Available Wherever Books Are Sold Online
Take a Shot at Happiness:
how to Write, Direct &
Produce the Life You Want
Take a Shot at Happiness: How to Write, Direct & Produce the Life You Want is a transformative guide that blends science, spirituality, and creativity to help readers cultivate happiness through faith, love, health, gratitude, forgiveness, peace, detachment, and abundance. 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:
- Winner of the Wellbeing category at the NYC Big Book Awards and National Indie Excellence Awards (also a Personal Growth Finalist).
- Winner of the Nonfiction Creativity category and Finalist in Self-Help General at the 2024 Best Book Awards.
- Silver Award for Creativity & Innovation by Nautilus.
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.
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.
Reviews
CBS’ The Talk hosts Maria to talk about her new book on their SeeHer segment. November 17th, 2023.
KTLA 5’s Weekend Morning News welcomes Maria to discuss her new book. January 21st, 2024.
In this episode of the Wealth On The Beach Podcast, luxury travel expert Maria shares how walking 10,000 miles for charity led to a life of adventure and wellbeing.
Real Talk with Liza invites Maria to talk about breaking free of limiting thoughts and how small habits can rewire your brain. March 11, 2025.
In this episode of Behind the Bite, Maria speaks about finding true happiness and personal fulfillment. Dec 19, 2024.
FlowByChlo welcomes Maria to chat about taking control of happiness, her techniques and practical strategies, and the impact of travel on your perspective. Sept 2, 2024.
Sauce of Life sits down with Maria to discuss her journey from television to a life dedicated to conscious living and ultimate happiness. Sept 8, 2024.
Maria is a guest on MindBody Matters to chat about lessons from Survivor, how it impacted the writing of her book. April 17, 2024.
In this episode of Soul of Travel: Women’s Wisdom + Mindful Travel Christine hosts a soulful conversation with Maria Baltazzi. April 2, 2024.
PsychCentral’s Inside Mental Health invites Maria to share her insights on unexpected hope. March 21, 2024.
About The Authors TV Host Jake Brown interviewed Maria about producing in the wild and the creation of her book. March 16, 2024.
Freelance Writers Den hosted Maria to talk about her career and how she wrote and structured her recent book. March 01, 2024.
The Extra Mile, the official podcast of Charity Miles, invites Maria, a longtime Charity Miler, to coach listeners on how to explore happiness. February 29, 2024.
Oh, My Health… There Is Hope invites Maria to share her story of hope and how she found her path to happiness. Feb 23, 2024.
Paula Felps welcomes back Maria to the Live Happy podcast to talk about how to find and create love. January 30, 2024.
The Curious Man Podcast speaks with Maria about how everyone can find their own version of happiness. January 24, 2024.
Maria joins the Dr Ward Bond Show to share how you can create a healthier state of being and have fun doing it. January 15, 2024.
Love & Life welcomes Maria to talk about how one can discover true happiness in their lives, especially in the new year. January 2, 2024.
The nationally syndicated Daily Flash features Maria on their Boss Lady segment to chat about her career and book. January 1, 2024.
Ira’s Everything Bagel speaks with Maria to talk about her journey in self-reflection and exploring her own happiness. December 28, 2023.
The Mark Thompson Show welcomes Maria to talk about how her work in production influenced her book Take a Shot at Happiness. December 20, 2023.
No Script No Problem invites Maria to talk about Take a Shot at Happiness. December 18, 2023.
School for Startups Radio welcomes Maria to share how happiness is a winning mindset. December 6, 2023.
The Beauty Within Podcast discusses with Maria how to embody her Happiness Essentials. November 20th, 2023.
Live Happy Now invites Maria to talk about discovering the Happiness Essentials. October 31, 2023.
Podcast Let’s Make Some Noise interviews Maria about the secret to Happiness. October 30, 2023.
Authority Magazine’s Jake Frankel interviews Maria on Finding Happiness and Joy During Turbulent Times. October 26, 2023.
Lindsay Hadley invites Maria to chat about understanding your inner-self. October 17, 2023.
In this episode of The Optimized Mind, Maria discusses create happiness within our own unique context and more. October 3, 2023.
The Cost of Not Paying Attention invites Maria to discuss how we practice conscious living. September 15, 2023.
For November’s issue of Best Holistic Life make the decision to live in a friendly universe by unlocking more abundance. November 1, 2025.
In the September issue of Best Holistic Life Maria gives you advice on how to declutter your physical and emotional baggage. September 1, 2025.
In the June issue of Best Holistic Life Maria offers practices for you reimagine gratitude. June 1, 2025.
In the May issue of Best Holistic Life Maria uses her trip to Bhutan to teach you how to unlock happiness. May 1, 2025.
In the March issue of Best Holistic Life Maria shows you how to achieve big goals with a vision board. April 1, 2025.
In the March issue of Best Holistic Life Maria shares 3 surprising ways to heal your heart. March 1, 2025.
In the February issue of Best Holistic Life Maria shares 3 surprising ways to heal your heart. Feb 1, 2025.
In the January issue of Best Holistic Life Maria shares 11 practices to achieve inner peace. Jan 1, 2025.
In the November issue of Best Holistic Life Maria writes about how gratitude can heal the pain of rejection. Nov 1, 2024.
In the October issue of Best Holistic Life Maria shares the powerful story of how positive thinking helped her mother survive ovarian cancer. October 1, 2024.
In the September issue of Best Holistic Life Maria writes about how others can reflect who you are. Sept 1, 2024.
In the July issue of Best Holistic Life Maria writes about how to “Elevate Your Wellbeing” July 1, 2024.
Best Holistic Life features an excerpt from Maria’s book in their latest issue. February 2024.
Happiness Essentials
Color Photos + Journal Quotes
In Take a Shot at Happiness: How to Write, Direct & Produce the Life You Want, the following photos are in black and white. The publisher could not print them in color for cost-effective reasons, so they are shared here as they were meant to be experienced. Maria believes these images have a different read and feeling when seen in full color. The photos and quotes are part of the activities you will be encouraged to do throughout the book to make the concepts more tangible, practical, and fun to engage with as you read.
