We recently connected with Keren Nicole and have shared our conversation below.
Keren, we are so happy that our community is going to have a chance to learn more about you, your story and hopefully even take in some of the lessons you’ve learned along the way. Let’s start with self-care – what do you do for self-care and has it had any impact on your effectiveness?
A quote I live by is “You can’t pour from an empty cup”. It’s one that stands out to me in all areas of life. From resting to taking a step back and checking in with oneself. When you care about others, you want to be there for everyone, and support them, and it can come easily, but then you put your needs aside. And if you’re caring, it’s what you do, but you also have to realize that your main priority is you. You simply cannot pour from an empty cup.
I had to truly take time for myself this year and separate from the crowd, from having fun when it would make sense to, in order to be more disciplined with what I know I needed, and to make the time for it. My faith, my mental health, and also my entire life changed when I did. I slowed down and I no longer felt the sense of urgency to rush or do things. Your mind thinks clearly, and also, you learn to give yourself that love and attention that sometimes you can forget you need.
It’s a simple concept, yet easy to overlook.
Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?
My name is Keren Nicole, I am an LA native at this point. I moved here from Miami pursuing my career as a model and actress. I am also a pilates instructor. My dream has always been to help people and make a difference, and it hasn’t been until recently that I realized that all along my goal was to do that, in all aspects of my life.
My wellness brand is called Finding Keren, and my goal with that is to build a community of women, online and in person, where I can help create relationships, but more importantly, help women feel good from the inside out. It starts with you, and we forget. I hear so often how women want a certain goal on the exterior and I’ve heard the false sense that if they feel good with their exterior and how they look, that they’ll be happier or feel better, but it’s the opposite. I want to help women feel good on the inside and truly glow before they can feel better on the outside. It’s about the inner work and really getting there for yourself. The outside comes after. It’s so important to learn to love yourself and value yourself.
I also want to build it so that we can host events through major cities. Right now I am working on LA and Miami, and soon New York and Austin. We are starting events as early as this month, March 2024.
Through my career in modeling and acting I want to empower others to be their most authentic, genuine self. I believe there is room for everyone to grow and thrive, and if you’re different, so what? You were made on purpose, for a purpose. You don’t have to fit the box or mold someone set out as a standard. As a 5’4.5′” model, it hasn’t been the easiest. But one of my goals was to show people that if I could do it, they could too.
Lastly, I want to use any resources to help the helpless. Homeless neighbors, kids, abused people, anyone who is in a vulnerable space or state, because let’s be honest, we all need help, at one point or another. I launched a homeless outreach called The Gratitude Project LA and I didn’t know how it would happen, where the resources would come from. Almost one year later, I have partnered with Churchome, the LA Dream Center and we have served various parts of Los Angeles.
I would love if you would get connected with either the wellness community or the homeless outreach. You can find it on Instagram or online at www.findingKeren.com, or @TheGratitudeProjectLA
If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
Boldness, courage, and faith.
I think my boldness came from being told no and that I couldn’t from a young age. I took limitations and rejections as motivations to do the things I desired in my heart to do. It wasn’t to prove anyone wrong, but rather, to prove to myself that I could. I knew I had it in me, and I told myself that if I did all the hard work and didn’t give up, that I could actually get there.
Courage, that partners with faith. My faith in God, and Jesus is the one thing that has always been a constant and unchanging. If I wasn’t anchored in Him, during hard years, I wouldn’t be here. It’s knowing that there’s a plan for your life, and that no matter the challenge, He’s with you. Lastly, it’s knowing that He is the one that put those desires in your heart, and if you’re there, you better go for it!
I would tell others to not limit themselves or let fear stop them. My biggest fear in life is getting to Heaven and seeing the life I could have had, but didn’t choose to walk into. I never want to settle for less, especially if I can do something about it.
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?
The most impactful thing my parents have done for me is being hard on me. This never allowed me to settle for less, and I learned to be persistent. It initiated a drive in me and a focus to do the things I was destined to do, even if we’ve disagreed with what those things were.
Growing up I always wanted my parents to be more laidback like other kid’s parents, but now looking back as an adult, it’s what drove me and never let me make bad decisions. The bare minimum or just getting by was not enough. My parents are both immigrants, as I myself am, and choosing something simple and not living a full life, and getting a proper education was not an option. Coming from a third world country like Cuba, and having a world of opportunities in the States, it made no sense to not take advantage of the freedom and the choices to “be” and “do”.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://findingkeren.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/findingkeren/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCqSrD9L-UJ1PV1CWxSOn4KQ
- Other: The Gratitude Project LA https://www.instagram.com/thegratitudeprojectla/
