We recently connected with Mindy Gurley and have shared our conversation below.
Mindy, we’re so excited for our community to get to know you and learn from your journey and the wisdom you’ve acquired over time. Let’s kick things off with a discussion on self-confidence and self-esteem. How did you develop yours?
“Be the love you never received.” — Rune Lazuli
I never felt like I fit into the mold of a “typical girl.” Growing up, I was a tomboy — more comfortable with a wrench in my hand than a hairbrush. I helped my dad with vehicle maintenance and spent most of my time outdoors helping my grandparents on the farm. I hated staying inside. But when I was 13, my world shifted. My parents divorced, and the emotional fallout hit me in ways I didn’t expect — or fully understand at the time.
Suddenly, I felt unlovable. I questioned my worth, began self-harming, and developed body dysmorphia even though I weighed just 98 pounds. My thoughts were overwhelmingly negative. Even in moments that should have felt joyful, I found darkness. I craved love from others, but more than anything, I longed to love myself — and I didn’t know how.
Years later, I met my husband. At the time, I was an alcoholic, battling demons I didn’t talk about. He helped me climb out of that hole and believe that life could be better. When I got pregnant with our son (who’s now 16), I thought I had it all figured out. I was wrong.
An office job seemed like the next logical step, but over three years, I gained over 100 pounds. My health was declining, my self-esteem plummeted, and my body dysmorphia came back with a vengeance. I hated mirrors. I didn’t want my husband to look at me. I was ashamed, trapped inside a body and mind I didn’t recognize.
When we moved to Utah, I started working at a women’s clinic. Something shifted. Helping women — making them smile, making their days even just a little bit better — gave me a new kind of strength. I found grace through service. But eventually, the medical field became toxic for me. I felt my mental health slipping again when we moved to Texas.
I needed change. I wanted to go back to school, but I didn’t know for what. After lots of soul-searching (and Google searches), I landed on esthetics. It felt right.
And it was.
Facials, lashes, body treatments — it all felt like second nature. More importantly, I was helping people feel beautiful, empowered, and seen. In helping others love themselves, I began learning how to love myself again.
That’s what inspired me to launch Rust and Radiance Esthetics — a space where beauty and healing meet. My mission is simple: to help others feel whole in their own skin, the way I had to learn to feel in mine. Every service I offer is about more than just skincare — it’s about connection, confidence, and care.
My confidence today isn’t loud or flashy. It’s quiet and steady — the kind that’s been earned. I no longer measure my worth by a number on the scale or by what someone else sees in me. I define it by how I feel when I look in the mirror, by the joy I get from helping others feel good in their skin.
If I could give anyone reading this one piece of advice, it would be this:
Love yourself — fiercely, unapologetically, and in your own skin.
The journey is messy, but so worth it. And no matter where you start, healing is always possible.
Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?
Today, I’m an esthetician — but my work is so much more than skincare. It’s about healing, confidence, and helping others feel seen. My journey has been anything but traditional. I’ve struggled with self-worth, body image, addiction, and mental health. I know what it feels like to look in the mirror and not recognize the person staring back. That’s why this work is personal to me — deeply personal.
I specialize in facials, lashes, and body treatments, but what I truly offer is a safe space. A space for anyone man or woman, to come exactly as they are, without judgment. Whether someone is struggling with their self-image, navigating a hard chapter, or just in need of rest, I want them to leave feeling more grounded, more confident, and more connected to themselves.
What I love most about what I do is the transformation — not just the physical, but the emotional shift. I see it in the way someone carries themselves after a treatment, in their smile, in the way they exhale and relax. That’s where the magic is. I’ve learned that beauty isn’t about perfection — it’s about feeling good in your own skin, and I’m honored to help people reconnect with that feeling.
Right now, I’m excited to be expanding my offerings to include more holistic, healing-centered services. I’m working on a new service menu that focuses on body positivity, emotional support, and deeper self-care. I want clients to feel like they’re not just getting a treatment, but experiencing something meaningful — something that reminds them of their worth.
If there’s one thing I want people to take away from my brand, it’s this: you are worthy of love, care, and softness — especially from yourself. Healing is messy, but it’s always possible. And you don’t have to do it alone.
If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
Looking back, the three qualities that were most impactful in my journey have been resilience, empathy, and a commitment to growth through discomfort.
1. Resilience
There were many points in my life where it would’ve been easier to stay stuck — in pain, in patterns, in fear. But resilience kept me going, even when I didn’t see the light yet. It’s not about never falling apart — it’s about learning how to rebuild, even if it’s one small piece at a time.
Advice: Resilience isn’t something you’re just born with — it’s something you build. Start by honoring your own survival. Every time you choose to get back up, you strengthen that muscle. Practice self-compassion. Rest when you need to. Then keep going.
2. Empathy
My ability to truly connect with others — especially anyone who feels unseen or insecure — is rooted in empathy. Because I’ve been there, I can hold space for others in a way that feels safe and real. Empathy makes everything I do more impactful, whether it’s a skincare treatment or a simple conversation.
Advice: Empathy starts with listening — to yourself and others. Try not to rush to fix or compare. Instead, be present. The more you understand your own emotions and triggers, the easier it becomes to meet others with kindness instead of judgment.
3. Growth Through Discomfort
So much of my transformation happened outside of my comfort zone — going back to school, starting over in a new industry, facing my insecurities head-on. Every major breakthrough came from doing something that scared me.
Advice: Don’t wait until you feel 100% ready. You grow by doing, by showing up imperfectly, by saying yes before you’ve figured it all out. It’s okay to be scared. Just don’t let fear make your decisions for you.
If you’re early in your journey, my biggest piece of advice is this: start messy, stay honest, and give yourself permission to evolve. You don’t need to have it all figured out. Just take the next right step — and trust that even your detours are part of the path.
What do you do when you feel overwhelmed? Any advice or strategies?
When I feel overwhelmed, the first thing I try to do is pause and breathe — not to ignore the chaos, but to regulate myself enough to respond instead of react. I’ve learned (the hard way) that pushing through overwhelm without checking in with myself only leads to burnout, resentment, or self-sabotage.
One of the most helpful things I’ve done is create a simple check-in process that asks:
“What do I need right now — mentally, emotionally, physically?”
Sometimes the answer is a nap. Sometimes it’s movement. Sometimes it’s stepping away from my phone, taking a walk, or journaling everything out so I can release what’s spinning in my head.
Another strategy that’s been powerful for me is breaking things down into small, manageable pieces. Overwhelm usually comes from looking at everything all at once. I’ve started asking myself, “What’s the next right thing I can do?” Not the whole list. Just one thing. Then I do that — and let that small action build momentum.
I also believe in the power of boundaries and saying no — even to things that seem “good” on paper. If it costs my peace, my health, or pulls me away from what truly matters, it’s not worth it.
Advice for anyone struggling with overwhelm:
Ground yourself first. Your nervous system can’t make clear decisions when it’s in panic mode.
Release the need for perfection. Done is better than perfect.
Talk to someone. You don’t have to carry everything alone.
Give yourself grace. You’re not a machine — you’re a human being, and it’s okay to take up space, rest, or step back when needed.
At the end of the day, I remind myself that overwhelm doesn’t mean I’m failing — it means I need to reconnect with myself. And when I do, things always get a little clearer.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: rustandradianceesthetics
- Other: TikTok: @rustandradiance
