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#1 Amazon Bestseller Creativity Self-Help

Take a Shot at Happiness:
how to Write, Direct &
Produce the Life You Want

A transformative guide that blends science, spirituality, and creativity. This award-winning book helps readers cultivate happiness through faith, love, health, gratitude, forgiveness, peace, detachment, and abundance. 

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About Maria
Praise for the Book

Notable Reviews

“I recommend that you take a shot at reading this practical and accessible book on happiness.”

— Dr. Tal Ben-Shahar
NYT Bestselling Author
“Practical tools and insights to help you achieve a life of happiness and purpose.”

— Mark Burnett
Executive Producer
“Maria’s book will give you a good shot at getting there with entertaining life lessons on how to live, love, and learn.”

—Phil Keoghan
Producer
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Each chapter comes alive through stories inspired by blockbuster movies, world events, Maria’s life as an Emmy-winning TV producer, and her experiences as a world traveler, all woven together with a wholebeing approach (mind, body, and spirit). The book introduces camera phone photography as a powerful and creative tool for self-reflection, enabling readers to visually explore and gain deeper insights into themselves and what truly brings them happiness.

Structured sections like In My Viewfinder, Snapshots, and The Big Picture make complex concepts accessible and actionable. Alongside journaling prompts, affirmations, and meditative prayers, this innovative approach helps readers integrate its teachings into their daily lives.

Recommended by the U.S. Review of Books as a “dynamic treatise,” the book has received widespread recognition.

This recognition highlights the book’s unique blend of storytelling, creative tools, and practical insights, which resonate with readers seeking meaningful and actionable guidance for their lives.

More Praise for Maria’s Book

“Baltazzi’s recollections—her early frustrations, her aspirations, her impressive career trajectory, and her life-changing discoveries—are deftly interwoven into this dynamic treatise… [Her] foray into the world of words and wisdom will doubtless find a large base of grateful followers whose efforts will be rewarded with the promise of new, exhilarating life directions.”
The US Review of BooksRECOMMENDED, review by Barbara Bamberger Scott
“I recommend that you take a shot at reading this practical and accessible book on happiness. Maria offers a creative approach that combines journaling and phone photography activities that help you integrate the concepts she writes about.”
Dr. Tal Ben-ShaharNew York Times Bestselling Author of Happier, Former Harvard Lecturer, and Founder of the Happiness Studies Academy
“As a TV show creator and producer, I understand the power of storytelling to inspire and transform lives — and so does Maria Baltazzi as a seasoned producer. Her book is a compelling inner journey that offers insights from the production trenches and the films and shows we love. Maria offers practical tools and insights to help you achieve a life of happiness and purpose. I highly recommend this book to anyone looking to create positive change in their life from a creative approach.”
Mark BurnettExecutive Producer, Survivor and Former Chairman of MGM Worldwide Television Group
“Reading Take a Shot At Happiness was like being back on the island with Maria!  The same heartfelt approach she took as a producer on Survivor can be felt on every page.  It’s presented in a way that lets you choose to read it cover to cover or go specifically to sections that are speaking to you right now.  It was a great reminder of how quickly you can change your state of mind and the powerful impact that intention can have on your life.”
Jeff ProbstEmmy Award Winning Host of Survivor and Executive Producer
“One of my favorite quotes is, ‘you can't receive when you’re transmitting!’ As a passionate storyteller, I love learning from others. From the moment I met and worked with Maria, more than 20 years ago, I quickly understood her to be a deep thinker. A soulful reflective person who is constantly on a path of discovery. I share Maria’s enthusiasm for making the most of every precious moment we are alive. Focusing on what’s right instead of what’s wrong, being grateful, forgiving, and being surrounded by love. While there is no sure-fire method to happiness, Maria’s book will give you a good shot at getting there with entertaining life lessons on how to live, love, and learn.”
Phil KeoghanMNZM, Emmy Award Winning Producer and Host of Amazing Race and Tough as Nails
“I'm not an especially spiritual person, but always believed in ‘trusting the process.’ Maria Baltazzi's brilliant roadmap creates a clear, concise process for anyone looking to improve their balance of mind, body, and spirit. As someone in professional transition, I found this book both incredibly instructive and inspiring.”
Kelly KahlFormer President of CBS Entertainment
“Captivating and uplifting, Take a Shot At Happiness feels like a conversation with a trusted friend. It's a heartfelt and inspiring guide that reminds us of the power we all have within to create a more fulfilling and authentic life. Maria's unique perspective, tips, and engaging creative exercises will encourage you to tap into your inner creativity to uncover your own path to happiness. This is a must-read if you're ready to start your own journey of self-discovery or want a fresh perspective.”
Roma DowneyOBE, Emmy-nominated Actress, Producer, New York Times Bestselling Author
“Television producer, writer, world traveler, adventurer. Maria Baltazzi has done it all -- and on her own terms. Take A Shot At Happiness offers a compelling and very personal look into the world of creativity. Maria shows us how this power within each of us leads to peace, wisdom, and a daily path forward. Recommended for anyone hoping to make a leap of faith to live their best life.”
Martin Dugard#1 New York Times Bestselling Author of Taking Paris.
“This book is an invaluable tool, so effectively laying out multiple cases and methods for 'taking a shot at happiness.’ Impressive work and applicable to so many facets of our lives. Maria offers fact-based reasoning to get to the change or changes we may want or need and also, integrated calls to action that help get us to taking that shot. She makes the case so effectively for the changes toward happiness we need to make (and can make). And Maria takes us there, toward those changes, without the scary upheaval often preventing us from taking that shot.”
Mark ThompsonTwo-time Emmy Award Winning Newscaster and Writer, Specials Host and Producer for the Fox Broadcasting Company Stations
“This is a remarkable book from a new author with a unique point of view. Baltazzi started her personal journey by working in the world’s most intense pressure cooker of human behavior. It wasn’t in a University or a Science Lab - she was out in a jungle directing the TV show Survivor. There she saw people under enormous stress behaving badly - and sometime beautifully. That prompted her journey to discover how people facing enormous obstacles can choose to be happy. So one Ph.D. later, she has compiled her years of observation, research and critical thinking into the most unique guide to Happiness that I have read. So what’s with the ‘Directing’ metaphor? Like on a TV show, the Director makes decisions and the Crew follows them. What are you going to be in your life? the Director or the Crew? This book is a step-by-step guide on how to take control of your future happiness.”
Michael J. MillerEmmy Award Winner, Executive Producer of Specials for Networks including Discovery and National Geographic

