Failure is Not an Option
I love sharing my client’s stories through portraits and interviews. Jennifer took part in the #40over40 project not only to get headshots but also to celebrate her new body. Her story of discovering her cancer was too important to not share. Please click and watch both videos. Ladies, share with your friends and schedule those mammograms! Thank you Jennifer for sharing your story with us!
Here are a few snippets from Jennifer’s interview.
What made you get pictures done?
I needed a new look for my headshots for work, I’m a real-estate agent and also coming into a new body.
How do you think the definition of beauty has changed for you over the years?
I am definitely having to embrace weight and change in my body over the year and coming to the fact that this is me and it’s ok.
What advice would you give your daughter?
Make sure that you can always provide for yourself as you get older cause you just never know.
What would you tell your 20-year-old self?
Don’t marry him, 22-year-old me just don’t just wait, wait.
When do you feel you were the most confident in life?
I feel the most confident when I’m working with clients in my job and providing them with information that they would not know without me.
How do you think the younger generation perceives your generation?
I think my generation is great, actually the gym I go to the average age of most people is like 24, and they will occasionally listen to me, which is quiet surprising actually
What motivates you to get up in the morning?
Getting on up and knowing that when I don’t, that’s failure. Failure is not an option.
How would people around you describe you?
I think people would describe me as outgoing and funny, but not knowing that anxiety is overwhelming me all at the same time.
What has been your biggest struggle in life?
Figuring out how to do it alone.
What do you value most in life?
The thing I value most in life is my daughter, watching her grow into the woman that she’s becoming has just been amazing.
What is your favorite quote or scripture?
“You’re braver than you believe and you’re smarter than you think” – Christopher Robin
Jennifer also battled breast cancer, here is her storyIn 2019 I went for my first ever mammogram and they found two areas with six spots that were biopsied and found to be cancerous, went through bilateral mastectomy with reconstruction, and those were the hardest words to hear. Very difficult to go through, but my encouragement to other women is to get your mammograms, get checked. Because I caught it so soon that I didn’t need chemo or radiation, I was one of the lucky ones, and just having the surgery kept me from having to endure any more.
Be sure to click on the video and hear Jennifer in her own words. Hair and makeup by @bettybylizyturria. For more information on the 40 over 40 portraits, please visit www.brandiblake.com.
