Miss Represented: Celia Anzelone Bowers [Episode 52]

Summary

Miss Represented Podcast: Episode 52 – Celia Anzelone Bowers

Release Date: January 7, 2025

In the 52nd episode of the Miss Represented Podcast, host Lisa Opie engages in a heartfelt and empowering conversation with Celia Anzelone Bowers, Mrs. Italy World, and author of "You Are a Queen, Transform Your Pain into Power." This episode delves deep into Celia's tumultuous journey through pageantry, personal trauma, recovery, and her multifaceted career as an author and entrepreneur.

---

1. Journey into Pageantry

Celia's foray into the world of pageants began unexpectedly. In [01:04], she recounts, “The journey began in 2021. I competed in my first pageant in August for Mrs. Tennessee America. I won the Mrs. Tennessee America title.” Despite initial nerves and emotional challenges during her first competition, Celia's authenticity and heartfelt platform resonated, leading her to place in the top four at Mrs. America. After a year of personal growth, she persevered through three years of applications to eventually earn the title of Mrs. Italy World in [02:16].

Notable Quote:

“I got a little bit emotional because we're going to talk about my story... Maybe that authenticity shone through my heart.” – Celia Anzelone Bowers [01:15]

---

2. Overcoming Personal Struggles: Trauma and Abuse

Celia shares her harrowing experiences with trauma and abuse, which began in her adolescence. At [06:24], she opens up about her childhood, stating, “I was that child growing up that never would have thought she would ever be friends with anyone that did drugs, let alone, you know, be an addict one day.” The impact of childhood abuse and subsequent abusive relationships led Celia into a dark period marked by substance abuse and deep depression.

Notable Quotes:

“There is a book out there. If you're on your wellness and healing journey, that trauma stays with you.” – Celia [06:43]

“It was just like this deep, deep, deep dark depression... I finally just gave in and was like, went back to my faith.” – Celia [10:17]

---

3. Path to Recovery and Transformation

Celia's transformation began when she hit rock bottom. In [11:00], she describes a pivotal moment: “...there was a three month period where I couldn't get out of bed unless a friend would call... I finally just gave in and was like, went back to my faith.” Her return to faith, coupled with support from friends and community, facilitated her sobriety and healing. Celia emphasizes the importance of self-acceptance and forgiveness, highlighting her journey from self-blame to empowerment.

Notable Quote:

“Use your voice. Start with standing up to your husband or your boyfriend. That was. It's going to transform your life if you can just begin using your voice.” – Celia [15:08]

---

4. Authorial Pursuits: Healing Through Writing

Celia's healing journey inspired her to become an author. At [17:28], she explains, “At the end of every chapter there's journaling prompts... exercises that I've used over the years to completely heal and transform my life.” Her first book, Celia's Eyes, was written in three days and serves as a beacon of hope for those in similar struggles. Despite challenges in promoting her work initially, Celia now actively shares her book in treatment centers and women's shelters, believing in its power to inspire and heal.

Notable Quote:

“I wrote every day, Dear God... the book was written in three days.” – Celia [20:56]

---

5. Entrepreneurial Ventures: Building a Business Empire

Beyond pageantry and writing, Celia has established herself as a successful entrepreneur in the mortgage industry. Discussed in [22:45], she outlines her journey from a finance manager at a Mercedes dealership to running her own mortgage business. Her ability to negotiate and manage her business amidst personal commitments showcases her resilience and strategic mindset.

Notable Quote:

“You're just a walking miracle... I was like, just gonna be happy with a 9 to 5 bank job.” – Celia [24:35]

---

6. Balancing Pageantry with Business and Family

Celia adeptly balances her roles as a pageant titleholder, businesswoman, and mother. In [26:40], she describes her preparation for the Mrs. Italy World pageant, focusing on her swim routine and maintaining confidence: “I'm working towards... doing a cute swim routine in my 6 inch heels, not falling.” Her supportive husband plays a crucial role, encouraging her to pursue her goals while maintaining family harmony.

Notable Quote:

“He was the most supportive person. He's like, tell me, Celia... he knows me, like, who I am today.” – Celia [29:17]

---

7. Empowerment and Advocacy: Giving Back

As Mrs. Italy World, Celia is committed to empowering other women. She discusses her nonprofit work at [31:30], where she visits women's shelters and treatment centers, sharing her story to inspire transformation: “I feel like it's empowering to others, because I know it's empowering to those women who really have a heart for, if you can imagine.” Her mission underscores the importance of using one's experiences to uplift and support others.

Notable Quote:

“It's your moral obligation if you've overcome something and pulled yourself out or divinely been pulled out, well, maybe God pulled you out so you could go back and help them.” – Celia [32:23]

---

8. Advice to Listeners

Celia offers invaluable advice to women trapped in abusive relationships, emphasizing the power of voice and self-advocacy. She encourages starting small, such as journaling or speaking one's truth aloud, to build the courage needed to confront and leave toxic situations.

