Hi loves! These past few weeks, I’ve been on a journey to find self confidence for a multitude of reasons. This is also the MOST open, I’ve ever been with one of the scariest moments of my life. I hope that by me sharing my story with all of you, it inspires you to chase your dreams, to do something you’ve always wanted to do but didn’t believe in yourself enough to actually do it. This is chapter 23, 24 and 25 of my story.
Chapter 23
Chapter 23 on my journey to self confidence is 23rd year of life. I was living large: had a great job, finished my bachelor’s, was traveling all the time, just bought my new car all on my own. Pretty impressive, right? Then one day, I came home from dinner and went to bed like any normal Friday night, within about a couple of hours, my world was about to turn upside down.
I woke up completely numb on my whole right side of my body. My parents quickly rushed me to the emergency room, where the symptoms were quite visible. I had muscle spasms throughout my whole right side ONLY. At that point, a CT scan was needed.
The Next 48 Hours
After the CT scan revealed something was in my brain, an MRI was needed to determine what exactly that was. I was bombarded with questions, signing my life away to my parents in case they had to make a final decision on my life, and possible diagnoses.
Long story short, I had to have emergency brain surgery to remove a bacteria and clean out my brain from contaminated food I had eaten. That wasn’t as easy of a decision for me to make, I knew having the surgery meant losing my hair and having a scar replace it. I know, pretty vain, but at 23 and being a girl your hair means a lot.
Chapter 23 Part 2
After this whole ordeal, my journey to find self confidence hit an ALL-TIME LOW! I was afraid to eat anything and would avoid eating if I could. I wasn’t clear to drive, work, travel, or even really leave the house because of my treatment plan. This made me even more insecure about myself, mentally and physically. I was falling into a really dark place in my life. My parents are the only ones who really saw everything happening.
My closest friends, I would try to avoid and if they came to visit I would put on a happy face and pretend this wasn’t my life and I’ll be good as new soon enough. After a couple of months, I didn’t want to let this hold me back and put my best foot forward and once cleared to travel, I went. I went back home to New Jersey where I knew there was always peace and clarity. Then, I left again, this time to Colorado to end this bad chapter on a mile high note.
Chapter 24
This year, I wanted to get back to my normal routine. I wanted to work on finding my confidence again, I wanted to start working out again. Being put on medication to help prevent any seizures that can happen after brain surgery wasn’t one of them. I felt like I was never going to get over that point in my life. I still couldn’t grasp why it happened to me?
Why someone couldn’t do their job and clean the food before it was cooked? Why the chef couldn’t have prepared the meal better? All these thoughts, but no answers. I was told CrossFit isn’t ideal for me anymore unless I stick to 10 lbs or less. Dancing was a long shot as well because of how easily I could get lightheaded.
Food and Anxiety
My insecurity with food grew worse and worse each day. I would avoid eating many times, I would eat pretty much bread and cheese sandwiches, and then changed to completely being vegetarian. It was tough in the beginning because I would stick to bread and sandwiches, but I was honestly afraid of everything. After a couple of months, I began to feel better with food and started experimenting with new vegetables and different alternatives.
The anxiety I still suffer from to this day honestly is the worst part. I’ve never felt more scared during an anxiety attack, mostly because my anxiety attacks mimic the same muscle spasms I went into the emergency room with.
I still suffer from these attacks and now I’ve just learned how to cope with them and how to prevent them. Anxiety is no joke, I know people who have it way worse than I do and people who have it less, important thing is to understand that we can’t control what’s happening or our feelings of anxiousness.
Chapter 25
My birthday is always a symbol for me to not only celebrate another year, partying, receiving gifts, but now it is actually to celebrate another year I may not have had if it wasn’t for my incredible medical staff. This year, I wanted to go back home again to a city I fall in love with every time I visit and that is THE BIG APPLE.
