesse was smart and a good leader, but something is off. I agree. While I admire him for keeping his private life private, you can't go on the Celebrity Apprentice, clearly to get publicity for yourself and your charity, and not expect people to want you to pull out your "Celebrity Trump card"- Sandra Bullock. It's was missed opportunity- he had to go! Trump did the right thing!

I am beyond excited that it is between Joan and Annie. How great to see two formidable women going for gold. It is a true horse race. I believe Joan will bring out all her tricks and will do her best to beat Annie. The more I observe Joan the more I think she has been playing poker with Annie. I think she will surprise us all. Annie could win easily unless she gets cocky and underestimates her opponent.

I love them both and will be happy if either one of them win. But for today I am voting for the 75 year old. I think she gets the life achievement award. Yes she has weird quirks and inappropriate comments but in the race of life in every way she is a winner and a phoenix that always rises from the ashes. Joan Rivers has Celebrity Apprentice winner written all over her.

Can't wait hasta next week!
Nely

CELEBRITY APPRENTICE 2- Nely Galan's Episode 9 Blog

2009-04-27T23:12:00.000-07:00

OMG! That was some of the best, and most uncomfortable television that I have ever seen. Where do I begin?

First of all: everybody is now acting crazy. Even the most normal among them (Jesse) is off his rocker. Clearly the sleep deprivation and hunger have them all at their breaking point.

The task at hand was a fun and creative one. When you are at home chilling out and watching the show, you think “NO SWEAT" figuring out a campaign for deodorant. However, when you are there in Trump’s boot camp, your brain just doesn't function properly.

Clint, once again, did a mediocre job. Surprisingly though, Jesse was the one that was out of line. He acted just as narcissistically as Clint, and maybe even worse. He was so obnoxious that I began to see the chinks in his "great guy" armor. Jesse definitely has ego issues too - he just tends to cover them up better than the others. I was actually happy to see Clint win - just to spite Jesse's behavior. Then when Clint won, Jesse wasn’t even gracious. I guess he's not such a mensch after all.

Jesse really missed the boat on something that Donald Trump taught me last year that I will never forget: "Don’t over deliver." He’s right. We all forget that oftentimes the clients that you are working for are not pioneering geniuses. They’re mainly employees caught up in the giant cogs of a corporation, which means that they are usually not great risk takers. And they don't need brilliance - they just need "good enough."

That was the case in this episode. Yes, KOTU's campaign was bad (Athena's was better conceptually, but wasn't executed as well) but KOTU's project was just "good enough" to win. Jesse needs to learn that lesson, too. The client is not an owner; they are a mid-level employee. Jesse should have chilled.

The girl's team displayed a very interesting dynamic: the "player," Annie, who is clearly only concerned with winning; Brande, who has wisely aligned herself with the winner; and Melissa, who is unbearably spoiled and entitled. (By the way, just for the record, I have heard that one-on-one Melissa is delightful, so who knows?) But in this game, I’ll have to say that I’m very glad that Trump finally had her fired.

Did you notice the note exchange between Trump and Cramer? I think Trump had a change of heart mid-boardroom and guess why? Money. Who would bring in the most money? He was right again.

But then how about that uncomfortable ending with Melissa storming out? And Joan insulting Brande and calling her a manipulated dumb blonde, and calling Annie a white trash poker player? And then running to Melissa's side saying that she's quitting the show! What a whole bag of crazy – you couldn’t have asked for anything more delicious. Beyond great TV! I replayed this scene several times in a row. Whew!!! I can't believe the whole exchange!

Okay, so here's my latest prediction - Joan will return. I know that sounds crazy, but in the end she's a consummate professional and isn’t a quitter. I believe/hope that she will come back to win, and leave her opponents in the dust. I’m savoring the possibility, and her competitors better not underestimate her. I have said it from the very beginning - I believe that Joan Rivers will take home the crown.

In a way, I can see why she and Melissa are so protective of each other. In Hollywood, you really can't trust anyone or anything - sometimes even your own family. The two of them have formed a life-long alliance and created a protective shield around each other. Trump has to respect that, as he is also very protective of his own children. I have to say, Ivanka shone again this week. She is one smart and poised cookie. The difference between her and other "kids of” is that she doesn't behave spoiled or entitled. Ivana did a good job with those kids.

I predict that Brande will be the next to go. Remember Carol Alt from last season? Often beauties are kept in the game for ratings (if they are good) but Brande doesn’t appear to be a true leader. Don’t get me wrong though – she is clearly very smart and not to be underestimated. However, I think it’s her time to be on the chopping block.

On a side note - I hated it when Brande compared her looks to Ivanka’s in order to make a point about her intelligence. It was “brown nosy” and discounted the other women in the room. They aren’t Playmates, but they are attractive, too. It's that beautiful girl entitlement/attitude that the rest of us can’t stand.

I believe that the “Final 4” will be Clint, the little engine that could; Jesse, the quiet force to be reckoned with (even though he is showing signs of cracking. If he’s to have a remote shot, he better pull his secret weapon, Sandra Bullock, out of his bag of tricks); Annie, the player; and Joan, whom I believe will win.

The one thing I have learned in life is to bet on experience and wisdom every time. It seems that these traits are no longer valued in our country; however, I believe that they make getting older all worthwhile.

Hasta next week,

Nely

CELEBRITY APPRENTICE 2- Nely Galan's Episode 8 Blog

2009-04-23T09:32:00.000-07:00

Last week, my friend, Jim, e-mailed me after reading my blog. He corrected me for picking Natalie Gulbis as the next one I wanted to be fired. He felt I didn't give her credit for her true cunning.

He said she had tried one of the greatest strategies in Apprentice history - calling the enemy of her opponent, Annie Duke, to try to raise money against her.

Jim, you were right! It was potentially a great strategy. Only, however, if it had worked. Not only did it not work, but she wasted all of her time putting all of her eggs in that basket versus going after her own money. As predicted Natalie went bye bye... Big lesson - great ideas are important but execution is where it counts. I have had a million great ideas and strategies in my life that I haven't always been able to execute. That is the difference sometimes between good and great!

Natalie is out and we now know that Annie Duke is extraordinary - no matter who likes her or not. The lady can execute. She's the Piers Morgan of this season. Did you see her auction and raise money? I was impressed - made me want to go take poker lessons from her and I don't even gamble. Did you see all those men just throwing money at her? She's obviously made them all a lot of money. Wow! Impressive!

But can we talk about the craziness of this episode? I have been worried every week about Joan Rivers' well being. My worry was that she would start cracking with the lack of food and sleep.

By now you all know I utterly respect Joan and expect her to win - but the comments about Annie being like Hitler were completely out of line and unbelievable. The whole exchange was offensive.

As a Latina - I know the power of words and am always careful of how I use them.

How would Joan have reacted if Annie had compared her to Hitler? It would have been in every newspaper and Annie's career would be marred. It is not fair that in a "politically correct" environment, there is a double standard. No one should be compared to Hitler - and certainly not in the context of a TV game.

I can really understand why Annie never wants to speak to Joan again.

Joan, please calm down. This is yours to win - but go get some sleep and let Melissa be her own person - she can do it!

Melissa and Joan have a symbiotic relationship that probably works in the context of their family but isn't pleasant to watch and must be a nightmare to work with...

Wasn't that exchange in the board room, with Melissa defending Joan and the "inside" comments about how they had gone to mutual friends of Joan and Donald for money but had been rejected, weird? This episode had a lot of uncomfortable, weird moments.

Piers Morgan's appearance was great I wish he was on with Trump all the time. I appreciate him even more this season. When I was there, I liked him at first but then I thought he was too cutthroat.