Notable Quote:

“Start small with, like, speaking up for yourself... You need a miracle.” – Celia [15:08]

---

9. "This or That" Segment Highlights

In a lighter segment towards the end, Celia shares personal preferences that reflect her personality and grace:

• Platform heels or sandal heels? Platform heels. [33:27]
• Hair or makeup? Hair. [33:52]
• Shopping online or in person? Online. [34:28]
• Reels or TikTok? Reels. [34:51]
• Swimsuit or gown? Swimsuit. [35:47]
• East coast or west coast? West coast. [35:50]
• Photo shoot or fashion show? Photo shoot. [36:07]

---

10. Closing Thoughts and Resources

Celia concludes the episode by directing listeners to her book and social media platforms. She emphasizes accessibility by offering her book at a discounted price on Amazon: “You can purchase it from Amazon for 99 cents.” Her dedication to making her story available ensures that her message of hope and transformation reaches a wide audience.

Notable Quote:

“I want to do that just so it's like people don't have an excuse not to buy it and they just get it in their hands.” – Celia [36:55]

---

Conclusion

Celia Anzelone Bowers' story is one of incredible resilience, transformation, and empowerment. From overcoming personal trauma and abuse to achieving success in pageantry and entrepreneurship, Celia embodies the essence of turning pain into power. Her unwavering commitment to helping others through her advocacy and writing serves as an inspiration to all listeners. The Miss Represented Podcast episode provides a comprehensive and moving account of Celia's journey, offering both inspiration and practical advice for those facing similar struggles.

---

Where to Follow Celia:

• Instagram: LoveWaitsForYou
• Book: You Are a Queen, Transform Your Pain into Power available on Amazon for 99 cents until the end of the year.

---

Join the Miss Represented community by subscribing to the podcast and stay tuned for more empowering stories from queens around the world.

Transcript

[A]

Dive into summer with Vizkaya Swimwear. Stylish, comfortable, unforgettable. Make a splash with Vizkaya Swimwear. Discover your beauty with Lady Code Cosmetics. Bold colors, flawless finishes. Unleash your confidence with Lady Code. Hello and welcome back to Misrepresented. I'm your host, Lisa Opie. And today's guest is celia Anceloni Bowers, Mrs. Italy World, and the author of you Are a Queen, Transform youm Pain into Power. How are you today, Celia?

[B]

I'm wonderful hanging out with you today. I know.

[A]

So fun. We did some glam, we did some shopping at Pink Apple Dresses, and now we're doing a podcast, like full service.

[B]

I love it so much.

[A]

Yeah, definitely. It's like a one stop shop.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

Everything you need is right here.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

So I don't even know where to start because I got to know you during glam and I am like so captivated by your story. So I think we'll start with where you ended up in pageants. So how did you get to be Mrs. Italy World?

[B]

Okay, so the journey began in 2021. I competed in my first pageant in August for Mrs. Tennessee America. I won the Mrs. Tennessee American title.

[A]

Your first time? Wow.

[B]

Yeah, I was a nervous wreck during the onstage question. I got a little bit emotional because we're going to talk about my story. And at that time I hadn't quite healed yet. And it's all a journey, but I was very much on in the early stages of it. But I knew I was supposed to, you know, share my story and my platform and the book that I had written in 2011. So I think maybe that authenticity shone through my heart and they just, I don't know. I'm sure other factors also. But yeah, so, yeah. And then I competed at Mrs. American and placed top four 15. And then I took a year off to kind of work on myself because pageantry definitely kind of shines a lot on areas that you might want to heal. Possibly for me, anyway, it did. It's played a crucial role in my journey and took a year off and then I came back and kind of felt drawn to another system. So I spent some time there about two years. Placed first runner up this past year.

[A]

Wow.

[B]

But then it was like, you know, I just wanted to. I applied, applied for three years to be Mrs. Italy World. And I think the directors, they've just kind of seen my journey kind of like unfold and, you know, you can't just like start and like compete on the Mrs. World stage.

[A]

Yeah. It's the biggest Mrs. International pageant.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

In the world.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

It's very competitive. Like I'm scared to ever step foot on that stage.

[B]

It's an intimidating stage.

[A]

So brave.

[B]

Yeah. It's not like a little Runway.

[A]

No.

[B]

But the lights are great. So that's gonna be like, that's, you know, we love that. But yeah. So 30 year applying and then they reached back out and voted or whatever.

[A]

And so I get to do it. Congratulations.

[B]

Thank you.

[A]

So what led you to initially like wanting to do pageants?

[B]

That's a good question. So it was honestly I'd had the babies, I dropped the baby weight and it was just like I was looking for another way to just achieve, to do more. And so in a way I'll talk about my book. You know, that's kind of, that's like a trauma response. So it's not necessarily healthy to always like want to achieve and get those accolades. But that's where I was that, that was, that's what kind of got a.

