Today we’d like to introduce you to Elizabeth Sabillon.
Hi Elizabeth, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
My name is Elizabeth Sabillon and I am the host of Beauty Marks Podcast, a space where we embrace marks acquired through our journey. All things beauty and fashion has been a passion of mine for years. Behind the social media platform I have, I wanted to have real conversations on my personal journey of faith, mental health and how I have overcome marks of life. You will also hear stories of how people have used their personal marks of pain, obstacles and trauma in life and how they turned them into their beauty marks.
From 2018-2020 I really struggled with anxiety, depression and disordered eating. I was isolated; however, if you looked at my social media, you would think I was happy because I was traveling, lived on my own, graduated college and was always dressed up.
During that time, I was going through a lot; I had many insecurities, didn’t feel like I was enough and had an unhealthy relationship with myself and my body. I was quickly spiraling, with unhealthy habits then led to developing unhealthy relationships. At the end of 2019, I was dealing with a lot of life changes that I was so stressed, I developed a body rash that wouldn’t go away, I was getting headaches constantly and in two occasions, nearly passed out in public spaces. A week later at the doctor after running test they couldn’t figure out what it was but pointed out that I could be clinically depressed.
Once this realization hit, I wanted to make some life changes, I started therapy, started working out, eating better and taking care of myself from the inside out. I would love to tell you that I lived happily ever after and that healed me, but the reality is we will have those highs and lows in life. Now I just am able to work through the issue and talk about them so that others know they aren’t alone in this.
During the beginning of the pandemic, I realized how important it is to have community. On social media, I have found myself comparing my life to people’s “highlights” when I know that is not the full picture. I wanted to make Beauty Marks Podcast an authentic place with real conversations about life. Everyone has a story behind all the pretty pictures and cool adventures; most of the time, you will never know the real story.
When I was thinking of a name for my podcast originally, I thought of names like marked, beauty for ashes, beauty marked, out of the ashes. The whole concept was the same; I wanted to talk about difficult circumstances people walk through that break us that are unpleasant, unfair, or hurtful. That in the moment, you don’t see the bigger picture, or you don’t know how you’ll be able to overcome that situation. Situations and life events that are difficult that you look back to those dark moments and realize that although there was pain if you look closely, there was beauty that came out of that season of your life.
There are some situations in life we walkthrough, an illness, a heartbreak, and accident, a loss that changes our lives and leaves us with marks. But the one thing I know is that those marks we walk with, either seen or unseen, are part of our story. So the name Beauty Marks seems just right; it’s is a space where we embrace marks acquired through our journey. For me, telling parts of my story is vulnerable and so uncomfortable. But I can see God in every part of my story of things that marked me, so I want to give that hope to others. Things that I didn’t know how I was going to walk through but God has helped me through it and turned my ashes to beauty. I embrace my Marks because that’s what makes me. So friend Embrace your Marks and tell your story; you never know who you can help through it.
The beauty in my story has been able to be myself again, heal while sharing different parts of my story weekly, meeting amazing individuals with all different stories, do something I am passionate about, create and inspire others, encourage and empower other women and to build a community online that supports each other. Now, we are at 50 podcast episodes published and nearly hitting the 1-year mark of the podcast.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Life is full of highs and lows. Every week has its frustrations, technical sometimes, like when Zoom wants to not act right for interviews or my computer magically deletes files. Or real challenges like getting COVID- 19, family members passing away, going through a heartbreak, healing from my own trauma, or having to pivot in my career.
Being consistent in producing and editing the podcast weekly as a team of one has been difficult. When I don’t feel motivated to record or are having a rough week, but still having to show up and show face because I dedicated myself to this podcast.
Being vulnerable has been difficult, I am an advocate for mental health and therapy and being open about it on what my current struggles are as I’m trying to encourage others, while I also need some encouragement, has been an interesting dynamic. However, in my community, I have found that listeners like genuine, transparent people, who they can connect with.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I started my own marketing business in 2019, Sabby Marketing Co, where I specialize in branding and social media management. I have used what I have learned over the past seven years about social media, branding, public relations in what I do in Beauty Marks Podcast.
I am known for my podcast on social media, I am most proud of creating a community online that follows the podcast and to be able to encourage or empower women. It means so much to me when I receive a DM or text from someone that tells me they related to something I shared about and that they found hope in what they are going through. I also am proud of staying consistent throughout this year of publishing an episode weekly and growing organically on social media. I have a passion for helping others, so if I can do that by being vulnerable, making others feel heard or seen in any way then that is what matters to me.
Are there any books, apps, podcasts or blogs that help you do your best?
I love reading paperback books; there is just something about highlighting and turning pages that is therapeutic; I try to read two books a month and listen to podcast that encourage, teach, inspire and challenge me to grow.
Books I recommend: Boundaries by Dr. Henry Cloud. How to Win Friends and Influence People by Dale Carnegie. Codependent No More by Melody Beattie.
Podcast: Moments with The Marcelins with Jun & Stephanie Marcelin. In The Light with Dr. Anita Phillips. The Healing Circle with Kobe Campbell. Happy & Healthy with Jeanine Amapola. The Good Life with Stevie & Sazan.
In 2021, we have so much information out there, but make sure you are applying what you hear! (Which is the hardest part) Also, therapy and doing the work internally has helped me become more self-aware, set boundaries and heal to be a better version of myself.
Contact Info:
- Email: beautymarkspodcast@gmail.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/elizabethsabby/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/elizabethsabbyz
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCM2BYQ87kvNAPwjH6gwMITg/videos
Image Credits
Valerie Seguinot Ashley Nicole
