An Inspired Chat with Taina Santiago of Virginia, USA

We’re looking forward to introducing you to Taina Santiago . Check out our conversation below.

Taina , it’s always a pleasure to learn from you and your journey. Let’s start with a bit of a warmup: When was the last time you felt true joy?
I tend to feel the most joy when getting together with my graduate school cohort. I am so grateful to have been placed in such a unique program surrounded by empaths. Whenever I am with them, whether it is in class or at a gathering, I feel true joy. This cohort has shown me the true meaning of love and friendship. I feel that I have learned so much from each member, who all come from different backgrounds and ages.

Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
Hello everyone! My name is Taina Santiago, I am currently a 1st year graduate student and a published model based in Virginia, USA. My studies are centered on Clinical Mental Health Counseling. This master’s degree will allow me to become a licensed professional therapist in Virginia. I plan on working with a variety of populations, such as victims of IPV, incarceration, as well as adolescents in inpatient facilities. In relation to school, I am currently working on my skills in group counseling, diagnosis, and treatment planning.
What makes my life interesting is that I get to work on my master’s while also following my passion for modeling. I have been a freelance model for 3 years now and have been published! Being a freelance model has been such an interesting field to work in, as I have done shoots in a variety of disciplines and worked with such talented and unique photographers. My life holds a balance in the social sciences while also following my interests in the arts.

Appreciate your sharing that. Let’s talk about your life, growing up and some of topics and learnings around that. What breaks the bonds between people—and what restores them?
Humans are social creatures that require socialization to promote quality of life. In my studies I have learned that a lack of communication is one of the biggest factors that can break bonds between people. Communication may be a challenge among some due to a variety of reasons, such as lack of trust, unresolved trauma, fear, incompatible styles, or simple adult stressors like having a busy work schedule. I find that as we age many of our bonds tend to stretch and sometimes break apart due to real world responsibilities. Conflict will occur between people we care about, it is inevitable and in some amounts, healthy. The key is how we manage it with the ones we love. Through communication, active listening, taking perspective, patience, and collaboration, one can work to restore bonds.

Is there something you miss that no one else knows about?
This may sound a little cliche, but I miss my younger years. I miss what could have been. A part of me has not had closure from the 2020 Covid-19 pandemic. I was a senior in high school when life significantly took a turn one day in March, school shutdown, no one knew it would be their last day in high school. There was no prom, no formal graduation, no proper goodbyes. I look back on this day and it feels odd looking into the mirror and seeing my adult features. At other times I still feel like I am 18 and stuck in 2020. If there was never a pandemic, how different would life be? This experience shows just how much historical events can majorly impact one’s development.

I think our readers would appreciate hearing more about your values and what you think matters in life and career, etc. So our next question is along those lines. Is the public version of you the real you?
The public version has to be the real me based off of the nature of my future work. One of a therapists ethical values is authenticity. This means the ability to be genuine, present, transparent, empathic, and self-aware when working with clients. This trait is critical because it deepens the therapeutic alliance I will have with clients, and promotes a meaningful process through sessions. Without authenticity, there is no rapport, which can negatively affect clients.
This is similar when it comes to modeling. Modeling is a form of artistic expression which requires authenticity. A simple photo can speak to a variety of thoughts and emotions the model may be having. I imbue the emotions I feel into my work to produce a genuine work of art.
On the grand scheme of things, authenticity allows me to reach a higher level of fulfillment and meaning in life in which I am able to align my action with my true values.

Before we go, we’d love to hear your thoughts on some longer-run, legacy type questions. If you knew you had 10 years left, what would you stop doing immediately?
Honestly, I would not change a thing. I would want my life to continue as it is destined to be. Naturally I would want my remaining time to continue with a good quality of life, and knowing that I only had limited time would bring me the clarity to focus on what really matters. All in all, I would continue to be a compassionate caring person, I would ensure that my friends and loved ones know how much I care for them, and I would work to put help those less fortunate. I began my studies into Clinical Mental Health Counseling because I truly want to help people, and that is what brings me joy and fulfillment. If I focus on being myself, and putting my best foot forward, there shouldn’t be anything I need to cease doing.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lumin0us.xo/
• Other: https://www.linkedin.com/in/taina-santiago-851267258/

Image Credits
Credits:
David Kardosph: @davidkardosph
Jeff Cordero: @cordero_jeff
Nicholas Radcliffe: @radcliffephotography2024
Russel Latshaw: @ruslatpictures
Chris Meyer: @chrisclicksphotos
David Janoff
Asim Smith: @_bigseeem