[A]

Bad trauma response, to be honest. A win is a win.

[B]

It is, it is. I've everything, I've structured every framed and it's all, everything's great. Everything works out for the good. But yeah, so it was like I wanted to challenge myself and this was something. And the beautiful part is it's something I've always been interested in. I've always grown up watching pageants, but I never felt worthy or that I had the self esteem to really put myself out there to be judged and to stand on a stage. And I just felt because I'd lost the baby weight and I'd gained a lot of confidence like through Orange Theory fitness challenges, to be honest. Yeah. I loved it and it kind of made me confident in my triathlons. It was like the confidence was brewing and I knew that there was going to be a side of me like that I needed to see through. I just kind of felt like led drawn called like all those like words speak to me to say of what made me that evening in the bed. Google pageants. Wow. Yeah. And that's when you asked me, you were like, you went to the Mrs. America system as your first one. Yeah.

[A]

You're crazy. Like you do a little practice pageant. Like don't start with the biggest one.

[B]

I know. And I was like, I just googled and it was like the only one that came up. And it was, the director called me the next day and it was three weeks away.

[A]

Wow.

[B]

And so my husband, poor guy, he's just like, he never heard me ever talk about A pageant. And then so I go from never talking about a pageant to overnight being like. Because she talked me into doing it. Because I was like, I think I need to hire a coach. And, like, you know, next year I'll compete. She was like, no, you have a shot. I'm telling you, have a shot. I wouldn't be, whatever, there's two winners or whatever. You get to go to Vegas, all this stuff. So it made me feel a little confident knowing that there could be two, you know, so it's like, well, my odds are a little higher. Yeah. So I tell him, hey, so, by the way, there's this pageant, and it's in three weeks, and I want to do it. And he's just like, okay. So he just kind of learned with me now. Kind of go with whatever.

[A]

Is he traumatized, or is he still supportive?

[B]

He's. He's. He's supportive. Let's just say that he's supportive. He. You know, he doesn't like if I. He doesn't like me to pick myself apart. And let's just be honest. When you're putting yourself out there to be judged and you're in a season of it, being looks are a part of the package. He wants me to kind of continue what my work of healing that part of me that feels like I have to be perfect, and, you know, that kind of brings it out. That's his only qualm with it, I guess you could say, because otherwise, he knows it's like a hobby for me. I enjoy it. Like, I mean, I can't do it forever, and it's not like I've been doing it my whole life either, so.

[A]

Wow.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

So I feel like we should probably just stop holding back and share your story. Because, like, you keep, like, referring to it, and I'm like, yeah. To let our audience know more about Celia. So tell me about your past. Tell me about your childhood. What were you, like, growing up?

[B]

Okay, so I was that child growing up that never would have thought she would ever be friends with anyone that did drugs, let alone, you know, be an addict one day. Like, I won the Dare I say a contest at school. They take my little picture, put it in the paper. Yeah. So you get little prizes, do you? Are you familiar with the DARE program?

[A]

Okay, I'm a 90s child. Yeah.

[B]

So, like, that was who I was. I was always. You know, it was a small school, but they knew me to be a leader. Like, they would elect me class president, and, you know, I always got the most, like, academic Awards and story writing contests and stuff like that. So I was a smart girl with her head on her shoulders. And then, you know, just like a ton of waves of trauma happened. There was some trauma whenever I was a little child, but I didn't quite remember it. But I don't know if you guys have read the Body Keeps a Score, but there is a book out there. If you're on your wellness and healing journey, that trauma stays with you. And even if it's underneath the surface, like it can manifest in ways that you don't even realize you know, where it came from. But more trauma happens and then, you know, from childhood abuse to sexual abuse, all that. And it just became too much for me. And I entered a very dark period of my life. And honestly, like, I went through a ton of time and years of thinking, like, I'm ashamed of this part of me. And the biggest, because whenever you recover and whenever you're leaving self sabotaging behaviors, you have to first hold yourself accountable. You're not a victim. You have to focus on that. But the final stage in my healing personally is to have that self acceptance and that forgiveness and realize, hey, I was doing the best I could. Like, I was finding peace the only way I knew how. And thank you, little Celia, for keeping me here on this earth. You know what I mean? I found peace with a group of friends and it just so happened that we, you know, I was exposed to pot like most teenagers are. Didn't the president, like a couple years ago say, like, even he said about, like take a poll, like it's, it's not the craziest thing in the world, but you know, as more trauma. This was before I started dabbling in that. And then, you know, I was exposed to around cocaine and I tried it for the first time and it scared me to death because I felt the most peace I'd ever felt. Yeah. And I knew. I came home and wrote in my diary about how terrified I was of it. And I didn't do it for like six more months. But then the boyfriend I had at the time who was abusive, that's part of my story too. I've stayed in abusive relationships. One time it almost like made me lose my life. It was that intense. So I understand women, why they get in those situations, why they stay there. Because I was a young girl that was like that.