I was wrong - he is clear, direct, focused and while it is not my style, I almost wish it could be. Everything he says in this episode about Joan, Melissa, Clint and the Trumps was right on the money and exactly what I was feeling and thinking.

He's The Apprentice's Simon Cowell.

When he cornered Jesse James about why, if he was married to Sandra Bullock, could he not raise more money? It was a very uncomfortable moment but it was what I had been thinking all season. Great TV moment!

Piers - right on!!!! Can you tell he was a tabloid publisher in England? He goes for the jugular.

The second hour of the show where they had to create a recipe was predictable and in the end fair. Herschel Walker should have gone, under the circumstances (although it is hard to watch Clint Black stay over that sweet Herschel just because he took responsibility and became the project manager - again). Herschel is, as Joan would say, "a mensch."

Okay here's my prediction - next to go... either Clint Black or Brande Roderick. Brande appears weaker and is acting more like a "fair weather friend" as the season continues. Did you notice how in the second half of the show, she was now trashing Annie? However, I would actually rather Clint go next - it's long overdue.

One last thing I have been wanting to mention for weeks but especially in this episode; Ivanka Trump is exceptional. I really think she is the star of the family. She is poised, intelligent, beautiful and talented, but as demonstrated in this episode she has strong boundaries and knows how to speak her mind - respectfully. I was very impressed with her when I was on the show, and my respect has only grown with time. She is a good seed.

GREAT episode! The show only gets better.

Hasta next week,

Nely

CELEBRITY APPRENTICE 2- Nely Galan's Episode 7 Blog

2009-04-13T10:54:00.000-07:00

It’s hard to write about this episode - I felt cheated! Once we got to the boardroom it was evident that Brian McKnight was sick of it all, and just wanted to leave the show. (He admitted he had gone home for two days and didn't want to return.) Trump then did what he had to do. It made me mad - why did I have to go through the whole episode only to have Brian throw in the towel?

Frankly, KOTU was the superior team from the beginning of this episode, although I predict Natalie is the next to go. Their task was well executed – period! It also incorporated the Trump CELEBRITY APPRENTICE Lesson 101 - "USE YOUR TEAM'S CELEBRITY STATUS".

Athena was off in the clouds with Brian McKnight calling it in, and ultimately suffering the consequences. Their execution of the task was just plain bad.

Here's what I got out of this episode - a foreshadowing of things to come. Joan is becoming so cranky due to the lack of food and sleep creeping in, Melissa feels betrayed by Annie and Brande (who previously never liked each other) and is coming unglued, and Annie (as predicted) is playing good poker.

In the second hour of this episode, Trump announced a second task that required fundraising. This is very difficult in the current economy, even for celebrities. Annie appears to be the frontrunner, but the women’s claws are out! Joan hates Annie, Melissa hates Annie and Brande, and Annie acting as though she likes them all... NOT! Annie is playing poker again – unlikable, but a winning strategy.

The episode ended with a cliffhanger. The task has not been executed yet, and Piers Morgan (last year's winner) comes back to help Trump. I guarantee you he will make hamburger meat out of the contestants. Piers doesn't have the need to be liked, so he will be refreshingly honest.
I can’t wait to see his “inside" report to Trump.

Too bad we had to endure Brian McKnight wasting our time to get to next week. But, it will be worth it.

Hasta next week,

Nely

CELEBRITY APPRENTICE 2- Nely Galan's Episode 6 Blog

2009-04-06T10:09:00.001-07:00

Okay, in this episode Donald Trump is up to his old tricks. If you are a faithful viewer of the show, you will see that he is usually fair, insightful and correct in his firings. This season his performance in the boardroom has been perfect. Perfect that is, until now. One thing that you get from spending time around him, is that he is also moody (and sometimes emotional) in his decisions. Sometimes people just rub him the wrong way. He can also hold grudges from one episode to another.

In my case he fired me in the Vera Wang episode, where I did nothing wrong, because he was still upset that Gene Simmons had spared me in a previous task (the Kodak ink and printer) where I should have gone. Trump practically forced Omarosa to bring me into the boardroom, where he and I exchanged a few heated words, and then I was sent packing.

In last night’s episode, both teams did a horrible job of the task at hand. The client hated both of the viral videos, and therefore no one won the task and it was decided that one person had to go from each team. Double firings are a Trump specialty!

Of the two teams, Athena did a much better job (of a poor job) and it was difficult to decide who to fire. Wow, poor T-Boz - Trump fired her for volunteering to come into the boardroom and support Melissa. This was a "call back" firing. He reminded T-Boz of Bradford (one of the contestants from a previous season) who had volunteered to come into the boardroom and whom he promptly fired. Trump despises quitters and sacrificial lambs. She must have felt horrible – you could just see it in her eyes.

On the other team there was no question that Clint Black should have gone. He was a dictator - not a leader, not a team player, and not very creative. However, Trump had it out for Khloe when he found out that she skipped a day in the previous episode to deal with her DUI issue, which no one had bothered to tell him about. He really let her have it and then fired her. Donald was way tougher on Khloe than he was on his former Miss USA’s fall from grace.

You have to understand what it is like when you are there and not eating or sleeping - you are totally sequestered and away from reality. At home you are watching a very edited version of all that transpires. When you are in the boardroom for literally 3 hours, and Trump is raking you over the coals, you find yourself reverting to child-like behavior where you will do anything to make the pain go away – you act out, you “tattletale” on your teammates, you often use poor judgment, and you end up feeling really bad! Then if you get fired, it’s as if you just got dropped from the coolest team at school. You feel like you let your coach (Trump) down and that you just wanted him to really like you. I know, it’s bizarre – and worthy of a psychology paper or two. We are all grown, successful people but for the weeks you are competing, it’s like you are living in the altered reality of "THE MATRIX". Once you are home and have eaten and slept, you start to come back to your senses. You stop taking the experience personally (Trump really does love all of the TV children that appear on his hit franchise) and realize that it was an incredible opportunity to learn about yourself amidst the rarified air of your peers.

Well, the dead weight is almost all gone and it’s going to get really juicy! I predict that Clint or Natalie will be the next to go. Round Two I’m betting on Melissa getting the pink slip. (I’m concerned how Joan will do if Melissa goes, even though they are on different teams now, and vice versa.) And Brian has got to go next.

The real fun begins when (hopefully) the remaining players are Joan, Annie, Brande, Herschel and Jesse.

Hasta next week,

Nely
P.S. I loved Perez Hilton's cameo. He made the show hipper and was a welcomed burst of fresh air, and needless to say - color! In all blue from head to toe, Perez is the new Small & Mighty.

CELEBRITY APPRENTICE 2- Nely Galan's Episode 5 Blog

2009-03-30T10:51:00.000-07:00

This was the best Celebrity Apprentice episode yet – a great task that was extremely difficult and challenging, and a show full of surprises.

The biggest surprise of all was my feelings for Dennis Rodman. When the episode ended I found myself tearing up, as I was truly saddened to see the downward spiral of a great talent who is in denial.

In the beginning, we saw the power that is Dennis - people are drawn to him like a magnet. He has it within himself to win at everything, but he can't sustain it for very long, and his false grandiosity becomes his enemy. It’s evident that his Dr. Jekyll/Mr. Hyde personality is fueled by his addiction. Dennis is a lovable guy until he has had too much to drink and goes to a very dark place. At 6’-8”, it takes a lot of alcohol to get him to that state, but when he does it's ugly, uncomfortable and scary.

