Meet HaLisa Sowash

Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to HaLisa Sowash. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Hi HaLisa, we’re so appreciative of you taking the time to share your nuggets of wisdom with our community. One of the topics we think is most important for folks looking to level up their lives is building up their self-confidence and self-esteem. Can you share how you developed your confidence?

Back in 2011 I went blind after having a migraine for 8 weeks. I had to be put on a very large dose of steriods to help regain my vision. This caused dead bone to develope in my body. Which later caused me to have bilateral hip replacements and bilateral knee micro fractures. My self esteem and confidence dropped to zero becuase of my weight gain and depression. I had major doubts about myself and recovery. I did my first Mrs. pageant a year after I got my vision back. I did it to prove to myself that I still had it. I could still be proud of who I was. I didn’t win, but the lady who did win, her mother and sister came up to me and said how proud they were of me. They said they could feel my confidence. That made me feel so good and inspired me to continue on with my pageant journey. And I did. In 2015 I won the Ms. Petite United America pageant. I was beyond proud and happy. Now I am in remission from my disease, healthy, had a baby last year, and just won Mrs. Oklahoma United World 2024.

Let’s take a small detour – maybe you can share a bit about yourself before we dive back into some of the other questions we had for you?

After our oldest son attempted suicide, I wanted to get more education about suicide prevention and work with others who are striving to help those people who are struggling. I joined the group American Foundation for Suicide Prevention. I am still new to the group here in Oklahoma, but I am determined to do more advocating with them. I want to work with them to help get legislation passed in Oklahoma to help our school age kids 7th-12th to get excused absences when having a mental health day and to have training for staff done yearly instead of every 5 years after the initial training. I don’t want another parent to feel hopeless like me or for another student or young adult to feel hopeless. To feel like I didn’t do enough for him to only find out from him I did do enough and then some. Ian now knows his red flags and knows what to do when his depression comes up. I too suffer from depression (postpartum) and anxiety, so I feel I can relate to others struggling.

Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?

For my journey to confidence and self esteem, I had to remember who I was. Taking time for self care is so important. You have to take time to stop and breath, take time to exercise, and most of all take time to tell yourself you are enough and your doing great. Give yourself a pep talk. Self motivating could go a long way.

Alright so to wrap up, who deserves credit for helping you overcome challenges or build some of the essential skills you’ve needed?

My husband has been my cheerleader for over 30 years. He really takes the whole for better or worst in sickness and health to a new level. I could not do the pageants or volunteer work without his support.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: mrsoklahomaunitedworld2024
• Facebook: Mrs. Oklahoma United World

Image Credits

Elite Photo Legacy
Melissa Cosper