Barbara
“It can be scary to feel like we have nothing else and no one else to rely on but ourselves. But if you have a dream, whatever that may be, you cannot rely on someone else but yourself to make that dream come true.”
Barbara is a firm believer in believing in yourself regardless of the circumstances. She gets herself up even when she falls. Rather than allowing her feelings of failure to dominate her in the past, she learned from them. In her work as an Athlete Educator and volunteer for Her Voice, a site that encourages young women through the arts, she is now pursuing her passion for sports and women's empowerment. Barbara is determined and driven. She is committed to her goals, and she never gives up. This is her story.
P: Please introduce yourself.
M: I'm Barbara Roache, 21 Years old, Currently Working at Apelu Sports as an Athlete Educator (Sports Organization), a volunteer for Her Voice and I live in Faleula (Samoa).
P: Describe or define yourself in your own words.
M: I am a driven individual who is not afraid to face a challenge. I am passionate about sports and women empowerment.
P: What is your favourite thing about yourself?
M: Favourite thing about myself is that "I believe in myself". I've experienced failure and even so, I am always reminded to keep trying. Everything that is successful began with people believing in themselves.
P: Tell us a story. Have you had an experience that’s defined you or made you stronger?
M: Acceptance.
I failed to do well in College (High School) exams. I was ashamed to show my face to my parents/siblings and be around them. I felt like a loser. Went into depression and could not get out of the house for days.
My older sibling talked to me and comforted me with his words and he has always been there to support and watch my back no matter what. I accepted failure. I accepted everything that Life has blessed me with. There is no other thing which is as good as acceptance in life to me. From there I took a different path, a different journey, a different environment and I am very grateful that my parents raised me to be an independent young woman I am today.
P: What is one piece of advice you’d give to your younger self?
M: Take a leap of faith in yourself
It can be scary to feel like we have nothing else and no one else to rely on but ourselves. But if you have a dream, whatever that may be, you cannot rely on someone else but yourself to make that dream come true.
I took a different path in life and it was the first time where I took a leap of faith in myself and I made it. I then know if I want something to happen, I have no one else to count on but myself, I have to believe in me and trust in my own ability to make it come true.
P: What does being a woman mean to you?
M: Being a woman to me means having a strong sense of identity, being confident, inspired, empowered, and building up the people around you.
P: Who is one woman that inspires you? What would you say to them if they were here now?
M: A woman who inspires me, is my mom. She is a brave woman who always puts other people before herself. Furthermore, I always considers myself as a rear image of her, having to fall down and stand up again over and over. Yet she still rises above and I would like to say to her I’ll forever be grateful for the encouragement she has given me and I am forever indebted to her.