22. How to Balance Pageantry with a Full-Time Career

"HOW DOES SHE DO IT?!" -- well, I'm telling-all.  Balancing pageantry doesn't have to be stressful, like many other things, making time for something you love is completely possible as long as it's approached with motivation, effort, time-management, + support. As many of you already know, pageantry "fell into my lap" while serving active-duty in the Navy as an Officer, navigating a move to a new city, + runner a part-time photography business. I never planned on competing in pageants annually until 2016, when I competed in MISS OHIO USA for the very first time + it changed my life. Four 3 years + 4 competitions, I had to figure out how to navigate life in the Navy, family, a serious boyfriend, a business, recruiting, modeling, + working toward my dream of becoming MISS USA. Stressed yet? Yes, I get it! At one point I didn't know how I'd balance it all, until I realized all of my passions aligned + worked together to help me prepare for #MISS USA state competitions. By the time I prepared for my final competition, MISS CALIFORNIA USA in January 2020, I truly felt like I had nailed down exactly how to not only prepare, but win + represent, as MISS CALIFORNIA USA. Yes, I never won, but I did place first runner-up + still celebrate my ability to balance it all. In this episode, I'll walk you through how I learned to navigate pageantry with a full-time career + why you need to stop making excuses for NOT pursuing your passions even with your demanding life. Like this episode? Follow me on @missunderstood.podcast for episode updates + more!