It was pretty difficult watching that very public intervention in the boardroom. I was very impressed that Trump didn't pussyfoot around the subject, and "tough loved" Dennis by firing him. In fact, all the celeb apprentices proved to be remarkably healthy displaying true concern and compassion. The most amazing of all was Jesse James, a self described, recovering alcoholic, who proved to be vulnerable, honest, loving and profound.

I can only hope that this confrontation helped Dennis bottom out, and pray that he went straight to rehab after the show. He would be a truly remarkable man if he can get sober.

As for the task at hand…

Tionne (T-Boz) - I was impressed with her quiet and powerful leadership. I had written her off in the past and I was wrong. She’s not a Type A personality (like myself) but in fact, an extremely organized Type B. I have to admit that I think that this type of personality works better in harnessing this crowd of high-strung Type A women. She's non-threatening, yet direct and organized.

The women’s team was extraordinary, with Joan Rivers stealing the show in the role of the “can do” concierge. She did an outstanding job, but I thought it funny that her only potential undoing in the task was the fact that she kept forgetting to tell the hotel guests how much everything cost. (That’s the only time where she gave away her star status. When do you think was the last time that Joan worried about paying for anything?) Joan has remarkable energy and an incredible work ethic, attitude, and insight. She’s a talented artist and a savvy business woman. I aspire to be her. She is both right brain and left brain smart – with a good dash of NYC street smarts thrown in for good measure. Joan has to win Celebrity Apprentice - she deserves it and no one else on the show is in her league.

Once again, Annie Duke was a standout. While Natalie Gulbis barely contained her disdain of the “keep the wait staff hopping” shenanigans of the revelers, Annie played her cards right and accommodated every ridiculous whim of the guests with a smile on her face, despite how humbling some of the requests must have been.

Natalie has proven that she's good at getting free planes and free gift baskets, but it appears that she’s not used to getting her hands dirty. Can she lead? That remains to be seen.

Thankfully Melissa remained in the background for most of the show – choosing to be a true team player and following T-Boz’s instructions, without all the histrionics of last week’s ugly feud with Claudia.

Khloe Kardasian was lazy and put little-to-no effort into the task... no surprise there. Please, put us all out of our misery and just leave the show.

As for the men, the core foursome of Jesse, Herschel, Clint and Brian did a spectacular job. They formed a cohesive unit that was strong, hard working and focused. Unfortunately we all know what happened and why the men lost. Dennis, please get help, and please get better!!! We are all rooting for you.

I love Celebrity Apprentice. I truly love it. I loved being on it and learned a lot about myself and others, and I’m learning even more this season.

Hasta next week,

Nely

CELEBRITY APPRENTICE 2- Nely Galan's Episode 4 Blog

2009-03-24T09:33:00.000-07:00

This is the first episode this season where I thought the firing was unfair.

Claudia Jordan was fired; however, there were far worse people on her team that should have gone first. It’s a shame, as she really grew on me and I think she is talented.

After winning three weeks in a row it appeared that the women were unstoppable, but all it took was this one task where chaos ruled (as witnessed by their ill-conceived and ill-executed cheesy vignettes) for the team to quickly unravel and the fingerpointing to start. All those women turned on Claudia in the boardroom, in my opinion, to make nice with Joan Rivers – who is clearly the strongest member of the team. No one wanted to risk the wrath of Joan and therefore, by association, no one dared to mess with Joan's daughter, Melissa. Joan is a force to be reckoned with and deserving of all the respect in the world; however she is not doing Melissa any favors by keeping her under her wing. Melissa would be more likable (and respected) if she stood on her own two feet and didn’t turn to her mommy to defend her in the boardroom. She strikes me as entitled and spoiled.

If Claudia had been more Machiavellian she would have focused her energy on eliminating the weakest links on the team, so she could have lived to do battle with Melissa another day. (How could Claudia go when lazy Khloe, mousy T Boz, and inconspicuous Nancy Gulbis (although she did come through with a private plane in this episode) are still on the team?) But it’s difficult to think that way - Claudia spoke the truth and didn't play the game right. She didn't take into consideration the possibility of failure, and within that scenario, who the best candidates were to take into the boardroom so that she could have kept her spot. Her bad decision (more so than anything she did on the task) was her undoing - as a result, she’s gone.

This episode I loved watching my wild card player, Annie Duke. You can tell that she can't stand Joan and Melissa; and they certainly have no lovefest going with her. She knows that they are her biggest rivals and so she aligned with her enemy. Annie is playing good poker. She was able to play them - for now.

I’ll be curious to see what the women do in the weeks to come. How will they get around "the Melissa factor"?

The men's team (minus Dennis Rodman) was tight. Brian McKnight finally emerged from his shell and proved that he is a superstar both onstage and off. He took firm control of the team, knew exactly what he wanted, and was ready to take the bullet if his team failed. Brian was also the only project manager to date able to reign in Clint Black, and that's no small feat. Jesse James and Herschel Walker hit the perfect note with the West Point video - giving a slick presentation with just the right amount of heart. The entire product launch was like a well-orchestrated symphony. And I finally got the concert I wanted - Brian was amazing!

I’m surprised Trump hasn’t mentioned this season how he wants the teams to use their star power. As he told us last year, clients love star power, and star power wins every time. This task was the perfect example - the guys placed less emphasis on the product, and more on putting on a big show. The audience was star struck and that's all they remember, and rightfully so. Brian is a star!

Looking forward to the weeks ahead when all the dead weight is gone and the remaining competitors aren’t afraid to show their fierce and brutal nature. I predict that this is going to be a very exciting and cutthroat season.

Hasta next week,

Nely

CELEBRITY APPRENTICE 2- Nely Galan's Episode 3 Blog

2009-03-16T13:05:00.000-07:00

The men really blew it!

This week, Tom Green volunteered to step up as project manager to try to break the men’s losing streak. Initially it appeared that he could pull it off – he was calm, cool and collected. He had the team calling their contacts to collect money almost the second the task was announced. They looked like they were on track to turn things around.

But oh, how quickly everything unraveled! Within a few minutes of the show, I found myself yelling at the TV (or more precisely, at Tom).
Last week he was so on target with “ZZZZ” for the Zappos campaign, which unfortunately fell on deaf ears. This week all eyes were on him, but it was so obvious he missed the mark. He could have won this one easily. If the task was to sell wedding gowns, and it’s not your area of expertise, then hire an expert (like the women did when they brought onboard a professional wedding planner). Or, better yet, how about making use of the amazing resources at hand and in-house! Tom had two of the country’s top balladeers (in two different music genres) working for him, and a man married to one of the top-box-office romantic-comedy stars in the world.

What better way to sell wedding gowns than to throw a “love songs” concert with Brian McKnight and Clint Black? Brian McKnight has a greatest hits album with love songs like Wedding, Love of My Life, Still In Love, Every Beat Of My Heart, Must Be Love and Crazy Love.
Then there's Clint Black's greatest love song album including, Our Kind of Love, When I Say I Do and I Have To Say I Love You In A Song.
What a missed opportunity. A concert at the bridal store would have broken all records - more than what the women’s team could have pulled off.

If that wasn't enough, there's Jesse James’ “Trump” card - what kind of draw would Sandra Bullock (Miss Congeniality and Two Weeks Notice) have pulled in a gown? How could you not make use of Miss Romantic Comedy?

Tom had all of the ingredients for a victory. Surprisingly, none of the team members brought any creative thinking to the table either! Did these guys forget why they are on the show - to promote themselves for their day jobs?!! I’m annoyed - they not only could have won by doing what they do best - it would have made for a much better episode. I would have killed to see that concert.