Media

DAYTIME TV SHOW

CBS’ The Talk hosts Maria to talk about her new book on their SeeHer segment. November 17th, 2023.

Appearances

Maria joins podcasts, radio shows, and channels to talk happiness, wholebeing, and her story.

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Articles

Writing for Best Holistic Life, Maria shares timely stories and advice rooted in her Eight Happiness Essentials.

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Blog Posts

Maria writes posts to help creative professionals manage their life and career for the Stage 32 Blog.

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maria-at-desk

A Bit About Maria

     Embark on a transformative journey with Maria Baltazzi, an Emmy-winning TV producer, wellbeing teacher, and world traveler. Maria guides you to a happier and more conscious life through the pages of her award-winning book, “Take a Shot at Happiness: How to Write, Direct & Produce the Life You Want.”

     Drawing from her diverse experiences and weaving stories from beloved films and world events, Maria shares the eight Happiness Essentials—the core values of happy people—guiding you to discover your path to happiness. Picture exploring what truly makes you happy in a fun and creative way, blending journaling and phone photography for an inner adventure that is both enlightening and enjoyable.

     With an MFA in film and a PhD in Conscious-Centered Living, Maria’s teachings are informed by research and inspired by her adventurous and giving spirit. Her remarkable journey includes epic treks to Everest Base Camp, conquering Mount Kilimanjaro twice, and walking over 10,000 miles for charity across all seven continents. These experiences and her Emmy-winning talent establish her as a trusted guide in your journey toward happiness.

     As an inspiration for living your best life, she imparts wisdom and leads by example. Maria’s experiences bring depth to her teachings, from an Emmy-winning show to transformative adventures. Join her on this exciting exploration through the pages of her book and let the joy of conscious living unfold in your life.

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Begin Your Journey

Maria’s book Take a Shot at Happiness is a great place to learn about the Eight Happiness Essentials, and start your journey to more fulfillment.

Available in paperback and Kindle edition, join other Happiness Explorers in learning how to live a fulfilling life from this award-winning book.

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Success Reimagined

You built the life you thought would make you happy.
For a time, it did.

Yet something feels missing.

So, now what?

Take a 3-min quiz to reveal YOUR strongest Happiness Essential (faith, gratitude, peace…? ) Maria’s 8 inner qualities that unlock deeper fulfillment.

Take Quiz Free →

Success Reimagined

You built the life you thought would make you happy.
For a time, it did.

Yet something feels missing.

So, now what?

Take this 3-min quiz to reveal YOUR strongest Happiness Essential (faith, gratitude, peace…? ) Maria’s 8 inner qualities that unlock deeper fulfillment.

Take Quiz Free →