[A]

But how old were you?

[B]

17. Whenever that boyfriend was abusive, my first abusive relationship, and then the time that it almost made me lose my Life, I was 21.

[A]

So the same Guy or a different guy?

[B]

Different guy. Yeah. So, yeah. So the 17 year old version with the boyfriend and the breaking up for my 18th birthday, I finally was just like, I'm gonna do this, I'm gonna be rebellious and it sucked me in and I take full responsibility. But I know that it is because I'm so driven and I, I say this and it's quoted a lot by me saying that people that are addicts, if they just found something positive to channel their energy towards, they could be phenomenal because it's an energy thing. Like I'm an intense person, so give me something I love and I'm going to be very passionate about it. And I was passionate about my, about doing drugs whenever I was 18 to 20.

[A]

Was it to cope with the abuse or.

[B]

Well, looking back, I wouldn't have told you that then. In fact, I didn't even uncover and like call it abuse because I was brainwashed into thinking it was my fault as a child. But looking back, I never started cutting, I never started using drugs until the sexual abuse happened when I was 15. So I know now that it was all about that because that trauma makes you feel defective and it makes you feel shame and like, like it's your fault and it's not. But I know this is an adult, but I couldn't have told you then. I would have just been like, I'm just having fun. Oh my gosh. Yeah.

[A]

So when was your moment where you realized that your life was spiraling out of control and that you had to get it together?

[B]

So for me, it was pushing my body to the limit of what it couldn't take anymore. There was like a three month spell where y'all see me as pageant girl. Hair, makeup, we love the glam, we like showers. But there was a three month period where I couldn't get out of bed unless a friend would call and say that they were in town with drugs or whatever. And so I would go and do those with my friends. That would be the only thing to get me out of bed. So it was just like this deep, deep, deep dark depression. And I remember laying in the fetal position in bed, you know, coming down off drugs and just finally being like, lord help me. Like, it was like if there was a hell and it wasn't that, that's what hell is. It was, yeah, it was, it was the darkest I'd ever felt. And I finally just gave in and was like, went back to my faith, which I always had when I was a little girl. But when the trauma happened, I kind of blamed God, as most of us do. And little by little, things, people were put in my path. There was a. I was bartending. There was a man that, like, came in and brought me the Purpose Driven Life by Rick Warren. So just things would come. I know. Like angels. Yes. So many angels, so many miracles. So many angels. And then, you know, that was when I was 20. And what's crazy is I just gotten completely clean, like cold turkey. Everything was going to church, like all the time and found community there instead of community with my friends doing drugs and stuff. And then there was this gentleman that I call him. I call people gentlemen, but this guy, you're going to be like, he was a monster. He wasn't a gentleman, but he was everybody. It's. I don't believe people are monsters. I believe things that happen to people that make them that way. But there was a man that came in and that I thought he was attractive. And that was. Ended up being the abusive relationship. We got married.

[A]

Church.

[B]

No, it was the bar. He was coming in for lunch. He could only walk that far because he was on intensive probation. Red flags. Red flags.

[A]

Oh, my God.

[B]

He walked from his parents business. And. Yeah, and it was. We knew each other for three weeks because I was like, I am a rededicated, you know, virgin. I am. This is. I'm sticking to my faith. And he's like, well, then let's just get married. I mean, that's honestly the truth. I don't talk about it word for word in the book, but this is a podcast. Let's just be honest. And so, yeah, we got married. And then he was quickly abusive and I just felt my heart was that I was supposed to stay there forever because I married him. And.

[A]

And that's where the religion.

[B]

Yeah. And so, yeah. And then there was the night that it just got really bad. And he wasn't letting me leave after he had done the abuse that I go over in the book. And I thought like. Like he was. He was another person. When he would drink alcohol, it like his demons took over or whatever. It was just a totally different person. Person. He was not in control. He had no recollection of it, but he ended up going to jail for that because it violated his probation. I know he went to jail. And that was what actually my husband will be like, Celia, you. I know your strength. You would have been strong enough to like, leave him. And I was like, Dane, like, you've just never seen this side of me. Like, I know he's. He's Always seen my potential, and he knows me, like, who I am today.

[A]

Especially, we're in that situation because it's like everything happens so slowly that you don't even realize it's happening.

[B]

Mm. Yeah. And I said, dana, I understand women that don't leave because I. If it wasn't divine intervention, which was.

[A]

Him going to jail exactly, then it.

[B]

Wouldn'T have pulled me apart long enough to, like, hey, it doesn't. This isn't. I was given a new life, and it didn't make sense to me staying with him anymore over time. So. Yeah.

[A]

Wow. So you're one of the few women that have the courage to talk about it. But I know there's so many women out there that are still stuck in these abusive relationships that might not even know that they're going through something like that.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

What is your message to them?

