Meet Asia Rivera

We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Asia Rivera a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Asia , thank you for joining us today and sharing your experiences and acquired wisdom with us. Burnout is a huge topic these days and so we’d love to kick things off by discussing your thoughts on overcoming or avoiding burnout

With being a freelance creative as well as a a mother of two, it’s easy to face burnout and feel like you’re on the verge of losing your mind. When I first faced the feeling of being burnt out I didn’t even realize I had hit that wall. I was so emotional, unable to find joy in things I once did, etc. At this time it was caused by working on personal projects so close together while also juggling the stress of motherhood to my one daughter. I had to force myself to slow down, to keep in mind that I’m only one person and I can only do but so much at once. I took some steps to pour into my self with more time for self-care, physically and mentally. After battling that a few times I started doing more preventative maintenance when it comes to my mental and physical health. After having my second child, continuing being a freelance creative and also diving into digital creation, the risk for burnout was at an all time high. To avoid facing it again I remind myself that it’s okay to do things on my own personal timeline and nobody else’s. I don’t have to rush my creative process to keep up with anyone else, my motherhood journey doesn’t have to define me, my mistakes are lessons, and asking for help from my village is okay. At the end of the day, I am only one person, one person who has taken on a lot in a lifetime. I practice being kind to myself as if I were a friend (why are we nicer to friends than ourselves?) because sometimes we don’t give our best to ourselves because we don’t think we deserve it, crazy right? Well, I finally realized I do deserve it, and I deserve to pace myself so that I’ll never feel like I can’t keep up with my own lifestyle.

Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?

I have emerged as a remarkable model, creative director and wardrobe stylist based in New York City. Born in The Bronx, I have had the pleasure of working with countless brands such as: Foot Locker, Billionaire Boys Club, Google & more. I knew at a young age that I wanted to be a professional model, yet my passion and interests only increased through time, leading me to find a love for direction and wardrobe styling. You can now find me not only being the model but creating endless edgy looks and concepts for an array of clientele.
While also being a mother to my 8 year old daughter, Carter Sophia, who has been featured in some of my most iconic bodies of work, and 11 month old Cypress Stella, I continues to challenge boundaries within the industry, hoping to inspire other mothers and young women to pursue their dreams.
I am and always have been freelance, managing myself and obtaining my own bookings has been something I take pride in. I am waiting and in no rush, to find a home with the right agency/agent for me, that aligns with my values and goals. Until then, I will keep making my mark on the world with my art and passion for it.

I just released my first eBook titled Motherhood: Navigating Mom Guilt, Self-Care & More available here asiarivera.gumroad.com/l/MotherhoodwithAsia

There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?

Determination, adaptability, patience. If you are just beginning your Journey these qualities are something that can really help change your perspective on things. Remaining determined is something that may not always be easy but it will be worth it. Having the ability to adapt in certain settings, can help you reach next levels in your journey, In no way shape or form should you change who you are or your morals completely but you should be open to Minor changes that can help you progress. patience is key. Rome was not built overnight and neither will your career, What’s meant for you will not pass you don’t rush your process. Everyone has a journey of their own.

Before we go, maybe you can tell us a bit about your parents and what you feel was the most impactful thing they did for you?

When I was in middle school and into high school, I was extremely insecure and even bullied. I unfortunately had tried to even take my own life. My mom saw how rough I was being myself and how hard of a time I was having with my self confidence. She went ahead and booked me a photo shoot with one of her friends in New York. This is my first time being in front of a real camera. After seeing the photos and myself in such a different light, it truly opened my eyes to the beauty I held and how hard I had been being on myself over the years. Had she not took the time to book that photoshoot for me, who knows if I would even be where I am today.

Contact Info:

Image Credits

DaiJohn McLaurin (@beezshotme)

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