As for the women, they rocked without even having to break much of a sweat. They took a lesson from the Gene Simmon’s school of working smarter, not harder. Melissa Rivers redeemed herself from last week's faux pas by bringing in Preston Bailey - Mr. Wedding Planner. That was a great use of resources. (Last year I brought in the amazing home designer Vicente Wolfe to design our window in a similar Celebrity Apprentice task, but unfortunately he was edited out of the episode.)

Question? Where were Nancy Gulbis, T Boz and Claudia Jordan in the episode? Was it the way the show was edited, or did they just not participate in the task to the extent that their teammates did?

Now as for Tom, who I have been supportive of, all I have to say is “Dude, I’m really disappointed at your lack of creativity and worse yet, your failure to show up (and step up) for your team. Why would you EVER want to behave like Dennis Rodman - who is just a complete waste. You deserved to be fired. How could you go out partying the night before your big day and blow your shot?” Another case of self sabotage.

As for Dennis, if he's on the show for publicity he's getting plenty of it - bad publicity that is. Unfortunately it appears that a leopard does not change its spots. Dennis should have been sent packing as well. (In rare cases, Trump does double-firings, and I thought this would be one of those instances.) Dennis will be fired soon - he can't help but bring it upon himself.

This show is unbelievably entertaining- and so far Donald and his team have been right on the money in their firings!

Here's my prediction for the winner of Celebrity Apprentice 2 as of this week - Joan Rivers, Brande Roderick (with Annie Duke very close behind) from the women’s team; and Jesse James from the men’s team.

Hasta next week! Can't wait!

Nely

CELEBRITY APPRENTICE 2- Nely Galan's Episode 2 Blog

2009-03-09T12:39:00.000-07:00

This was a difficult show for me to watch, as I saw a lot of my own blind sightedness from last year. On the show, you are asked to perform a task where everything you need to know to win it is revealed upfront. However, it was often easy to lose sight of the mission when thrown into a room, and onto a team, with a lot of head-strong personalities. You are under all sorts of time constraints and have the added pressure of trying to manage a lot of crazy characters; and often clues on how to perform the task are missed purely due to the stress factor.

Episode 2 was also the same episode that I was Project Manager on during my season. The tasks were both very similar – to create a marketing piece for a big corporation. Last year our project was to produce a campaign for Pedigree Dog Food. In this instance, it was for ZAPPOS - the fabulous on-line apparel, shoe and accessories store.

In the briefing it was apparent that what the client wanted was simple: a brand extension utilizing a comic book character emphasizing Zappos’ dedication to customer service, while staying true to their corporate culture. The task required clear focus – nothing too difficult. Again, the projects assigned in both seasons were keep-it-simple tasks. However, it all comes down to handling your team and handling the pressure. My stomach hurt watching both Khloe’s and Scott’s teams over think the whole process and miss the boat. You could also see the signs of sleep depravation, no food, psycho behavior and illness creeping in.

And, like last year, I believe that the team with the better overall campaign lost. The men had a much better concept, but lost due to one small, but very crucial, component – naming their superhero EEE instead of coming up with a character whose name started with a “Z”! Come on, how obvious Zappos - Z! Hello! Branding 101. They would have won if they had just named their character EZZZZZEEE!

I think that Tom Green was poised to be the MVP of the men’s team, but his teammates pretty much threw him under the bus. He kept yelling “ZZZZZ” trying to steer the team in that direction – but no one listened. The infighting and poor time management only added fuel to the fire. Tom was clearly so exhausted in the boardroom that he did not defend himself properly. The truth is that Scott Hamilton is no Gene Simmons when it comes to branding. He’s not a “creative” and refused to listen to his team about alternate names, and therefore the greatest decision in the task ultimately fell on him, and he failed. (I, like Scott “over thunk” my task last season. The difference is that on our task we over delivered - overwhelming the client with much more than what they had requested. Luckily Trump did not fire me over my mistake which he could have, and probably should have. However, he axed me in a later episode where I did nothing wrong, but had to take the bullet for past transgressions anyway.

Thankfully the Trump family and Erin Burnett (the even-keeled voice of reason in the episode) were able to ascertain the truth, get to the core of the matter, and once again, justice was served... Scott Hamilton had to go. I’ll be curious to see what happens next week if Tom Green takes on the role of Project Manager. Hopefully Tom will get his proper due and his efforts and creativity will be rewarded, as I strongly believe that if his team had listened to him, they would have won this week’s challenge.

Now, on to the other players:

ATHENA (The Women’s Team)--
The most dislikable person in this episode was Melissa Rivers. I was surprised to see that she tried to take credit for something she had not done, and I know Joan raised her baby girl better than that. Maybe the pressure affected her judgment? I know it’s just a show and I know that it may sound weird; but when you are there and sequestered from all that you know and love, you tend to do things that you wouldn’t normally do for fear of getting fired and looking like a loser. Regardless, it was a bad move that could create bad blood!!

Joan Rivers is holding up like a trooper. She is solid as a rock - still my #1 pick.

Claudia Jordan is getting more air time (good for her) but she's pushing herself too hard. She's already getting sick, which tells you that she's taking it way too seriously. (I can relate - been there!) Slow it down, Claudia, otherwise you will burn out quickly.

Annie Duke clearly isn't liked by her team, but I love her no-nonsense approach, and think that she's smart. Initially I thought she was going to make it to the end; however, now that I’ve seen the dynamics of the team at work, I’m betting that her teammates will bring her down and that she's not high profile enough to warrant Donald saving her. I personally think that she's one of the top three players, but I also think that she's not long for this show.

Khloe Kardasian – performed okay as this week’s Project Manager for the women. I just don't see her taking it to the next level. However, I do believe that she'll hang in there for awhile as there is so much dead weight that will be kicked off the team before her.

T Boz – speaking of dead weight, I really wouldn't miss her if she's gone, as she’s not contributing at all.

Natalie Gulbis – has got to go, and I am sure she will soon. She's playing her cards all wrong - acting aloof and undermining her team’s work in front of the client. Giant no-no! Luckily for her, her team keeps winning.

Brande Roderick I like her - she's very intelligent. I think she also bought herself a hall pass when Trump admitted to having a past crush on her. A Playmate with a brain could be Donald Trump's cup of tea. What I’m really looking forward to is seeing Brande and Joan go toe-to-toe. Joan is the only one I think who can bring her down.

KOTU (The Men’s Team)--
Clint Black - was unexpectedly mean and nasty. Wow! He's got some issues. Good thing he doesn't work in a real corporation – Human Resources would probably have him on speed dial. He very easily could have gone this week.

Dennis Rodman and Brian McKnight - waste of space and waste of talent. Why are you there? What are you contributing? I don't like people who stay out of the fire in order to not get burned!

Herschel Walker I like him. He’s “alpha-strong” with no BS. However, I think he was unfair to Tom Green in this episode. He too, like Scott, is not a "creative" and didn't get “it”. (This happens to creatives in corporations all the time - their contribution is dismissed, when in fact they hold the key to the puzzle.) At least Herschel threw Tom a bone in the boardroom and took some of the heat off of him, when Herschel mentioned Clint’s bad behavior.

Jesse James - saved the day. He was the one who initially brought to Trump’s attention Clint Black’s culpability in the task; thereby taking the emphasis off of Tom Green and forcing Trump to take a second look at Scott Hamilton's issues. Bravo!! I can relate the most to Jesse on the show, and am really rooting for him. His strategic thinking and quiet brilliance could win it.

Hasta next week. I can't wait!

-Nely

CELEBRITY APPRENTICE 2 - Season Premiere

2009-03-02T16:33:00.000-08:00

What an amazing show! The new season of “The Celebrity Apprentice” had a great kick-off, and as a viewer I loved watching the dynamics between the two teams and between the individual team members – wondering who would rise to the occasion, and who would have a meltdown. As a former contestant, I also felt more than a few pangs of anxiety knowing what was in store for this new crop of apprentices.

