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Life and Work with Regina Aridi

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Today we’d like to introduce you to Regina Aridi.

Regina, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
I am a full-time Real Estate agent with Coldwell Banker, who goes by ACTIVE REAL ESTATE because I love to incorporate all my passions into everything I do. I thank my clients for “trusting me with the heavy lifting” because for most people this is one of the biggest decisions of their life! I have the privilege and opportunity to be a part of a memory that will last a lifetime – I don’t take that lightly! This is what I live by: passion, consistency, dedication, persistence, drive, inspiration, authenticity, integrity, forgiveness, compassion, empathy, kindness, transparency…

To give you a little bit of background, I was diagnosed with Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis at the age of four and paralyzed from the neck down, given a 2% chance of walking again. Through a homeopathic approach, I was walking again in six months. I’ve maintained a pretty healthy lifestyle since then and kept up with doctors visits, with no sign of arthritis! They called me the walking miracle – what was diagnosed as growing pains were so much more than that beneath the surface. I am truly blessed and grateful for every step I take!

Over the last couple of years, I started to find my voice and truly speak up about what matters to me most. One thing I couldn’t do is suggest something to others, that I wasn’t doing – I’ve been around plenty of hypocrites and never wanted to be that myself! I started reading more, listening to audiobooks, podcasts, and truly following the example of those I admired most. I wanted to be healthier, stronger, and wiser. It took me 18 months to lose 52 pounds! It wasn’t about the weight, as much as it was about the challenge of dedication and lifestyle change. That was the start of my American Ninja Warrior journey.

I began the online application in 2016 and in December of 2018, finally met with a producer who helped me create my audition video. The video was submitted January 2nd and I received a call back within a few weeks! I couldn’t even contain myself – jumping, screaming, and almost dropping the phone! Not knowing what to expect, I was training day and night – working on my upper body strength as much as possible, ripping through calluses every other day. Since this was my first season, I am still not sure of what will be aired and what won’t. The crazy thing is, I created this possibility from nothing, against all odds and not just did I compete in LA but I was also invited back to be an “Obstacle Tester” for multiple other cities!

When I’m not selling houses, training for American Ninja Warrior, or giving back – what brings me joy is spending time with any/all of my five younger siblings. I’m currently enrolled in a Personal Training & Nutrition Certification program – I’ve been getting asked by so many people to help them get healthier, so I dove right in! I love to sing (English & Arabic), write, read, draw, ride my bike, sew, hike, cook, dance, see new places, most of all meet new people and make authentic connections!

We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc. – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
I had to learn to adapt on so many different occasions, never quite checking all the boxes. Growing up, I felt like an outsider anywhere I went. Here, I was “too Middle Eastern” because I lived in Lebanon from the ages of 6-10, 13-14, and 16-20, missing out on a lot of references and jokes! In Lebanon, I was “too American” because I was born in San Diego and spoke too fast compared to the British English taught there! There was no way to fit in – bullied on both sides! It was extremely difficult because I was so proud of both of my roots, blood, and birth! I was made fun of for my accent, uni-brow, clothing, glasses, skin color, and even how friendly I was. To add to that, I was married at 17 and divorced by 19, in Lebanon, making me “used goods” in some people’s eyes – judgment at its finest!

My first official job, in Gilbert at 16, as a Marshall’s fitting room associate made me realize my love for human beings. Since that job, I was sent back to Lebanon and worked as an assistant to a big name stylist in a hair salon (while the 2006 war was happening and my family escaped on emergency ships sent by the US Embassy), operations at construction company, sales associate at a bakery, secretary at hardware store, lead an appliance repair shop, cooked at and ran a restaurant, cashier at Virgin (using dual currency – US Dollar and Lebanese Pound!) all to save up enough to make it back here! Then came back to do door to door sales for windshield replacements, sales for cabinet refacing, and then to what became a career, a sales advisor at a used car dealership! In 5 years, I worked my way from selling cars to underwriting deals, managing employees, going to open dealerships and train, national underwriting support, then back to running the show in the dealership. My team and I were always top in sales and received multiple kudos from the CEO and upper management along the way! I share all that to say, the world wants to put you in a box and define you so you’re easier to digest. Don’t make excuses for why you can’t or what the norms are, just do whatever it will take to accomplish your goal. Mine was to be successful at anything I did, and you have no idea how many times someone would try to pop the hood on a car and quiz me!

Life has definitely not been easy, yet I wouldn’t change anything I’ve been through because it made me exactly who I am today. I want to make a difference in the world, show people that anything is possible. I never received unconditional love and most days had to push through on my own. I’ve had 55 roofs over my head in 29 years between the United States and Lebanon – which is where my parents are originally from. From those experiences, I was able to meet so many different people from all walks of life. What stood out to me most is that we are so much more alike than anyone would like to admit. Going through the same challenges, maybe different scales, yet all being affected the same. At the end of the day, everyone just wants to be seen, loved, heard, accepted and valued. That’s why every human being that crosses my path gets to be whatever they want to be with absolutely no judgment. Not what society labels them as, what their family wants them to be, or what is expected of them – I see you from a clear lens. Love is the “religion” I practice and that is the message I spread in everything I do.

Please tell us more about your work, what you are currently focused on and most proud of.
I am a Ninja Realtor Trainer!

I loved being an asset and resource to people making the decision of purchasing a vehicle and wanted to take it to the next level, make a larger impact! Next most memorable interaction, looking for a home to live in or even selling the one you’re in. Active Real Estate is my brand, incorporating my passion for health and wellness – the logo is a fit woman holding up a house. Fitness isn’t owned, it’s rented and you have to pay rent every single day! That principle is what I base my life and business on. I am also going to be certified as a personal trainer because I have so much passion for what I do, yet just because something worked for me doesn’t mean it will for everyone. Knowledge is power! What sets me apart in my Real Estate business and everything I do, is that I focus on the interaction, not just the transaction. I genuinely care about helping people achieve their goals, whether it be getting a home for the best price, top dollar on their sale, or even becoming healthier physically and mentally.
I am known for my energy, enthusiasm, and awareness! I have seen a lot, and overcome more – there is nothing that will take the smile off my face. I have been invited to multiple public speaking events across the Valley – Real Estate Seminars, Speaking against abuse, Empowerment, Motivational Lectures, and my goal is to start going to schools and inspiring the next generation of LEADERS!

What advice would you give to someone at the start of her career?
Love and believe in yourself because you’re perfect, whole and complete as you are. Don’t worry about what the latest trends are, create them. Don’t compare yourself to anyone else because we each have a different journey and the timelines and locations will be unique to each one of us. Hear the voice in your head and learn to transform the conversation into a positive one. Think of what you truly want and go after it no matter how many people tell you if it’s possible or not. Go big and bold, the world already has a way of setting limitations on you, remembering the struggle and desire. We are in an age of social media, instant gratification and validation, there’s a quote that’s been around for ages that applies now more than ever – quality over quantity (likes, followers, events, etc.).

Be aware of how you are “selling yourself” to the world and remember that you create your value and are in control of what you tolerate – never sell yourself short because a lot of people are trying to get a discount!

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Getting in touch: VoyagePhoenix is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.

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