Today we’d like to introduce you to Makaela Heard.
Thanks for sharing your story with us Makaela. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
Born and raised in New Braunfels, Texas. I was the first in my family to go to college at Texas State University. I had known I wanted to go to college from a young age. I always knew I wanted to move out of poverty circumstances and become super successful. I studied Sociology and Psychology and knew I wanted to help others who had also lived in similar or extreme circumstances.
So I continued my studies for three and a half years. I also worked at McDonald’s to help support myself from the age of 16 for five years. During my freshman year of college, I began doing photoshoots as a fun, creative outlet. I’d style myself, do my make up and shoot. Over the years, I developed a nice portfolio and experience. After so much feedback on my work, I realized my potential, and really wanted to manifest becoming a Wilhelmina model. I wrote in my phone notes in 2015 “I AM A WILHELMINA MODEL.” I came to LA during spring break in 2016 and went to an open call at Wilhelmina LA. After three weeks of no response and me reaching out, I finally met with them. They decided to sign me even though I was in school and lived in Texas. I had one year left, so they supported me. I was SO thankful they believed in me.
After going back to Texas, I became extremely depressed. I was experiencing heartbreak and family disruptions where I really had to step up my role as a big sister and it was so hard for me. School was starting to really fall out of my interest, but I pushed through my fall semester. During winter break, I decided to drop out, with only a semester and an internship left. I knew I would much rather follow my dreams and be HAPPY. My mental health and happiness was much more important to me. My family inspired me so much to just go for it. I knew my success would be theirs too and we could create a better, happier life. Some of the closest people to me didn’t support my decisions, thankfully my family did. And that’s all I needed. I made the big move to LA January 2017.
Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Being away from my family has been one of the hardest things for me. Right after I moved to LA, my brother was in a terrible car accident and my mom’s partner committed suicide. The toll it took on my family was devastating, and it was extremely hard for me being so far away and not being able to be there for them due to my circumstances at the time. My mother’s mental health deeply affected mine so I really struggled with depression through the few years. The depression affected my weight which affected my whole career I felt so helpless! Thankfully me and my family are doing much better now! All of the rewards are worth it. The journey has been far from easy but so rewarding. I’ve had to block out many people’s opinions and tune into my heart and what I truly desired. Another big challenge along the way has been losing people close to me who I loved or cared about. I have lost friends, money, doubted myself, and wanted to give up. I was homeless for a couple of days at one point.
A few times, I even questioned going back to school. Sometimes the journey feels lonely but your dreams take a lot of sacrifices! Anyone standing in the way of your dreams or doubting you must go. When you have a life purpose and mission to fulfill that is between you and God, other people will not understand your desires and actions you make upon them! Just remember not everyone thinks like you, some people will try to project their limiting beliefs on you but never take it personal. I say keep dreaming big and go for whatever you want to be. You can manifest your destiny, believe in yourself.
We’d love to hear more about your work and what you are currently focused on. What else should we know?
Modeling opened so many doors for me and has allowed me to travel to places I never imagined. I have been signed with Wilhelmina LA & NYC, and I’m currently signed with Nomad MGMT, Wilhelmina London, and TopCo South Africa. I’ve modeled for brands like Forever 21, Sketchers, Pretty Little Thing, Nike Jordan’s, Champion, Rainbow, L’Oreal, Cosmopolitan Magazine, Timberland and more. I’ve shot commercials and worked with and met so many inspiring creatives. Being so inspired by everyone’s creativity has also led me to discover my other creative passions and talents. I wrote a book called “Manifesting Fashion” a Guide To Becoming A Professional Model, self-published on Amazon. I wanted to inspire anyone with my story, to let the know they too can live their dreams of modeling. My book also teaches about the Law of Attracting and how to manifest. Modeling has allowed me to live in Cape Town, South Africa for three months in the beginning of 2019.
As a little girl, I never would have imagined going to Africa yet living there. I had a life-changing experience, where I had so much rapid soul growth and matured so much. Connecting to the land and people was also healing. I got to model for brands like NellyCom and shot a LuxSoap and Dubai Expo commercial and more. I am so thankful for the opportunities and every agent who has helped fulfill my destiny!!! I am so proud of myself for taking the leap to go after my dreams because I’ve been so rewarded for it. I feel that my drive and the reason behind it (my family) is what sets me apart from others. I’m not after the material things in life, I am worthy of them. Although I know that comes along with what I do, and I do like the finer things in life. I don’t worship materialistic things. But I’m using my God-given talents to make a better life for me and my family.
Do you look back particularly fondly on any memories from childhood?
My favorite childhood memories include me and my siblings always together laughing. I’ll never forget my grandmother took my whole family to Disney Land when I was about 5 or 6 and one of the best memories I have because my whole family was together, and we were so happy and having so much fun. Those memories made me realized I would always have my family no matter what. That’s when I realized how brave I was for going on the rollercoasters I was so scared. Lol.
Pricing:
- “Manifesting Fashion” available on Amazon for $15
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.amazon.com/Manifesting-Fashion-Guide-Becoming-Professional/dp/1727494423
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/itsmakaelayaheard?igshid=x9k8w2obdo17
Image Credit:
@atreyukey
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