[B]

Well, use your voice. Start with standing up to your husband or your boyfriend. That was. It's going to transform your life if you can just begin using your voice. Start small. Start in a journal, talking to yourself, speaking your true feelings aloud till you can get to the point where you can speak up to that person. And I know in certain cases, like, when you love somebody and it's like, well, that's gonna set them off even more. Oh, gosh, pray. I. I'm. The only thing I can say is, you need a miracle. I needed a miracle.

[A]

That was a miracle.

[B]

Yeah. To get out of it, because some people were just not strong enough. Like, now I wouldn't get in that situation. Like, even if there was no Dane, no husband, I'm not going to be. I would see the red flags, and I'm whole enough now. But you gotta think I had just also quitting. Quit drugs. And so there's that vacancy, that whole. That void from what they. They were feeling. So this person came in and just, like, completely, like, filled it.

[A]

Wow.

[B]

Yeah. There's so much. There's so many books on, like, codependency and, like, why we would even, like, find ourselves in that situation. I would say read a bunch of books and start small with, like, speaking up for yourself. But then, like, I think of people that have been in, like, relationships for years, and it's just, like, because they. It'd be too hard to leave.

[A]

Yeah. Yeah.

[B]

You just gotta pray. And life is hard for some people. Right. Like, it's just. I'm so lucky to be here, and I don't know all the answers I can only share kind of like what worked.

[A]

But I think reading books is really important because I think that's how I avoided a lot of abusive relationships. Because through reading other people's stories I knew what to look out for and like the, you know, the habits that most abusive men would have and to watch out for those. So I'm in a great relationship. I really haven't experienced that much abuse. But through reading that really helped me to like stay out of those situations. So let's talk about your book.

[B]

You wrote a whole book.

[A]

So is this a good resource for someone? Is this a good resource for women that might be able to like avoid learn?

[B]

Yes, is I give at the end of every chapter there's journaling prompts. So and not just journaling prompts, but exercises that I've used over the years to completely heal and transform my life. As you have heard.

[A]

How did you go from being a survivor to being the author of your own book?

[B]

So that's another divine type thing. I was 25 years old and I had been sober for five years. I'd been out of that abusive relationship for like three and a half, four years. It was a very, it was very short lived start to finish. The marriage was relationship was like 11 months. By the time I got an annulment is what I ended up. The, the judge granted me an annulment because they perceived that I was deceived into marrying him because I didn't know that he was going to be abusive and because he was in jail at the time. It all just kind of, I mean.

[A]

That'S a no brainer.

[B]

Yeah, I'm like, so I technically haven't been divorced. It was not that there's anything wrong with that. But yeah, so I had a lot of trauma from just the drug use, not to mention the childhood stuff. Right. When you, when you take drugs or when you get drunk all the time, like that's harmful to your body. You're hurting yourself. You're telling yourself you don't love yourself like when you do those things. And so, and I was still dealing with a lot of shame. So all this I had completely just like cold turkey everything. But I never dealt with like what caused me to be there. And I never really healed. I just stopped doing those behaviors and controlled myself in that way. So I had gone to church and these people were trying to be introduced to me and I have these thoughts forming like, you're not worthy. Like, like they don't want to meet you. They know you're trashy. Like just a common theme until I healed myself after doing those things that I did that do make you feel that way about yourself, so it wasn't wrong. Like, it was part of my reality. And I just remember coming home from church feeling afflicted is the word. You can look that word up. Just, like, being bombarded with, like, negative feelings about myself. And, like, it's like, tormented feeling. And I just remember being like, lord, draw near to me. And I don't know why I said those words or why I felt called. Yeah, okay, so I'm gonna be real. I don't. I don't tell the details in this one. I think I tell them the first one. But anyway, I lay my head down, and I don't know why. It was almost like, in a yoga position, which I love yoga now, and I didn't do yoga then, though. But it was like the praying man just. I just kind of, like, went down and I saw a vision of a scroll. And I didn't know, like, what that meant. Yeah, this is on a Sunday. I didn't know what that meant, but I was like, okay, that was cool. And five days later. And of course, I wrote every day, Dear God. It was like my little journal. That's how I titled it, Dear God. And I would, like, tell about my day, what I was going through, what I was feeling, like how we do when we journal. And all of a sudden, that Friday, it just. Something took over me. You could either say it was Jesus, you could say it was my high self. Are you spiritual? Oh, yeah. I feel like you are because you're hanging with things I'm saying. So it was something spiritual happened to where the book was written in three days. Let's just put it that way. And, yeah, the book. The first book. Not this one. The first book, Celia's Eyes, was written in three days. And it healed me. Those feelings that I felt, like, in the back of my mind, like, whisper like you're that darkness left over that three days.

[A]

Wow.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

And I feel like not only did it heal you, but it also healed everybody that reads your book.

