Today we’d like to introduce you to Amanda Davis.
Hi Amanda, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
Hi there, I’m Amanda Mae. My testimony is one of resilience, restoration, and rediscovery. I’m a Dallas native and consider myself an old soul at heart. I am drawn to poetry, psychology, nature, yoga, dogs, and thoroughly enjoy a glass of iced tea (always)! My story is ultimately a journey of coming home to myself, after years of rebuilding my life piece by piece. At 33 years old, I am actively navigating what it means to be human and understanding that life hardly unfolds the way we create in our minds. With the utmost level of gratitude, my life to this point has been divinely protected by God and guided by my intuition. If sharing my story does anything, I hope that it reminds people that it is absolutely acceptable to start over as many times as you need to, to keep moving forward even if your feet feel stuck in the mud, and to live in self-compassion and acceptance. No matter what you’ve been through, there is still a version of your life waiting for you to explore with an open heart.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
What would life be like if everything was a smooth road? A smooth transition? Honestly despite everything, I am forever grateful I have endured various challenges in my adult life. It has shaped me in a way that feels truly authentic and unique to me. I am inspired by the lessons I’ve learned, the people I’ve met, the mistakes I’ve made. To summarize the journey, survival molded almost every part of me. Navigating divorce was the first big obstacle that forced me to look inward, to rebuild, and to start again as a woman with open wounds. I was living in Arizona pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Nursing when life shifted. Following graduation and the move back to Texas, I experienced the trauma of being kidnapped. This was an event that changed the way I understood safety, trust, and altered my nervous system entirely. A carjacking incident turned into a road trip with two men who spared my life because I chose to look at them as people with complex stories rather than criminals. Without a doubt, several guardian angels protected me and gave me the courage to process the situation with a calm spirit. The aftermath of these traumas left me feeling overwhelmed by emotion. The masks I wore to feel strong and safe started to fall. I carried many fears and chose to escape through alcohol. What began as a way to numb pain slowly became my solution to avoid the deepest parts of myself. Recovery didn’t happen overnight, but as of February 17th, 2023 I haven’t had another sip of alcohol. Choosing sobriety has given me the joy of being fully present, perspective, and has restored my faith in life’s journey. I’m reinventing myself one day at a time and romanticizing aspects of the world around me. Sometimes the traumas you endure become the reason someone else believes there is a path forward, despite it all.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
Although I have a degree in nursing and still hope to practice one day, I chose to explore a career that challenges me creatively and allows me to connect with people through beauty and meaningful celebrations. I currently work as a full-time freelance floral designer for weddings and events across the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex. Floral design has become an opportunity for me to trust my creativity, rebuild my confidence, and create art. My career has been built through hands-on experience, adaptability, attention to detail, and a strong work ethic. I am most proud of my work ethic and my willingness to put myself out there despite my fears. I’ve pushed myself outside of my comfort zone by walking into new spaces, working with unfamiliar teams, learning by doing, and most importantly, believing in myself. What sets me apart from others is not just my work ethic and reliability, but my love for collaboration and teamwork. I genuinely care about being someone people trust and want on their team.
We all have a different way of looking at and defining success. How do you define success?
My definition of success has never been measured by money; it goes much deeper than that. Success is having a beautiful community of people that support me daily, pouring into each other and bringing joy to my days. Being in survival mode for so long altered my perspective of the world and “the struggle” became a part of my identity. There was a quiet comfort of knowing that if I continued to ride the struggle bus, I would never have to face the reality of success. In a moment of clarity, I realized that I am becoming a new version I haven’t fully met yet and that’s okay! Success is having the privilege of being surrounded by the people you love and that love you well. It’s becoming the kind of person who can receive support, trust connection, and build something meaningful in this life. As I am becoming her, I embrace the small wins in each day.
Pricing:
- Floral Design: $25-30 per hour (4 hour minimum)
- Strike: $150-$250
Contact Info:
- Website: [email protected]
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/amandamae_yall?igsh=MWhzdW4xNmlyamN1dw%3D%3D&utm_source=qr
- Other: https://www.instagram.com/overtheapologies?igsh=MXJod2w0cTRvb2xtdg%3D%3D&utm_source=qr
Image Credits
A Brennan Mind Media