First of all, let me just say that the show has assembled a great cast. From what I saw, this season is set to be way crazier than ours! We had Piers and Omarosa, but Celeb Apprentice 2 has them in spades. Having seen this first episode, and armed with a little more information, I’ve had to revise my opinion on how I rank some of the players. But before getting to that, I have to mention that I’m puzzled by the fact that so many of the contestants made some of the same mistakes that we did on last season’s Celebrity Apprentice. Didn’t they watch the show? Didn’t they see what drives Trump crazy? Perhaps it’s what happens in a lot of corporations – a failure to do their due diligence and research, and not learning from (and/or caring about) the lessons of their predecessors.

So let’s cut to the chase:

THE PINK SLIP --
Andrew Dice Clay - I am so happy that Trump fired the right celebrity. So often the show, as in life, is not fair; but this time, justice was served. Andrew was so busy trying to entertain his teammates, and so busy trying to avoid doing any work that he quickly became the team liability. He was grandiose, a quitter and just plain lazy. And while I will miss his antics, you can't get away with being lazy on the Apprentice without paying the price. Say what you will about him, but "The Donald" respects a good work ethic, a never-give-up attitude, fighting for your life, and knowing how to be resourceful. I don’t understand – Dice, why would you mention quitting? Don't you know Trump hates quitters?

You also missed a great opportunity to get some publicity for your charity. Once you got canned and packed off to the limo, you should have made mention of them in your final exit interview - instead you came across as a defeated, bitter whiner. I wouldn’t be surprised if you made the limo driver stop off for some of bagels on the way home and stiffed “Donnie” with the bill.

ATHENA (The Women’s Team)--
Joan Rivers - As I predicted, Joan is a force to be reckoned with. She volunteered to be the team leader for this first challenge – a risky move that could have been disastrous if her team had lost. I’m still concerned about her stamina though. If Andrew thought it was bad not having bagels waiting for him on Day 1, just wait a few more challenges when everyone is starved and sleep deprived. Although she's still my number one pick, I do worry that she might snap under these circumstances. However, if Joan is smart, and she is one smart cookie, she’ll delegate more to her Mini-Me, Melissa Rivers.

Annie Duke - is a proving herself to be a major player. I’m impressed! She is smart, tough, and hard working – she’s the Mary Lou Henner of this season. The difference - Mary Lou is lovable, while Annie is perceived to be bossy and abrasive. She’s not liked by all her teammates, but who cares – Annie came to win. (I’ll have to say that the women’s team last year fell into the trap of being too nice - minus Omarosa of course.) Also, like the good poker player that she is, it appears that Annie has done her homework - watching past episodes of the show and studying up on her opponents. I’m thinking she and Joan are both right up there.

Brande Roderick - I called it – this Playmate rules! This is one smart lady. She proved to be quite the savvy businesswoman making the most of her assets, in every sense of the word. She picked the perfect location for the cupcake sales (in front of the Playboy building), knew the power of providing some eye candy (having one of her fellow Playmates dress up in the traditional Bunny outfit) and did not hesitate to crack open her Rolodex. She brought in some big spenders, and unlike Tiffany Fallon last year, she did not hesitate in calling on Hef and hitting him up for some major coin. I like that she is a scrappy fighter and doesn't take crap from anyone. She’s also a top contender.

Okay, what's up Natalie Gulbis, Khloe Kardasian and T-Boz? They were so under the radar they didn’t even generate a blip. All three were too low key. Natalie, you’re a great golfer but on this show it appears that you’ve fallen into a sand trap and you can’t get up. Grab your best sand wedge and get out of that bunker! You guys need to step it up or you won’t be long for life! If the women’s team hadn’t won, one of you certainly would have been sent home.

Claudia Jordan – remains the big question mark. She’s a tough one to read. In her newfound feistiness is she trying to be controversial, or is she really clever and playing a good game? I can't tell yet, but at least she is making her presence known. Could she be inching into Omarosa territory? Don't do it Claudia – I don't think that you can pull it off.

All in all, the women deserve kudos for winning their first task (I only wish that my team would have done as well at their first time at bat.) My hat is off to Joan! It’s still early in the competition, but it appears that Athena has figured out how best to play the game.

K.O.T.U. (The Men’s Team)--
Herschel Walker – is a true gentleman and I love him. Like a good leader, he was willing to take responsibility for both the good and the bad decisions. For a minute though I thought that he was going to be the one getting the ax, but thankfully he stood up for himself and fought. I think he has the potential to go pretty far in this race. He's a winner.

Jesse James – I’m rooting for him. But enough with the “I’m just a blue collar guy” routine. Clearly Jesse is very talented and creative, and has to be a good businessman to have gotten to where he is in his life. I’m surprised that no one mentioned the fact that the men’s cupcake van looked amazing – a task that he pretty much did singlehandedly. I can definitely see what Sandra Bullock sees in him.

Tom Green – I’m eating my words – big time. Tom is smart, impressive and strategic. On the men's team he definitely did the most homework - I think I have a crush. I also think he is poised to be the men's secret weapon.

Scott Hamilton and Clint Black need to make their presence better known. In a team with such big personalities it’s too easy to get lost in the shuffle.

And in the Big Disappointment Category -
Brian McKnight- has an odd strategy of “when you stay out of the mix, the bull’s-eye can’t be on you and no way to be in harm’s way.” What? This logic is seriously flawed - surely he must realize that taking “no action” in business can be as deadly as the worst misstep. I hated the way he played the game this week!!! Brian, you are one of my favorite love song balladeers - please try and stay true to your “brand” and to who your fans think you are – it’s a far more valuable commodity. Don’t blow it.

Dennis Rodman - what is wrong with this guy? Did he think that this first task was just a scrimmage game that he couldn’t be bothered to warm up for? How could someone with such natural ability and talent have such a huge chip on his shoulders? And why was he avoiding the public by hiding out in the van during the challenge? It was agreed by all that he was potentially the biggest draw on the team. And yet, there he sat in the van doing nothing, hiding behind those sunglasses undoubtedly contemplating the location of his next piercing or tattoo.

It’s a shame that Dennis was the one most responsible for the loss of his team. If he followed in the footsteps of Lennox Lewis or Tito Ortiz or Gene Simmons from last season, he would have left the women in the dust with his sales potential. He's the biggest star on the show and one big missed opportunity. He's going down -- he can't help himself. Yes, Dennis may have won five professional NBA titles, but he also a professional victim. Can you believe his antics in the boardroom? I love how Trump wasn’t having any of it and shut him down. He's lucky Dice's laziness and quitter mentality are Trump's pet peeves. I do hope that Dennis stays around longer though, just because he is such a train wreck load of fun to watch. Perhaps he’s trying to be Omarosa on steroids? All I know is that Dennis could be throwing away a wonderful chance to prove his teammates, Trump, and his critics (including me) wrong.

MVP of Episode One --
Annie Duke and Brande Roderick. Congrats ladies! Even if you don't like each other, it doesn’t matter - go win it!!!!

Behind The Scenes --
Here's what you didn't see on the show. These people had to learn how to bake, fashion their cupcake truck from scratch, create a marketing plan, call friends and solicit funds, and go out on the street and sell - all within the course of about 12 hours time with little to no sleep and very little food. It’s a lot harder than it looks. It’s hard... really hard. (Side Note: one interesting difference is that last season we weren’t allowed to mention Celebrity Apprentice when we were trying to raise money - making it that much more difficult.)