[B]

Yes, for sure. For sure. That first book, it didn't become a bestseller. I didn't have. I wasn't set up like I am now to promote it. I also put four lines of fake cocaine on the COVID because I wanted to speak to that audience. And it was hard to, like, promote that, even though it was true. And I'm like, I've got to stay authentic to me. So now I take that book, and I go into treatment centers, women's shelters. I share my story. I give them a copy of that book. Because that book is like what they need for where they are. They need a miracle, they need Jesus, they need that divine intervention. And then as I've evolved, I'm like, I'm a writer, I want to help people. But there's more people than just the people that are there. Stuck. We're stuck in other ways. We may not be doing drugs, but like we may struggle with our self esteem or being a perfectionist. So that's where this book has come in, is kind of to kind of pick up where that one left off over 10 years ago.

[A]

And you're working on a third book, right?

[B]

So I have written three books. The second book, it was called Celia Saving Grace and I don't really promote that one at all. It was kind of just like I was continuing and it was almost like I'm not ashamed of it, but it was just not the same. It's like, Celia, it was continuing to be therapy. But maybe I. I'm not gonna say I shouldn't have published it because I have no regrets about anything. I'm not gonna say I feel like God uses everything for good. But it's not one that I promote. I'm not ashamed of it, but it's. The publisher had gone out of business, so you can't even like buy it right now. I still have some copies at home. There's a great poem in it that I actually put at the end of this book that I was telling you about. So there's. It's all, it's all usable.

[A]

But.

[B]

Yeah, and then I'm gonna write a fourth book, but I haven't started that one yet.

[A]

I mean, you're very busy. So on top of all of these books and everything else, you also have a million dollar business in mortgages.

[B]

I mean I.

[A]

Multiple.

[B]

Excuse me, I don't make multi millions in a year. But in, you know, last year, it's been a slow. If you guys are in real estate or whatever, you know, or you've even watched the news, you know, I. The most I've ever done in a year is like 47 million. Of course my profits aren't that high, but they're. Yeah.

[A]

And you own your own business?

[B]

No, I'm. So it's like running a business because recently I was like bought out. So what happens is they'll recruit you to come to another company, give you a large. Like a. Basically buying your book of business. They'll give you a large. Oh, I negotiated because I was like, well, I have this Pageant coming up. And so we agreed on this number, but now I'm going to be Mrs. Italy. So we're gonna have to. Wow. We're gonna have. I'm gonna need some more money to cover it. It was the timing of that.

[A]

Brilliant.

[B]

They're like, so how much money are we talking about? And you don't even want to know. Like, I don't even want to say. Because there's ways to do this with sponsors where it's $0. You don't have to money. Have money to do a pageant. But there's just, um. I don't have the energy to go get the sponsor. I'd rather get more loans and stuff like that. So, yeah, I told him, you know, I was like, well, last time I stopped counting at this figure. So we, we said basically I negotiated a lot more just to like get my gowns and stuff covered. But yeah, so they, they recruit you to like then switch to their company because you've got all these realtors, you've got all these people like it's. The phone doesn't stop ringing and like you just have a different name over yourself. Okay, so I'm technically W2, but it is my mortgage business. Like it goes with me anywh.

[A]

That's amazing. So how did you get into that?

[B]

Another kind of like, you're just a walking miracle. I was working as a finance manager at a Mercedes dealership.

[A]

Wow.

[B]

And I had been visualizing putting the intention out there that I wanted to have like a 9 to 5 Monday through Friday so I could have the weekends with my husband. Because in the car business you have to work on Saturdays and you also work past 5:00. So I was like, just gonna be happy with a 9 to 5 bank job. And then this gentleman came in that owned like a real estate company that's like the number one in the mid South. Like, if I said the name, you would know exactly who I was talking about. Him and his wife did. And they were. They. I was like, oh, I've always been interested in real estate. I was like that or mortgages. Because I never knew what mortgages like were like, because I really had a mortgage. I didn't even know, like there was a mortgage loan officer. But I started taking applications from people that did it and I saw their income and I was just like, oh, this looks interesting. Like, how do you do this? And he was trying to recruit me, but like it was. I couldn't. I wasn't on board with what they were trying to offer me. Or whatever. I was like, I was always interested in that real estate. And he was like, oh, we just opened or bought a mortgage company. So in addition to their real estate company, they bought the mortgage company. So anyway, that's how I got going there. That was in the end of 2018.

[A]

Oh my gosh.

[B]

Wow.

[A]

That's amazing. Yeah. So what is it like being a woman in probably a male dominated industry?

[B]

It is. How did you know that?

[A]

Because everything is. Even beauty is.

[B]

That is crazy. It's. I have. There's a certain energy about me that I am like very soft, very feminine. Feminine. But maybe it's the trauma using to my advantage, but I can, I can be. I don't want to say ruthless, but like, it's. It's totally just fine. I fit right in. Let's just put it that way.

