We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Alynna Weimer. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Alynna below.
Hi Alynna, thanks for joining us today. Do you think your parents have had a meaningful impact on you and your journey?
Growing up, my parents instilled two very strong principles in me: a good work ethic and doing all things with integrity. I grew up watching them work hard, both at work and at home. Anything worth doing was worth doing well. Being proud of the work you put into something was the reward. These principles have allowed me to grow and be successful in any field I’ve chosen in life.
When my brothers and I made choices that weren’t so wise, my dad would ask, “Is this who you want to be?” The emphasis was never on the mistake itself but rather on the character we would portray to the world around us. “Is this who you want to be?” is a question I still ask myself today when I am tempted to make a poor choice or when I allow fear to cloud my judgment. Will I allow fear to stop me, or am I going to boss up? To me, if I’ve accumulated a mass of riches at the cost of my integrity, it was not worth having.
The principles they taught me have allowed me to be a trustworthy employee, a fortress for a dear friend, and a comfort to my family. I watched my mother achieve large dreams growing up, fulfilling each one with integrity, refusing to take shortcuts, and earning every achievement through hard work. She’s an author, a personal trainer, a social media influencer, and has always led by example. As a parent now myself, I ask my children the same question, “Is this who you want to be?” I push them to grow in integrity and put their heart into everything they do. I’m grateful for the wonderful example I had growing up and strive to be the same example for my children.
Awesome! So before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers?
I have a pretty diverse background with seemingly unrelated interests. Let me explain: I have a degree in criminal justice, and I’m also a pageant queen. While I love my work in the field of criminal justice, I’ve used my degree mostly for my volunteer work, whereas my background in pageants is now my source of income. Choosing a field in the arts after receiving a criminal justice degree was a big step for me, but the arts are my true love. The stage, lights, theater, performance—it’s the heartbeat of what I love. Watching a young lady step into a new level of confidence or earn a long-awaited title gives me so much joy.
Pageants have helped me be successful in so many areas of my life. I’ve realized it’s far more than just being on a stage; the stage is simply the place you get to speak from. But what we choose to speak about is why we pageant girls do what we do. Getting to share with an audience my work with foster youth and the statistics related to crime is where I get to connect the arts with my criminal justice background. My goal is to grow the pageant industry by breaking stereotypes about the women who do them. Pageantry has pushed me to grow in every single area of my life—my workouts, my service to the community, and working to communicate better with others about what matters to me. These are all life skills that grow a person on and off the stage.
As the current reigning National Elite Mrs. 2024, I am not only humbled but honored to share that title. I’m as proud of the work I put into winning that title as I am of my degree in criminal justice. Pageants have also allowed me to connect with many organizations doing the work that is closest to my heart, particularly with foster youth. They’ve opened doors and helped me become a better public speaker and networker. I firmly believe your net worth is directly related to your network. I’ve been able to speak publicly to groups about the work I do in my community and articulate why I’d love for them to get involved as well. I hope to inspire more women to try pageants and watch how they change their lives, just as they have changed mine.
For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?
The most rewarding part of being artistic is observing all the differences in beauty around me. Comparison is the thief of joy, and wishing to be like another is a tragedy. Being able to witness someone walk in their own gifting without worrying about what others think is encouraging. In the pageant industry, there can sometimes be too much comparison and doubt. Some girls are just trying to be prettier or have the best dress, always looking to the left and right of themselves. However, when I see a girl on stage who oozes confidence—not because she thinks she’s the best but because she knows she’s at her best—it’s truly remarkable.
Are there any resources you wish you knew about earlier in your creative journey?
I really wish I had learned about *Dressing Your Truth* earlier in my life. This book by Carol Tuttle is all about being truly comfortable with who you are at your core. She has a few books available on Amazon, an online series, and YouTube videos about dressing your truth. I fully recommend checking out her resources.
The reason I wish I had known about this sooner is that the way you present yourself to the community, your job, or even in a relationship can change everything. Wearing the right colors, hairstyle, and even patterns all reflect who we are. Carol’s books dig deep into why we gravitate toward certain colors and what they say about us. The biggest fear for any artist is the lack of authenticity. You display your version of art to others, hoping they get a glimpse of the true you. But they will never see the true you if you are trying to cover that up or imitate another.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/real_alynna_weimer?igsh=aDJueGlucXNwOHU%3D&utm_source=qr
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61555709653293&mibextid=LQQJ4d
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alynna-weimer-7055232a3?utm_source=share&utm_campaign=share_via&utm_content=profile&utm_medium=ios_app
Image Credits
Magic Dream Productions
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