Today we’d like to introduce you to Karen Rodriguez.
Hi Karen, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
I was the oldest of four girls to immigrant parents. My mom said I was always the center of attention as a child, the happiest kid, always smiling and laughing… I was always a big kid, very kind, and just wanted to make friends but not every child is the same. I was bullied at school throughout the years. As time went on, I became more and more shy. I had low self-esteem, no confidence, and always brought myself down. After years of self-hate and almost taking my life several times as I got older, something even worse happened. My mom was diagnosed with breast cancer. My life was turned upside down. I moved back home to help but our home was broken. My only escape at this time was scrolling through social media. One night I came across this stunning plus-size model. I was so confused because growing up I never had anyone to look up to. No one that looked anything like me. Everyone on TV or online always looked the same. Small and skinny which I was the complete opposite. I had no one to relate too. Until now. I was 23 years old finally seeing some kind of hope for my life. I had discovered a whole other side to social media. Self-love pages, mental health Awareness, and just real people sharing their real life online. My mindset and energy started to change. I became more active and social. I was offered a job that changed my life as a chiropractic assistant. At this job, I learned how to listen to my body. I started to eat well without dieting or starving myself like I use too. I was becoming more confident in myself and just thriving in every way possible. I even got the courage to sign up for acting classes. I realized I loved being in front of the camera. I started sharing my life on social media and taking risks. Whether it was wearing a crop top in public or sharing my feelings online. I remember the first message I received on Instagram that changed my life was from a sweet random girl that wrote to me thanking me for being myself. She said I gave her confidence to wear shorts in public and I started crying because even though my life was not the greatest and I wasn’t where I wanted to be, I was still giving someone hope. I was becoming the person I needed to look up to when growing up and that’s when I started taking social media and my life more serious. I realized that little old me was able to make an impact in this world so that’s what I set out to do.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not, what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Life is never a smooth road. I had many hardships I had to overcome alone. The worst struggle was finding my confidence and happiness after it was taken from me. Being in an abusive relationship while finding myself was like I was starting all over again. & It was mentally physically and emotionally traumatic and I didn’t think I was able to pull myself up after a whole year of pain. Luckily life knows when you’re in trouble and guides beautiful souls your way. I met my best friends shortly after and I am forever grateful for meeting them during my healing stage. As well as building a stronger relationship with my parents and sisters.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I’m a plus side model, poet, content creator, and influencer from Orlando. Florida. I’m an artist. I’m known for living my life unapologetically. My Instagram and TikTok express how to love yourself and how to live your life without caring about what others think. I am extremely open and real about my life. I express body positive and self-love. My followers are my friends and family at this point. I’ve meet some of the most amazing people with what I do which makes me the proudest because never in a million years would I ever think I would be this confident or happy to be someone that others are looking up to.
Alright, so to wrap up, is there anything else you’d like to share with us?
Be true to yourself, never give up even on your worse days, and even though there are many people that want to see you fail don’t let them stop you from expressing yourself and trusting in others. Meeting people and hearing their journey is one of the greatest things in this world. Go out and live your life to the fullest while being a kind and loving human being.
Contact Info:
- Email: [email protected]
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/livin4funn?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y=
