Daily Inspiration: Meet Lana Berry

Today we’d like to introduce you to Lana Berry.

Hi Lana, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
I have always been considered a plus size figure throughout my entire life and I got to the point where I began questioning everything I was seeing and wondering why I didn’t see “me” in advertisements, etc. It made me wonder what kind of influences the younger generation has especially with all the access to news, fashion articles, diet cultures, videos, and assorted apps they have during their most important formative years. I was lucky enough to be able to grow in a society where I didn’t have the views and opinions of the entire world at the tip of my fingers.

My whole career in the social media industry started when I was lost and at my wit’s end with what I could do with my life. I had been suffering from chronic migraines for years and I finally had enough of not getting the treatment or medical help that I needed. I ended up being diagnosed with Fibromyalgia as well as depression, anxiety, PTSD/CPTSD from past trauma, which all became a huge weight on my shoulders.

I wasn’t able to work in the job field of my choice which was childcare (imagine working with 24 kids with a migraine… ouch right?!) so I started looking everywhere for other options and I came upon some live-streaming apps. The great thing about live-streaming is that I could do it from my home, when I was having a semi-okay day, whatever time of day I needed, and it allowed me to get the social aspect that I was missing so much.

I have been live-streaming for the last eight years and that is what got me into the social media lifestyle. It has been almost three years and I absolutely love sharing my story, joys, sadness, happiness, and everything from positive to negative with the world. I have always wanted to change one person’s life and if I can potentially help more with the major platforms, I am all in! Being on these social media platforms and being able to model a plus-size has made such a difference in myself and how I perceive life.

It takes a lot to put yourself into the spotlight and you have to do so much soul searching to be able to complete it and feel good at the end of the day. The emails, DM’s, messages that you get from people can be absolutely gorgeous and life-changing but there are others that will take you down to your lowest of lows. As someone in the public eye, you need to know your breaking points and the boundaries you want to be set out for yourself and stick to your own morals and beliefs.

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
In everything, there are always ups and downs, in life, love, and careers. There have been health issues, mental health struggles, Covid, but the main obstacle or challenge that I have faced has been that of society. Even though nowadays it seems that everyone is welcomed, that is definitely a facade.

We are an ever-growing society and constantly shifting what is deemed as acceptable but that doesn’t mean it is an instant change. Having stretch marks, acne, scars, anything that could be portrayed as “out of the ordinary” creates a challenge within itself. When you are trying to make a career, job, or hobby out of being constantly “on,” it just magnifies what could have potentially been a minor pothole into an unavoidable sinkhole.

As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
As briefly stated in previous questions, I am a social media influencer, lifestyle content creator, live-streamer, and plus-size model. I am extremely proud of how far I have come and the opportunities I have created for myself. I have been able to (and continue to) share all aspects of my life, without telling anyone else’s journey, that is theirs to tell not mine, to try and help as many others as possible.

Being set apart from others is one hard thing to do because I believe that everyone deserves to follow their dreams, but I also believe that by being open and honest about where I have been and what I have conquered as well as suffering from an invisible illness will help push me to further my career path.

Networking and finding a mentor can have such a positive impact on one’s life and career. Any advice?
The advice that I always give people is, “Be yourself. Be your true you. Authentically you.” or as I’d like to say, “Be Berry Authentic.”

Finding a mentor helped me. I was able and extremely lucky that a few of my idols from Instagram responded back to me and were always so welcoming. With social media, it permits us to connect with people from all over the world and from different paths in life which allows us to be able to constantly change and create all forms of content in an ever-changing way.

When trying to find someone to bounce off of, put yourself out there. Be respectful, humble, courteous, courageous, and understanding. Not everyone is going to be able to help you due to their busy lives or schedules so always remember the more you talk to others the more you are likely to get in return.

Contact Info:

• Email: [email protected]
• Website: www.iamlanaberry.com
• Instagram: http://instagram.com/iamlanaberry
• Facebook: http://facebook.com/iamlanaberry
• Twitter: http://twitter.com/iamlanaberry