We’re looking forward to introducing you to Charlie Lauren. Check out our conversation below.
Good morning Charlie, it’s such a great way to kick off the day – I think our readers will love hearing your stories, experiences and about how you think about life and work. Let’s jump right in? What are you most proud of building — that nobody sees?
Over the past 4–5 years, I began to feel a shift, a quiet but urgent realization that if I didn’t choose to grow, I’d remain stuck in cycles of emotional turmoil. I had always carried a vision of the person I wanted to become: someone grounded in love for myself and others, someone bold in creativity, and unafraid to live fully and authentically. I wanted to be slower to anger, quicker to reflect, and more intentional with how I responded to life.
For a little over a year now, I’ve been in consistent therapy, learning how to regulate my emotions, navigate conflict with clarity, and show up as my most grounded self. This journey hasn’t been easy, but it’s been transformative. Every step has brought me closer to the person I once only imagined and I’m proud of the growth, the healing, and the unwavering commitment to becoming me.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
I’m a former teacher who moved from Washington, D.C. to Los Angeles to pursue a modeling career. When I arrived, I quickly realized that chasing this dream would be more challenging than I had imagined. I began to lose confidence in myself and feared that I might not succeed.
While continuing to model, I explored other paths that aligned with my passions and strengths. I became certified in both Hatha and Vinyasa yoga, deepening my personal practice and learning how to share it with others. I also returned to working with children, but in a new way as a behavior interventionist supporting children with autism. This allowed me to stay connected to education while taking a more holistic, out-of-the-classroom approach.
My journey has been anything but linear, but every step has helped me grow more grounded in who I am and more confident in the value I bring both in front of the camera and in the lives I touch.
Amazing, so let’s take a moment to go back in time. What part of you has served its purpose and must now be released?
For so long, I tried to float under the radar in social settings always adjusting myself to make others feel comfortable with my presence. I was the kind of person who made sure everyone else felt at ease, even if that meant dimming my own light.
As a former track & field athlete, I was competitive on the field, but in the real world, I didn’t fight for what I truly wanted. I stayed quiet about my dreams, hoping they would somehow come to life without having to fully claim them. I was afraid to be different. I was afraid that my story wouldn’t measure up to those around me that my path wouldn’t be understood.
But that part of me no longer serves who I am becoming. I’m letting go of the fear of being seen and learning to be bold, intentional, and disciplined especially when it comes to me and the life I want to build.
What fear has held you back the most in your life?
A fear that has held me back in life is the fear of vulnerability.
For a long time, I struggled to express how I truly felt because I was embarrassed by how others might perceive me. I thought that showing emotion would make me appear weak or too much. But I’m learning that choosing the more difficult path being open and vulnerable is actually the most rewarding.
It hasn’t been easy, and I’m still working on it daily. Instead of reacting with anger or letting my feelings fester, I now take a step back and journal. I give myself space to understand what truly triggered me. Once I have clarity, I can approach the situation with a calm mind and no expectations only a commitment to show up for myself with honesty and care, whether or not I’m understood.
Sure, so let’s go deeper into your values and how you think. What’s a cultural value you protect at all costs?
Resilience through community is a cultural value I protect at all cost. As a Black woman, I’ve learned that true strength doesn’t come from carrying everything alone it comes from leaning into sisterhood, shared experiences, and spaces where I feel seen and supported. This value has been passed down through generations, reminding me that healing, joy, and growth are most powerful when they’re collective. It’s something I hold onto fiercely because it sustains me and the communities I care about.
Before we go, we’d love to hear your thoughts on some longer-run, legacy type questions. What are you doing today that won’t pay off for 7–10 years?
Lately, I’ve been scrolling on my phone more than I’d like to admit. I’m doing my best setting screen time limits, leaving my phone at home during walks, and turning on Do Not Disturb during social gatherings. Still, I find myself slipping into slumps, doomscrolling for way too long.
I’ve started telling myself: if I’m not creating content or learning something, it’s time to get off the phone.
It’s a work in progress, but I’m holding myself accountable not for perfection, but for presence.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://la.thedragonflyagency.com/divisions/lifestyle/portfolios/charlie-lauren/portfolio
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/charlie_laurenn/
Image Credits
Soccer & biker top images: Alexa Jade
Orange crop top w/ sunglasses & headphone images: Wilder Marroquin
Graffiti Photo with hands in square shape: Braneo Avel
Yoga Photo: (not sure of photographer but that was for the company WellHub)
Photo on longboard: (thats my own personal image that I took.
