Meet kazandra olvera | fashion, lifestyle, & mental health influencer

We had the good fortune of connecting with kazandra olvera and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi kazandra, why did you pursue a creative career?
I’ve always loved creating and admiring beautiful ideas. Whether it be creating a new art piece for my elementary school art show competitions, admiring the beautiful different personalities of people, or even creating an organized template for my college assignments.

They all brought me some sort of peace and connection to the world.

After one melodramatic unfateful evening, I decided I was no longer good enough or creative enough. This was the night of the last school art show I submitted a piece that was outside of my comfort zone instead of a piece I for sure knew could win. Instead of getting that pretty blue ribbon signifying my advancement to the regional competition like I had in previous years, I was rewarded with the green PARTICIPANT ribbon.

Ya, I know it sounds like I was just a snot-nosed brat who gave up. BUT, art was my everything when I was a child. It was something I would continually practice

My heart was crushed and I shut off that creative side of me…

Unconsciously, I was still acting on my creative abilities without realizing it. I missed the feeling so much. My English professor in college had us constantly writing essays and finding the deeper meaning behind intricate research articles and paintings.

This was when I truly realized I missed and loved being creative.

With this realization, I recognized my love for deeper meaning and writing. The connection and peace that creativeness brought to me was something that I believe the whole world needed more of. Now my sole focus in my creative career is to bring that same sense of connectedness, peace, and as well as shed some light onto topics that are often overlooked.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
Well, I guess I should start by formally introducing myself!

Hi! I’m Kazey (pronounced k-z or k-c) you can also call me Kaz 🙂 I’m a mental health, fashion, and lifestyle influencer. The main focus that sets me apart from other influencers is how raw I really try to be with my audience. There’s already so much disconnection and distrust between everyone in this one world we live in, I want to be able to say that I was an advocate for helping to build the trust within each other once again.

One’s word used to have weight to it…. now it’s rarely worth more than a quarter.

Currently, I’m most excited about 1. the fact that this is my SECOND interview (!!) and 2. my blog that I will FINALLY be releasing!! It’s coming out in mid-May and I still have to do soo much it feels like but I know it’s going to be completely worth it in the end.

It definitely has not been easy getting to the point of my life that I’m grateful to be in now. One of my biggest mottos I would consistently tell myself was “fake it till you make it” and while I have learned that you should use that to an extent lol it truly helped me build my confidence in pursuing what made me happy. But seriously it’s a good motto to use whenever you feel like you’re just dragging along with fear and anxiety.

Want to wear that super unique piece you got at the thrift store but think that you’ll stick out like a sore thumb? You’re the main character in the biggest film of the year. Everyone’s stares are because they admire you and are jealous of your confidence to be yourself. #fakeittillyoumakeit

Want to network with higher-up colleagues but scared to be looked down upon or thought of as unknowing? The people with their heads held high with shining eyes are who grab people’s attention. You’ve been here plenty of times. This may be your first major conference but they don’t know that. #fakeittillyoumakeit

Seriously though, everyone should try it. Sometimes you can’t just “fake it till you make it” though and that’s okay too. I have those moments more often than not. I’ll dig a little deeper, it was getting diagnosed with depression and anxiety. These are the hardest challenges mentally.

This constant thought of when will I get to take a break, when will I become enough, when will I feel free again….. drains you mentally every single day. Therapy has truly been a major help with this. Thoughts were far stronger than they are now and that’s all with the help of therapy and medication.

The stigma around both therapy and medication needs to end. We only think about our physical bodies being kept in shape. You break your arm, you go get X-rays, a doctor gives you medication for the pain, then maybe you do some physical therapy. Our brains are no different. You start feeling more upset than usual, you go to a licensed therapist to speak your mind, if needed they’ll provide medication for the pain (ie. mental strain from overthinking can cause severe migraines if it is not treated]).

Now you may be thinking. “Damn, should this chick really be telling everyone her health problems??”

I share perspective on un-sharable topics.

The stigma around mental health is something that has disconnected us all. I want to be part of breaking that stigma. Plus this is an interview right? If you stopped to read this, then doesn’t that mean you want to know the real me?

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
We would definitely have to grab brunch at Henry’s or Roy G’s if we’re feeling like a champagne (or vodka!) tower sounds like a good start to the day. Go to a morning yoga class to watch the sunrise over the beautiful skyline. Hang out at Kyle Warren park and enjoy the cool air with some local food truck cuisine. Walk around bishop arts to visit all the local shops and restaurants. And if we’re feeling dangerous one night and want to do something with no idea of the outcome, we’ll check out deep ellum in the evening.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
Even if we’re not always on the best terms, I do want to give a shoutout to my parents. Especially my mom who would always deal with me asking for a new tripod and me speaking my mind on my platforms (even if they are topics that she might not want to be shared lol) she’s never asked me to take anything down. Thanks Izaak for always running my photoshoots without a second thought. Love you kid.

My best friend Kelie is someone who also has ALWAYS, even before we became best friends, supported and encouraged me during my creative journey. Can’t forget about you either Alex 😉 Love you both

My English professor from Weatherford College, Mrs. Crawford, definitely deserves a shoutout for always pushing the envelope further and further to bring my true ideas to the surface seeing my potential even when I didn’t think I had it.

Finally, everyone I’ve ever crossed paths with who encourage me and see the vision I’m creating – I am eternally grateful for all of you <3

Website: realshitblog.com

Instagram: www.instagram.com/kazeyolvera

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kazandra-olvera-429237201/

Other: https://linktr.ee/kazeyolvera

Image Credits
1-3: Solomon Wolf ig. 2wisephotos 4: Augie Leija ig. augie_imagery 5-6