Today we’d like to introduce you to Amanda Saunders.
Amanda, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
Oh, man. I am going to give you probably more information than you care to know – but you can be the judge of what you want to use.
I grew up with a single mother who struggled to pay the bills. Food stamps and periodic homelessness resulted in a childhood triumphed by poverty. So, from a young age, my grandpa etched in my mind that education was the key to success and an out from life as I knew it. He and my grandmother helped raise me until I met my Dad at the age of 11. The best part about all of this is that I found my long lost dad through FACEBOOK! Talk about a millennial miracle.
Throughout high school, I worked hard to pursue my dreams of going to college. Growing up below the poverty line – I was motivated to work hard for everything I owned. That work ethic pushed me to maintain a high GPA while simultaneously working three jobs to save for college. I did just that. I graduated high school and had saved enough to put myself through college – also with the help of FAFSA – lol. If I had learned anything from my childhood it is the montra “It’s not about where you come from; it’s where you go from there.”
I went to Texas Tech my first two years of college. Maintaining a 3.9 GPA on scholarship. I was going to school for a degree in Finance until one day I realized I didn’t want to chase this corporate dream. I wanted to pursue a degree and ultimately, a career in something I’m passionate about. At the time of this realization, I had begun doing “Instagram modeling” which is something I accidentally got into. After doing a few “Instagram shoots” I got bored being just in front of the camera, so I decided to pick up my camera again – which is how I got into photography last year!
These passions led to me beginning to book photography gigs and eventually, getting a contract working for The H Collective for awhile. All of these endeavors inspired me to apply for the Advertising school at The University of Texas, one of the best schools for advertising. Just last week, I actually found out that I got accepted so I am extremely stoked to start a new chapter of my life in Austin this upcoming fall.
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?
My life has been plagued with adversity and obstacles my whole life. But I wouldn’t change it for the world because of all the lessons I have learned and the strength I have gained.
I touched previously on growing up poor which motivated me to have a tenacious work ethic to not only sustain my survival but to put myself through college and follow my dreams.
I grew up not knowing my dad or even what he looked like. When I was 11 years old, I got online and searched for him – finding him on Facebook of all things. The story is pretty insane. I did a whole video about it on my YouTube Channel.
At the age of 17, I moved out of my mom’s house and couch surfed between friends and family until I moved in with my older brother for a year before going off to college.
The first semester of college, my mom had a stroke and lost feeling in half of her body. I thought this was heart breaking until my life changed forever in January of 2017.
In January of 2017, I was sexually assaulted. The results were life changing experiences that I had physically and psychologically. Facing a type of depression that almost ended my life, and dealing with the traumatic effects of PTSD, I knew that this situation didn’t happen to me because life hated me, but because I needed to be the voice to other women out there that went through what so many of us women have secretly gone through.
After counseling and working hard to get through the darkest mental state I have ever been through, I set out to help other women in my area. At the time, that being in Lubbock. February 2018, I had my first art exhibit showcasing a compilation of paintings, photographs, installments, and poetry from other victims of rape that I knew personally in Lubbock. The exhibit was at the Charles Adams Gallery during the first friday art trail. The exhibit definitely took that town out of their comfort zone, but the eyes that needed to see it did. And at the end of the day even if just one person tells me I somehow helped them, then everything I am doing is worth it.
Trust me, there were many other trials and tribulations I went through but those are just the key ones. And if I could give advice to any woman out there, I would say don’t give up. Be your own hero. Be the woman you needed to look up to. Whatever struggle you are going through, you are not alone. Whatever dreams you have, they are POSSIBLE. No obstacle can hold you back, you are able to overcome anything through time and determination.
I would also say that your thoughts become your reality. This could be good things or bad things, so manifest the good things. Dream so big that it scares you, believe in your dreams, be patient, work hard, and watch your dreams become your reality. Also, don’t listen to what people say!
Please tell us about Amanda Jewell (YouTube).
I free lance model in Dallas which is what got me involved in the creative community in Dallas. Modeling gives me a creative outlet but it isn’t something I have taken too seriously, but who didn’t dream of being a model growing up?
I picked up my own camera after being bored of only being in-front of the camera! I love being behind the camera because I love how happy people get when they see a cool picture of themselves. Boosting peoples confidence is what I love to do- support your local girl gangs, everyone. When I am not taking pictures for a client, most of my photos are vintage inspired. I love how timelessy and dreamy photographs look when they give off the vintage vibe.
So, modeling is what got me more into creative pursuits, photography kept me occupied for a while, but I still felt unsatisfied with the content I was making. Which is where YouTube comes in. I have always dreamt of making it “big on YouTube”, but I was never putting in the work.
This year I was reflecting on the hardships I have endured throughout life, the obstacles I have overcome, and even the unbelievable stories that have taken place in my life. This is when I realized I wanted to share my stories in efforts to help someone, anyone. I realized YouTube was the perfect platform to share these stories and offer hope and inspiration to anyone that can relate to the things I have gone through. This year I vowed to myself to get on that “YouTube Grind” and I have been consistently making videos that range from wild storytimes, advice, and even Vlogs that take you into my life more personally.
I have to admit, there is nothing that brings me more joy than making a video. There is no way to describe how fulfilled I feel when someone tells me they enjoy my videos – or when they are inspired to start their own channels!
I think what sets me apart from other people would be that I have gone through so many hardships, but I don’t give up, I refuse to. More importantly, I believe my authenticity is what stands out. I don’t care what anyone thinks, and sometimes I admit that gets me in trouble. But I would rather be unapologetically myself than try to live behind a facade. There are 7 billion people in the world- if someone doesn’t like you there are 10 others that do.
Are there any apps, books, podcasts or other resources that you’ve benefited from using?
Mindfulness is KEY! So, is the Law of Attraction. A book I can’t live without is “No Mud No Lotus” by Thich Nhat Hanh. This book has extremely helped me deal with my anxiety and depression!
Law of attraction videos by Leeor Alexandria on YouTube is also how I manifest my dreams in life.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCbK9XlBj-HMLhpEV3HZegaQ?view_as=subscriber
- Email: amandasaundersdallas@gmail.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shes_the_manda_/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Amanda-Saunders-170172086878056/
Image Credit:
@obislens, @madelinefayep, @sedricacevedo, @gillianraeephotography
Getting in touch: VoyageDallas is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