And of course, then there's the boardroom - 2-3 hours of continually throwing people under the bus and those who choose to throw themselves in front of it of their own volition. I suffer post traumatic stress just thinking about these sessions! The celebs need to realize that it just gets worse with every passing week; although I’ll have to say that this bunch doesn't seem to mind that much ... yet.

Now that I can watch objectively from afar, I realize that the task and the lesson at hand are easy - make a decent product and sell the smallest amount of product for the greatest sum of money. It’s about keeping it simple and staying focused. But when you are there in the thick of it, it is often difficult to see clearly.

Can’t wait till next week - I’m already hooked.
-Nely

CELEBRITY APPRENTICE 2 - Pre-Show

2009-02-24T10:29:00.000-08:00

I am so excited to watch Season Two of THE CELEBRITY APPRENTICE. I think the cast is phenomenal and I can already see the dynamics coming into play.

I have to say being on Season One turned out to be one of the greatest experiences of my life. In the aftermath of the show I’ve been kept pretty busy, including a nationwide speaking tour on empowerment and entrepreneurship that reached over 75,000 people; and started a web site for women entrepreneurs called MsMogul.com. In addition to my day job as a television producer, I’ve gone back to school to get a Doctorate in Psychology (something I always wanted to do). The Celebrity Apprentice experience inspired me to do more, be more, and to examine my flaws and re-address them -- in a word, it inspired me to GROW.

One of the amazing aspects of the show is that you get to spend quality time with an accomplished group of people from a wide variety of fields such as sports, entertainment, and business - what a gift! We have all watched television and seen someone win a gold medal at the Olympics, a singer win a Grammy, an actor win an Oscar, and witnessed an entrepreneur making a million; but don’t we all wonder “How did they do it? Could I ever do it, too?” We love to examine these people up close and try to “crack the code” of their success, see what drives them, and see what is their Achilles heel – made all the more relevant and fascinating given these crazy economic times we are living through.

The Celebrity Apprentice (besides being a whole lot of fun) is an incredible microcosm that shows the inner workings of success and the personality traits that can either elevate or ultimately derail someone. It’s my belief that the winning combination is a liberal dose of intelligence + stamina + life experience + great contacts (for fundraising) + strategy and oh yeah, make sure to develop a thick skin for when “The Donalds” of the world yell at you, and trust me, they will yell at you at some point in your career.

So let’s jump in and talk about this new season – I’m excited because I see a lot of people I admire and respect. Here are my initial impressions of the new Celebrity Apprentices:

Joan Rivers - age, experience, and fierceness are on her side to win it. I’m a big fan of hers - to be in the piranha-infested waters of entertainment this long; she has to have some business acumen. I like that she is honest, direct and doesn’t care what people think of her. Plus I’m sure that she has a pretty extensive Rolodex of contacts – an important component in raising money for the charity challenges. I’ll have to say that I think she is one of the people I look forward to learning the most from. She is my # 1 pick to win this. The one thing that could bring about Joan’s downfall is that while you are on the show, you barely have any time to sleep and it’s also very difficult to grab a bite while in the middle of the tasks. I lost eight pounds and was psycho-sleep deprived. In Season One, we had a lot of the Apprentices who fell apart – think of it as a physical and fiscal boot camp. I’m not sure if she has the stamina for this - but I am rooting for her.

Melissa Rivers – of course, we all know she’s the daughter of Joan. Let’s see if the apple falls far from the tree. She’s my # 1-A pick to win this. She may carry mama’s torch should mom not have the stamina.

Jesse James – (in my opinion) is a close 2nd. Jesse is a great entrepreneur. He’s managed to sustain both a very successful business and a successful marriage to actress Sandra Bullock. Plus having a relative who is a big celeb is a big bonus for some of the tasks - remember Stephen Baldwin bringing in his brother Alec for a cameo? Let’s face it - Jesse is one smart (and tough) dude. He will survive, and probably thrive on, the physical challenges. My only concern is that he might be one of those tough-on-the-outside, soft-on-the-inside guys who may not want go “there” when it gets ugly, and it always gets ugly.

Annie Duke - I don’t know very much about Annie at this point, but I’m going to give her a wild card vote. I’m just putting two and two together - she’s a poker champion, and poker is one of the ultimate mind games. I think she’s literally worth betting on and will definitely give Donald Trump a run for his poker chips.

Andrew Dice Clay – I’m predicting he’ll be this year’s Omarosa. He is tough when need be and I’m suspecting he’ll go pretty far. As for his egomaniacal antics - I learned from Gene Simmons and Omarosa that’s all that they are – just antics. Behind the façade, all these people tend to be extremely smart and good at heart.

Brande Roderick - I never underestimate a Playmate. People stereotype them as dumb, but I have found that they are far from it. They know how to use all of their gifts and assets to the best of their abilities - and I think they have a lot to teach the rest of us gals. Hopefully Brande will have learned the lesson from last season’s Playmate, Tiffany Fallon, and realize that she needs to be calling on her contacts on Day 1 in order to start raising money.

Herschel Walker - Athletes rock! Their stamina, drive and competitiveness leave most of us in the dust. And don’t forget the advantage of a fervent fan base – famous athletes can raise money in a fraction of the time that it takes most people. This former NFL running back could be quite a contender for the title of Celebrity Apprentice. Hopefully he studied the playbooks of Season One’s Lennox Lewis, Tito Ortiz and Nadia Comaneci and has developed a strategy that will work.

Tom Green - I just love him. Tom makes me laugh. I have met him on several occasions and he’s an absolute doll. Regardless of what happens, he will be entertaining to watch and I’m just happy he’s going to be on the show. (I can’t wait to see his initial introduction to Trump!) However Tom, I love you madly, but you don’t have a chance. Then again maybe Tom is crazy – crazy like a fox.

Natalie Gulbis - I don’t know much about this professional golfer - but again, athletes are not to be discounted. I’m looking forward to getting to know more about her on the show.

Scott Hamilton – Yet another great athlete. However, I don’t think Scott will make it past one of Trumps’ tirades. What many of you may not know is that it takes 2-3 hours to shoot the boardroom sessions. It’s very hot in the room, and after several hours of interrogations, you find that you are forced to throw your friends under the bus or end up under the tires yourself – it’s a truly brutal procedure. Very few people have the stomach for this. I found these sessions to be very difficult, and I consider myself a tough cookie.

Brian McKnight - LOOOOOOVE him! I hope they let him sing on the show. Once again, I think he might be too sweet to handle everything. I almost hope he gets fired right away. I don’t want to see one of my favorite ballad singers yelling at people in the boardroom - it will ruin my fantasy of what a wonderful guy I think he is.

Tionne “T-Boz” Watkins – big time wild card. T-Boz, don’t go chasing waterfalls and keep your eyes on the prize. I love her music, but I think she’ll get the ax pretty early on unless she’s got more life experience under her belt than I imagine. I wish her well though.

Khloe Kardasian - Love her reality show but I think the Apprentice will be a lot more than she bargained for. She’s got her own shop and she knows business, but this is a totally different league - it’s way tough!!!!

Clint Black – this year’s Trace Adkins for the country fans. I think of Clint Black as mild-mannered and sweet, and not really Apprentice winner material; but then again, look how close Trace’s quiet brilliance almost won him the title. I would love to be surprised by Clint!

Claudia Jordan – wow, I have no idea on this one! She’s one of the beautiful and sweet models from “Deal or No Deal”. Unless she has a split personality and there’s a completely different person inside, I can’t imagine that this will bode well. Happily for her, she’ll be getting the exposure, and don’t underestimate the power of that... all of us have been touched by the TRUMP brand.