This year, my wish was to not let my past dictate my future. I needed to find closure with what happen and let it go. It took some time, I mean two whole years later, but I eventually started my journey to self confidence and finding myself again.
I applied for the Miss Florida USA pageant and by some crazy miracle they wanted me. Out of over 700 hundred applicants, I was chosen to be in the top 200 to make it to Tampa and top 120 in the Miss Division. You could read more about that experience here.
Ending of 25
After doing something as drastic as competing in a national pageant. I realized if all these people here believed in me and saw something in me. Why couldn’t I see it? I started to realize I was just living and enjoying the ride, but I wasn’t taking control of my life.
I saw another opportunity be presented to me and that was to compete for the Miss Vizcaya Swim Spokesmodel Search. Once I made the first cut, I felt amazing. I knew I had to change my attitude and find the confidence in myself again.
I’ve been on a 3-month journey of self confidence for myself, both physically and mentally. I knew I wasn’t doing to let anyone tell me what I can’t do and went back into CrossFit with a different attitude. I knew my limits and have been raising them in the gym every single day. Now I can squat 125 lbs. (goodbye lame 10 lbs.) I push my body in a safe environment and challenge myself to get better every day.
Finding the Confidence in Myself
This past week I learned of how Sports Illustrated is having a second year of their Open Casting. I knew right away, I wanted to apply. I started eating better (sadly no longer vegetarian, my body needs more protein) and working out more. I’ve seen a change in myself those past couple of months.
I became more confident in my body because it was heading to the size I wanted to be at. My mentality was changing as well, I realized that I wanted to steer my own path. I didn’t just want to go along with the ride.
If you were to tell me two years ago, I would be filming in a bikini for a chance to be selected by Sports Illustrated. I’d say you’re crazy! This past weekend, I did just that. I was on the beach, confident in my curves, in my skin, most importantly in myself. (Some of these photos are from that video shoot)
Finally
One. Thank you for reading up to here and please check out my video for Sports Illustrated Swim on my Instagram (@thekarengiuliana) Leave some love too and tell me about your goals and inspirations. 🙂
Second. Don’t ever doubt yourself. You have something to share with the world. No matter who you love, what you believe in, what your background, size, height, shape, ethnicity is. Believe in yourself, have confidence in yourself, because that’s what truly shines through. I’m putting myself out there on social media because even if I don’t make it to the next round, I still want to inspire everyone to never give up on their dreams.
To never let doubt get in your head and take anyway the confidence you have. TO BE FEARLESS! I’ve learned when I just go for something without second guessing myself, I always win. Take the Miss Florida pageant, I didn’t win the crown. The sisterhood formed and the empowering of each other actually made me a winner with long lasting friendship and woman I’m proud to say I know.
Lastly. Show love to everyone else. The most important lesson I’ve learned is to empower others along my journey. The greatest gift you can give someone is empowerment or inspiration in themselves. Giving someone a compliment. Lending a helping hand.
Sharing your story for others to read and feel inspired to take action. No matter what you do in life, the reward of helping someone else feel better and confident is MUCH more REWARDING. It’s like the Great King of Pop always said: “If you wanna make the world a better place, take a look at yourself and then make a change”
XOXO
Karen Giuliana
Hello loves, welcome to my blog! My name is Karen Giuliana Bardales and I am currently 31 years old. I was born New Jersey and raised in Florida, graduated from Florida Atlantic University and still residing in sunny South Florida.
The reason for my blog is to write about my experiences from traveling, the beauty industry, fitness and other things I love. I want to help inspire others through my personal experiences and be seen as a role model to young woman everywhere.
Thank you for reading and following along through my journey of life. Your support means everything to me, so thank you!
Confidence gives you the power to conquer the world! Wishing you all the best girl!
