Deana
“If you want to do something, but you’re afraid that it won’t be the result that you hope for... just do it anyways.”
Deana radiates positive vibes, and is grounded by the sea, the sun and her surfboard. Deana is someone who has always lived her life saying “yes”, but is now learning the value of trusting her gut and saying “no.” She swims through life by taking risks, facing challenges and embracing happiness. Meet Deana. This is her story.
Deana with her surfboard (her happy place)
Photos by Jasmine Rice @jasricephotos
P: Please introduce yourself.
D: Hiiii! My name is Deana. I am a 30-year-old Filipina-American teacher, coach, and surfer. I grew up in the beautiful and diverse Bay Area in the Golden State of California!
P: Describe or define yourself in your own words.
D: I'd like to think that I am a happy person. I am very enthusiastic and pretty animated; I always try to make sure that I give out positivity so that I can always surround myself with positive people. I'm a firm believer in the saying "your vibe attracts your tribe". So if I'm happy, I know I'll attract other happy people. Also, I'm a proud Filipina- American. I'm very proud of my ethnicity and identity.
P: What is your favourite thing about yourself?
D: I love people, and as an extrovert, it feels pretty natural and comfortable talking to strangers or making friends. I like having conversations with people and listening to them share their stories and experiences.
P: Tell us a story. Have you had an experience that’s defined you or made you stronger?
D: As a person who loves being around people, sometimes it can be tough to set boundaries. I have been such a "yes" person that I used to do whatever I could to make people happy, even if it put me through stress and hard circumstances. So a few years ago, one of my resolutions was to say "no". If I didn't want to do something, I said "no". If I was busy, I didn't try and stress myself out by going to whatever I was invited to. If I was invited to something that I didn't want to attend, I said "no". That year really helped me because I learned to set boundaries for myself and my mental health.
P: What is one piece of advice you’d give to your younger self?
D: If you want to do something, but you're afraid that it won't be the result that you hope for... just do it anyways. If you don't do it, then the result will definitely not be what you hoped for... but if you try, you at least have a chance.
P: What does being a woman mean to you?
D: To me, being a woman is tough and beautiful at the same time; I see it as a challenge, and I love challenges. I love proving doubters wrong and showing them "hell yeah, I'm a woman and I'm badass at what I do!" As a woman, I am graceful but rugged, patient but unapologetic, humble but confident, loving but independent.
P: Who is one woman that inspires you? What would you say to her if she were here now?
D: Hands down, my mom inspires me the most. She grew up as the youngest in her family, and as a Filipina who immigrated to America at the age of 27, she was split by two generations: one that was traditional in how women were viewed, and the other as going against the grain of what is expected for women. She was the bread-winner and she always taught me, "Deana, never rely on a man to do what you can do for yourself. You have to live standing on your own two feet, so that if he ever leaves you, you will still make it". That message has stayed with me, and it molded me to the independent and confident person I am today. I owe that to my mom!