Peri R. Finkelstein is a Marketing Consultant, Digital Creator, Keynote Speaker, Founder/CEO of the Team Peri Foundation, and has raised over $1M for charity. Peri was featured in Forbes in December 2022, holds a Bachelor of Science and an MBA from Adelphi University, Garden City, New York, is an Emmy Award Winner, and recently released her TEDx Talk titled “Always Wanting More & Stepping Out of Line”. As a marathoner, nonprofit leader, and producer, creator, and co-host of the Team Peri Step Out of Line podcast, she inspires listeners through her dedication to community engagement. While she was born with a rare form of Muscular Dystrophy, Peri only allows that factor to be a blip in the equation, and in turn, her medical challenges have fueled her fire and her drive to believe that with hard work, a sharp mind, wit, and a whole lot of moxie, she can accomplish anything. Over the years, Peri has honed her craft relentlessly and lives by the mantra “Step Out of Line.” Her life’s mission is to share her story in the hope of inspiring others to be the change and always venture out of the lines. To learn more about Peri, visit www.teamperi.org.
What is your typical day, and how do you make it productive?
It depends on how much honesty you are looking for… a typical day for me is far from glamorous, it’s Groundhog Day. Every day feels mundane and rather exhausting, like I’m floating through life just trying to stay alive. Most of my actions are robotic: jumping from one medical treatment to the next, alarms going off to remind me to take medications and nebulizer treatments, and squeezing in work during any moments of downtime that I have…that’s if fatigue and chronic pain don’t wash over me.
My “productive” moments come in bursts. Sometimes my brain turns on between 2 and 4 a.m., sometimes during hours-long medical treatments, sometimes in a random spark of energy in the middle of the day. Coffee is my kryptonite, playlists keep me going, and once my noise-canceling headphones are in, that’s when the magic happens.
It can get isolating and lonely, and some days I’m breaking on the inside while nobody can tell. But I hold tight to the small sparks of joy, the things that give me hope and remind me why I keep going. I am a dreamer with lofty goals and great ambition. It’s almost as if I’m catching lightning in a bottle so that I can relive and replay the memories when I need them most. So, I show up in any way that I can and give my 100% every single day, whatever that may look like.
How do you bring ideas to life?
All of my ideas are formed out of visions, ones that I see play out in my mind. I see the intricate details, the plan in formation, the message, the design, and the passion that is intertwined. For all of my ideas, I act on my passion and lead with my heart. The project that I choose to pour my whole self into must ignite a spark inside of me and make me feel something. I choose what makes me happy and fulfilled. By using my marketing background, I use my knowledge and business acumen to bring my ideas to fruition, and I never do anything halfway; it’s all or nothing. For speaking engagements, I see the slideshows before I create them. When editing a podcast, I hear how I would like the final product to come out. When writing my memoir or Substack piece, I first envision it in my head, and each word is written for a reason. I sometimes even close my eyes and allow the words to simply pour out of me by writing blindly. It all comes down to envisioning my ideas, mapping them out, and making them come to life. These 3D abstract images and video montages are what make my process special and where my creativity sparks. It’s where I thrive.
What’s one trend that excites you?
The trend that excites me most is the way Gen Z, my generation, is prioritizing authenticity, transparency, and simply being real. We’re focused on building genuine connections, especially in the social media world and across the digital age as a whole. One downside of modern social media is the overload of filters, inorganic content, and people posting simply for views, followers, and likes.
I pride myself on sharing content that reflects my true personality and shows the full range of emotions I feel—ones I’m no longer afraid to hide. Some of my posts are upbeat, some are dark and unfiltered, and some are just for fun. Having a well-rounded presence matters, and pairing it with what I write on my Substack helps me pour out my emotions in a way that feels radical and freeing.
While likes and views help the algorithm push content, I wish more people posted how they want to be perceived instead of how the world is grooming the next generation to share their stories, following short-lived trends simply because of their popularity. The real trend is showing up exactly as you are, unapologetically. Your audience will follow. They want the real you, your passions, your interests, and everything that makes you who you are.
I am done faking it on social media, and I’m choosing to share my truth over curated perfection.
What is one habit that helps you be productive?
One habit that helps me stay productive is listening to my body and carving out time to rest when it demands it. Over the past two years, I’ve learned to give myself grace when chronic pain and fatigue take over, and to stop fighting the inevitable need to rest, because ignoring it only leads to burnout and lowers the quality of my work.