[A]

I'm really happy you stand your ground.

[B]

Yeah. Yeah.

[A]

Do it for those of us that can't. Yeah.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

Oh my gosh. That's so awesome. So tell me about your plans for the pageant. How's the preparations going?

[B]

Preparation's going really well. I haven't had to walk in heels though in a couple of years. Besides, like for evening gown. So this whole swim routine, like, is like, that's my main focus is doing a cute swim routine in my 6 inch hills, not falling. You know what I mean? So that's my main focus. I'm practicing probably 20 minutes a day, going to the YMCA. We've got all the mirrors, so I'm like getting to practice. And I just want to nail it. I just want to bring my very best. And it's my husband, kids with me. He's like, you know, it's all about beating yourself. And he was like, you could get last place and you're still gonna win. So. Because where I was in 2021 is just not where I am now. Wow.

[A]

No, I can see that you're just like a winner. Like, I'm just looking at Mrs. World right now. Like, you've already become her. Go clean your crown.

[B]

Embody her at the very least.

[A]

I love that. So what are some drastic changes that you've made in pageant prep from 2021 to now?

[B]

So my. I would say it was like the first year, it was about the look. Like, I didn't even know how to contour my face. Like, I didn't even know that was the thing. So there was outfits and like, kind of like being a little bit more polished on the outside.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

And learning all that. Not that I do it myself. But it's like I'm, I know that it needs to be done. Yeah. And then, then it was like the next year, especially competing in a system where it's so platform driven, where you talk about it on stage. It was learning how to speak out loud on stages, you know, not get emotional. That led me to doing the TEDx. So that was preparation. Like these things. It's all they tell me about that. That was awesome. I loved it. I honestly, like after pageants, I would like to do a TEDx talk once a year because, you know, fly. I'll fly in one of my. Fly you in or somebody glanced to do my hair. That's the only regret I have is not having a hair and makeup artist. But yeah, I mean it was, it was fun. But yeah, I would do that like once a year because it was an 18 minute long talk. I talked for 18 minutes and I enjoyed it. So basically I took a lot of things that I had from my book proposal that I was going to try to pitch to get like a book deal, which I never got. That that's something in the future I still have to get. Yeah, well, I missed it.

[A]

Now.

[B]

I know I self published this. So I did it all myself. Besides, you know, I hired somebody to do like the layout design and. But I had hired a photographer. She took the photo. But anyway, the main difference that I'm doing, I did a lot of. It's like every year it was something I had to tackle. The last thing that I had to tackle, and I did it before my pageant in July, was being drilled with like interview questions that brought up emotions because I was like, I didn't realize how big bad I was at this. I didn't know I was bad. But then when I was like, somebody was drilling me and it was my friend that's been in the army for like 20 years and she's just like, she will win interview every time.

[A]

Oh my God.

[B]

I was like. And she was like, it's okay, it's okay. I was like, I don't know where these emotions are coming from, but my husband's like, this is fine. This is why it came. And so I may say he might have problems with some parts of my experience with pageantry, but he's the most supportive person. And he's like, all about me doing my best. Because he's like, tell me, Celia. He has to talk me down. He's like, Celia, your first year, like, you know, yes, we had to focus on the look. He was like, it makes sense that now interview has come last because you put all the other things together. An interview is going to be the easiest for you to figure out because you talk to people all day, and you're great at talking to people.

[A]

You're an interview right now. You're doing amazing.

[B]

Thank you. He's like, so it's gonna be fun. So, yeah, that was. Right now, my. The biggest thing is the walk is just get. Trying to get that right, because that does not come naturally. But seeing the difference. I have videos of me in 2021 walking on stage at the Westgate in Las Vegas. And then I have recorded myself walking now. And I'm like, it's completely different, like, in a good way.

[A]

So you have it all. I feel like you've accomplished everything. How do you stay motivated and what's next for you?

[B]

Goals motivate me. Like, I have to have a goal to get up, to get out of bed. It's not easy getting out of bed for me. I'm not the type of person that's like, oh, let's tackle our day. So just keeping goals, like, you know, that's why pageantry is so great, because it gives you a goal to, like, you know, stay motivated, to count your macros to work out. Well, I'm going to always work out for my mental health. Like, that's never going to change. But necessarily, you know, counting my macros and being as strict with them, that kind of is a little more relaxed whenever I'm not about to be in a swimsuit on a stage.

[A]

So after winning Mrs. World. Okay, what's your next goal?

[B]

Oh, gosh.

[A]

Because you have it all.

