Meet Ines Gen

We were lucky to catch up with Ines Gen recently and have shared our conversation below.

Ines, we are so deeply grateful to you for opening up about your journey with mental health in the hops that it can help someone who might be going through something similar. Can you talk to us about your mental health journey and how you overcame or persisted despite any issues? For readers, please note this is not medical advice, we are not doctors, you should always consult professionals for advice and that this is merely one person sharing their story and experience.

My acting career requires constant management of my public image, especially on social media, which is key for visibility and credibility. But being an actress also means opening up, sharing my emotions and vulnerabilities. This can be challenging, particularly when dealing with anxiety, depression, and ADHD. These struggles make everyday life more complicated and sometimes prevent me from functioning like most people.

To manage these difficulties, I’ve learned to adapt my daily routine. I regularly check in with myself to make sure I’m still aligned with my values and goals. I practice meditation, exercise, and keep a balanced diet, while still allowing myself to enjoy life’s little pleasures. Sometimes, I need time alone to write, get creative, or just recharge. These moments help me stay grounded and maintain balance.

I’m lucky to have the support of several psychologists who specialize in different areas. Each one provides me with specific tools to help me heal and grow, both personally and professionally. The support from these professionals, along with my psychiatrist, has been crucial in helping me understand myself and accept my differences. It’s an ongoing process, alongside my artistic career, that helps me grow in both aspects of my life.

I’m also fortunate to have close friends like my best friend Clara, who is a true rock for me. I also have other amazing friends who offer support in their own ways, providing a strong network of people I can rely on. During difficult times, I’ve learned to reach out to anonymous helplines to feel heard without judgment, so I don’t place the burden on my loved ones.

On social media, I’ve learned to separate my public image from who I really am. What the public sees is only a small part of my life. What matters most is staying true to my values and who I am, without letting others’ opinions or expectations define me. I’ve come to realize that mental health struggles are a part of the human experience, and accepting that is key to moving forward. Every day, I do my best to keep growing, both as an artist and as a person.

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

My name is Ines Gen, and my journey has been shaped by resilience and determination. From a young age, I’ve always been driven to succeed and never back down, even when faced with personal challenges. When I was 15, after a tough period in my life, I chose to live, despite the fear. That experience shaped me and taught me how to turn pain into art. Today, as an actress, I draw from this duality of emotions, exploring both the light and dark extremes at the core of my craft.

My professional path goes beyond just my artistic career. I studied social sciences and communications to better understand career management. I’m passionate about this because it allows me to structure my professional life while fuelling my creativity. I’ve found a balance between organization and artistry.

Since 2016, I’ve been active on social media, creating content and building skills in video editing, storytelling, and community management. This has allowed me to share my work, my messages, and my values in an authentic way, focusing on the emotions behind the work rather than just the form.

I’m passionate about connecting with people, which is why I enjoy participating in events in various roles: as a hostess, interviewer, or part of a management team. These experiences allow me to combine creativity and organization while building genuine connections.

Currently, I’m in Melbourne, Australia, working on my English and exploring new artistic perspectives. This journey is giving me the opportunity to evolve and build new collaborations and professional opportunities. Although I miss my European roots, this experience is helping me reinvent myself while staying true to my values.

I’m determined to succeed, and I see every challenge as an opportunity to learn and get closer to my goals. With this mindset, I’m continuing to move forward in my career, ready to embrace whatever opportunities come my way.

If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?

Looking back, I believe there are three key qualities that have had the most impact on my journey. The ability to speak multiple languages has been a valuable asset, opening doors to new opportunities and connections. It’s not about speaking 10 languages perfectly, but about being open to learning new expressions, words, and cultures. I started learning English at 16, by myself, during lockdown, and I learned that language learning is a slow, step-by-step process. It takes time, practice, and consistency. Watching vlogs in the language you want to learn, traveling to the country, and speaking with locals are all great ways to build your skills. It’s not about perfection, but about having the motivation to keep going, even when it feels challenging.

Then there’s the audacity — a combination of bravery, self-confidence, and the determination to try anything to achieve my goals. You need audacity to be an artist and to chase your dreams in life. It’s like the “YOLO” mindset: follow your heart, no matter the risks. Audacity is about taking chances, knowing that success will come at some point, and not caring about what others think. It’s about charging forward with your head down, and if things don’t work out, taking a new path. Personally, I’ve always had this drive to win, even from when I was a kid and would cheat at board games just to avoid losing. That mentality has stayed with me — failure doesn’t exist in my language. The audacity to act and push forward has been crucial to how I approach my career and my life.

The third quality is hypersensitivity and empathy — the ability to feel deeply, to trust your intuition, and to be guided by it. It’s about being able to reflect on yourself, stepping into others’ shoes, staying grounded, and acknowledging your mistakes and imperfections. It’s about accepting life, others, and challenges as they are, understanding that we can’t control the course of life, but we can control our reactions, thoughts, words, and actions. It’s recognizing what we can change and finding optimism in the small things, rather than focusing on the big picture. Working on yourself, healing your wounds, and overcoming limiting beliefs are essential steps toward greater self-awareness. Sadly, many people are afraid to confront their own flaws because it’s painful for their ego. But we all have the potential to grow and evolve if we choose to. As Socrates said, “Know yourself, and you will know the world.”

These three qualities — language skills, audacity, and empathy — have shaped who I am today and have been essential to both my personal growth and my career. The journey is long, but with these tools, I’ve learned to keep moving forward, no matter what challenges come my way.

How can folks who want to work with you connect?

Yes, I am open to new collaborations and looking for passionate and serious partners in several fields. I am particularly interested in projects in film, content creation, event management, and social media. As an actress, I am looking for opportunities to work with industry professionals (actors, directors, producers, film students) on quality projects, even independent ones.

I am also very motivated by the event management field, especially in organizing events that bring fans and filmmakers together, such as a 13 Reasons Why fan meet to celebrate its 10th anniversary in 2027, or because I love the cast and I know the fans want to meet them too.

Additionally, I am keen to collaborate with brands related to accessories, fashion, or makeup, which help create characters and enhance visual styles.

Lastly, I am open to collaborations for interviews with public figures or media professionals to inspire others to pursue their dreams.

If you are interested in any of these projects or a collaboration, feel free to reach out to me via email.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/inesgen_/
• Youtube: https://youtube.com/@genines?si=eZBxk3mNByPChjO7

Image Credits

Style and Red Dress: Imagined, Created, and Executed by Iben Clement.

Interview with Alvaro Morte and Jorge Dorado at BIFFF 2023 (Best Opportunity!).

Stage Poetry Credits: IHECS University.

Cinema Jury Member at BAFF 2023.