Sometimes that rest looks like watching a movie, a show, or reading a book. I let my body slow down, even when I feel restless, because when it’s ready to work again, it gives me the green light. It might take a couple of hours before I reach that productive state of mind, but once I’m there, I’m on a roll, and nothing can stop me or break my focus.
What advice would you give your younger self?
I would tell my younger self to stop listening to the bullies and naysayers, and to stop caring so much about what other people think. As a student with a physical disability, bullying was inevitable, but I let those moments break me and take my power away. I became a shell of myself and often wished the world would swallow me whole. I felt alone, unsure why I even existed, and my hopes were constantly shattered.
I couldn’t do the “normal” things other kids did: walk, go to sleepovers, participate in gym, or join after-school activities. School itself exhausted me, and when I got home, I had physical and occupational therapy waiting for me, sometimes doctor appointments as well. I wish my younger self had given herself more grace and learned to shine in her own world, focusing on her own goals and dreams instead of all of the noise that continued to break her heart. I wish she hadn’t been embarrassed to be who she was, and I wish she had told our parents and siblings what was really going on in her life, and let them in.
While I would’ve loved to be invited to parties, not be purposely excluded, and grow up with a childhood friend group like my sister had, I’m finally proud to be me, baggage and all. I can’t heal the younger version of myself, and I still carry those invisible scars, but I can create my own legacy and build a life worth living.
Tell us something you believe almost nobody agrees with you.
When you’re chasing your dreams, don’t settle. Go big or go home. The reward is always worth the risk. Playing it safe only leads to regret, and I’d rather take the leap than spend my life wondering “what if.”
What is the one thing you repeatedly do and recommend everyone else do?
Find something, anything, that sparks joy in your life. It could be your favorite show, time with your pet, doing your nails, or wearing something that helps you feel a bit more confident at work. Whatever makes you smile or feel at ease counts. It’s the little things, and sometimes you only need one to make your day better.
When you feel overwhelmed or unfocused, what do you do?
Whenever I feel overwhelmed or unfocused, I tackle one task at a time. I make a to-do list, set reminders on my phone, and lock in with tunnel vision. I don’t stop until the task is done. It’s all or nothing, and when in doubt, a little chocolate helps calm the nerves.
What is one strategy that has helped you grow your business or advance in your career?
One strategy that helped me grow, both in my career and through the Team Peri Foundation, was learning to refine my focus. It’s easy to get lost trying to do everything, especially when you’re full of ideas and short on time and resources. When I launched the foundation, I imagined assisting people with physical disabilities with medical challenges myself, traveling, partnering with brands to improve accessibility, and conducting accessibility audits. But I quickly realized that, as a brand-new nonprofit with no capital, that wasn’t sustainable. So, I pivoted, and it became the best decision I ever made.
I took my story on the road. I began speaking at universities, hospitals, and corporations about inclusion, disability awareness, community building, and the power of Stepping Out of Line. I’ve always had stage fright, and my speech impediment, courtesy of my diagnosis, a rare form of Muscular Dystrophy known as Nemaline Rod Myopathy, can make my voice sound garbled. But AI technology opened a new door for me and made it possible.
Slowly, momentum built, and to date, I have spoken at Stony Brook University, Brandeis University, Quinnipiac University, NYU, the Female Founder Collective, and more. I’ve become a keynote speaker who uses AI technology to deliver my presentations, while still using my physical voice during Q&A to maintain balance and authenticity.
Alongside speaking engagements, the foundation donates funds to organizations aligned with our mission, and we’ve built our own initiatives: the Julie Hait Adler Scholarship Fund in partnership with my alma mater, Adelphi University, and The Peri Project, which focuses on mental health support for caregivers in hospital settings.
By refining my mission and focusing on speaking, I’ve been able to expand our impact. I secured a TEDx Talk (May 2025, published October 2025), helped raise $50K for our scholarship in 2024, funded caregiver initiatives at two hospitals, and the foundation received an Emmy for our Fox 5 Good Day New York interview, “Step Out of Line with Peri Finkelstein” in October 2025.
I stayed true to my passions, but by narrowing my focus, I was able to make an even greater impact.
What is one failure in your career, how did you overcome it, and what lessons did you take away from it?