Dennis Rodman – ex-NBA star. Everything I have ever seen about Dennis implies that he’s extremely gifted, but that he tends to sabotage himself. He could be a total disaster (although fun to watch) or he could come from behind and win the race.

Stay tuned… after every Celebrity Apprentice episode I’ll be blogging about the show and giving you my perspective on what transpires. Along the way I will give you the inside scoop that will help you understand what goes on behind the scenes, and why normal people appear to be losing it. I’ll also express some of the lessons I carried away from the experience, in the hopes that you can use the advice to conquer whatever it is that is important to you.

Let the games begin!

-Nely

2008 Female Empowerment Tour

2008-06-16T19:29:00.000-07:00

This summer I’m on tour speaking to women all around the country about entrepreneurship and empowerment. What an amazing experience it has been so far! I have loved meeting the incredible women who have created one-of-a-kind businesses in spite of the death of a spouse, raising 3 or 4 kids on their own, etc.

I really feel that it is these women who are the foundation of our country. In a time of darkness, these individuals are finding ways to not allow themselves to be victims; but rather, builders - creators of opportunities for themselves and others.

Be sure to check out the web sites of
Count Me In – www.countmein.org
National Association of Women Business Owners (NAWBO) – www.nawbo.org
They are great organizations that help women make their dreams come true.

Also please read my Ms. Mogul blog about my experiences on the road, and my thoughts on what I’ve learned along the way at www.msmogul.com.

Nely

CELEBRITY APPRENTICE – THE AFTERMATH

2008-03-30T00:32:00.000-07:00

Our country is in turmoil politically and economically.

The "win by any means necessary" mentality has hurt us. In the past, it has brought us the likes of Enron, and today the current mortgage crisis rages on with no end in sight. We are reaping what we have sown.

I think we are all tired of seeing bad behavior rewarded every day. While I have the utmost respect for Piers Morgan's intellect and consider him a friend, I feel it is my duty to get up every morning and teach my 8-year-old-son Lukas to do the right thing, even though it may not always be rewarded.

The high profile of “Celebrity Apprentice” placed us all in a position to be role models, and the role model that I most respected (and whom I thought best represented how things should be in business, and in life) was Trace Adkins.

What’s so appealing and admirable about Trace is that he has a wonderful quiet confidence about him. He’s successful, compassionate, straight forward, but most importantly - self aware. He understands the importance of being a great husband, a great father, and a great human being. His life has been difficult, and goodness knows that he has had to work hard on himself, but through it all he has managed to keep his integrity intact.

I long for integrity, honesty, and ethical behavior to be the true measure of success - something to be valued again in this country, even if means sometimes taking the longer, harder road.

-Nely

CELEBRITY APPRENTICE FINALE – March 27, 2008

2008-03-26T23:45:00.000-07:00

This Thursday is the finale for Celebrity Apprentice, and all of us “apprentices” are winging back in to New York City for the big event. It should be interesting to see how everything plays out – will Trace’s good-old-boy values win out over the more Machiavellian win-by-any-means-necessary approach of Piers?

I’m most excited by the prospect of seeing everyone again – it’s going to be like a high school reunion. I’m eager to find out what has transpired with, what have become now, old friends and foes and discovering how their lives have changed in the interim. Has their Apprentice experience been a positive one? How did the challenge shape their everyday lives?

For me, it’s a no-brainer – my time on the Apprentice was like the old Army slogan, “it’s the toughest job you’ll ever love.” When I was approached to do the show I was initially hesitant, and not without a good dose of trepidation to boot; but I knew it was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity that I could not pass up, and would deeply regret if I declined. The high highs, the low lows, and everything in between that I experienced in my six weeks on the show, served as a condensed microcosm of life itself. Here are a few of my core “life lessons”:

Overcoming Obstacles in Business:
"Business never gets easier - get over it! Your commitment should be to grow everyday. Growth is the number one value - everything you do, and every mistake you make, has a value."

Moving Past You’re Fired:
“Getting fired usually means that job, or that career, is not for you. Working for Donald Trump in the capacity as an "at will" employee, reminded me that I am an entrepreneur. I can't, and don't want to, work for anyone else.”

Facing Challenging Situations:
"Everything happens for a reason, and those reasons reveal themselves over time. The only ability you have in challenging situations is how you choose to deal with them. Ultimately, challenging or difficult things are always meant to be... and time will show you that."

Biggest Learning Experience From The Apprentice:
"It made me re-affirm my values. I don't believe in win by any means necessary – I’m old fashioned and old school. I believe in winning with integrity and dignity, and without compromising what you believe in. It may take longer, but you will get there and you’ll sleep at night."

-Nely

CELEBRITY APPRENTICE February 7, 2008 Episode 6

2008-02-07T23:25:00.000-08:00

Ever since “Celebrity Apprentice” premiered this year, there isn’t a day that goes by when I’m not stopped in the streets and asked about my experience on the show. I knew that the Apprentice was a very successful show, but I was still surprised by the sheer magnitude of its popularity, and just how much the Apprentice phenomenon is a part of American life.

When I was approached to participate in “Celebrity Apprentice,” I have to be honest; my initial reaction was joy, quickly followed by fear. I thought to myself “I am already successful, what if they make me look like an idiot?” And being highly competitive, my next thought was “What if I don't win?” The truth is, as an entrepreneur, failure (or the fear of failure) is a muscle that I use every day. On the journey to success, I have failed more than I have won, but it was always with the knowledge that it was all a part of the game. However, it was precisely at that moment that I knew that I had to accept the challenge, and combat my fear head on. The icing on the cake was the knowledge that we were going to be playing for charity, and I was proud to be competing on behalf of Count Me In, a non-profit organization run by the extraordinary Nell Merlino that supports women starting up their own businesses.

You would think that with the involvement of the celebrity cast that The Donald would be a little easier on everyone, but in fact, it was just the opposite. The shooting schedule was grueling – sleeping only a few hours a night, barely having time to grab a bite to eat, and thrown into a series of tasks that appeared much easier on TV than they were in reality. Behind the scenes, the experience was a real "career boot camp" with Donald Trump in the role of the tough army general, and the rest of us acting as foot soldiers eager for advancement. Due to the time constraints of a one-hour show, the viewing public only gets a taste of what actually goes on in the boardroom. The boardroom sessions usually lasted at least two hours long and let me tell you, they were brutal! It was often a mix of jubilation (if you were the winning team) and sheer panic and pain (if you had the misfortune of being on the losing team).

Every time I watch the boardroom segment on TV, I get that same stomachache all over again. I felt that Donald Trump was particularly hard on me, as it seems that he really never got over having to fire Gene Simmons, because Gene decided to take a bullet for me (Episode 3). When Donald Trump lets me go in Episode 6, I have to say that it was in that moment I felt like an "at will" employee sent packing just because the boss doesn’t like you. We’ve all had those people in our lives – bosses or co-workers who don't like you or don't get you, and then there are others like Gene Simmons who totally get who you are and rise to your defense. All of these people come into our lives for a reason - to show us the way and teach us valuable lessons.

First of all, I could not pay Donald Trump for what I learned on “Celebrity Apprentice”. What an amazing opportunity is was to spend a month with an extraordinary group of people - all successful - all with different skills sets. Learning from each and every one of them was a gift! How many times in life do you have the chance to be in a “boot camp” with two Olympic gold medalists; a bona-fide rock star; a country singer; a Playmate; Broadway, TV and film actors; a world-champion boxer; an ultimate fighter; a super model; and a Latina businesswoman like myself who came from nothing and achieved the American Dream. This experience was priceless. Can you imagine what these people know? To grow as a person I knew that I had to put my current success behind me, and strip myself bare in order to truly learn from what lay ahead. I had to ask myself “Is what got me here, still working for me? Have the habits and skills that have made me successful a tool, or a hindrance, from this moment on?” I now feel is totally necessary to take a good look at yourself at mid-career.

