Today we’d like to introduce you to Trishia Iheonye.
Hi Trishia, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
I am a first-generation Nigerian-born American raised. Being an immigrant and growing up in America was no easy feat. I was the kid who wanted to be everything. In my culture, there are about 3-5 “respectable” careers you can choose from (doctor, lawyer, engineer, or nurse), so it was not an easy ride when I said I wanted to become an actress. I was met with a lot of resistance and told to “be realistic.” While in college, realistically studying to be a nurse, I also took time to pursue my passion of acting. I found that I love caring for people and actually had a knack for caring for others and enjoyed being a nurse but still was not fully fulfilled in life. While in college, my mental health took a rapid decline. I was not happy and would stay in my room and isolate myself. I felt alone and could not talk to family because my culture does not acknowledge mental health issues as real problems. It got so bad that I sought out professional help. I was diagnosed with major depressive disorder and high-functioning anxiety. This diagnosis helped me understand some of the feelings I had for a long time.
I was on medication for some time and then eventually weaned off and began therapy. I’ve now been in therapy for years and found that many people were in similar situations. I started a nonprofit organization called Vent.ti (that’s vent and then the “ti” are my initials). It is a platform that hosts wellness events for the community hosts a podcast that speaks openly with individuals from all walks of life (actors, pastors, nurses, immigrants, etc.); we also are gearing up to start a school tour speaking to the youth about mental health, and plenty more. In all of this, I realized how much my mental health stopped me from pursuing my dreams of mine. I am currently running for Miss California USA in June to help spread my story and bring more light to mental health, but also to show every little girl like me that it is possible to do it all! I am an actress, nurse, non-profit owner, podcast host, pageant girl, and more!
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
It has not been a smooth road what so ever. I will say that although my mind is my greatest obstacle in life, it has also been my greatest source of power. I have learned and am still learning how to work through my mental health struggles which led me to help others. It has made me a stronger person and opened many doors for me to do what I love now. Although every day is not a happy day, I know how to push through and get through anything.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I am many things! So I am a registered travel nurse. I work in the telemetry department which is all about the heart. I do travel nursing so I travel all over Los Angeles at hospitals with need. I worked through the pandemic and it was one of the hardest parts of my career mentally, emotionally, and physically. I also work as an aesthetic nurse helping people look and feel good about themselves through facials, laser hair removal, botox, etc.
I am also an actress who has landed multiple national commercials such as Pizza Hut and most recently Nikon. I am also one of the leads of s short film coming out in the summer and I am very excited to share it. I have so many more projects coming up now that I am repped by an agency.
I am the founder of Ventti, a nonprofit organization. We plan wellness events for the community, provide resources for those going through any mental health struggle, and have giveaways. I am the host of the Ventti podcast which brings together individuals from different industries and walks of life to speak openly about what they go through in hopes that people in the same position or wanting to be in the same position know how to handle it.
I am also a pageant contestant for Miss California USA and although the crown is not mine yet I am excited to share my story and compete alongside amazing women who are also impacting their communities in positive ways. I have loved training and working these last eight months and can’t wait to step on that stage.
I’m also working on launching a swim line that I’ve been working on for over three years.
We’d love to hear about how you think about risk taking?
I am a risk taker. I fully believe that the life you want to live is outside of your comfort zone. The more risks you take, the more rewards you see in life. I am someone who allowed the opinions and fears of others get into my head about what I wanted to do with my life. It wasn’t until I took a risk in skipping school one day to meet with an agency that got me signed and landed my first national commercial. I took a risk by quitting being a staff to become a travel nurse and have flexibility in my schedule for acting. I am taking a risk in competing in a pageant, knowing it can affect my mental health and that I have to be transparent about my life with or without the crown. Life is about risks and I believe we truly begin to enjoy is when we risk our fears and go for what we think is impossible.
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