As a writer and an educated woman, I’ve always known that these two things were unique and separate. But for some reason, it's evaded me, and I've tended to use them interchangeably when discussing confidence. But self-esteem and self-confidence are not interchangeable and to begin to grow within yourself and into a stronger person you have to understand what each of these is and what they mean to you. Self-esteem comes from within and helps define you as a person. Whether we

I have to be honest with you. I struggled with this question for years. YEARS! Asking people for money for your “hobby” just didn’t sit well with me. But then I had a realization. I was looking at this relationship in the wrong way. As a titleholder, you are out in the community working your platform (I like to call it my mission – but that’s another post.) promoting positivity, and generally being amazing representing the community or state where you live. Business owners ar

Since we’ve finally seen the temps drop below 85 degrees in D.C., I feel now is the time to address this elephant in the room. The age-old fashion rule about wearing white after Labor Day. If you know me, you know that I adore white. All white everything. My entire home is white with light grey walls, so the white pops even more! I realize that home decor and fashion are not the same things, but let’s be honest your tastes tend to be similar. If you are chic and clean in home

From the outside, most people could never understand that Heather Marie Van Cleave had a struggle in the world. What they don’t realize is that she’s a survivor! She’s overcome depression and PTSD from multiple traumas throughout her life. She’s been the victim of domestic violence, childhood sexual abuse, rape, and physical, emotional and verbal abuse. But she’s working to help others by sharing her story and working with the nonprofit Runway2Life. She’s found healing throug

Emmely Byrd deals with dissociative issues, recklessness, impulsive behavior, abandonment issues, bi-polar, depression, anxiety, PTSD and suicidal tendencies. She’s been working to come to terms with all these labels and that of what mental struggle and illness mean to her. Learn more about her story of healing below: Tell me about yourself: I’m the mother of two grown sons and the grandmother of three wonderful grandchildren. I was always interested in knowledge and being a

Following years of molestation, suicide attempts, self-harm, domestic violence and depression, Tanya Wilkins has found healing through therapy, a strong support system and by sharing her story with others by writing a book and her modeling career. Learn more about her story of healing below: Tell me about yourself: I am a mother. I work with children ages 11 to 17 dealing with the same struggles I’ve struggled with. I'm a fashion model. I'm an up-and-coming author. I’m actua

At this summer’s Mental Health America Annual Conference, I met Brian Michel. He supervises Mental Health America of Wisconsin's suicide prevention efforts across the state. I was really excited to talk to him, because of my efforts with Hope for Invisible Wounds and wanted to learn more about what it really takes to get after a public health crisis like suicide. I interviewed him about this work and learned so much more! Read more below to learn about his efforts in Wisconsi

Ever since I first saw an ad for freezing fat with CoolSculpting, I was interested in this procedure. I have two areas of my body that no matter what I do regarding diet or exercise refuse to budge. I have an area on my mid-section and on my inner thighs that no matter how fit I get and how much targeting my exercising has been these areas remain. So, when Dr. Gloria Duda at McLean Plastic Surgery right outside of D.C. offered to let me try out CoolScupting to help prepare me

Recently, there have been several instances of titleholders and/or directors taking their issues with each other public on social media and then sometimes even through media outlets. The most famous one being Miss America 2018 Cara Mund. People across the pageant world – including myself – applauded her honesty and supported her in her journey for a voice and outreach for a chance to actually reign as Miss America. There have been others not as famous as well, and one recentl

From dealing with depression in high school, to a decade of healthy living, to dealing with testicular cancer the struggles of survivorship, Justin Birckbichler, now with one ball, bares it all for us… not literally. He’s doing it around the world to help men know their health is important both mental and physical health! I met Justin at June’s Mental Health America Conference, and he is one hilarious guy! You are in for a treat and will definitely want to follow his journey

I used to not have a morning routine. For years, I threw on a tiny amount of makeup, put my hair in a ponytail and ate breakfast in the car or at my desk to save on the tiniest amounts of sleep that I could in the a.m. hours. But a few years ago, something changed. I started waking up a few hours earlier, curling or straightening my hair and fully getting ready, all the while eating my breakfast and listening to a podcast. This setting up of my day was something I never knew

Congratulations you survived pageant week! I’m so proud of you! I had a panic attack mid-week on the bus, cried all day on finals day and had a dissociative experience during on stage question. And it was still one of the best weeks of my life to include making two new best friends that I’ll keep for life! I’m hoping yours was less dramatic than mine, but equally amazing in the grand scheme of your life. Leaving for pageant week, you’re on a big high. All of your family, frie

I recently wrote a blog post about finding ways to release stress and anxiety the week leading up to the pageant. And I felt like I was ready to go into pageant week in a great mindset. However, my biggest healthy coping mechanisms involve getting enough sleep, regular exercise and downtime to myself to recover. Hello pageant week to smack me in the face! I asked Mrs. Oklahoma International, who is now one of my dear friends, to step in and do a guest blog to talk about what

Originally posted: April 16, 2019 When I first spoke with Dawn Burnett at Thrive Global, I was excited at the opportunity to tell my story on a platform dedicated to helping individuals improve their well-being that was developed by Arianna Huffington. I was also excited to be featured as one of their #SHEROs, which focuses on women who've overcome significant adversity and trauma and are now harnessing their passion for good to change the world. When I got to chatting with D

If you follow my social media or this blog very much, you know that I post a lot about my anxiety disorder, which for the most part I’ve managed to overcome and recognize when I need to refocus on myself. Going into a week-long international pageant can be super stressful for anyone, especially someone with anxiety disorder. Last night, I was having a coaching session, and I said to my coach, “I feel like I’m not ready and there’s so much left to do.” And she ran through her

Since she was a child, Mariah Harris has struggled with mental health conditions and disordered eating stemming from an unhealthy childhood. Since she’s been in recovery for her eating disorder, she stays healthy through working with a therapist, dietician and a doctor. Mariah finds healing with a strong support system with her husband and her fur babies and her advocacy community on her Facebook group Purveyors of Funny, mental health advocacy group that incorporates humor b

(Story updates in italics as up August 2019 are below.) After the traumatic birth of her son, Maggie Colleary Reade was hit hard with postpartum depression and anxiety. Over the years, she’s come to see how profound her struggles were related to poor care during labor and delivery and now she’s found healing by helping other mothers suffering from similar struggles as a birth doula. She finds healing with a strong support system, talk therapy and writing. Learn more about he

Through my outreach efforts with Hope for Invisible Wounds, I was able to meet Dr. Jesse Hatgis. He’s utilizing a new therapy for the treatment of Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). I interviewed him about this treatment and his personal connection to working in this field. Read more below to learn about his story and this groundbreaking treatment: Tell me about yourself: Thank you for having me, Courtney. I am a double board-certified osteopathic pain management/physical

Blessed to be able to share my story with Six Seconds’s global audience to shine a light on anxiety and mental illness and how building emotional intelligence can help you build your mental wellness. I'm proud to be an EQ ambassador and help promote healthy minds! Read my story here!

I have never been one for dieting fads. I have honestly never been on an official “diet,” until recently. For some reason, I have been struggling with my weight again. Not as I did when I was struggling with my fears of the gym and eating a horrible diet, but more like people do when you are 5-10 pounds from your dream weight and you can see your muscles popping under a layer of chub. Does that make sense? I have to be realistic with myself and with all of you. I am a size tw