Specifically, what were some of the things I learned? Well, when placed in a group of my peers, I was surprised to see that, like most women, I embraced being the worker bee in a task. But it was Gene Simmons who brilliantly illustrated the fact that in life you need to strive to work smarter, not harder. When I was the Project Manager in Episode 2, Donald Trump pointed out that we over delivered. In this Pedigree challenge, the client requested a dog commercial. In addition to the commercial I delivered a web site, a radio spot, and an entire marketing plan that they didn’t ask for. I also learned about the power of “celebrity” in all you do, and how that often dual-edge sword can be used effectively in promoting positive change – like fundraising for charity.

Well, I may have been fired, but I want to express my gratitude for the entire experience. And, I haven’t forgotten one of the primary reasons why I came on this show, which was to raise $250,000 for my charity COUNT ME IN (www.countmein.org). And I am determined to still do so! I have pledged $25,000 of my own money, and am asking others to join me. By the time the finale of “Celebrity Apprentice” airs, I should have accomplished my mission. On Friday's “Today Show” I will be announcing that I am up to $220,000 and counting. Individuals and corporations like AIG Insurance, Serta, and businesswomen who have turned their companies into million-dollar companies through the help of COUNT ME IN, have joined me in the challenge of women helping other women. If you need help growing your business, go to Count Me In.org and sign up for business coaching, credit repair and a community of women just like you. And if you want to help other women grow, go to Count Me In and donate.

Remember sometimes when you win, you lose; and sometimes when you lose, you win. Everything happens for a reason. Life is about taking risks, growing every day, and NOT being afraid to fail. You will fail, but ultimately it will take you to your greatest victory.

So what’s next? What am I going to do after “Celebrity Apprentice”? Well, this summer you can catch a groundbreaking daytime reality series that I’ve created, that you will also be able to follow on the web, called “The New You”. It’s a twelve-week program where we’ll take women who have stopped putting themselves first and put them back on the path of health, wellness, and beauty – we will take them to all of their doctors’ appointments, help them with any depression and mental health issues, provide advice on their career and mission in life, and give a boost to their appearance (the natural way). I hope you join us in this summer series that will transform the old you into THE NEW YOU.

For more information go to thenewyoutv.com, nelygalan.com, and check your local listings.

-Nely

CELEBRITY APPRENTICE January 24, 2008 – Episode 4

2008-01-29T15:49:00.000-08:00

In this episode, the challenge was to sell as many tickets as possible (for as much money as possible) for a variety of Broadway shows. I took a page from my “Lessons Learned” book, and decided to channel the great Gene Simmons and use my Rolodex to the max.

My friends at Cushman and Wakefield really came through for me, as well as my entrepreneur women's network and my powerful Latinos contacts – personally delivering cold hard cash for charity.

Did you know that none of the teams were allowed to tell any of the potential donors that they were coming down to give money for an “Apprentice” challenge? It was really rewarding to see that people showed up based solely our word that what we were doing was for a good cause.

I raised a lot of money, but yet our team lost again! I cannot tell you how badly that felt - especially for a bunch of competitive women so hungry for a win.

-Nely
P.S. Don’t miss the next episode of “Celebrity Apprentice”. It’s a doozy -- Shocking! Sleazy!

CELEBRITY APPRENTICE January 17, 2008 – Episode 3

2008-01-21T14:27:00.000-08:00

The trait that I admire most (and which is sorely missing in much of the business world) is integrity. Don’t be fooled by any preconceived notions that you might have about Gene Simmons. Despite some of the wacky antics you’ve seen in the past few episodes, Gene is not just a rock star, he is a man with a vision who stands by his beliefs, and sticks to his word.

He’s also a firm believer of working smarter, not harder. Gene taught me a lot about using all of your contacts and resources instead of struggling uphill through your projects. (A prime example was exemplified in Episode 1 where Gene made one well-placed phone call and sold a $5000 hot dog, rather than running around trying to sell several $100 hot dogs - like the women’s team did.)

I was thrilled to have had the opportunity to work with him and was truly sorry to see him go. Gene - thanks for taking a bullet for me. You are a class act all the way!

-Nely
P.S. Don’t miss the next episode of “Celebrity Apprentice” when I utilize some of Gene’s tricks of the trade (Jan. 24th, 9/8c on NBC).

CELEBRITY APPRENTICE January 10, 2008 - Episode 2

2008-01-16T17:03:00.000-08:00

It was hard to watch Nadia Comaneci leave the show. I admire her and have nothing but great respect for her, and count myself lucky to now be able to call her a friend. Nadia was one of my childhood idols and I was enthralled, along with the rest of the world, when she achieved true perfection at the 1976 Olympics. So imagine how thrilled I was to hear that she was going to be one of my cast-mates on The Apprentice!

You may not know it, but the actual boardroom sessions go on for hours at a time, and so much of the discussion with both the opposition and fellow teammates goes unseen and unheard on the show. As the Project Manager on this task, I would have gladly taken the bullet for my team, and all who were there know that I expressed that over and over again to Donald Trump. It was a tough loss - especially given my competitive nature. And I have to admit, as a producer I had to eat some humble pie when we lost to the guys, but it’s all part of the learning process. What happened in the Pedigree episode has happened many times in my field. Producing creative work is ultimately subjective. In competition sometimes you win, and other times you lose. You just have to pick yourself back up and get back into the game.
-Nely
P.S. Wait till you see what happens this week – Gene Simmons joins the ladies of Empresario and I can promise you that you will not forget this episode!

CELEBRITY APPRENTICE – Episode 1

2008-01-09T04:35:00.000-08:00

January 3rd was the premiere of The Celebrity Edition of the NBC smash hit “THE APPRENTICE,” and Executive Producer Mark Burnett decided to throw a little party to thank the cast and crew. It was also a chance for all of us to screen the first episode live along with the rest of the country!

I arrived at the venue, CINESPACE, a little after 8pm and immediately spotted some of my fellow cast members – Nadia Comaneci, Marilu Henner, Tiffany Fallon and the infamous Omarosa. We caught up on what was going on with each other lives, and had the opportunity to meet family and friends. It was great seeing all the staff as well, knowing how much of their blood, sweat and tears they had poured into every episode.

When the lights dimmed down in the club moments before air time, I have to admit that I was a little nervous as to how the show would turn out, and as to how everyone would be portrayed – knowing full well from my experience as a TV producer, that you can live or die by the edit. At show’s end I was pleased to say that I got caught up in the drama along with everyone else in the audience. My hat is off to Donald Trump and Mark Burnett who have fine-tuned The Apprentice to perfection - making it as compelling a series as ever. Unfortunately someone had to be the first one to go, and we had to say goodbye to Tiffany, who is a true doll and a wonderful person.

Watching the show reminded me of what was truly a once-in-a-lifetime experience. To learn and grow working with such a diverse cast and crew, with such incredible skills, was amazing, and I’ll never forget the great friendships forged under fire.

The fun has just begun, so keep watching as the competition between the celebs gets really heated - have you seen the promos where Omarosa pours champagne over Piers Morgans’s head?

Episode 2 of Celebrity Apprentice airs on NBC on January 10^th – I can’t reveal what happens, but let’s just say that things get a little crazy for me.

-Nely

P.S. Here are a few pix from the premiere screening that I thought that I would share with you.