Meet La Shawn Alegria | Model| Actress| Artist| Entrepreneur

We had the good fortune of connecting with La Shawn Alegria and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi La Shawn, putting aside the decision to work for yourself, what other decisions were critical to your success?
The single most important decision I made? I would have to say my daily dedication to conquering fear. Fear is a common emotion that can significantly impact our personal and professional lives. Addressing and overcoming fear is crucial for achieving success and reaching our full potential. Many people experience fears such as fear of failure, fear of public speaking, fear of being in a big crowd, and fear of taking risks. These fears can create barriers to success and limit opportunities for growth personally and professionally. Fear can lead to procrastination, missed opportunities, and decreased performance. For example, fear of public speaking can prevent individuals from sharing their ideas, leading to missed chances for recognition and advancement. Fear of being misunderstood can contribute to uncertainty. I’ve faced significant fear after surviving a stroke. The fear of not being able to communicate effectively was overwhelming. Being misunderstood was extremely uncomfortable. However, through perseverance and support from my family, I relearned many skills. To manage and overcome fear, it is essential to prepare thoroughly and practice regularly. Seeking support can also provide valuable encouragement. Focusing on positive outcomes and visualizing success can help shift the mindset from fear to confidence. Addressing fear is vital for success. By recognizing and managing our fears, we can unlock our potential and achieve our goals. The cornerstone of my success has been my unwavering commitment to not allow fear to dictate my actions. By embracing challenges and viewing them as opportunities for growth, I have been able to navigate obstacles with confidence and resilience. This daily practiced mindset has empowered me to take calculated risks, innovate, and continuously push the boundaries of what I can achieve. Ultimately, it is this fearless approach that has been instrumental in driving my personal and professional accomplishments. I am committed to continuous learning and contributing to innovative projects.

Please tell us more about your career. We’d love to hear what sets you apart from others, what you are most proud of or excited about. How did you get to where you are today professionally. Was it easy? If not, how did you overcome the challenges? What are the lessons you’ve learned along the way. What do you want the world to know about you or your brand and story?
I am a stroke survivor, marking five years since the stroke, which I prefer to call an awakening. Throughout this five-year journey, I have unlearned and relearned many skills. I would say reading aloud was one of the particularly difficult skills to grasp due to expressive aphasia. However, through perseverance and dedication, I gradually improved. This awakening was mentally, physically, and spiritually challenging. A pivotal moment came after a day with my daughters, Ace and Aaliyah. Ace dared me to audition at an open call they had signed up for, and I successfully read aloud, word for word. Normally, I would read in my head and generalize out loud. They auditioned as well, and all three of us received callbacks! To me, it was a sign that I was where I needed to be. I was grateful to the universe for allowing me to feel close to myself and bond with my daughters at the same time.

After completing modeling training with J3 Productions, I signed with an agency. Modeling and acting were passions of mine as a teenager, and thanks to my daughter Ace Diosa’s memory of that, I am living a lifelong dream. She is a true advocate; she saw that I needed something more from life and showed me purpose. I worked diligently to improve my right-sided weakness, enabling me to walk the runway. The best part came when I was able to memorize lines! It has been a surreal experience.

Throughout this entire process I learned to let go and embrace what the universe is allowing me to experience. I learned to give and go with my heart. I asses, absorb and keep moving. I strive to be humble. My sons and daughters have the same energy, and it is heartfelt. I am truly blessed with children and grandchildren such as mine.

I believe idled hands would not allow growth or success. I feel as though, you never know where your success will come from, so I kept idled hands throughout my life. Soap making, writing, and art have been therapeutic outlets during my journey in life. Those therapeutic outlets allow my creations to come alive and keep my hands busy. Making soap is a passion of mine and I’ve been instructing my grandkids on how to make soap. I’ve made home made products before my sons and daughters were born. My products are truly made with love. Skincare is important to me and my family They have challenged me to introduce my products to the public! I am happy to add I published my first book. It’s a children’s book dedicated to my grandkids- “Sunny Sunflower”

Over the past five years, I have come to the conclusion that despite facing numerous challenges, it is possible not only to survive but to thrive and I strive to become a better person each day.. I realize my only competition is who I was yesterday. I have learned to persevere, regardless of the obstacles. Starting over has provided me with a new perspective on life. I now view people and situations differently and I no longer ask, “Why is this happening to me?” but rather, “How can I learn from this or turn the situation around?” I believe that everything happens for a reason, and if things do not turn out as I expected, they have turned out as they were meant to. Every situation is a learning opportunity. When life presents its challenges, remain resilient and focus on growth and opportunities.

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?
That’s a great question. I don’t get out often, however, I know she would enjoy live music in Deep Ellum. I would have to include POUR’d for candle making because we love candles. For a healthy quest I would take her to Vegan Food House or Slutty Vegan. We would catch a movie at Rooftop Cinema Club.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
My daughters Ace Diosa and Aaliyah Alegria dared me to embrace life fully, challenging me to overcome my fears. My sons, daughters, and grandchildren have been my greatest influencers, providing constant motivation and support. Additionally, my mother agent J3 Productions has been instrumental in helping me conquer my fears and guiding me through a part of my healing journey. Clutts Agency, Carlos Vincent Photography, Taped Acting Studio, and Monet Motions. Thank you all for convincing me that I can achieve what once seemed impossible. Every tip, guidance, and advice from all that showed me love, I am honored and truly grateful.

Website: https://a.co/d/eRbwX3s

Instagram: @lashawnalegria, @imageryanalyst

Facebook: Lashawn Alegria

Image Credits
@headshotsbycarlosvincent
@shotsbykam_