[B]

I want to write another book, but if I were to win Mrs. World, I probably would. Not that it wouldn't be on my agenda to do that next year. It's probably like, if I don't win, I'm going to pour myself into that. If I do win, I mean, I would love to continue the work that I do through my nonprofit. It's kind of taken a pause the past couple months since I've Mrs. Italy, but where I go to different women's shelters and treatment centers. And I feel like. I feel like it does so much for them, but it also. I feel like it really helps all women see that, hey, like, transformation's possible. And, you know, I just. I hope that it's empowering to others, because I know it's empowering to those women and those who are really have a heart for, if you can imagine, because I. I was them. And I feel like it's your moral obligation. If you've overcome something and pulled yourself out or divinely been pulled out, well, maybe God pulled you out so you could go back and help them. So I would love if. Because when you win a title like Mrs. World, you will technically be working for them. So I. And I haven't talked to them about, hey, when I win Mrs. World, but I would hope that they would allow that to be. To be on brand with what they do for me to go. Because I can. I get in school. I've gone to schools. So I could go back to the schools. Like, not just celia, but as Mrs. World. Do all, you know, the things where I just talk and like uplift people and just tell them my story and stuff. I mean, it's so simple. But do that.

[A]

Such a big difference.

[B]

Okay. I hope so.

[A]

I love that. Is there anything else you want to share with our audience before we get into our this or that?

[B]

Um, I just. I love y'all. Thank you for watching. I'm the most approachable person. I promise.

[A]

You really are. Okay, so here we go. First question is platform heels or sandal heels?

[B]

Platform heels.

[A]

Love that you're a true pageant girl.

[B]

I think I always was. Deep down. I look back and I'm like, yep, this was always me.

[A]

Yeah. How tall are you?

[B]

5, 6 and 3, 4. In all honesty, barefoot, you made every inch count. But I'm also not going to lie because you know I'm real.

[A]

Yep. But that's pretty tall. You're lucky.

[B]

Yeah. And I'm real tall in those six inch heels.

[A]

That hair or makeup?

[B]

Hair. Okay. The reason why is because I feel like you could take a homeless person but put them in like, like a French twist, like a very polished thing.

[A]

And that's the look.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

But like hair. You could do my whole face. But like, you did my whole face. That my hair was like poofy because it was like dried straight. And you come in and my hair is like super, like coarse, but it curls really well.

[A]

Yeah, but that.

[B]

I can't go out like that even with that face. But. Right. If you had the beautiful soft hair and everything, it was all polished. Like, it wouldn't matter. Oh, yeah. So I have a reason.

[A]

Shopping online or in person?

[B]

Online.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

Save time.

[B]

I know that it's. I've seen it senior shows. I. I understand people that are really into styling, why they would want to do it in person. But I'm very much just like, tell me what to wear. And I like to just like Buy it. And usually nine times out of 10, I like whatever I order, so it's never really failed me. Nice. Yeah.

[A]

Reels or Tick Tock?

[B]

Reels. Because I guess I'm older, like in Tick Tock for young.

[A]

Tick Tock is getting weird for me.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

Like, it's like shopping, a lot of shopping. And then like all the videos that I post just flop now. I used to get so many views. Yeah.

[B]

I go there for asmr.

[A]

That's so funny.

[B]

The little boys will be like. My five year old boys will be like, are you listening to that thing again? I'm like, yes. Oh, my gosh.

[A]

I go there for news, like the missing girl in Hawaii. I was like, let me get my updates on.

[B]

Yeah. Crowner, Zash crown.

[A]

Perfect. Swimsuit or gown?

[B]

I'm. I'm gonna say gown, but I kind of want it to be swimsuit, like I'm working towards. Because swimsuit, your personality can come out. So. Yeah, I'm stuck on that one. I'm sorry, I'm the worst person to give me this.

[A]

I'm gonna say swimsuit because you're shooting in a bikini.

[B]

Okay.

[A]

Yeah. East coast or West Coast?

[B]

I'm gonna go with west coast. Even though I haven't. I've only been there one time in my life.

[A]

Did you love it? Was it la?

[B]

It was San Francisco and I didn't love it, but there's something about me drawn there. I need to go there.

[A]

Yeah, it sounds like you need to go there. Photo shoot or fashion show?

[B]

I'm gonna say photo shoot because you get the full glam and you don't always get that in a fashion show, which we talked about.

[A]

You don't have to worry about falling.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

Awesome. So that is it, Celia. So tell our audience where we can buy your book and where we can follow you on social media.

[B]

Awesome. So at Love waits for you. Is my Instagram and the book all you have to do now? Because my SEO is up. You just Google. You are a queen. And this book will be the first book that comes up or the first, I think, actual article. Anything that comes up. You're a queen. Transform your pain into power. I do get more proceeds if you buy it on Amazon, but I will tell you until the end of the year or maybe even extended if this podcast airs after the end of the year. I have the ebook for like 99 cents.

[A]

Oh, my gosh.

[B]

Yeah, I want to do that just so it's like people don't have an excuse not to buy it and they just get it in their hands and that you can just download the Kindle app, even if you don't have a Kindle, and then purchase it from Amazon for 99 cents.

[A]

I love that. Well, thank you so much, Celia.

[B]

Thank you for the great conversation.