Vivian Wall: Connecting people and launching Project Cheerleader

13 Jun

From loneliness to global ambition, Vivian Wall's story is full of owning her purpose. Our conversation explores how her start-up ‘Project Cheerleader’ is fostering authentic connections by building a community that keeps each accountable. After all, we all need a cheerleader in our lives, right?

Vivian smiling holding a big handmade sign which reads 'How have you learned to trust your decisions?'

What’s the most straightforward way to explain who you are and what you do?

I am someone who deeply loves human beings. My mission in life is to help us find ways to connect to each other a little more.

The most straightforward way to describe what I do is community.

EVERYTHING I do is rooted in community.

I create spaces for people to have deeper conversations, form genuine, lasting connections and support each other in the pursuit of their dreams. We all need a cheerleader in our lives and I’ve made it my mission to help you find yours. This can take many forms, but for now I’m exploring it through an online platform and live events. These are the two main offerings of my venture Project Cheerleader.

What assumptions do people make about you? How right are they?

This is a hard question to answer. I’ve spent a great deal of time un-learning the habit of thinking about other people’s opinions of me.

I think people assumed that I was this happy, bubbly, bouncing ball of sunshine all the time. Yes, I am a very excited, high-energy person but I’m also a regular human being and have my highs and lows just like everyone else.

These days I’ve made a conscious effort to share this side of me more. I think it’s important to acknowledge that even when you are fundamentally happy and deeply fulfilled in life, there will still be moments that test you. Some days you’ll conquer the world and won’t even flinch when faced with a challenge.

Other days you’re snot crying and stuffing your face with chocolate.

I think people make similar assumptions about Project Cheerleader. They assume a ‘cheerleader’ has to be bubbly and upbeat all the time. In reality, we’re more of a ‘come as you are’ type of space so we can ride the highs and lows together.

What’s your background to get you to where you are today?

There is quite a story behind how I got where I am today. How much time do you have!?

I suppose it all stems from my deep fascination with human beings. As a teenager, I would spend hours on YouTube watching interviews of everyday people sharing their life story. Or documentaries of journalists on a mission to shed light on stories untold.

I got the chance to redefine my story when I moved to the U.K. at 19 years old. Originally I am from Trinidad & Tobago and came here for university. I went from seeing familiar faces on my little islands, to seeing so many new faces in the big city of London that I would lose track!

Maybe it was a mix of curiosity, maybe it was a bit of loneliness, but I found myself talking to strangers more often. Wanting to hear their story and craving genuine connection. But shortly after I moved countries, the pandemic hit and I found myself feeling deeply isolated in an unfamiliar environment.

I also had ongoing struggles with my mental health, which I battled with for the next 5 years! After many highs and lows, career changes and burning out to the point where I was unable to work. I decided it was time to integrate more activities that aligned with who I am into my daily life. I started going to different types of events to learn from speakers and form genuine connections with the attendees. I got serious about my physical health and nutrition. I made more time for my friends, I just filled my life with things that I loved again, and can you imagine…it actually worked!

I could give you the technical skills I have that helped me build to where I am today, but ultimately it was my struggles with loneliness and mental health that made me want to create a space for people to connect with each other. Project Cheerleader has evolved so much from this initial concept. It now recognises that so much of our lives is spent working, and has grown into a space where the community supports each other in finding a career that truly aligns with their values. It’s an odd mix of ambition and mindfulness, but I also think it’s just what the world needs right now.

What’s happening right now, and how can someone support Project Cheerleader?

Lots is happening! We’re about to host our 3rd online event and first ever in-person meetup. We’re also developing our own mobile app so we can connect with communities across borders.

The very best way to support Project Cheerleader is to join us and become part of the community! You can do this by taking the ‘Cheerleader Quiz’ and finding out which squad you’ll be matched with. (Yes everyone in our community has an actual squad made up of real-life people).

It’s an ecosystem of connection where we help each other to truly thrive.

Niché but important question… Does accessibility play a part at all in what you do?

Yes! Accessibility and inclusivity are core values of mine. A lot of our community are neurodivergent and it’s my ambition to provide the very best experience for them. At the moment, our content is shared in a mix of audio, video and written formats and I always offer additional support where it’s needed! I still have a long way to go, but I’m learning , growing and exploring what works best for people.

My ambition is to provide a mobile app, online platform and in-person experiences that are accessible to as many people as possible, exploring the full spectrum of physical, sensory and neurological experiences. I genuinely believe that everyone should have a Cheerleader in their lives. And by everyone, I mean EVERYONE!

And finally, what does the next 5 years look like?

When this girl dreams, she dreams big. I want Project Cheerleader to have thriving communities across every continent, with membership groups for over 100 countries. I’d love for us to host 3 major events each year so global communities can meet each other in real life.

As you know, I want our mobile app to be the most accessible and inclusive space for people to make individual progress towards their goals, whilst also having a place to connect with like-minded people who support them on their journey.

I want Project Cheerleader to become a household name where no corner of the world is left untouched by it. I am bold in my ambitions and I stand by them. Why? Because I believe that everyone deserves to have a cheerleader in their lives.

No matter who you are or what you’re working on, we’ve got you!