Upon launching the foundation, I invested my own personal funds into all of the legal and accounting work needed to get the organization off the ground, this was all while I was completing my MBA at Adelphi University. What I didn’t realize at the time was that every single question I asked my attorneys generated a charge. Even the simplest clarifications added up quickly, and those costs came directly out of my pocket, as well as my parents’, who generously helped support me in launching the foundation.
Once the paperwork was finalized and the organization became more credible, I sought out pro bono support. We brought accountants onto our board and partnered with a pro bono legal firm to handle our ongoing needs. What I took away from that experience wasn’t just about budgeting; it was about knowing when to ask for help, not being afraid to pivot, and understanding that you don’t need to shoulder everything alone. It showed me that building something meaningful isn’t just about working hard; it’s about working smart and knowing when to bring in the right support.
What is one business idea you’re willing to give away to our readers?
Creating a brand that’s built completely through social media storytelling. Social media is such an underrated weapon, and if you use it intentionally, you can build an entire business/brand from it. The idea is simple: pick something you’re passionate about, document the entire journey online, and grow it through consistent, authentic content on the platforms that give you the most reach. For me, that’s Instagram and Facebook, with TikTok coming in third. By sharing your story and what makes your product or mission special, you can build real brand awareness, attract press, and create a loyal fan base that supports you from day one. It’s a business powered by your voice, your experiences, and your message.
What is one piece of software that helps you be productive? How do you use it?
Artful Agenda is the software that keeps my life organized. It’s a digital calendar app that I use for everything: planning my days, setting reminders, and keeping track of all my appointments. Due to my physical disability, using a traditional paper planner is extremely difficult, so having a digital planner that’s easy to navigate has been a game-changer for me. It syncs with both Google Calendar and iCalendar, which makes everything seamless and convenient. It truly helps me stay on top of my life with ease.
What is the best $100 you recently spent?
I recently spent about $100 on a designer bag, a black studded mini tote with antique brass detailing along the edges, and it was worth every penny. Nothing makes me feel more confident as a leader and entrepreneur than carrying a beautiful bag. My Grandma Shirley always believed that the right bag can change the way you carry yourself, and she passed that belief down to all the women in our family. She was right. There’s a power in it, the feeling that you can accomplish anything, the courage it gives you, the way it shifts your whole attitude. You feel untouchable and fierce, and it changes your entire outlook the moment you pick it up.
Do you have a favorite book or podcast from which you’ve received much value?
The Harry Potter series has always been my favorite because it taught me that being different can be a strength, to stay grounded in what I’m fighting for, and to know that no matter where life takes you, you’re never truly alone.
As for podcasts, I might be biased, but my own podcast, Team Peri Step Out of Line, changed my life for the better. I launched it in March 2020 as a personal coping mechanism during the COVID-19 pandemic. What began as a creative outlet quickly grew into a platform for connection, storytelling, and advocacy. I have personally spent long periods of time in my life in medical quarantine, and so the world’s sudden shift to isolation felt strangely familiar, and for the first time, the digital landscape put me on equal footing with everyone else. That access helped me find my voice, share my story, connect with others, and amplify the journeys of fellow changemakers and disruptors.
The podcast was inspired by Alex Borstein’s 2019 Emmy Awards speech about the power of “stepping out of line.” Since launching, we’ve welcomed guests like actor, podcaster, and neuroscientist Mayim Bialik; author and producer David Simon; baseball legend Darryl Strawberry; disability advocates Chelsie Hill and Emily Ladau; Alex Borstein herself, and many more.
Team Peri Step Out of Line is available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, iHeartRadio, Amazon Music, and YouTube.
What’s a movie or series you recently enjoyed and why?
I recently revisited Gilmore Girls, which is my go-to comfort show. It’s reliable, calming, and always helps me unwind when life feels hectic and rather overwhelming.
Key learnings:
- Turn pain into purpose. Your challenges don’t block you; they build you. Let your experiences fuel your platforms, your voice, and your willingness to step in and out of the lines.
- Productivity is cyclical, not linear. Honor your limits, work when inspiration strikes, and treat rest as a strategy, not a setback.
- Creativity starts with vision. If an idea doesn’t spark something in you, it’s not yours to chase. Lead boldly, with passion and conviction.
- Stepping out of line is a mindset, not a moment. Breakthroughs come from choosing the unexpected path, taking risks that scare you a little, and letting courage lead even when the future is unknown.