Meet Vashti Breland

We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Vashti Breland. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Vashti below.

Vashti, we’re thrilled to have you sharing your thoughts and lessons with our community. So, for folks who are at a stage in their life or career where they are trying to be more resilient, can you share where you get your resilience from?

I get my resilience from several sources, but the most powerful one stems from being diagnosed with polymyositis during my junior year of high school. Polymyositis is an autoimmune condition that causes muscle inflammation. I was heartbroken and devastated because I had to sit out the most pivotal year of my high school track career. It changed the trajectory of what I thought I was meant to do—run college track.

It was incredibly difficult to regain my previous speed and align with the fast times that were earning me college recruitment opportunities. That year, I was a team captain, but instead of running, I had to support my teammates from the sidelines. Though challenging, it was an experience that shaped me. Ultimately, I didn’t end up running in college, but I see it as a blessing—God had a different plan and purpose for me.

While track was my passion, I’ve always loved dance and the arts even more. When I arrived at Washington State University, I co-founded the first hip-hop majorette dance team alongside two other amazing women. Our vision was to introduce a dance style and representation that had been completely absent on campus. We broke barriers and built a legacy—one that still thrives today in 2025.

Even though I didn’t run college track, I was able to perform as a dancer at NCAA Division I basketball games in the Pac-12. That was a dream come true—one I never could have imagined for myself. When I was first diagnosed with polymyositis, I could barely lift my arms to do my own hair. So, just two years later, to be performing regularly and helping establish a dance legacy was a testament to my resilience.

Later, during the COVID-19 pandemic, I was diagnosed with another autoimmune condition: Mixed Connective Tissue Disease, which has overlapping symptoms of lupus, scleroderma, and polymyositis. But nothing could stop my purpose. I began pursuing my dreams in music and acting, releasing songs, and eventually getting discovered and signed by an acting agency in LA. It became clear to me that no obstacle—no matter how big—can stop the purpose that God has placed over my life.

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?

I aim to bring awareness and encouragement to women—particularly Black women—who battle autoimmune disorders. These conditions affect us at disproportionate rates, yet there is so little information available. I know what it feels like to be blindsided by a diagnosis you never even knew existed. It can be devastating. But I am an overcomer, and I want every person facing an autoimmune condition to know that they, too, are overcomers with a purpose over their lives.

The struggles I’ve faced have made my victories even sweeter. Life isn’t easy, but I truly believe that even in hardship, there is still beauty, love, joy, and peace to be found.

A powerful way I share this message is through my music. I write about my pain and triumphs, using my songs to inspire and uplift young people. I’ve built a strong social media presence where I actively encourage and evangelize to my audience.

I’m also pursuing my dream of acting. My journey began when I was working at JCPenney and telling a funny story—someone overheard me, scouted me for an audition, and invited me to an acting program. My mom believed in me and invested in that opportunity, which led to me getting signed by an agent. Today, I’m auditioning for roles in commercials and other projects while simultaneously preparing to release my debut music EP, In Not Of, this spring. I’m also lining up live performances to bring my music to audiences in person. Currently, I also work as the coordinator for a youth and family social justice-centered non-profit called “BRAVE” (Building Resilience Awareness and Variations of Excellence).

There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?

The three most important skills or qualities that were the most impactful in my journey was perseverance, patience, and faith.

Perseverance – There were times I wanted to give up, but I know something special is destined for me. I believe I’ve come too far to stop now. You have to love yourself and believe in yourself—knowing you are worth it and that your talents and dreams matter.

Patience – The journey doesn’t always look how we expect it to. Many times, I wished my path was easier. I didn’t understand why my struggles had to be “so hard.” But looking back, I see how patience was being cultivated in me. I’ve learned to embrace the waiting seasons, knowing they are preparing me for what’s ahead. Someone once told me, “The journey itself is beautiful.” If you’re always impatiently looking ahead, you might miss the beauty of the present.

Faith – Lastly, and personally, I believe this is the most important, Faith. Faith is defined as the substance of things hoped for and the evidence of things not seen. You have to be willing to take that next step, even when you can’t see what’s on the other side. Fear can be paralyzing, but faith triumphs over fear every time.

What has been your biggest area of growth or improvement in the past 12 months?

My biggest growth area has been learning to value my peace of mind and advocate for myself. I’ve stopped overthinking decisions based on other people’s feelings and started prioritizing my own. I’ve also grown in confidence—learning not to be afraid of asking questions or facing intimidating situations. I’m still evolving, but I’ve made huge strides in using my voice.

One of the greatest obstacles I’ve ever overcome was surviving an abusive relationship. Breaking free, recovering, and regaining my voice was one of the most empowering experiences of my life. I’m constantly growing in my ability to speak up, and this past year, I’ve felt tremendous progress—both professionally and personally.

Contact Info:

Image Credits

NyShae Petty
CGTV

Suggest a Story: BoldJourney is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems,
so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
Productivity
Where do you get your work ethic from?

We’ve all heard the phrase “work hard, play hard,” but where does our work ethic

Productivity
Tactics & Strategies for Keeping Your Creativity Strong

With the rapid improvements in AI, it’s more important than ever to keep your creativity

Productivity
From Burnout to Balance: The Role of Self-Care

Burning out is one of the primary risks you face as you work towards your