Author
Couldn’t agree more!! Thank you so much! 🙂
Looking Beautiful in all these pictures. I also love your positivity, and it inspires me! Thanks for sharing girl! 🙂
Author
Thank you so much! You don’t know how much your kind words mean to me! 😘
Learning to love yourself is a really tough thing to do. I’ve been battling towards it myself and your post is super inspiring. You look amazing x
Author
Thank you for your kind words girl! It’s a tough journey and even a long journey, but I realized at the end of the day we only have so many days left and we should just love ourselves as we are! You’re beautiful and confident ! Believe it! 😀
You are gorgeous and your story IS helpful to others. You are so right about everyone having something to share with the world. If only more would have the confidence to share who they truly are. <3
Author
Thank you so much!!! Couldn’t agree more with you! ☺️
You look amazingly beautiful and confident. Keep up the sheer determination, you will accomplished anything.
Author
Thank you so much! 🙂
What a story! You are very strong girl, keep going and don’t forget you are unique 🎊 👌
Author
Thank you so much girly! I think those are words everyone needs to hear so thank you! You’re amazing! 🙂
This was so powerful. You’ve gone through so much at such a young age. I hope you continue to share this with other people. You have no idea how many people you will inspire.
Author
Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! Your words truly mean so much! That’s my goal to share my story and help someone struggling know it’s going to be okay and to keep fighting!
It’s crazy how one positive thing can change our lives! Finding that confidence led you to take a risk and do something pretty awesome. I wish you all the success you deserve girl!
WOW, you are truly inspirational for everyone those are in lack of confidence. I really loved how you built up yourself even after a lot of struggles. My all good luck to you for participating in Miss Florida USA. Keep up the confidence and take care. Much Love!
Author
Thank you so much for reading! 🙂
I can’t imagine going through that type of illness. But understand the anxiety about eating again. Thank you for sharing your story. Your positivity is inspiring.
Author
Thank you so much! I think we just have to find our ways of coping with anxiety and our demons and make them positives. If I could just help one person with my story makes it all worth it. Keep on shining girly! 🙂
This made me cry, not at what happened to you but the strength you’ve show to share your story. You are indeed beautiful .
Xoxo
http://www.styledbysolita.com
Author
Thank you SO much! I’m sorry it made you cry though! Your kind words means so much to me, you have no idea! Thank you Solita! ❤️
Wow what an amazing story girl! The situation you went through sounds so scary, but thank goodness you made it through! I am wondering do you know what it was that you ate that caused that to happen? Makes me wonder if I should try going vegetarian! Congrats to you on your accomplishments and keep up the good work!
Author
Thank you so much! Unfortunately, we could never figure out exactly where the bacteria came from. All I know was I was in Puerto Rico a week before my symptoms started to appear and did have a rice bowl mixed with different seafoods and chicken. Both my friend and I didn’t like it and barely touched it, but she got sick that night with a stomachache and then found out she had a stomach bacteria and was given antibiotics, days later I went into the hospital and found this out. So our hunch is the seafood was cleaned probably or handled well.
You’ve had a phenomenal journey so far with all the high and lows and you couldn’t have ended it better with being fearless! More power to you 🙂
Author
Thank you! 😀
Hey girl, this was such a personal post thank you for sharing! I have anxiety as well so I know what you mean when it hits you. I’m glad you are ok and getting YOU back.
Author
Thank you for reading! Anxiety is hard to deal with but I just find that it’s natural to feel like that we just have to find ways to cope. Keep on fighting girl ! 💪🏼💪🏼
I came across karen’s blog about a month ago from a facebook group. After which we both shared comment on each others post. It was a post about how to prepare before you travel. And today when i was going through my old comments to see how my old fellas are doing surprisingly this girl is killing the blogging game. This is some kind of post which a very few will dare to write. I am completely impressed by your writing style and the way you construct your sentences. I would love to share the blogosphere with you.
Keep up the good work!
Author
Omg thank you so much! This truly means a lot to me. I’ve completely changed my confidence and my overall persona due to a lot of growth I’ve done through. Thank you again for the love and support!
What a crazy story! Glad you are well now!
Author
Thank you! 🙂